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Scoliosis for Massage Therapists
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Definitions: lateral curvature of the spine
A curve is identified by the side of the
convexity (the side it sticks out to) and the area that it affects (cervical,
thoracic, lumbar)
Types:
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congenital scoliosis
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idiopathic (unknown cause) infantile (birth-3
years), juvenile(3-9years old), adolescent (10-19 years old) scoliosis.
Most common is adolescent girls. A young girl that has not reached
menarche is at much higher risk for scoliosis progression than a girl 2
years after onset of menses (skeletally mature).
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neuromuscular conditions such as poliomyelitis,
cerebral palsy , muscular dystrophy ,amyotonia congenita , Friedreich's
ataxia, spina bifida
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mesenchymal disorders : Marfan's syndrome
,Morquio's syndrome ,rheumatoid arthritis
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postural (functional) scoliosis - postural
misalignment due to habitual patterns of use
-
Hysterical scoliosis- a non-structural deformity
of the spine that develops as a manifestation of a psychological disorder.
Classification of severity of curvature:
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Mild - curves of less than 20 degrees.
Normal is often considered to be curves of 10 degrees or less
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Moderate -20 - 50 degrees with early structural
changes in the vertebrae and rib cage
-
Severe- 40 -50 degrees or more with significant
rotational deformity of the vertebrae and rib cage, pain and degenerative
joint disease are often present. Curves of more than 60-70 degrees
are associated with cardiopulmonary changes.
Causes: Idiopathic scoliosis means that there
is no known cause. Some possible causes are scar tissue, spasm or proprioception
problem, sensory-motor amnesia, abnormal postural control because of vestibular
system dysfunction, imbalanced posture due to trauma, food allergies, side
dominance
Signs/Symptoms:
- rotation and lateral flexion
of the spine often with fixed rotation of the vertebrae
- uneven leg length
- uneven muscle development in legs and
back
- muscle pain from spasm, atrophy
and overuse
- arthritis
- stenosis of the spinal column
- nerve compression
- Scoliosis may be related to or cause the
following: TMJ, thoracic outlet syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome,
quadratus lumborum dysfunction, shoulder/forearm tendinitis, plantar fascitis,
achilles tendinitis, sacro-iliac strain or dysfunction, headaches, digestive
problems, dizziness
Measurements:
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asymmetric shoulder level
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prominence of the scapula on the side of the
convexity
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protrusion of the hip to one side
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asymmetrical ASIS
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increased lumbar lordosis
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leg turn out (laterally rotated leg)
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foot problems such a flat feet on one foot
more than the other.
Treatments: structural integration,
lengthen structures on the concave side,
lengthen hip flexors and erector spinae: strengthen the muscles on the
chronically weakened side, decompress joints
Other helpful therapies include acupuncture, physical therapy, pilates,
movement therapies, eliminate food allergens
Resources:
Eric Dalton
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Scoliosis: A Case Study of Deep Tissue
Clinical Massage
Scoliosis - From Back.com
Getting it Straight Scoliosis and Structural Integration By Lana Lensman :
Massage and Bodywork Magazine
Straight Talk Symptomatic
Scoliosis
By Erik Dalton : Massage and Bodywork Magazine
The treatment of scoliosis with massage - Douglas Graham Pubmed Dec 1887
(yes that date is right)
CASE REPORT (pdf Massage therapy foundation.)Impact of massage therapy in
the treatment of linked pathologies: Scoliosis, costovertebral dysfunction, and
thoracic outlet syndrome Michael Hamm, LMP
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