Reflective Essay: Managing Scoliosis & Hypermobility Case Study

Introduction to Reflective Essay on Scoliosis & Hypermobility

The reflective essay on the condition of scoliosis and hypermobility helps to manage the condition in the setting of chiropractic care. It has been found that the intervention of chiropractic care can resolve the issue of pain in the region of the bilateral neck, mid-back, and shoulder which can be encountered by conditions of hypermobility and mild scoliosis. So the adjustments in the chiropractic department can help in the reduction of pain by offering relief. So this reflection essay can able to highlight the potential areas that require development. The therapy of the treatment, exercise the education among the patients have been described to get effective outcomes.

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Discussion

The discussion based on the condition of the patient is reflected in this section with the help of Gibbs's reflective cycle. Through the six stages of this model, the condition of the patient is represented in a detailed description,

Gibbs Reflective Cycle

Description

In this case, my feelings as a chiropractic intern were a bit negative as well as positive at the same time. This diagnosis was difficult to make, given that the patient has both scoliosis and hypermobility; the former increases the risk for chronic musculoskeletal pain over the longevity of their upgraded spine, while the latter may cause long-term postural issues for the patient. This was so because I wanted to know the possibilities of the worsening of this condition because the patient had been under treatment for several years, yet he never visited several doctors (Shere, and Clark, 2023). The ability of scoliosis to be a long-standing condition made me worry more about the patient’s follow-through of recommended therapies such as; exercises, changes in lifestyle, etc. This is because, from experience, I know that cases of scoliosis tend to get even worse as time elapses, and hence the reason I was wary of the impacts of negative implementation of brace therapy in the long run without the full cooperation of the patient.

Feelings

On the other hand, I found myself hoping for an improved result from chiropractic treatment, especially when accompanied by posture correction exercises and strength training. Ample research work points towards the efficiency of manual therapies in the relief of scoliosis-related pains and in the general improvement of spinal function. Besides this, the patient’s favorable reaction to Pilates and stretching indicated that they might be willing to undergo a global rehabilitation program. I was optimistic that with enough counseling and encouragement, the patient would stick to the prescribed treatment regime of how to sit, stand, and basically move around to alleviate the current conditions and enhance the general well-being.

Evaluation

Scoliosis and hypermobility indices were determined more than adequately; the correlation between postural syndrome and complaints in the observed patient was unambiguous. These conditions can be well managed through chiropractic care because scientific evidence shows the relationship between chiropractic care and the reduction of pain and realignment of the spine. Current evidence supports the efficacy of manual therapy and exercise-based therapy for the treatment of patients with scoliosis in terms of functional improvement and reduction in pain (Dobies et al. 2022). Patients knew about the positive impacts of the stretching as well as Pilates basically forming the recommended adjunctive therapy strategies in patients with scoliosis and postural distortions through active exercise. Several things in the case went wrong; first, it was seen that radiological or MRI imaging was not taken at the initial stage of the problem, which raised questions as to what the current situation of scoliosis was. Despite the patient having an X-ray in 2020, scoliosis is a progressive disease, therefore it was challenging to determine the changes, and or structural complications due to a lack of recent imaging. In literature, imaging is encouraged maybe every six months, to assess any change in the curve in order to make appropriate interventions (Steinberg et al. 2021). Also, the patient’s position during work and during the study was partially neglected. Sustained sedentary work at a desk, and especially in postural distortion patterns, is known to trigger the progression of scoliosis and other musculoskeletal disorders. Pain relief measures like recommending the right chair and desk at my workplace could have been advised earlier.

Figure 1: Gibbs Reflective Cycle

(Source: https://stock.adobe.com/images/gibbs-reflective-cycle-with-icons-in-an-infographic-template/505189632)

Analysis

In this regard, some more detailed findings attracted a consideration of a more comprehensive approach to the early management of scoliosis and postural syndrome in particular. Recent work by authors has proposed the following integrated model comprising chiropractic, exercise therapy, patient education, and ergonomic measures.

The management through chiropractic care

Chiropractic treatment involves manipulation of the spine and musculoskeletal system through vital adjustments to restore mobility, knocking some pain, and even minor postural deformities, but they can only be effective in complex forms where it is but one of the components (Gillas et al. 2021). Chiropractic intervention through manipulation has been proven to have positive impacts on patient management of scoliosis-related ailments because it provides for correction of the subluxations and muscular spasms.

Exercise Interventions

One area that could be improved in the proposed program would be the specificity of the exercises, for instance, the application of the Schroth method. The Schroth method is effective in arresting the curve progression in scoliosis patients and is beneficial in personality posture regulation independently. Research also shows that resistance training and postural exercises such as exercises that can strengthen muscles to bypass the spinal structure are very effective in managing pain linked to scoliosis and the muscle imbalance problems associated with this condition. Also, Pilates, which the patient was doing, is recognized in the scientific literature for its effectiveness in strengthening the core muscles and improving posture.

