Integration of three-dimensional spinal traction and conventional rehabilitation for structural correction in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a case report

Background: This study investigated the improvement in sagittal and coronal plane posture in a female patient with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and associated pain symptoms, following a multidisciplinary comprehensive therapeutic intervention.Case Presentation: The patient was a 12-year-old female who presented with several months of low back pain. A full-spine x-ray examination revealed cervical kyphosis, forward head posture (FHP), uneven shoulder height (with the left shoulder higher than the right), and a right-convex thoracolumbar scoliosis with a Cobb angle of 40°. The treatment utilized an innovative postural-based spinal rehabilitation, (PSR) which integrated various modalities such as postural correction training, muscle balance training, three-dimensional spinal traction (spinal 3D traction), and spinal manipulative therapy. Results: After 50 sessions over 32 weeks, the patient's postural deformity has showed marked improvement. FHP markedly decreased, thoracic positioning became more centered, shoulder leveling was restored, the right-convex thoracolumbar scoliosis Cobb angle decreased by 7° in the thoracic region and 17° in the lumbo-sacral region, the spinal rotation angle improved, and low back pain was greatly alleviated. Conclusion: Postural deformities, including adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, can be effectively corrected through a multidisciplinary comprehensive a treatment plan based on PSR, combined with conventional physical rehabilitation training.