Trigger point therapy is an increasingly popular means of treating musculoskeletal pain. If you suffer from pain as a result of scoliosis, hyperkyphosis, or a similar spinal condition, then trigger point therapy may be able to help alleviate some of your symptoms – here’s a little more information about this method:
What is trigger point therapy?
Trigger point therapy was devised in the USA in the early 1940s. The technique, which was greatly influenced by the findings of physician and medical researcher Janet Travell, is based on the idea that most musculoskeletal pain can be traced to a specific source or ‘trigger point’.
When administering trigger point therapy, a physiotherapist will aim to locate their patient’s trigger point(s) and use targeted massage techniques to relieve that patient’s pain.
Is trigger point therapy effective?
While trigger points as a concept are still somewhat controversial, studies (reported in Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual by David G. Simons, Janet G. Travell and Lois S. Simons) have shown that roughly three-quarters of pain clinic patients “have a trigger point as the sole source of their pain”.
While we do not believe that trigger point therapy alone is an effective treatment for scoliosis and similar musculoskeletal conditions, we have found that the technique often helps to relieve the pain endured by those who suffer from such conditions.
Does the Scoliosis SOS Clinic use trigger point therapy?
Yes – trigger point therapy is one of the many therapeutic approaches that we incorporate into our ScolioGold treatment courses. Our physiotherapists use this method (along with other techniques like taping and osteopathy) to reduce pain, while techniques such as the Schroth method are utilised to correct the patient’s posture and improve their mobility.
Please click here to learn more about our scoliosis treatment courses, or contact Scoliosis SOS today to book an initial consultation with our scoliosis specialists.
If you suffer from
scoliosis, you may have been told that you need surgery in order to correct the curvature of your spine. Many people undergo scoliosis surgery each year, but while these procedures can deliver the desired results, there are a number of reasons why a scoliosis sufferer might decide against surgical correction. Surgery always comes with a certain level of risk, and scoliosis surgery specifically can, on rare occasions, lead to complications such as vertebral degeneration and pseudarthrosis.
Should I refuse to undergo scoliosis surgery?
If your scoliosis is particularly severe (for example, if the angle of your spinal curve exceeds 45°) then surgery may be the only effective treatment option.
However, many scoliotics find that it is possible to overcome the symptoms of their condition without surgical intervention. Erika Maude, founder of the Scoliosis SOS Clinic, is a prime example: she was diagnosed with scoliosis at the age of 11, and was offered spinal fusion surgery when she was in her teens. At that point, her spine exhibited a 42° curve; however, Erika refused surgery and instead sought non-surgical treatment using the Schroth method.
This treatment worked, and Erika is no longer affected by the symptoms of scoliosis.
What’s the alternative to scoliosis surgery?
Here at the Scoliosis SOS Clinic, we treat scoliosis sufferers using our own ScolioGold method. This 4-week programme combines elements from the aforementioned Schroth with a number of other therapeutic methods, including:
- FITS (Functional Independent Treatment for Scoliosis)
- SEAS (Scientific Exercise Approach to Scoliosis)
- Kinesio taping
- Myofascial release
- Osteopathy
Together, these therapeutic methods help to relieve the pain caused by scoliosis while reducing the patient’s
Cobb angle and improving their quality of life in general.
How can I find out if non-surgical scoliosis treatment will work for me?
We recommend that you
book an initial consultation at the Scoliosis SOS Clinic – this will allow our scoliosis consultants to assess the severity of your condition and make an informed decision as to whether or not ScolioGold treatment would be an effective alternative to surgery in your case.
The physiotherapists here at Scoliosis SOS
treat patients using the ScolioGold method. This approach combines a number of non-surgical scoliosis treatments (including the Schroth method) in order to provide unparalleled relief from the effects of spinal curvature.
One of the techniques utilised by our ScolioGold therapists is myofascial release. In this blog post, you’ll learn all about myofascial release, how it works, and how we incorporate it into our highly effective treatment courses
What is myofascial release?
Myofascial release therapy was conceived in America in the 1940s. The technique is based on the medical findings of such practitioners as Dr Ida Rolf and Andrew Taylor Still (the founder of osteopathy, another method that we incorporate into our ScolioGold courses).
Myofascial release (commonly abbreviated to MFR) is a form of soft tissue therapy that can help to relax the muscles, improve circulation, and stimulate the patient’s stretch reflex.
How can myofascial release help scoliosis sufferers?
We have found that MFR often helps to relieve the pain caused by scoliosis and other musculoskeletal disorders. If the condition is restricting the patient’s movements, myofascial release can help with this, too.
As stated above, myofascial release is just one of the many methods we utilise here at the Scoliosis SOS Clinic. This particular technique does not aim to reverse the spinal curvature that’s present in patients with scoliosis; rather, it helps to relieve pain and improve circulation/mobility whilst complementing the corrective exercises espoused by the Schroth method and some of the other therapeutic techniques we use.
For more information about myofascial release and the many other methods we use here at Scoliosis SOS, please visit our main ScolioGold page. If you are a scoliosis sufferer and you would like to arrange a consultation with a member of our team, please click here and you will be directed to our contact page.
If you’ve read about the benefits of our non-surgical scoliosis therapy and decided that a Scoliosis SOS treatment course is the right choice for your spinal condition, you may be wondering what the next step is.
Here’s how to get in touch with the Scoliosis SOS clinic, arrange your initial consultation, and book a place on one of our
ScolioGold courses:
Step 1 – Browse Upcoming Course Dates
Before you contact the clinic, we recommend that you take a look at our list of upcoming
course dates to get a rough idea of when you’d like to visit us. Courses typically last 4 weeks, and can either be completed in one go or split into two shorter periods of 2 weeks each.
If neither of these options suit your schedule, we also offer premium “Pick ‘n’ Mix” courses that allow you to complete your treatment course over a number of shorter periods.
Step 2 – Arrange an Initial Consultation
Once you’ve viewed our available course dates, head over to our Contact page and submit your details using the form provided. You’ll need to give a brief description of your current condition, along with the following information:
- When your condition was diagnosed
- The angle of your spinal condition (if you know it)
- Whether or not you have worn a brace, undergone surgery, and/or received any other treatment for your condition
Once you’ve entered all of this information, you will have the opportunity to request a consultation with a member of the Scoliosis SOS team. This session can be conducted in person, via Skype, or over the phone – the choice is yours. Consultations can be scheduled for any time between 9am and 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Step 3 – Book Your Course
The initial consultation allows us to assess your spinal condition in more detail and decide whether ScolioGold therapy would be an appropriate course of action. If so, we will be in touch to help you book a place on the course dates that best suit you. We can also arrange accommodation in London if you will need a place to stay over the course of your treatment programme.
