Or to be factual; since the existence of it was recorded historically by the Greeks thousands of years ago. The “crooked condition” or scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine which causes discomfort, pain and a reduced quality of life.
There is no cure for this ailment and the search for ways to reduce the negative symptoms and maladies that accompany this condition have continued since the discovery of scoliosis itself. Massage and massage therapy are common ways that patients can reduce pressure and pain in the spinal column, relax its surrounding areas in the affected areas of the back, and generally reduce the high levels of stress that accompany scoliosis.
Massage Therapy and Scoliosis - Why It Works
So why does massage therapy improve the physical and psychological condition of a person suffering from scoliosis? The answer is that when the body is massaged, muscles relax and lose their tension and blood flows more readily to various areas of the body. Above all however, the mind also reduces its activity immediately allowing the patient’s body to begin the healing process.
The mind and body are inadvertently linked and a troubled mind often means a troubled body, so a sensual massage with medical benefits immediately brings about a sense of recovery to the patient in both aspects.
Case Report and the Results - Does Massage Therapy Have Notable Benefits Treating Scoliosis?
In a case report conducted by the Katharina Schroth Hospital, the various personnel involved attempted to find out the impact of massage therapy in the treatment of scoliosis, costovertebral dysfunction and thoracic outlet syndrome.
The results were overwhelmingly positive. Of the patients, 813 of the1000 in total who were suffering from scoliosis immediately began showing improvements in certain aspects of their physical and mental health. The study, which took place over a period of three years, brought many strong arguments to the case of massage therapy being used as a serious form of treatment for scoliosis.
The declaration then made was that massage therapy is an appropriate tool for the relief of symptoms and conditions related to scoliosis, concluding that further research should take place with focus on the ability of massage to address pathologies normally acknowledged as separate entities.
What the Future Holds - Massage Therapy and its Place in the Treatment Of Scoliosis
It is often recommended that a regimen of acupuncture should accompany the rehabilitation process of the patient as they undergo their massage therapy treatments. The reason for this is because in the studies which have taken place in regard to the correlation between acupuncture and scoliosis, there has been a positive result and an influence on the deformity of the patient.
Sufferers of various deformities affecting not above 35% of the spinal column have shown improvement and when the acupuncture has been performed in conjunction with massage therapy, the positive results have proven to be even greater.
The treatments and methods used in dealing with scoliosis are varied and greatly different, with many different outcomes and final results. Massage therapy, with its positive effects while being employed as a type of ongoing treatment for patients with scoliosis, continues to rise in popularity due to its relaxing qualities and proven track record during rehabilitation.
When combined with acupuncture the obvious health benefits skyrocket even further, firmly placing massage therapy under the umbrella of proven and positive treatments in the fight against scoliosis.
PubMed.gov *"The effect of an exercise on vital capacity and rib mobility in patients with idiopathic scoliosis", (accessed April 13,2010)
jbjs.org.uk *"Spinal cord monitoring in operations for neuromuscular scoliosis" (accessed April 13,2010)
Ben Whitely - personal enjoyment includes playing music, singing and writing in free time, wandering aimlessly and eventually writing for a living if I ...
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