How Massage Helps With Scoliosis - All Things Considered
Photo by Keenan Constance on Unsplash
If you’ve ever heard of scoliosis, you might believe it’s a condition that afflicts only a select few. But in reality, millions of people suffer from some degree of scoliosis.
Although mild cases of scoliosis are common and may come with few if any major symptoms, this condition can worsen over time. For some, it can range from disruptive to debilitating.
Let’s take a closer look at this condition and learn how back massage for scoliosis can help, which treatment considerations to keep in mind, and how you can experience relief at home with a massage chair for scoliosis.
What is Scoliosis?
Simply put, scoliosis refers to an abnormal curvature of the spine. While a healthy spine is curved at the lower back and at the top of the shoulder, a spine with S- or C-shaped curve may indicate the presence of scoliosis.
Scoliosis is most often observed during late childhood or the early teenage years. It’s also more commonly found in girls than in boys. The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) estimates that scoliosis impacts 2% to 3% of the U.S. population, or roughly 6 million to 9 million people.
Scoliosis often has genetic components, as it can be passed down from parent to child and may be caused by neurological abnormalities or birth defects. However, as the AANS explains, approximately 80% of all cases have no clear identifiable cause.
In many cases, this diagnosis is not a serious one. When you hear the term “scoliosis,” you may picture a teen with a back brace. But for the vast majority of most individuals with this condition, that scenario is pretty extreme.
However, even mild cases of scoliosis may be accompanied by symptoms that include:
- Uneven shoulders, hips, waist, or rib cages
- Misalignment between the head and the pelvis
- Leaning body structure
- Abnormal skin appearance or texture on or around the spine
- Back pain (which can be related to other underlying associated conditions)
Although this condition is often discovered during puberty, adult scoliosis may be diagnosed when this condition begins or is found after skeletal growth has been completed.
In some cases, this condition may be degenerative (meaning that the spinal curve occurs or worsens as the individual ages). Symptoms associated with adult scoliosis may include height loss and misalignment of the pelvis and hips.
How is Scoliosis Treated?
Many cases of scoliosis need no real treatment at all or may simply be monitored every few months to watch for noticeable changes. Other cases can be effectively managed with physical exercise, dietary supplements, pain medications, electrical stimulation, chiropractic sessions, or massage therapy. In more extreme cases, back braces and surgical procedures may be recommended.
Scoliosis and Massage Therapy: Benefits
Massage therapy is just one option for scoliosis pain treatment. Generally speaking, massage therapy has been shown to improve overall functionality and mobility, increase blood circulation (which can speed healing and support greater flexibility), enhance bodily awareness, decrease physical tension and mental health concerns, and ease sleep disruptions.
One study found that scoliosis-associated pain levels, physical limitations, and sleep disruptions all decreased in patients who underwent massage therapy over the course of numerous sessions. Even when a patient experienced a re-injury to one shoulder impacted by their scoliosis, this treatment facilitated major improvements for their quality of life.
It’s important to note that while there are a number of scoliosis and massage therapy benefits, using a massage chair or making appointments with a massage therapist will not correct the root cause of the condition. Because scoliosis is caused by a curve in the spine, massage and other physical manipulation will not cure this abnormality.
Massage is often considered a safe medicine therapy for scoliosis patients. As long as you’re using equipment approved by your physician or are pursuing treatment from a licensed massage therapist, the potential of massage contraindications for scoliosis is quite low. In other words, massage therapy will not eliminate your medical condition, but massage therapy can be effective in alleviating the pain and discomfort associated with scoliosis and other related conditions.
How Can I Enjoy Back Massage For Scoliosis at Home?
Many individuals who are diagnosed with this condition find relief in ongoing appointments with professionals who offer Swedish massage for scoliosis. However, it may not always be possible to secure an appointment on short notice or to rearrange your schedule to accommodate these sessions.
And while it’s certainly possible (and often recommended) to engage in specific kinds of stretching and other exercises to alleviate pain, performing self-massage can be difficult.
Fortunately, you can experience a scoliosis pain relief massage at home by using a number of helpful tools. Investing in a massage chair can allow you to manage this condition more effectively while improving physical relaxation and overall well-being.
If you’re looking for a top-rated massage chair for scoliosis, our selection can provide you with the relief you seek. Although the root cause of this medical condition is a mystery for many individuals, the benefits of massage therapy for scoliosis are clear.
With massage and massage chairs, you can improve your posture, increase your mobility, and even sleep more soundly. Although ongoing back massage for scoliosis won’t cure this condition, it can promote symptom relief and restore range of motion for many.
At Human Touch, we want you to feel your best every day. To learn more about how the use of a massage chair for scoliosis can improve your quality of life, please contact us. We’d be happy to make a product recommendation especially for you.
The information in this article is meant to inform the reader, but should not be taken as professional medical advice. Please be sure to consult with a licensed physician prior to the use of any type of massage treatment.