Massage Therapy and Scoliosis

Massage Therapy and Scoliosis

Scoliosis (literally means crooked) is a disorder which causes a lateral curvature of the spine. It begins in the cranium causing a twist in the spine due to distortion of cranial bones followed by asymmetrical hips and ribs. Scoliosis is usually combined with a rotation of the vertebrae.

The cause of scoliosis is idiopathic (unknown). Names given to idiopathic scoliosis are infantile (children less than 3 years), juvenile (between 3-10years), and adolescent (over 10 years). There are two forms of scoliosis (structural and functional scoliosis); and it occurs more in women than men. The various causes are due to congenital, neuromuscular or degenerative problems and spine tumours.

Symptoms are noticeable if a child bends to a side, shoulder height is unequal, imbalanced hip, imbalanced rib cage, head is not exactly above the pelvis, lopsided waist, or skin on the spine has dimples, hairy patches, and changes colour.

If scoliosis goes untreated, it can cause overload on the spine. The worsening curve of the spine can affect pregnant ladies. Severe scoliosis alters the quality and life expectancy of the individual, leading to lower self-esteem and unemployment. It leads to respiratory and cardiac problems causing other types of further severe disabilities.

Treatments for scoliosis are surgery, observation, orthopaedic bracing, electrical stimulation, rolfing, chiropractor manipulation, aquatic exercise, acupuncture, acupressure, yoga, physiotherapy, and massage therapy.

According to the ‘American Massage Therapy Association’ massage is being recognized as a factor of health and wellness. It has been used for respite from pain, injury rehabilitation, migraine control, stress management or overall wellness. 22% of Americans have received massage between July 2008 and July 2009, and 34% have received it in the last 5 years; wherein 86% agree that massage helps in reducing pain.

As per ‘Institute of Integrative Healthcare Studies, ‘Cranial-sacral therapy’ (addresses restricted tissue thereby balancing the spine), ‘Deep tissue massage therapy’ (uses stretch techniques on hypertonic muscles, balancing circulations and relieving pain), and ‘Neuromuscular therapy’ (focuses on stretching muscle fibres and alleviating pain) are being considered as alternatives medicines for relief from scoliosis.

‘Press stretch massage therapy’ deals with pressing and stretching small areas or the whole back. ‘Balanced massage therapy’ deals with pushing out pressure away from the tense sides of the spine. ‘Neck and shoulder massage therapy’ focuses on the ‘S’ curve of the back, pushing the knots and shoulder blades out. ‘Seated massage therapy’ works on the inside of the curvature thereby applying pressure.

‘Bowen technique’ focuses on cycles of placid movements such as cross-fibre manoeuvring of muscles, tendons and ligaments causing deep relaxation and helps in balancing the nervous system. In ‘Muscle Energy technique’ indirect pressure is applied by asking the patient to contract a muscle of one side thereby relaxing the muscles on the other side.

‘Sports massage therapies’ are used for curing scoliosis by freeing the tension in the muscle and accelerating blood flow. Some are effleurage, petrissage, stripping the muscles technique, frictions to the muscle attachments, circular and transverse friction to the muscle, and finishing off.

Massage therapy helps in the healing and prevention of scar tissues, furthermore aligns and relaxes the very tense muscles. It is recommended to take professional advice in the treatment of scoliosis.