Improved chest expansion in idiopathic scoliosis after intensive, multiple-modality, nonsurgical treatment in an adult

Chest. 2001 Aug;120(2):672-4. doi: 10.1378/chest.120.2.672.

Abstract

This case report documents a substantial increase in chest wall expansion in a middle-aged woman with stable right thoracic spinal curvature due to idiopathic scoliosis. Treatment involved intensive psychological and mobilization therapies, including comprehensive manipulative medicine treatments and daily manual traction. Over an 8-year period, a 6-cm increase in resting chest circumference (in the absence of weight gain) and a 7.5-cm increase in chest expansion were correlated with a substantial reduction of incidence of respiratory infections.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Combined Modality Therapy / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Manipulation, Orthopedic
  • Middle Aged
  • Psychotherapy
  • Scoliosis / therapy*
  • Thorax / physiology*
  • Traction