Orthopaedic Medicine
Here at Scoliosis SOS, we know that every scoliosis sufferer is different, and so we always aim to understand each patient’s unique experiences in order to deliver lasting positive results. Our ScolioGold method consists of a variety of proven non-surgical techniques that we have combined into one scoliosis treatment programme that seeks to address every aspect of the condition.
Although the Schroth method is our primary technique for the treatment of scoliosis, it is complemented with an assortment of other recognised and medically sound treatment methods from across the globe, including the use of orthopaedic medicine.

What is orthopaedic medicine?

Established in the UK in 1929, orthopaedic medicine is used to diagnose and treat non-surgical lesions of the musculoskeletal system. The founder of this practice, Dr James Cyriax, found that there was no satisfactory method in place to test the function of soft tissues in areas such as the joints, ligaments, muscles and tendons, making treatment of associated conditions unreliable and non-specific. 
From his research, he developed a system for assessing the patient and devising a suitable treatment programme, which has influenced the way in which we provide therapies for musculoskeletal disorders today. Using a combination of exercises and stretches to enhance the patient’s muscle strength, this technique can provide significant relief from pain and improve overall bodily function, a result that we have seen in many scoliosis patients when using orthopaedic medicine as a treatment method.
Along with increased range of movement, relief from pain is often a key goal for scoliosis sufferers, which is why orthopaedic medicine plays such an important role in the treatment we provide at our clinic. The effectiveness of our treatment is reflected by the continued improvements recorded in our patients, which show substantial reductions in pain both immediately after their treatment course and as they continue to maintain their exercise programme at home.
If you are interested in finding out more about our ScolioGold programme and would like to see if our ScolioGold treatment method is right for you, please click here to get in touch with the Scoliosis SOS Clinic.
As you may have already noticed from previous blog posts, we treat a huge variety of patients here at Scoliosis SOS, ranging widely in age, gender and nationality.  Although we are based in London, during our years in operation, we have treated an array of patients not only from across the UK, but from all around the world!
Looking at the map on our Overseas Patients page, you will notice that we have treated patients from several different continents and numerous countries, including those who made the long journey from the Southern Hemisphere to enrol on one of our treatment courses. We regularly welcome scoliosis sufferers from both Australia and New Zealand, allowing them to return to their home countries with straighter spines, and bags of positivity.
While travelling such a large distance from home may seem like an extreme step for some, for our former patients it has often been the final attempt to avoid drastic spinal surgery, and has been more than worth it in terms of the list of improvements that they achieve in only four weeks of therapy. To highlight just some of the benefits that our ScolioGold treatment programme has granted patients from Australia and New Zealand, here are two case studies which detail the experiences of our former patients:
Patient #1: Ben Stanton
21 // Male // Australia
Like many of our patients, Ben is an extremely active individual, who enjoys working out at the gym and is a keen rugby player. He first noticed an irregularity in his spine whilst bending over in the gym, and was keen to get the problem fixed straight away, in order to avoid any restrictions to his physical ability in the future.
Why did Ben choose Scoliosis SOS?
Before Ben visited Scoliosis SOS to receive his own treatment, his sister had also suffered with scoliosis, and was able to successfully treat her symptoms thanks to the help of our clinic. Having witnessed the possibilities of the treatment, Ben was confident that the programme would not only allow him to relieve the physical symptoms of the condition, but would also help him learn how to properly support his physical activities without causing further damage to his body.
Results
After completing his treatment course, Ben found that his flexibility and posture had greatly improved since initial enrolment, which was incredibly positive in terms of supporting his further training. He also found that he was able to easily transfer the skills he had learnt in one-on-one sessions to his own gym work, allowing him to maintain his activity level without injuring or limiting himself. Watch the video below to hear Ben’s full story.
Patient #2: Katy Bramble 
12 // Female // New Zealand
Katy was diagnosed with scoliosis at 10 years old, and like many sufferers, was left devastated by the prospect of undergoing corrective surgery. Not only did she feel isolated by her peers, who were able to take on numerous physical activities and live a carefree life, she also felt incredibly intimidated by the prospect of undergoing irreversible changes to her spine.
Why did Katy choose Scoliosis SOS?
Katy was sad and frightened at the prospect of surgery, but was left feeling hopeful after her mother read about Scoliosis SOS online. Although she was daunted at the prospect of travelling to an unfamiliar country at such short notice, she was determined to try anything in order to avoid surgery.
Results 
Treatment at Scoliosis SOS not only improved the physical symptoms of Katy’s condition, but also massively improved her confidence and wellbeing. Plus she noticed changes in her appearance, and felt considerably stronger, which was great news in terms of her sporting ambitions. Best of all, she was able to return to life as a normal, active young girl, having made lots of new friends on the way. To read Katy’s full story, click here
If you’re looking for scoliosis treatment in Australia and New Zealand, but feel that you are unable to access an approach which suits your needs, then please don’t hesitate to contact the Scoliosis SOS team. For overseas patients, we are able to conduct over the phone consultations, which can be requested here.
PNF technique
 
Here at Scoliosis SOS, we have spent many years developing our successful ScolioGold treatment method, which uses a combination of non-surgical spinal techniques including the PNF Technique.
 
