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Scoliosis: Definition and How Physical Therapy can Help

A lateral curvature of the spine, known as scoliosis, frequently involves rotation. It may arise in infancy or adolescence, or it may be brought on by illnesses like neuromuscular diseases or degenerative changes that occur in old age. The symptoms of the curvature might range from slight pain to severe physical limits, depending on how severe it is.

Scoliosis Symptoms


–Visible Curvature: If the spine is visibly curved, it can cause unequal hips, shoulders, or a protruding rib cage.
– Back Pain: A pain or discomfort in the back, especially where the curve is located.
– Breathing difficulties may arise from severe scoliosis if the curvature compresses the chest cavity, so impairing lung function.
– Problems with Mobility: Slowed range of motion and flexibility in the surrounding muscles and spine.

What Benefits Can Physical Therapy Offer

1. Postural Correction: To help improve posture and correct spinal alignment, physical therapists evaluate patients’ posture and recommend exercises and treatments.
2. Strengthening Exercises: By focusing on the muscles that support the spine, particular exercises can assist to increase stability and strength.
3. Range of Motion and Flexibility: Increasing range of motion and flexibility in tense muscles and joints impacted by curvature is the goal of stretching exercises and methods.
4. Pain Management: To lessen pain and inflammation, methods like heat/cold treatment, therapeutic ultrasound, and manual therapy may be applied.
5. Education and Lifestyle Modification: In order to reduce pain and stop the curvature from progressing, physical therapists instruct their patients on ergonomics, correct body mechanics, and lifestyle changes.

Preventing Progression and Enhancing Quality of Life

Early intervention with physical therapy can help prevent the progression of scoliosis and alleviate associated symptoms. By improving spinal alignment, strengthening muscles, and promoting flexibility, physical therapy aims to enhance mobility and overall well-being.

Written by: Dr. Onyedikachi Ude

After C-section- How to Prevent Injury?

A C-section consists of a surgeon making a cut across the belly and above the pubic area. The healing process of the incision takes about 6-8 weeks. During pregnancy, your core muscles are weakened and then weakened further by the C-section procedure. However, physical therapy is typically never prescribed by gynecologist after this procedure. The reason for this is most likely due to lack of knowledge of the aftermath of the mother’s physical health 6 to 8 weeks after a C-section.

After giving birth, you are expected to care for your child which requires lifting, bending, and squatting. These are all activities that require core strength. Therefore, physical therapists usually end up seeing patients post C-section that develop lower back pain from a weak core.

To stop this trend, people that receive a C-section should all consult with a physical therapist to learn how to safely build back core strength! A physical therapist will provide you a safe progression of exercise to work toward your ultimate goals of taking care of your child and or back to your sport of choice. If you know anyone that will be receiving a C-section, please mention to them that after they are released back to activity by their physician they should make an appointment for physical therapy.

Learn the Difference Between Physical Therapists and Chiropractors in the State of Maryland

Did you know that chiropractors can advertise they perform physical therapy in the state of Maryland? It can be very misleading so we will explain more below.

A Chiropractor can obtain what is called physical therapy privilege. They are allowed to advertise they perform physical therapy but not that they are a physical therapist. Therefore, you might see a place that is called Amazing Physical Therapy and Chiropractic Care. Don’t be fooled, you always want to ask what type of practitioners are on staff as it might just be Chiropractors. For a Chiropractor to get “physical therapy privilege”, they must get a minimum of 270 hours of physical therapy education from a chiropractic school.

A Physical Therapist goes to physical therapy school for 3 years and receives a doctorate degree in physical therapy. Then, they go on to pass a board examine in physical therapy to be licensed in the state. If you are looking for physical therapy services, make sure you do some research to determine what type of professionals you will be working with.

Diagnosing Neck Pain- What Is Upper Cross Syndrome?

Upper Cross Syndrome (UCS) is defined as a phenomenon that occurs as a result of muscle imbalance between your neck and shoulder muscles. UCS is the result of weak deep neck flexor muscles and mid back muscles as well as tight upper trap muscles and tight chest muscles. UCS often results in a rounded shoulder and forward head posture. UCS is fixed by strengthening the weak musculature and lengthening or stretching the tight musculature. Specifically, stretching out the pectorals, upper traps, and levator scapula muscles while also strengthening the deep neck flexors, lower traps, and serratus anterior muscles. Tools such as foam rollers and manual stretching may aid in lengthening the necessary musculature, while exercises such as chin tucks, serratus punches, and prone Ys may assist in strengthening the necessary muscles.

