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The Align Clinic Blog
​ Your Home For Orthotic and Prosthetic Knowledge

4 Scoliosis Exercises

3/16/2022

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Bracing may be the non-surgical approach to treat idiopathic scoliosis so far proven. Yet, exercise is also a reliable method to keep your back flexible. It keeps the spine strong and encourages excellent posture. 
This article will look into the following:
  • Define scoliosis
  • Explain its causes, symptoms and risk factors
  • Talk about useful scoliosis exercise to manage pain
Let's get started. 
What Is Scoliosis?
Scoliosis is the lateral spine curvature, most often affecting teenagers. This disease may develop in adults who have cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy. Most cases of juvenile scoliosis, however, have unclear causes. 
Scoliosis is usually moderate, although certain curvatures increase when children grow older. Scoliosis can lead to disability in children. In severe cases, the curvature of the spine reduces the space in the chest. The lungs could stop working correctly.
 Mild scoliosis patients are generally followed by regular X-rays. This is for assessing whether the curvature is worsening. In many circumstances, there is no need for therapy or to wear a scoliosis brace designed by an orthotist. 
However, doctors may recommend that a child wear a Kid's scoliosis brace to prevent the curvature from getting worse. Whereas adults must wear a scoliosis adult brace. Others could need surgery to correct extreme spine curvature. 
Scoliosis Symptoms
Scoliosis manifests itself in diverse ways but here are the common scoliosis symptoms:
  • Uneven shoulders
  • A shoulder blade seems to be more prominent
  • An uneven waist
  • A hip is higher
  • One rib cage side is jutting forward
  • When bending forward, a backside appears to be more prominent than the other
In most cases of scoliosis, the spine twists or rotates, only to end up bending from one side to the other. As a result, the muscles, or the ribs on one of the body's sides are protruding farther when compared with the other.
Scoliosis may lead to more obvious abnormalities like  
  • unequal shoulders and hips, 
  • protruding ribs, 
  • and the trunk or the waist shifting to one side, as the condition develops.

Patients with scoliosis often feel self-conscious about their appearance. Especially when the case has worsened, they need to wear a brace.
Causes
Doctors aren't sure what causes prevalent scoliosis cases. The disease, however, relates to inherited factors. Most times, the condition runs in families. There are other known causes for scoliosis, including:
  • Muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy, as neuromuscular diseases
  • Birth disorders influencing the spine bones' development 
  • Chest wall surgery as a newborn 
  • Spine infections or injuries 
  • Spinal cord problems
Scoliosis Risk Factors
The following factors can put you at risk for scoliosis: 
  1. Age is a risk factor frequent in scoliosis. Adolescents are usually the first to show symptoms. That’s when they wear a scoliosis brace made by an orthotist.  
  2. Sex. While boys and girls are equally susceptible to mild scoliosis, girls face a greater chance of the curvature worsening. 
  3. Genetics. Genes are one cause of scoliosis, but most children with scoliosis are not born into families with scoliosis. 
Start below in case you suffer from scoliosis and are interested in workouts. With proper technique taught under the direction of a therapist or a doctor. This might be all you need to end your scoliosis brace. 
Scoliosis Exercises
For patients with scoliosis, the goal of exercise and physical therapy is to relieve pain and improve posture. Your doctor or physical therapist can devise an exercise program for you. You’ll probably do a series of stretches and strengthening movements to help reverse the curve in your spine.
Here are the 4 scoliosis exercises that should be performed as often as possible or necessary:
  1. Arm and Leg Raises
Arm and leg raise help to build muscles in the lower back and core that stabilize the spine. This is how you do arm and leg raises:
  1. Lie face down on the stomach, with forehead and chin to the ground. Put a towel under. Maintain a straight line with the legs and the arms stretched above.
  2. Raise an arm slowly from the ground, hold it there for a second, then take it back to the ground.
  3. Do the same thing with the other arm, 15 times on each side. 
   2.  Pelvic Tilt
The abdominal muscles will be strengthened because of this exercise. The exercise is best done on a mat.  
  1. Lie down flat on the back. Bend the knees so that the feet are placed on the ground, and the toes are pointing forward.
  2. Tuck your stomach, push the pelvis for the ceiling, flatten the back into the ground.
  3. Remain like this for 20 seconds before relaxing. Make the effort to repeat this exercise at least 10 times.
NB: Instead of pressing with the legs, ensure you are using your core muscles. While this exercise may seem easy, it can be hard to master. Please practice with a competent health care practitioner. 
     3. Cat/Cow
The tendons and muscles supporting the spine get to be stretched with this workout.
  1. Begin by getting down on the knees. Arms should be straight under the shoulders, and the knees should be under the hips.
  2. Keep the head aligned with the body and spine while looking down.
  3. Lift the spine to the ceiling by rounding your back. Face the stomach with your gaze.
  4. Breathe in and hold it for a while.
  5. Lift the chest and the tailbone slowly upwards, allowing the stomach to drop. The gaze should be towards the ceiling.
  6. Gently circle the back and elevate the spine once again, after breathing in. These poses have to be repeated and alternated.
   4.  Stretching the Latissimus Dorsi Muscle
This is a stretch that can help release the lat muscles to strengthen them. These might be feeling tight in scoliosis.
  1. Keep the feet shoulder-width apart and the knees slightly bent.
  2. With the right hand, reach upward and grip the left wrist.
  3.  Bend to the right until feeling stretched along your trunk's left side. Leave your weight on the right.
  4. Hold for a maximum of 10 seconds, then go into the starting position with the right foot.
 NB: Make sure you do this exercise on each side.
Final Thoughts
Scoliosis is a potentially harmful condition. It makes living more difficult, but finding relief might be simpler than you think.
Additionally, scoliosis poses different obstacles according to age and severity. Scoliosis is more than a physical problem. It might also influence mental health like the ability to take part in activities.
However, with the support of qualified specialists and minimally invasive non-surgical solutions like the exercises mentioned in this article, you can manage scoliosis and possibly avoid wearing a scoliosis brace.  
Those who aren't candidates for surgery will always have these alternative options useful. Consult your doctor to determine if these exercises for strengthening the back are recommended for you or if you must see an orthotist.