The education among patients

According to the literature, postural syndrome due to scoliosis requires ergonomic interventions for appropriate patient management. It is work-related adjustments such as chairs, the height of their monitors, and desk settings that should not be overlooked in order to worsen posture problems further.

Drawbacks of the treatment

One drawback of chiropractic treatment is that it cannot cure scoliosis. Although it can sometimes help reduce the symptoms of scoliosis, the treatment can barely affect the structural curve of the spine especially if the patient is an adult with scoliosis already (Hershkovich et al. 2024). It is for this reason that surgical intervention is normally advised in cases of more severe curves and it is easily seen that early referral to an orthopedic consultant might have been useful in this case.

Conclusion

Such reflection highlighted the need to develop an integrated model of scoliosis and postural syndrome management. Many symptoms can be relieved with chiropractic care but it should be used together with other therapies like exercise therapy, ergonomic adjustment, and others alongside imaging done frequently. According to the evidence, there exist particular exercises like the Schroth method which would have helped in preventing the progression of the spine curve and it would have been integrated into the patient care. Ergonomic interventions which are essential for patients with sedentary work, whereby ill health due to poor posture develops, and worsens musculoskeletal conditions. In the future, I have to use a broader and evidence-based perspective that should involve not only chiropractic adjustment but also counsel for further adherence to recommended modifications to one’s lifestyle.

Action plan

I will add more specific exercise programs for the disorder such as the Schroth counseling for scoliosis and other core muscle training in order to get long-term benefits for the patient. They will focus on ergonomics and adjustments which patients with desk jobs will benefit from whereby I will offer them useful tips to help them in their day-to-day activities. Imaging follow-up or referral to the specialist will be included in the patient’s care plan for the purpose of assessing any worsening of scoliosis. In the future, I will explain to the patient that scoliosis and hypermobility are not acute conditions and that he or she should not expect treatment for them to be focused solely on addressing the present discomfort. Reflection will involve doing research therefore researching will be an integral activity in my reflection task. In order to support my interventions for patients with scoliosis, I will consult the most recent data on scoliosis treatment and chiropractic therapy.

Conclusion

It can be concluded that the reflective essay has emphasized properly which requires the multidimensional approach in the management of chiropractic care for the condition of postural syndrome and scoliosis. This type of chiropractic care can effectively handle the pain and develop mobility. This study has integrated exercise therapy with the adjustments of ergonomics and daily observation which are necessary for planning patient care (ÖZGÖZEN, 2023). So encouragement in caring for long-term with the suitable interventions is necessary for getting the improvements. So this has emphasized the proper strategy to get better results in this condition.

Reference List

Journals

Aukštuolytė-Bačienė, E., Daunoravičienė, A., Tamulionytė, V., Berškienė, K., Narbutaitė, J., Razon, S. and Slapšinskaitė-Dackevičienė, A., 2024, May. Present but Ignored: Physical Condition and Health-Related Quality of Life in College-Aged Females with Generalized Joint Hypermobility. In Healthcare (Vol. 12, No. 11, p. 1065). MDPI.

Dobies-Krzesniak, B.K., Werblinska, A. and Tarnacka, B., 2022. Joint hypermobility in school-aged children and adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis-A chance for more accurate screening?. Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine, 29(3).

Gillas, F., Mekki, A., Foy, M., Carlier, R. and Benistan, K., 2021. Prevalence of Scoliosis in Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. EMJ, 6(2), pp.54-62.

Hershkovich, O., Gordon, B., Derazne, E., Tzur, D., Afek, A. and Lotan, R., 2024. Hypermobility Among Adolescents and the Association With Spinal Deformities: A Large Cross-Sectional Study. JAAOS Global Research & Reviews, 8(7), p.e24.

Jandrić, S.D. and Kragulj, P., 2021. Scoliosis, life style and low back pain in adolescents. Vojnosanitetski pregled, 78(9).

ÖZGÖZEN, S., 2023. HYPERMOBILITY AND HYPERMOBILITY-RELATED CONDITIONS. Biomaterials of Life, p.101.

Sandmann, W., Scholbach, T. and Verginis, K., 2021, December. Surgical treatment of abdominal compression syndromes: The significance of hypermobility‐related disorders. In American Journal of Medical Genetics Part C: Seminars in Medical Genetics (Vol. 187, No. 4, pp. 570-578). Hoboken, USA: John Wiley & Sons, Inc..

Shere, C. and Clark, E.M., 2023. Systematic review of the association between isolated musculoskeletal hypermobility and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, 143(6), pp.3055-3076.

Steinberg, N., Tenenbaum, S., Zeev, A., Pantanowitz, M., Waddington, G., Dar, G. and Siev-Ner, I., 2021. Generalized joint hypermobility, scoliosis, patellofemoral pain, and physical abilities in young dancers. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 22, pp.1-11.