Hey! So I have very minor scoliosis (about a 20 degree curve, slightly rotated) that doesn’t have major effects on my QoL, though I sometimes get migraines due to the positioning of my neck. It’s certainly not severe enough for surgery, though shortly before I left the US I was recommended for physical therapy that could potentially minorly correct the curve/rotation of my spine. Does anyone have any experience with this sort of thing here? Is that sort of thing offered here yet?
4 comments
Please check out the medical resources on the [wiki!](https://www.reddit.com/r/japanlife/wiki/medical)
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/japanlife) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I know your flair says Okuyama, but just in case you aren’t or if anyone else is searching, Studio TAKT EIGHT in Hachioji, just north of the station if you are in the Tokyo region. I’d recommend getting some x-rays in advance–preferably on a USB drive or CD–to give them to the staff there. Their main PT there suffered from scoliosis and is very helpful.
For a more perminant option or in conjuction with therapy, you may look into a Cheneau-Gensingen Brace. Schroth Best Practice clinic in downtown Tokyo can get you fitted with their body scan system and have one custom made for you. (once again, apologies I only know the Tokyo area). Of note, insurance may not completely cover it though, so do that research in advance.
Be advised that depending on your age many of the hospitals will just try to convince you to go under the knife due to lack of knowledge. I know that it will be dependant on the hospital you go to, but we dealt with 2 doctors at 2 different locations that were very dimissive.
I’m in my mid-50s and was diagnosed with scoliosis when I was 10 years old. I wore a full on brace from my neck to my pelvis 23 hours a day until I thankfully stopped growing at age 14 (175cm). I have a double curve, top and bottom of my spine. I’ve had on and off back pain all my life, but since I’ve discovered Pilates it’s done so much to help my quality of life. I highly recommend that, as well as to make sure that you have high-quality firm bedding and appropriate pillow for you.
I had therapy for scoliosis when I was in middle school. I think I had a 19º bend or something like that, it wasn’t enough for a full brace but I had an atrophied muscle in my neck and it made my head always tilt in one direction. Therapy was basically heat + stretching (done by the physio) followed by a strength routine mostly focused on back muscles, IIRC, a couple times a week (Think basically rows of every kind: upright, seated, prone, &c., and some lat pulldowns.) They gave me a home routine to do as well, mostly similar exercises modified for home. It helped a lot, over a couple years it decreased significantly (although one side of my neck is still tighter than the other).