Although the Schroth method remains an integral part of our treatment programme, we have also integrated a range of other carefully selected techniques into our regime, ensuring that every aspect of the patient’s condition is fully addressed.
 
The afore mentioned treatment included in our current scoliosis treatment programme is the PNF technique. PNF stands for Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation, a technique that was first developed in the USA during the 1940s. The aim of the PNF therapy is to increase the patient’s flexibility and range of motion, and this in turn contributes to improved coordination.

History of the PNF Technique

The PNF technique was pioneered by a neurophysiologist named Herman Kabat, who came to the conclusion that combinations of movement would be far more effective than the existing approach, which consisted of only moving one joint at time. This developed as Kabat began to look for natural patterns of movement for rehabilitating muscles, and this is something we practice at Scoliosis SOS today in its modern form.
 
Part of our reason for including the PNF technique in our treatment programme is the fact that many of our patients struggle with physical limitation, both as a result of scoliosis itself and in relation to spinal fusion surgery. Many of our previous patients expressed that they felt restricted by the impact of scoliosis on their physical ability, and also that they were intimidated at the prospect of undergoing spinal surgery, which would greatly limit their ease of movement.
 
By strengthening the muscles around the spine, the stretching included in the PNF technique is able to relieve the discomfort of scoliosis, while also facilitating a greater range of motion, making it ideal for patients who are particularly active in pastimes such as sport and dance. As with all of the methods included in the ScolioGold programme, it has also been thoroughly researched and scientifically proven, which means that each patient can be sure that they are in safe, sure hands when receiving this treatment.
 
If you would like to find out more about the PNF technique or the variety of methods used in our ScolioGold treatment, please click here. To book a consultation, or if you have any questions about our non-surgical treatments, please get in touch today.
Kinesio Taping
Here at the Scoliosis SOS Clinic, we treat scoliosis using something called the ScolioGold method. This is our own unique approach to scoliosis therapy, and it combines a number of different techniques from all over the world to get the best possible results for scoliosis sufferers.
One of the many therapeutic techniques we utilise is called Kinesio Taping. Developed in Japan in the 1970s, Kinesio Taping promotes healthy muscle movement patterns and helps to relieve pain and inflammation in those who suffer from musculoskeletal disorders. Read on to find out more about this technique, or click here to get in touch with the Scoliosis SOS Clinic and find out how we may able to help you.

About Kinesio Taping

The Kinesio Taping (KT) method is the brainchild of Dr Kenzo Kase, a Japanese chiropractor who developed KT as a means of relieving pain without surgery or drugs. Kinesio Taping has existed as a practice since the 1970s, but it has received greater recognition more recently, with sports stars such as Serena Williams and Gareth Bale wearing it during their matches.
In a 2011 interview with the Guardian, Dr Kase offered the following explanation as to how his invention works:
 
“Your pain sensors are located between the epidermis and the dermis, the first and second layers of your skin…I thought that if I applied tape to the pain it would lift the epidermis slightly up and make a space between the two layers. This would in turn allow blood to flow more easily to the injured area.”
 
The effectiveness of Kinesio Taping is supported by multiple studies, which have shown that the KT method is good at protecting injured muscles/joints and providing immediate pain relief.

How Do We Use Kinesio Taping to Treat Scoliosis?

As mentioned above, the KT method is one of many techniques that we incorporate into our ScolioGold treatment courses for scoliosis sufferers. We’ve found that Taping is a great way to help with the pain that many scoliosis sufferers experience. Kinesio Taping’s strength lies with supplying immediate, short-term pain relief, but we’ve learned that it can be combined with other therapeutic methods – such as myofascial release – to give much longer-lasting results.
Kinestio Taping is also a good way to cultivate proper muscle movement patterns in scoliosis patterns. This is important because it helps to prevent the spine’s curve from progressing yet further. While the KT method itself is not capable of correcting a scoliotic curve, it is useful for managing pain/discomfort and promoting healthy movement and posture in conjunction with the other methods listed here.
If you suffer from scoliosis and you’re looking for an effective non-surgical treatment method, please get in touch with the Scoliosis SOS Clinic today to arrange an initial consultation. If you would rather speak to us on the phone, you can reach us on 0207 488 4428.
We recently treated 16-year-old Dea from Leytonstone, who was diagnosed with scoliosis back in April and whose spine displayed a 25° curve. After the initial diagnosis, Dea and her sister visited their doctor to find out what could be done, but according to Dea, “the GP wasn’t much help at all. He just said, ‘you’re going to have to live with it, there’s not much you can do about it’…my sister got very agitated by that.”
It was for this reason that Dea and her sister decided to research treatment options themselves, which is what led them to the Scoliosis SOS Clinic. At her initial consultation, Dea realised that she wouldn’t necessarily have to just ‘live with’ her scoliosis – her pain and her hunched posture could be treated after all.
You can see Dea’s full account of treating her 25° curve in the video below:
“It was so enjoyable. I am going to miss this place!” – Dea Dragashi, October 2016
To learn more about our unique ScolioGold treatment method, click here. You can also follow us on Twitter for all the latest news and updates from the Clinic.