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How to Make AFO Treatment Effective for Children?

3/9/2022

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You’re probably considering a foot brace as a treatment option for your child’s mobility issues. If that’s the case, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a complete guide on AFO treatment, orthotics types, and maintenance requirements for children’s AFO braces.
What is an AFO?
An ankle-foot orthosis or AFO is a brace that supports the lower limb. It’s designed for managing various conditions of the ankle and foot. Moreover, it helps regulate the alignment of joints, eases the physical functioning of the affected part, and gait correction.
What Are the Types of Orthotics?
Different types of orthotics are available in the market, each designed to address specific needs. Some of them allow movement, while others have a design that restricts movement.  Your choice will depend on the nature and severity of the injury or disorder. . Let’s look at some of the most common AFOs.
1. Dynamic Ankle-Foot Orthosis
Called DAFO for short, these orthotics are slender, lightweight, and flexible.  It’s used for treating conditions like spasms in the lower limb area in adults. Yet it can help children with clubfoot, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, and muscular dystrophy. Extensive trials and research shows that DAFOs improve motor skills among children.
2. Static Ankle-Foot Orthosis
It’s an AFO that immobilizes the ankle and foot completely — hence, it is also known as the rigid AFO or solid AFO. Podiatrists often prescribe these AFOs for children who have extreme pronation of the foot. Excessive pronation occurs when the foot's arch has fallen inwards or downwards.
3. Hinged Ankle-Foot Orthosis​
Also called articulated AFOs, they enable free movement in the ankle region while stabilizing the foot. The adjustable hinge at the ankle can allow healthcare practitioners to set the required level of flexibility. Articulated AFOs are useful in treating conditions like flat feet but not suitable if your kid has diabetes.

Difference Between a Regular AFO and a Pediatric AFOs
Pediatric AFO's designs make them convenient for children. . For instance, they are big enough r to accommodate growth spurts and changes in the alignment values of the foot. The heel seats are deep, and the undercuts are reduced to better support kids’ foot architecture than regular AFO. Finally, there are colorful options that make them bright and fun. 
When Does Your Child Need an AFO?Your podiatrist (foot doctor) may suggest AFO  for your child if they identify any lower limb problems that affect the kid’s regular routine. Here are some common conditions that doctors often treat with AFOs.
1. Lower Limb Injury
AFOs promote healing in kids suffering from a fracture or sprain near the ankle region. Besides, it can also mitigate pain after a surgical procedure. 
2. Cerebral Palsy
It’s a disorder that impacts the child’s ability to maintain balance and posture. In cerebral palsy, the brain struggles to communicate with the muscular structure, causing muscle cramps and involuntary movement of the body.  AFOs give children with cerebral palsy the help to perform motor movements such as running and jumping. 
3. Foot Drop
It’s a muscular condition in which your child might face difficulties raising the forefoot. A study conducted in Edinburgh’s Queen Margaret University shows that most patients with multiple sclerosis and foot drop who used AFOs saw improvement. 
4. Hypotonia and Hypertonia
Hypotonia results in a loss of muscle mass, and hypertonia manifests as a high level of tension in muscles. . Although there is no conclusive evidence to show that AFOs are effective for children with hypertonia and hypotonia, the results are far better when AFOs are combined with physical therapy. 
5. Spina Bifida
It’s a congenital condition in which the spinal cord is not developed correctly, leading to paralysis of the lower limbs. An AFO could improve gait and increase energy expenditure among children with spina bifida.
Tips for Maintaining Pediatric AFOs
Caring for a child's pediatric AFO is no more complicated than maintaining your favorite pair of shoes. Follow these tips to improve the efficacy and longevity of the device. 
1. Clean It Regularly
Fortunately, cleaning an AFO isn’t a tedious task. You just have to apply liquid soap and rinse the device with clean water. It’s that simple. You can use a towel to pat dry or simply leave it under the fan. Don’t use other heat sources, such as hair-dryers and flat irons, as they can cause damage to the AFO.
2. Lubricate the Brace
If the AFO has metallic joints, you need to lubricate them periodically or, as suggested by your orthotist, to keep them in good condition.
3. Get It Checked Periodically
Get the orthotics checked up regularly. It’s essential to account for various factors like usage duration and wear & tear for course correction. That’s important for your kid's everyday lifestyle and could help speed up the healing process.
4. Inform Your Orthotist If There are Any Issues
The ankles need some time to adjust. At times, there are chances of getting redness around the skin, which should ideally disappear once your child gets used to the same. However, if there is persistent discomfort, pain, blisters, or other issues, consult your orthotist immediately. More importantly, avoid adjusting the brace yourself.
Choosing the Best AFO for Your Child
Your decision can make a profound difference in everyday life of your kid. The perfect AFO can help them participate in activities with other children. For them, this sense of freedom and support is quite liberating.
At Align Clinic, we focus on designing customized AFO braces for adults and children. To create the right treatment strategy based on your child’s condition, our well-qualified orthotics will assess and suggest whether to go for a standard pediatric AFO or a customized one. Please reach out to us to schedule a consultation with our experts.

