Motion Lab - Scoliosis


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	4829 NE Martin Luther King Blvd. Suite 101 Portland, OR 97211 Phone: (503) 287-8175 Email: [email protected] Map: click here

Surgical intervention and bracing do not have to be the only options when addressing scoliotic curve progression. Work one-on-one with P.A.C.E’s physical therapist who is BSPTS certified in scoliosis specific exercise in an effort to reduce curve progression, longevity of brace wear, and ultimately surgery. Together, you will build a program that will address postural correction through a series of challenging and empowering movement patterns unique to your curve pattern. Unlike other postural correction exercises, these scoliosis specific exercises take into consideration the 3D movement occurring at each spinal segment and target the rotational component of each scoliotic curve.

The Diers formetric motion analysis system provides a unique opportunity to assess both static and dynamic spinal biomechanics and has proven to be extremely effective in the care of scoliosis. Found to be as reliable as radiographs, the Diers formetric technology can greatly reduce exposure to radiation while continuing to monitor scoliotic curve progression over several years. This innovative spinal modeling system has been developed in collaboration with research institutions, universities, physicians and engineers from all around the world to capture objective measurements of spinal movement. In addition to the scoliosis specific exercise program, you will have the opportunity to utilize the Diers formetric motion analysis system to create a more thorough and comprehensive treatment plan.

Unique to the P.A.C.E motion lab is the Diers 4D motion analysis system. A fast, contactless, radiation free, spine and posture analysis system that allows spinal curvature to be further assessed. It has been proven that assessment with the Diers 4D motion analysis system can reproduce reliable measurements of the spine, with only an average standard deviation of +/- 3 degrees when measuring the Cobb angle (Knott et al., 2010). Determined to be as reliable as a radiographic image, the Diers 4D motion analysis system should be considered as an imaging replacement when monitoring curve progression to reduce overall exposure to radiation (Frerich et al., 2012).

Your therapist may use this unique and valuable motion analysis system to not only collect numerical data in relationship to the movement of your spine, but also as a teaching tool to help you further understand and visualize your spinal collapses, prominences, asymmetries and gait.

MEDICAL ASSESSMENT & INTERVENTION

Call to check if covered by your medical insurance: 503-283-8133.
Work one on one with our Schroth certified scoliosis specialist for comprehensive evaluation, motion lab testing and intervention.

3D SPINAL ASSESSMENT & MODELING

1-Hour – $250
The Diers formetric technology is an innovative spinal modeling and spinal motion capture system that has been developed in collaboration with universities, research institutions, physicians and engineers from all over the world to allow for extraordinarily high levels of reliability, reproducibility and accuracy in static spinal measurements and dynamic spinal biomechanics. The technology is being used around the world by some of the leading spinal deformity physicians and institutions to provide non-radiological measurements to determine objective measurements of spine deformity.

“BENT NOT BROKEN”

Treatment goals include:

Improved strength and understanding of muscle activation
Decreased trunk asymmetry
Independent management of scoliotic curve with carryover into daily life
Understanding of scoliotic curve in 3 dimensions with exercises specific to your curve
Improved lung capacity
Pain relief with self-management
Reduce the need for invasive approaches, including surgery

COMPONENTS OF YOUR INITIAL EVALUATION:

Pictures will be taken in varying positions to assess your posture and confirm your curve type to move forward with specific exercises and for educational purposes
Lung function testing
Range of motion
Strength testing
Functional mobility assessment
Gait assessment
Assessment of your brace, if necessary
Diers 4D motion analysis
Education

PATIENT EXPECTATION:

Initially, your physical therapist may request to see you intensively for 1-2 hours several times a week for the first couple of weeks. This is to ensure that you are performing the exercises appropriately, safely, and effectively. It is possible to perform the scoliosis specific exercises incorrectly and further progress the curve and it is important that you have a thorough and complete understanding of your individual home exercise program.

Following this period of intensive rehab, for adolescents and young adults, it is expected that the scoliosis specific exercises be performed 5 days a week for 20-30 minutes a day. While this is a time commitment for any young adult, it is important to be consistent with the exercise program if hoping to see the most benefits. Frequency of follow up treatments with your physical therapist at this point will then be based off of your individual needs. Exercises will include varying postural corrections with incorporated breath work in a number of different positions including lying down, sitting, and standing. Patients should expect to work hard, challenge themselves, and take an active role in their care.

Scoliosis Treatment - Patient Expectations - Motion Lab - Portland, OR

Scoliosis Research - Motion Lab - Portland, OR
sFrerich JM, Hertzler K, Knott P, Mardjetko S. Comparison of radiographic and surface topography measurements in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis. Open Ortho J. 2012;6:261-5. doi: 10.2174/1874325001206010261

Scoliosis can cause anatomical changes within your body including spine alignment, lung capacity, rib cage shape, posture, muscle length and strength, and trunk imbalance. To properly address these physical changes observed with scoliosis, a large portion of not only your initial evaluation but proceeding visits will be centered around education. Your physical therapist will spend time discussing the anatomy of the spine and the curve pattern specific to you. This is a large component of success when completing the BSPTS scoliosis specific exercise program, and it is extremely valuable to take ownership in understanding WHY you are performing the exercises specific to your curve pattern and how they are affecting your curve. When your scoliosis specific exercises are performed correctly and intentionally, you have the potential to reduce your Cobb angle and therefore curve progression (Negrini et al., 2015) and alter the need for additional months in a brace or ultimately surgery. Additionally, individuals who have performed scoliosis specific exercises have reported feelings of improved self-image and decreased pain (Schreiber et al., 2015).

It is important to remember that idiopathic scoliosis has no known cause, and that postural and muscular imbalance can certainly feed into the progression of a curve. However, biomechanics alone will not always decide the course of curve progression or regression and some curves do continue to progress into adolescence even with scoliosis specific exercises and proper bracing. You and your therapist will, together, create an individualized treatment plan to address and correct postural faults and muscle imbalances through scoliosis specific exercises to best set you up for success.

Citations:

Frerich JM, Hertzler K, Knott P, Mardjetko S. Comparison of radiographic and surface topography measurements in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis. Open Ortho J. 2012;6:261-5. doi: 10.2174/1874325001206010261
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3414720/pdf/TOORTHJ-6-261.pdf

Knott et al. Evaluation of the reproducibility of the formetric 4D measurements for scoliosis. Scoliosis 2010; 5(Suppl 1):O10.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2938639/pdf/1748-7161-5-S1-O10.pdf

Negrini A, Negrini MG, Donzelli S, Romano M, Zaina F, Negrini S. Scoliosis-Specific exercises can reduce the progression of severe curves in adult idiopathic scoliosis: a long-term cohort study. Scoliosis. 2015;10:20.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4537533/pdf/13013_2015_Article_44.pdf

Schreiber S, Parent EC, Moez EK, Hedden DM, Hill D, Moreau MJ, Lou E, Waktkins, EM, Southon SC. The effect of Schroth exercises added to the standard of care on the quality of life and muscle endurance in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis- an assessor and statistician blinded randomized controlled trial: “SOSORT 2015 Award Winner”. Scoliosis. 2015;10:24.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4582716/pdf/13013_2015_Article_48.pdf