In my last blog post I explained how I identify my clients’ compression areas from looking at their X-rays. In this blog I’m going to connect how the compression areas on the X-ray images correspond to what a person might look like at a first session.
Here are two pairs of images showing my compression areas. A pair indicating my thoracic compression area in both X-ray and photograph, and then the same for my lumbar compression.
When treating scoliosis I identify the areas of expansion and the areas of compression within the scoliotic person’s body. The areas of expansion lie on the convexity of a curve. The areas of compression lie on the concavity of a curve. There is always an area of compression beneath the lowest curve. This is a fact of geometry.
The areas of expansion in a scoliotic person’s body are often areas where they feel sensation – frequently tightness and discomfort. The areas of compression are more often areas where the person has less awareness of sensation. Practitioners are often drawn to working in the expansion areas of a person’s scoliosis. Expansion areas are more bulky than compression areas and appear to need help in relaxing and coming into better balance. It is a mistake for practitioners to focus their attention on the expansion areas of a scoliosis. It is better to work on bringing more volume and vitality to the areas of compression.
When treating scoliosis I identify and work on the compression areas, starting with the lowest area and working my way up the body. In a person with an S shaped scoliosis, where there is a lumbar curve to the left and a thoracic curve to the right, the areas of compression are:
- On the left side lower torso between the lumbar spine and the pelvis
- On the right side torso in the concavity of the lumbar curve
- On the left side of the mid/upper torso in the concavity of the thoracic curve
These curves are identified in the image below:
There will also be a compression area above the thoracic curve as the spine attempts to return to the midline beneath the cranium, but this compression is of less importance than the lower compressions.
Working with the lowest compression area requires working on all of the muscles and fascia of the legs and hips, the goal being to balance these structures so that the pelvis can rest on the legs with as much structural and tonal balance as possible. Structural balance refers to achieving symmetry in skeletal position. Tonal balance refers to achieving evenness of tone in the relevant muscles.
Opening the lowest compression involves a dual task of organizing the leg on the side of the compression, and creating space and movement within the compression area itself. As both legs become better organized, and as the lowest compression becomes fuller and more mobile, I begin to work on the next compression up the person’s body. With this method, I apply a systematic approach to helping a person with scoliosis have more ease, poise and balance.