Dynamic Myofascial and Articular Mobilization and Reorganization (DMAMR) Treatment in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS)

The purpose of this study is to conduct a pilot study of the Dynamic Myofascial and Articular Mobilization and Reorganization (DMAMR) treatment in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS). The investigators propose the implementation of Dynamic Myofascial and Articular Mobilization and Reorganization (DMAMR) protocol can (a) decrease and/or reduce progression of spinal curvatures, (b) reduce degree of anatomical rib hump deformity common in AIS, (c) decrease incidence of patients requiring corrective bracing and/or corrective spinal surgery, (d) significantly reduce AIS-associated pain, and (e) improve quality of life for AIS participants.

This study will test whether DMAMR produces clinically relevant changes in progression of scoliosis curvatures and rib humps, and whether this treatment protocol improves pain scores and quality of life.

Current research has demonstrated unilateral muscle shortening in AIS. Of most importance for this research proposal, research has also identified a set of muscles, portions of which are at an angle to the spine, that are shorter on the concave side of the curvature: the quadratus lumborum, psoas major and minor, and the abdominal obliques. The researchers have suggested this is a compensatory effect of the spinal deformities seen1. The investigators agree that unilateral muscle shortening is present in AIS but the investigators suggest that this asymmetry represents differences between muscle tension on either side of the spine and results in a tethering effect on the spine itself. Supporting a finding of the importance of these muscle imbalances, research using individualized physical therapeutic exercise programs to balance these types of muscle imbalances has demonstrated effectiveness in AIS treatment.

The investigators hypothesize this asymmetrical muscle imbalance, and its resultant tethering effect on the spine, represent myofascial dysfunction. The investigators believe the forces generated by this dysfunction are sufficient to induce worsening of the AIS curvature. The myofascial factors involved in the tethering of the spine in AIS include asymmetrical muscle imbalances involving muscles at an angle to the spine, primarily iliopsoas, quadratus lumborum, abdominal obliques, latissimus dorsi, and anterior serratus muscles.

Fascia overlies and interpenetrates these muscles. At a critical point, these myofascial imbalances generate sufficient stress on the overlying fascia to create a further contractile force within the fascia itself. The investigators ask whether this contractile force is mediated not only by anatomic shortening of individual muscle groups but also by intrinsic changes in fibroblast gene expression within the fascia itself.