Scoliosis client

[Corinne G]

I have an appoint to give a scoliosis sufferer a 90 min massage this week.  I have never treated this condition before.  He is a 33 year old male, who was diagnosised when he was 13.  He has an "S" and his Doctor at the time of diagnosis gave him 3 choices...1) Steel Rod  2) Straigtening harnass  3) Electro Shock treatment every day.  He chose to not except any of the treatments offered.  He has problems during weather changes...to be more persise...he once got out of a hot shower and after he was dressed, went outside in the winter to get the paper which caused severe pain.  If anyone has any teqniques or treatments that have worked for this disorder please share.  I'm just out of school and still trying to learn all I can.  Thanks

 

[Ashley:)]

Vchild,    I'm new also.  I have a scoliosis client whom I treat with massage, myofacial, and some craniosacral to the area that gives the most problems.  It seems to work well for her.  

 

[Jarvis]

I was taught a process to alleviate scoliosis if the origin of the problem was musculature related as opposed to a possible cause of malnutrition, which then causes the deformity of the skeleton in question.  I have had much success in my minimal application of the technique of lengthening and shortening muscles on either side of the curved spine.   If you have been taught how to lengthen and shorten muscles utilize that technique.

 

[sweetheart]

other than doing a postural analysis and deducing which muscles are over stretched and which ones are over-contracted, i would think it would be a pretty 'normal' massage. on the other hand, i have referred a family member to a certified rolfer for her condition. she was given the  same options~ rods or brace, . her orthapaedist doctor was adamant that she receive surgery to insert the rods. i begged my sister to take my niece to a rolfer and try it for the duration of the sessions. and it worked. i cannot say enough about rolfing for scoliosis.my niece has virtually no s-curve left, is a cheerleader that tumbles and flips, and gets maintenence from her rolfer every three weeks, with a little chiro, CST, and reiki thrown in for good measure.ironically, the ortho has seen the 'after' xrays and still will not acknowledge that bodywork had anything to do with it.

 

[yoshiii]

Scoliosis client

I have had much success in my minimal application of the technique of lengthening and shortening muscles on either side of the curved spine.

Would you be willing to expand on this technique-wise or give a few links as to where you learned this?

mush,

Thanks for the info regarding help from rolfing.  Wonderful to hear!

 

[Codys mom]

Scoliosis client

The main problem with treating a scoliotic back, is first finding out whether the problem is a structural or functional scholoisis.If it is structural, then the curve is normal FOR THAT PERSON. If a treatment protocol for a structurally scoliotic spine is performed thinking its a Functional scoliosis, it can actually create a state of dysfunction and pain. In this instance, you would then have to put the dysfunction back into the spine to return the back to "normal".However, a functionally scoliotic back, also called a Neutral Group Dysfunction in accordance to osteopathic teachings, is highly treatable once you determine which side is the concave side and which vertebrae is the apex of the concavity. Just performing massage on the area will have a great effect, as the Erector Spinae are the main cause, but without affecting the deeper splinting tissues such as rotatores and multifidi, and interspinalis and intertransversarii, the dysfunction will return. Oscillation also helps alot, but is often tender. Also, don't forget to treat the psoas if the scoliosis is a lumbar dysfunction.For home care, erector stretches, multifidi/rotatores stretches, and good old fashioned tennis balling of the erectors work great.

 

[The Oracle]

www.ClinicalMassagetherapy.com Scoliosis client

In other words, see a Clinical Massage book. Clinical Massage Therapy by Rattray and Ludwig is awesome, IMO. Can be seen at  www.clinicalmassagetherapy.com This book has a chapter on Scoliosis, explains functional vs. structural and addresses convex/concave issues.  There is also Basic Clinical Massage.

 

[Elizabeth B]

Scoliosis client

Psoas release, if not done in conjunction with client's breathing and release, will hurt. Cannot be forced. Therapist should only sink in as far as client's exhale will allow. Subtleness and patience are required. If the client is not in the right frame of mind, IMO, it is better left not done. It seems, trust must be acquired first. Mounding may even cause bruising (iliopsoas). I, personally, have had my Psoas pulling on my lumbar vertabrae. There have been times I could not allow for a release. With practice, I have learned to breathe and allow my therapist to sink, as long as I felt she was not forcing.

