The functional or false scoliosis might be regarded as a habitual
inability to stand correctly, simply a postural malposition and lack
of muscle tone without marked structural change, which is maintained
for a considerable length of time or where the position is repeated
several times daily. The treatment of selected types of this deformity
is most successful and may well be divided into three procedures:
first, the substitution of a correct attitude for the faulty one, that
is careful investigation should be made to ascertain the condition
which might be the cause of the incorrect position such as poor school
desks which might cause the child to reach either up or down to write,
poorly fitting clothing which causes a pulling on the shoulder, eye
strain which would cause tilting or twisting of the neck, congenital
shortening of one limb or too rapid growth, should all be looked for
and removed; second, regular osteopathic manipulation, at least three
times per week to increase the tonicity of the already weakened spinal
muscles and aid correction, are highly essential and shortens the time
required for a complete cure; third, supervised gymnastic exercises of
various kinds are very beneficial to develop and bring the musculature
back to normal. Such simple exercises as crawling on the hands and
knees in a small circle towards the side of the convexity, and the
hanging from a horizontal bar by the arm on the side of the concavity
will prove to be helpful. Some authors recommend the regular army
setting up exercises for some cases or a frame by means of which the
hips are fixed, and rotating and side bending exercises of the head
and trunk given. These last two exercises are indeed very reasonable
procedures but I have found them unnecessary mainly because I used
osteopathic manipulations instead.
In advising and supervising exercises it is best to have the patient’s
back bared so that the effect of each movement can be noticed and the
exercises directed accordingly. Care and judgment should be used as to
the number and severity of the exercises and would depend of course on
the vigor of the child. Treatment should continue until the condition
has been overcome, and the patient should be under observation for a
couple of months afterwards so that any recurrence of the deformity
would be noticed and attended.