5 Alternatives to Scoliosis Surgery

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Scoliosis isn't something you can easily treat. So, if you're wondering how to correct scoliosis naturally or without surgery, you might want to shift your mentality to focus on maintenance rather than cure.

Having stated that, one of the most frequent scoliosis surgery alternatives are as follows.

1. Bracing

Bracing is so widespread that many people immediately link it with scoliosis. Scoliosis is defined as a lateral curvature of the spine of 10 degrees or more. When the curve is less than 20 or 25 degrees, physicians usually advise monitoring and waiting to see if the patient's condition worsens. A curve greater than 25 degrees, however, will require bracing.  

Your doctor's suggestion will determine the type of brace utilized. In the United States, the majority of patients utilize Boston braces. European patients usually utilize a Cheneau or Rigo brace. It will also rely on the patient's individual spinal curvature and age. Bracing is ineffective for treating scoliosis in adults because it only stops spinal curvature while the patient is developing. To achieve the optimum outcomes, the patient must wear the brace for 18 hours each day.

Given the discomfort associated with regular braces, some practitioners have begun to promote the use of soft braces. However, these braces lack the same weight of clinical evidence supporting their efficacy.

2. Mehta Casting  

When newborns are diagnosed with scoliosis, doctors typically use a nonsurgical therapy known as Mehta casting. The youngster is given general anesthesia, intubated, and then cast with fiberglass castings. These castings must be made fresh every eight weeks. According to the University of Pennsylvania Orthopaedic Journal, "Mehta casting is an effective and reliable method to treat early-onset scoliosis." This method can cure infantile idiopathic curvature and postpone surgery in children with various types of early onset scoliosis."

3. Schroth's Method Therapy

Many ostensibly revolutionary scoliosis therapies fall short of expectations, wasting patients' time and worsening their condition. However, Schroth Method Therapy, a distinct type of physical therapy, is one of the alternatives to scoliosis bracing and surgery that can actually benefit individuals. It is a clinically validated treatment that is beneficial in some circumstances. 

A meta-analysis conducted in the European Journal of Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine revealed that the Schroth exercise had a large overall effect size (g=0.724). Furthermore, Schroth exercise may be more effective for scoliosis patients with a Cobb's angle between 10 and 30° than those with a Cobb's angle higher than 30°. For optimal results, patients should do the exercise for at least a month. In conclusion, the Schroth exercise is an effective therapeutic option for scoliosis patients."  

4. Bodyweight Exercises and Physiotherapy

Scoliosis exercises and physical treatment will not "cure" the problem. At best, they are complementary, reducing pain and allowing for more freedom of movement. If you wish to try bodyweight exercises, physical therapy, or yoga for scoliosis, consult with a competent specialist. Certain scoliosis exercises should be avoided, since they may aggravate your condition or cause irreparable injury.

5. Diet and Vitamin Supplementation

Multiple studies have found that adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis had lower vitamin D levels than the general population. The judgment is still out on whether vitamin D supplements are beneficial, but they can't harm. In addition to taking supplements, you may obtain vitamin D through:

- Solar exposure;

- Mushrooms;

- Egg yolks;

- Tuna;

- Oysters;

- Mackerel;

- Sardines;

- Shrimp. 

When Does Surgery Become Necessary to Treat Scoliosis?

Surgery is usually suggested for scoliosis cases when the deviation of the spine's curvature is 50 degrees or greater, regardless of age. Why? A substantial alteration in the form of the rib cage can cause acute pain and possibly organ damage. Similarly, surgical techniques like spinal fusion can help with degenerative spinal diseases or ruptured discs.