If you have been diagnosed with scoliosis as an adult, you may be wondering what treatment options are available to you. As the human body has usually finished growing by the age of 18, the methods used to treat scoliosis in adults aren't normally the same as the methods used to treat children/teenagers.
There are two different types of adult scoliosis:
- Scoliosis that developed during childhood, but became worse during the patient's adult years
- Scoliosis that doesn't develop until adulthood
Though idiopathic scoliosis is usually diagnosed during adolescence, this form of scoliosis can carry through to adulthood if not treated effectively. Scoliosis can also develop later in life - for instance, a large number of older people show signs of scoliosis due to age-related degeneration.
Scoliosis Treatment Options for Adults
Some treatment methods that work well for children and adolescents (whose bodies are still growing) are not suitable for adults with scoliosis. Bracing, for example, does not work for adults as the spine is already fully developed.
Depending on the severity of the spinal curvature, adult scoliosis treatment methods can differ vastly. If the curvature is mild, exercise and over-the-counter painkillers may be sufficient to treat the symptoms of scoliosis. For moderate to severe cases of adult scoliosis, however, the following treatment options may be utilised:
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy treats scoliosis through a variety of different exercises and stretches which can help realign the spine. This type of therapy can help improve mobility and flexibility, and can also help to reduce the curvature dramatically. This treatment method combines stretches, exercises, and massages to reduce the symptoms of scoliosis.
Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy is another non-surgical scoliosis treatment method that many adults find effective. Hydrotherapy is a good option for patients who feel as though they would struggle with land-based physiotherapy. The water provides additional support and eases pressure on the patient's joints.
Pain Management
Pain management can involve painkillers and injections which help to relieve the pain associated with scoliosis. Pain relief drugs vary hugely in their strength, and your prescription will depend on the severity of your pain.
Surgery
The majority of adult scoliosis cases will not require surgery, but in the most severe cases, it may be recommended. Surgery is usually recommended if the curvature is severe and increasing, or if other treatment methods have not had the desired effect.
Scoliosis SOS: Treating Scoliosis for Over a Decade
We at the Scoliosis SOS Clinic have been providing an alternative scoliosis treatment options for adults and children alike for more than 10 years. Our ScolioGold courses use a mixture of highly specialised physiotherapy techniques to help ease and improve the symptoms of scoliosis.
Our unique combination of treatment methods offers patients an unrivalled level of treatment success, and we are continually changing and developing our ScolioGold course to incorporate the latest advances in non-surgical scoliosis treatment.
If you’d like to find out more about how we can help you with our scoliosis treatment courses, please get in touch today to book a consultation.