 

[joyal]

Scoliosis client

I've never had a problem with psoas treatments, and seeing as how most people in general need a psoas treatment, I treat it on almost all of my clients regularly, ESPECIALLY those with back pain.I'ts just a matter of how you treat it. Being in an acute dysfunction and chronic dysfunction changes the treatment mildly, but not that much.Ideally in an acute dysfunction, I start with mild isometrics and reciprocal inhibition, alternatively contracting the hip flexors then extensors. I then treat lightly, with the knee/hip flexed to 45 degrees, applying light pressure and rocking the knee. I then slowly extend the hip/knee to the table, internally rotate while keeping pressure on the psoas. This helps "load" the GTOs, and then release quickly, autogenically inhibiting the muscle. How do you treat the psoas?

 

[Alive&Well]

Scoliosis client

Now this is getting a little more detailed than just a scoliotic condition and treating the psoas.If this problem that old, it will be more difficult if not impossible. You said they grew up this way, they may just stay like that. Why not have the client referred for a lift under their foot to make both legs of equal length? Start treatment after that. Treating a scoliosis while leaving a short leg wouldn't be effective.How is the pelvis alignment? Sacrum? Joint capsule of the hip?If the psoas hurts and burns while moving the fingers during treatment, don't move the fingers. Sink in, and hold the fingers and move the hip into adduction/abduction. There's always a few good stretches as well.

 

[Zarquon The Great]

Wow.  What a wonderful thread this is turning out to be.  Thanks everyone from the detail and time you you took to reply.  I learn something new everyday!  

 

[Beth]

Regarding my reply of lengthening and shortening muscles on either side of the spinal curvature....it is a technique I learned from Dr. Thomas Ahern at Ahern's Massage Therapy School.  It is was a suggestion for those of you who are aware of it.  Simply, if you detect a curve in the clients back either by feel or visually you can work the muscles in such a way to lengthen the short side and shorten the long side.  I.E. if the spine is 1" off center to the right then the right side is "shorter" and needs to be lengthened.  The left side, then would be considered "longer" and need to be shortened.  It is repetitive, it doesn't hurt, and it allows for the spine to return to a position of comfort.  Most clients feel the release as it happens.   Depending the severity of the scoliosis it may take several treatments, however; I find that 60% of my clients have some curvature, and in most cases, I can relieve the problem to some degree, if not completely, within 1-2 treatments of 30 mins. each.What I am currently working on is an idea that working the inguinal ligament from top of hip to to top of pubis bone in conjunction with a methodical rotation of related leg....which was taught to me as a "hip-drop" will actually ease the process of straightening the spine.  Curiously, all of my scoliosis patients are candidates for "hip-drop."  The "hip-drop" effectively within 1 hour will release the ligament and create a larger expanse between the bottom rib and top of hip area.  Effectively I have used "hip-drop" to alleviate lower back pain, urgency to urinate, indigestion, expand the waistline by up to 2" and increase an individuals height up to 3/4".  I expect with the abdominal cavity/lower back area vertically expanded by up to 2 1/2" I will have an easier time straightening the spine.  At this point I believe that the tight inguinal ligament creates less space in the abdominal region and that it may be an occasional cause of some scoliosis.  I have three "hip-drops" scheduled in the coming weeks...I'll review back.  I can not elaborate on "hip-drop" but I may be able to suggest it's use as a complementary therapy to massage to relieve the discomfort of scoliosis.  "Hip-drop" taught to me by Dr. Thomas Ahern of Ahern's Massage Therapy School.Happy Holidays!

 

[blueprint101]

Scoliosis client

Interesting treatment. I hadn't considered treatment of the inguinal ligament in regards to this. Could this be partial due to the approximation of the Psoas underneath the ligament, and possible interaction with its fibres? Or are you dealing with more of a decrease in the size of the pelvic inlet such as seen in a pelvic inflare from oblique/iliacus attachments?Or am I off base?

 

[carpediem0x]

I wanted to say at the end of the last post, (i hit the wrong key before I had even proofread it sorry for any mistakes.I saw this girl again 5 days after the first session. (Which was actually 45 minutes, not 1/2 hr.)  Her daily discomforts were reviewed as considerably less. She felt much looser and more flexible. Her posture as she lay on the table was considerably better and straighter, and the psoas was not as painful, which meant I could work with more pressure than before and get to the next layer.

