Scoliosis ABQ is a physical therapy practice dedicated to the treatment of scoliosis.
The owners of the practice, Dr. Susan Halbig and Dr. Karen Pettine, both physical therapists and moms, opened the doors in February 2019. As of April, both Karen and Susan have one year of motherhood under their belts. And the last year was filled with more than endless diaper changes, baby giggles, and late night snuggle sessions. What started out as friendship built on the commonality of having little ones 8 days apart, soon became a partnership with a shared ambition of opening a physical therapy clinic devoted to conservative treatment of scoliosis in Albuquerque.
This mommy duo quickly turned baby play dates into an opportunity to discuss their dream clinic and pave the way in making the scoliosis clinic a reality.
Karen and Susan both have a diagnosis of scoliosis themselves. Both know first hand the challenges associated with this very common spinal asymmetry. They understand the physical and emotional impact of the diagnosis through various life stages: as an adolescent, as a young women expecting a child, postpartum recovery, and the ever-changing demands of mommyhood.
Through the creation of New Mexico’s only physical therapy practice dedicated to scoliosis treatment, Karen and Susan are bringing awareness of scoliosis to the community. They are also empowering those with scoliosis to take care of their backs with Schroth physical therapy, an evidence-based treatment method.
The Schroth method uses highly individualized exercises for strengthening and postural correction combined with therapist guided visualization. The goal of the exercises is to promote curve stabilization and postural alignment. This improves participation in activities of daily living. This type of treatment can help limit progression of the curvature across the lifespan. The Schroth method is especially useful during times of increased growth or physical change. These times include adolescence, pregnancy, and older adulthood when the degenerative changes of the spine ]often occur. Scoliosis ABQ even has a short quiz you can take to see if the Schroth method would be right for you or your loved one.
Here are 5 things you should know about scoliosis and scoliosis treatment.
1. The Schroth method can help reduce the need for surgery. Recent high quality studies demonstrate that participation Schroth physical therapy can help limit curve progression to the point where surgery is not needed.
2. Most cases of scoliosis have no known cause. There is no evidence to suggest that poor posture, participation in specific sports, or activities like carrying a backpack on one side contribute to developing scoliosis.
3. Physical activity is good. People with scoliosis are encouraged to participate in physical activity and sport, in most cases without any restrictions.
4. Scoliosis runs in families. Nearly one-third of people with scoliosis have a family member who also has the condition.
5. Early diagnosis is key. Girls should be screened twice at 10 and 12 years old. And boys should be screened once at 12 or 13 years old.