A pectoralis stretch on a foam roller to improve flexibility of a patient presenting with upper cross syndrome.

Benefits of Squatting

Squatting isn’t just for those really muscular people who put 700lbs on their back at the gym. In fact, I bet you don’t even realize how often you squat in a day. Think about the number of times you sit down on a chair and have to get back up, the number of times you go to the bathroom in a day, or even the amount of time you spend bending down to pick something up you might have dropped… This is constant, every-day squatting!

The squat is one of the most important exercises to perform for a wide variety of reasons. The squat aids in (1) increased leg strength, (2) increased core strength and lumbar stability, (3) increased hip and ankle mobility, (4) helps aid in the reduction of injury, and (5) increased metabolic rate due to muscle growth. Muscle loading the squat can be an effective way to increase muscle growth in the quadriceps, glutes, and hamstrings. Additionally, increased repetitions of squats with minimal muscle loading can enhance muscle endurance; this improves your ability to perform daily activities, increases athletic performance, and helps maintain improved posture/stability for extended periods of time. 

Should I squat below 90?

Squatting below parallel does not increase your risk for knee injuries, however, it does often increase your risk for breaking proper squat form/mechanics. Squatting below parallel does not provide any significant muscle activation benefits, but can enhance mobility. Studies show minimal differences between squatting to 90 and squatting below 90. Most importantly, maintain good form and mechanics before progressing the depth of your squat – this will enhance overall benefits.

photo credit- santacruzcore.com

The Power of a Corset

In the early centuries, a corset was typically worn as a supportive undergarment that improved posture, supported the spine, and shaped the body into what was then called “ideal proportions.” While corsets used to come in many shapes, sizes, and colors – in today’s world the most important “corset” goes by a single name – the Transverse Abdominis (TrA). 

The TrA is the deepest of the abdominal muscles and acts a girdle around the spine. The TrA responds most to perturbational movement and is the only abdominal muscle that remains activated with resisted extension in the spine (resisted extension often comes with exercises such as lifting a box incorrectly, deadlifts, and a quick jerking motion backwards). The TrA is the first stabilizer that kicks in with any arm/leg movements, and as a result helps limit your risk for injuries. It also aids in stabilizing each bone in your spine; so without this muscle, your spine would just be dancing around, pinching on nerves, and collapsing (almost). 

The take home here is… the TrA is very important! You need this muscle to assist in stabilizing the spine and when it doesn’t do its job… you end up with back pain. The TrA is difficult to control. It doesn’t work like the 6-pack abs you’re used to. Try activating your TrA to reduce your risk of low back pain, improve your core and back stabilization, and reduce your risk for injury.

Transversus Abdominis- photo credit- physiopedia.com

Why Should I Strengthen my Core?

Your core muscles are important for strength, balance, and overall function. Having a strong core helps to decrease the likelihood of developing back pain due to muscle compensation. There are many core exercises that can be performed in a variety of positions. You can even contract your core while performing any exercise of your choice to make the exercise into a core strengthening exercises.

Here is a core strengthening exercise you can perform anywhere to strengthen your core muscles.

  1. Assume a push-up position but bend your arms at your elbows so your weight rests on your forearms.
  2. Tighten your abs, clench your glutes and keep your body straight from head to heels.
  3. Start by holding the exercise for 10 seconds and build from there.

Make sure you are breathing while performing this exercise.

Stair Negotiation Physics

Many people with pain in the front of their knee comment that going down stairs is more challenging and painful than going up. Let’s take a quick look at why that is!

In the images below, Dr. Scott compares the forces at work when going up vs. down a step. The yellow arrow indicates the force of gravity and the green arrow is the force placed through the kneecap. A larger arrow = greater force, and as you can see the higher degree of knee bend when going down creates a higher force, and thus more stress, on the knee. This can cause increased pain and make descending steps quite challenging for those with a painful knee condition.

Written by Dr. Scott Newberry

Dr. Scott going up the step
Dr. Scott going down the step