Further therapeutic measures

In addition to the exercise program, which is important in the physiotherapeutic treatment of Scheuermann’s disease, detonating techniques can also be used to loosen the tense muscles. Due to the constant incorrect posture, certain muscle groups are less well supplied and tend to develop frequent painful tension. Adhesive or shortened tissue can be loosened by manual soft tissue treatment.

The application of heat can have a pain-relieving and relaxing effect in cases of severe tension. Shortened muscles can also be stretched passively. In the case of severe postural deformities that also restrict the mobility of the thorax, respiratory therapy should also be performed during physiotherapeutic treatment to mobilize the ribs and maintain thoracic mobility.

In the article Physiotherapy for asthma you will get some good breathing exercises. Correcting posture and increasing the perception of one’s own posture in everyday life is essential for patients with Scheuermann’s disease! You can find exercises for this in the article Coordination and Balance Exercises. If the pain is severe, medication can be administered.

Corset

A corset can be necessary and useful in cases of particularly severe growth disturbances in order to avoid the extreme malposition of Scheuermann’s disease. The corset is placed around the upper body and supports the upright physiological position of the spine. Initially it should be worn almost all day and also at night, later the time can be shortened until the corset can be taken off completely.

It is important to remember that the corset takes over the holding work of the muscles and therefore they have to do less work. It is essential to strengthen the stabilizing back and abdominal muscles again after the corset therapy is finished, because they are now again solely responsible for the patient’s posture. Although the corset therapy promises good results, it is often not popular with patients. Especially in adolescence the obvious wearing of a corset is difficult, because it is a psychological burden and can lead to social isolation. The article “Physiotherapy in childhood malpositioning” might still be of interest to you in this regard.