​
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Plagiocephaly, Brachycephaly, and Scaphocephaly: How Can Cranial Bands Help in Treating These Conditions?

3/2/2022

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Infants often have skull deformations due to a number of reasons. This is commonly known as flat head syndrome. But you don’t have to worry in most cases? Studies suggest that nearly all infants have a small degree of deformation in the skull. 
On the other hand, when the deformation is beyond normal, it can lead to many developmental issues. It includes ADHD, ADD, issues with speech, slow motor movement, aversion to social interaction, and more.
These flat head syndromes are either congenital or acquired — based on whether they developed the condition in the womb or after birth. It is of three types:
1. Plagiocephaly: It’s the flattening of the skull’s back on the side. Typically, it’s a consequence of your baby lying on the back with its head exerting more pressure on one side. At times, it is seen when there isn’t enough fluid in the mother’s amniotic sac. The condition is more likely to occur if the baby is delivered prematurely or is having growth issues.
2. Brachycephaly: It’s the flattening of the skull’s back, and the cause is often linked to the baby lying on the back for long spells. Just like plagiocephaly, it can also occur if there aren’t enough amniotic sac fluids in the mother’s womb. At times, it occurs when there are two or more fetuses in the womb.
3. Scaphocephaly: This is the rarest of the three conditions. The skull’s side is fattened to create an elongation of sorts. It’s caused when the baby lays on its side for many hours in its initial months. Babies who are in the neonatal ICU for a long time tend to develop this condition since they spend a lot of time lying on their side. Although rare, it can also occur due to physical exertion when the baby is in the womb.
Now that we have an idea about flat head syndrome and the ways in which it develops, let’s look at the use of cranial bands to treat them.
When Does Your Baby Need a Cranial Band?
A cranial remolding helmet or a cranial band is called so because it is used to correct the cranium portion of the human brain. It’s worth noting that cranial bands and helmets are a bit different in their appearance and nature of use, but for the sake of the article, we’ll use them interchangeably.
A 2188 patient study conducted at Claude-Bernard University showed that by using a cranial helmet, nearly 4 in 5 babies with a severe flat head condition saw improvements. On the contrary, there are studies that show they don’t bring about any significant changes. Either way, using a cranial band will not harm your child’s growth in any way.
Tips to Make the Process Easier 
As is the case with any medical device, there are a few good practices to be followed if your kid is going to wear a cranial helmet. Here are the most important ones.
1. Consult the Experts
Does the current plagiocephalic condition warrant a helmet? Do thorough research about your child’s condition and get them treated in the best possible manner. While you can consult blogs and other parents who went through the same process, your doctor’s advice should be given due importance. After all, it’s their medical expertise that is going to help your child’s flat head condition improve.
2. Make It Fun
Your child should want to wear a helmet. Give it a name, some colors, and a personality to it. Make it an enjoyable activity for them by playing their favorite music, reading a story they like, or simply by bringing out their favorite toy. When you start associating the helmet with positive things, your child will start doing the same.
3. Regular Maintenance
Remember, cranial helmets are not like your kid’s regular clothing. Clean any dirt on the helmet from time to time. It’s best to use your child’s soaps and shampoos to wash the helmet to avoid any allergic reactions. If you feel the helmet smells a lot, you can use scented baby products (ones made of tea tree oil and the likes). Finally, follow the instructions given by your orthotist. 
4. Commit to the Process
Making an infant wear extra apparel is never going to be easy. So, brace yourself for all the struggle. Don’t stop using the helmet because it’s too inconvenient or yields social pressures. Ideally, your child should be wearing a cranial band for over 22 hours a day.
Your infant’s brain size doubles in size by their second birthday. So, even if you miss a single growth spurt, it will undo all the efforts of wearing the helmet. Meet your doctors and orthotists periodically. Based on developments happening in your child, they might want to change the process or make tweaks to the helmet. 
Conclusion
If you’re not comfortable with the treatment prescribed by your doctors or orthotist, you can opt for physical therapy instead. Ensure that the therapist you approach is capable and has experience working with children. Whether it’s cranial helmets or physical therapy, focus on what’s best for the child while keeping your beliefs and social pressures aside. 
Looking for the ideal infant cranial band for your child? Contact us at Align Clinic. With the help of skilled doctors and brilliant medical engineering minds, we’ll take care of your pediatric orthosis needs in the best possible manner. Meet us at a clinic near you today.
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San Mateo, California
700 S Claremont St
Suite #105
San Mateo, CA 94402 
Hours: 8:30-5:30 M-F
​Phone: (650) 375-2231
Fax: (650) 627-4632
Green Bay, Wisconsin
445 Cardinal Lane
Suite #110
Green Bay, WI 54313
Hours: 8:30-5:30 M-F
Phone: (920) 940-5277
Fax: (844) 308-8462


