There are a number of conservative therapies you can consider for Scoliosis in the UK. The most effective method that I could find was Schroth. But it is important to consider all the options yourself and make your own decision to suit your unique situation. I cannot make any recommendations because everyone’s requirements are different. I am simply sharing the information that I have found and ultimately what we chose to do.
Osteopathy:
Osteopathy is a way of detecting, treating and preventing health problems by moving, stretching and massaging a person’s muscles and joints. It is based on the principle that the wellbeing of an individual depends on their bones, muscles, ligaments and connective tissue functioning smoothly together. Osteopaths believe their treatments allow the body to heal itself. They use a range of techniques but do not use drugs or surgery.
Most people who see an osteopath do so for help with back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, or other problems related to muscles and joints. Again, if you search on the internet for Osteopathy and Scoliosis you will find a wide range of material.
I took my son Chris to see an Osteopath I know in London and he did some wonderful work releasing Chris’s ribs, balancing his pelvis and improving the position of his spine. He also gave us a couple of good exercises to add to our Schroth exercise plan.
Pilates:
Pilates is a body conditioning routine that may help build flexibility, muscle strength, and endurance in the legs, abdominals, arms, hips and back. It puts emphasis on spinal and pelvic alignment, breathing, and developing a strong core or centre, and improving coordination and balance. Pilates’ system allows for different exercises to be modified in a range of difficulty from beginners to advanced. The intensity of the exercises can be increased over time as the body conditions and adapts to the routine.
Again, there is a huge amount of information on Scoliosis and Pilates on the internet. Simply google ‘Does Pilates help Scoliosis’ and start reading. You can also find information on:
- the SAUK website www.sauk.org.uk
- Curves, Twists and Bends: A Practical Guide to Pilates for Scoliosis by Annette Wellings and Alan Herdman.
Schroth Method:
Schroth is not widely available in the UK and is not currently offered through the NHS – though I live in hope that this may change one day. I have listed below details of the Schroth practitioners / clinics we looked at before making our decision. And because each case of Scoliosis is so different I can’t advise you on who to chose, that difficult decision is up to you. If you are considering Schroth I would suggest you look at the following:
www.scoliosisuk.co.uk This is the website for Deborah Turnbull, the Schroth Trained physio we chose to work with. She will visit you in your own home and then devise an exercise regime to suit your Scoliosis and your lifestyle.
www.scoliosissos.com This is a London based clinic that offers what they call the ScolioGold treatment. Patients usually attend the clinic for a 4-week course of treatment. This can either be in one single 4-week block or two blocks of 2-weeks, to fit around a patient’s work or school schedule. The treatment programme is for 6 hours each day, 5 days per week. Telephone: 0207 488 4428
www.scoliosisinlondon.co.uk Scoliosis in london provides conservative treatment for children and adults who suffer from spinal deformities; Scoliosis, Scheuermann’s disease. The treatment is based on the Schroth method. All sessions are directed by a scoliosis physiotherapy consultant Joanna Slup. Telephone: 020 8735 6500
www.scoliosisattetburyosteopaths.co.uk Peter Roberts is a registered osteopath whose son was diagnosed with scoliosis at the age of 15. He researched therapies that could help with his son’s Scoliosis and discovered the Schroth technique. Peter then trained at The Askepilos clinic in Bad Sobernheim so that he could treat his son.
His usual way of working is to do a week’s intensive course of 4 hours per day for a minimum of five days to teach the exercises and then review sessions at intervals depending on progress. Telephone: 01666 502214
Boot Camp Approach:
www.treatingscoliosis.com This is a website for a Scoliosis “Boot Camp” approach based in the States. It has an extensive range of therapies for reducing curves and stabilising the spine but it is only available in America. I found it had a wealth of useful information, reference sources and case stories.
SPS – Spiral Stabilization of the Spine
http://spiralstabilization.com/cz/ This is a form of treatment from the Czech Republic. I was contacted by the clinic who asked to share their details on my blog. Theirs is a method of stabilization of the scoliosis using the body’s own muscle corset – not dissimilar to Schroth.