 

[Meow]

I don't believe it. I had written a big long post, and must have deleted it instead of posting it!  Aaahhh! Anyway, I meant to say that I have been working on a 14 year old girl for childhood scoliosis.  Chiro and Ortho diagnosed. advanced curvature. Mom is treating with chiro and massage, since ortho's say they can't do much.  The girl is somewhat resistant to massage, because hey, it ain't fun when you've got to work the psoas. I totally understand the comments made by several people here on that.  Anyway, I saw that nice difference in her that I mentioned above after a 45 minute session in which I worked on her in supine, prone and side lying positions using bolsters to stretch out the contracted (left) side. The initial psoas work had to be very light the first time; it had been 6 months since she had last been in to get massage. Work into it easy and let her guide you. It may not feel like much pressure to you, but work it like onion layers; only as much as she can take. (Go for a 7-8 on the 1-10 pain meter)  Work the erectors, not just in a top down direction, but also the lateral side pushing in medially. Work the QL.  Work the ilopsoas where it attaches to the ilium and as much of the inguinal ligament as you can comfortably go.  (Obviously, I'm not going to the pubic bone on a 14 year old.) While client is supine, I like to apply lateral stretching to the ASIS's. In prone position, reach under hip to ASIS --without tickling), brace other hand on posteror hip and slightly mobilize hip circularly.)  Even the client felt looser after all this and it stayed. After 5 days, she presented much better for the second massage - more straight, more relaxed, and able to take deeper pressure and thus move on the next layer.

 

[unwritten]

hip drop...

Simply, I lengthen the inguinal ligament.  This is an unproven theory of mine, as it relates to scoliosis, I will be testing in the coming months.  I'll review back with results.  Hopefully, I will have good news.

 

[Kevin W]

Scoliosis client

I have had a female client who has seen me twice a week for the last 4 weeks...the first 2, I mostly concentrated on the back and the back of the legs...on her 3rd trip I put her in an herbal bath for 15 minutes and gave her a 45 minute full body...last night was the first time she was able to do swedish gymnastics with full ROM...it was wonderful...the 's' on her spine is very bad and she had been in pain for a while...though we can not cure this pathology, it is nice to see some one with this move freely...

 

[Pompal 09.]

Scoliosis client

I have a terrible scoliosis. The doctors have been struggling to understand why and what the cause is. I've beaten them to the answers and they are just starting to catch up (I'm being treated at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital here in London England).

There is an article on my site about the causes and effects at

http://www.freedomforall.net/2005/01/body-and-mind-where-is-healing-found.html

In short I was raped as a one year old infant by a clever nasty paedophile who left no external trace of his acts. Hence it all went untreated. Here I am at 38 years with one psoas locked tight holding my body up/togethor and the other flacid and unused. The rest of the body is compensating rather severely as you can imagine.

The effects on my right shoulder are visible in every photo of me as a child (still I ask myself how come nobody noticed?).

My theory is that the natural tendancy of the psoas to respond to trauma (fight flight etc all use the psoas) causes imbalances which, when the cause of trauma is *Royal* penetration, can lead to my condition. It is clear that the psoas could be physically dislodged or damaged by such acts and this would interfere with the functioning of the growing lumbar ganglia as the infant is  starting to gain control and co-ordination.

The result of only one psoas working is not total dysfunction. the infant, watching other humans walk bipedally manages to copy this behaviour arund the injury. Scoliosis is a small part of the total compensation.

As I say  the medical doctors are just starting to catch up and realise the validity of what I review. They have no idea how to treat me, frankly.

Anyway it turns out 3 - 5% of infants develop scoliosis of unknown cause. How much of this is caused by infant rape? As best estimates are that somewhere between 20 - 40% of adults were sexually molested in some way as children, the idea that 3% were raped as infants is not so far fetched. No one is looking for psoas damage in infants - we all want to belive it is impossible - hence "unknown cause".

I thought the participants in this thread would appreciate and relate to this theory that is emerging. I hope you do not find it offensive but the truth needs to come out of the darkness on these issues and your clients may benefit from something herein.

Here's a couple of links you might already be familiar with that support some of what I say.

http://www.todayschiropractic.com/archives/jul_aug_02/psoas.html

http://www.massageandbodywork.com/Articles/DecJan2004/Psoas.html

Treatment option I believe to be best is Liz Koch's release in the massage and bodywork piece. But you must be able to cope with a client who may experience and release highly emotionally charged material. You must be pretty well grounded yourself and I expect ideally have experienced the same release techniques.

Best wishes and thanks for such an informative discussion.

Matthew Jee

 

[Wendy Williams]

Scoliosis client

Thanks for posting.I just found Liz Koch's site you mentioned: http://www.coreawareness.com/products.phpwith a nice looking Psoas Book on it.Much appreciated.

 

[Nightnurse]

www.ClinicalMassagetherapy.com Scoliosis cl

In other words, see a Clinical Massage book. Clinical Massage Therapy by Rattray and Ludwig is awesome, IMO. Can be seen at  www.clinicalmassagetherapy.com

This book has a chapter on Scoliosis, explains functional vs. structural and addresses convex/concave issues.  There is also Basic Clinical Massage.

jdcan,

Do you have this book? If so, do you find it useful? I looked up the website and it looks like something we should all have.