Bracing:
Bracing is the most common form of scoliosis treatment, as people from 20-45 degrees have the potential to be braced, although it is normally recommended for 25-40 degrees. There are many different type of scoliosis braces including the Milauwakee, Charleston, Boston and SpineCor braces. The brace I am most familiar with and is most common in scoliosis treatment is the Boston Brace. Bracing type depends on degree, preference and location of the curve. From the below picture the types of scoliosis can be seen. PICTURE BELOW: (Scoliosis Symptoms.)
Bracing is the most common form of scoliosis treatment, as people from 20-45 degrees have the potential to be braced, although it is normally recommended for 25-40 degrees. There are many different type of scoliosis braces including the Milauwakee, Charleston, Boston and SpineCor braces. The brace I am most familiar with and is most common in scoliosis treatment is the Boston Brace. Bracing type depends on degree, preference and location of the curve. From the below picture the types of scoliosis can be seen. PICTURE BELOW: (Scoliosis Symptoms.)
The Boston brace can be used to treat any of these curve types and targets the scoliosis in a three dimensional manner. Braces curve the spine laterally against the curve so as to push it so it's more straight. The second way a curve is controlled is by making the back straighter the way you stand, (looking at someone sideways it fixes any abnormalities in this plane.) The third way a Boston brace works is by pushing your curve straighter in the parts that 'stick out' for example when you bend over and one rib sticks out, the third area fixes this. Overall a brace works to put the back into a corrected position and is made customer so it can target your curve. The brace is not supposed to fix scoliosis but to prevent it from progressing during years of growth as to hopefully eliminate the need for surgery.
Most braces have plastic bodies and keep the curve secure, except for spineCor for braces, see below, which use bands, however SpineCor braces have been discontinued in a lot of places due to lack of success.
Most braces have plastic bodies and keep the curve secure, except for spineCor for braces, see below, which use bands, however SpineCor braces have been discontinued in a lot of places due to lack of success.
Most braces are used with physiotherapy as well in order to maximize the benefits. The Schrot method is the most common method used for physio with a boston brace, and can also be continued with after bracing or used by itself if bracing is not necessary.
Most braces are very uncomfortable at first due to the unnatural position they put your body in and the hard outer shell, however most patients usually get used to braces within the first month. Although I did get used to the brace and was able to wear it for 24 hours a day, I found it constantly uncomfortable and very difficult to sleep with however a lot of people don't experience this, so don't worry if you need to wear a brace.
There are two ways a brace is worn, night brace or day brace. The day brace requires the wearer to wear the brace for 22 hours a day and has them constantly fixed and corrected, the day brace is usually prescribed for those with curves over 30-35 degrees. The night brace is supposed to be worn for 8 hours a day and over corrects the spine a lot more than the day brace, however can be taken off during the day.
Most braces are very uncomfortable at first due to the unnatural position they put your body in and the hard outer shell, however most patients usually get used to braces within the first month. Although I did get used to the brace and was able to wear it for 24 hours a day, I found it constantly uncomfortable and very difficult to sleep with however a lot of people don't experience this, so don't worry if you need to wear a brace.
There are two ways a brace is worn, night brace or day brace. The day brace requires the wearer to wear the brace for 22 hours a day and has them constantly fixed and corrected, the day brace is usually prescribed for those with curves over 30-35 degrees. The night brace is supposed to be worn for 8 hours a day and over corrects the spine a lot more than the day brace, however can be taken off during the day.