Houston, Texas
1001 Medical Plaza Drive,
​Suite #130
The Woodlands, TX  77380
Hours: 8:30-5:30 M-F
​Phone: (346) 770-2970
Fax: (281) 419-1615
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Florida Medical Center - North
4900 W. Oakland Park Blvd,
Suite #105
​Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33313
attention only by appointment
Phone:
(920) 940-5277
Fax: (844) 308-8462
Photos used under Creative Commons from shixart1985, wuestenigel
  • Home
  • Locations
    • AC San Mateo, CA >
      • Inside AC SM
      • Our Practitioners >
        • Grant Wood
        • Steve Baum
        • Miguel Bustamante
      • Advanced Technology
      • Stanford Children's Health Partnership
      • Local Hotels
      • Contact Us
      • Team Members
    • AC Green Bay, WI >
      • Inside Wisconsin
      • Patient Testimonials
      • Contact Us
      • Emery Maloney
    • AC The Woodlands, TX
    • AC Fort Lauderdale, FL
  • The WCR Brace
    • Case Presentations >
      • Infantile Idiopathic Scoliosis
      • Juvenile Idiopathic Scoliosis
      • Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
      • Switching to a WCR Brace
      • Adult Scoliosis Bracing
      • Neuromuscular Scoliosis
      • Treating Upper Thoracic Curves
    • Brace Articles
    • Patient Testimonials >
      • Grant's Testimonials
      • Paul's Testimonials
    • WCR Partner Testimonials
    • Grant's MS Thesis
    • Our Patients
    • Patients and Sports
    • Patients and Hobbies
    • Brace colors
    • Scoliosis Fashion
  • Patient Resources
    • WCR Brace Clinics >
      • USA Clinics
      • China Clinics
      • Canada Clinics
      • Australia Clinics
      • WCR Brace Clinic Finder
    • WCR Certified Practitioners
    • Professional Contacts & References
    • Forms & Insurance
    • Clinical Photos and X-rays
    • Scoliosis Rehab PT, CA
    • Blog
  • Events
    • Brace Clinic Calendar
    • Sosort 2022 - San Sebastian, Spain
    • Past Events >
      • Advancements in Conservative Treatment of Scoliosis 2018 >
        • Award for Advancements in the Conservative Treatment of Scoliosis
      • Past USA WCR Clinics and Conferences
      • Advancements in Conservative Treatment Of Scoliosis 2017
      • Shanghai Clinic
      • AAOP Meetings
      • BSPTS Schroth PT Training
    • Past SOSORT Conferences >
      • sosort2019 San Francisco - CA
      • SOSORT2018 Dubrovnik/Croatia
      • SOSORT2017 Lyon/France
      • SOSORT2016 Canada
    • Northeast Region Re-Align Clinic
  • Services
    • Scoliosis & Spine Online Learning
    • Prosthetics
    • Orthotics >
      • Pediatric Orthotics
      • Cranial Remolding Band
  • Hope's EmbraceĀ® Undershirts
  • Wall Grids
  • WCR Brace Fitting Evaluation
  • For PTs/Orthotists
  • WCR Measurement Order Form
  • Masterclass Conferences
  • Careers