When it comes to treating clubfoot, parents might find themselves searching for alternative methods after hearing how barbaric the traditional treatments are. This is where SCENAR Therapy comes into play, offering a gentle alternative to club foot treatment.
SCENAR Therapy is a modality that uses biofeedback to stimulate the body’s self-healing mechanisms. It involves the use of a handheld SCENAR device that delivers gentle electrical impulses to the affected area, promoting circulation, relieving pain, and encouraging the body to restore balance naturally.
SCENAR Therapy stands out because of its non-invasive nature, making it an ideal choice for infants and young children. Unlike the traditional treatments of casting and surgery, SCENAR Therapy is painless and does not require any medication or physical restraints.
SCENAR Therapy has shown promising results in improving clubfoot conditions. It helps to relax tight muscles, reduces inflammation, and promotes proper foot alignment. With regular sessions, children have experience improved mobility, reduced pain, and a better quality of life.
If you’re looking for a gentler, more effective approach to clubfoot treatment, SCENAR Therapy might be the solution you’ve been searching for. Say goodbye to barbaric traditional methods and embrace a holistic, nurturing way to help your child overcome clubfoot.
What is Clubfoot?
Clubfoot, also known as talipes equinovarus, is a congenital condition characterised by the downward
twisting of the foot and the inward twisting ankle. Clubfoot is estimated to occur in about 1 in every 1,000 births, making it one of the most common musculoskeletal birth defects.
Clubfoot affects boys at a rate twice as high as it affects girls, with around half of all affected children experiencing the condition in both feet, referred to as bilateral clubfoot. Clubfoot can range in severity from mild to severe.
Clubfoot that is syndromic in nature is commonly accompanied by a variety of other clinical conditions that are linked to an underlying syndrome. Syndromes that may exhibit clubfoot as a symptom include:
Arthrogryposis – Congenital joint contracture in two or more areas of the body.
Constriction Band Syndrome – Fibrous bands of the amniotic sac (the lining inside the uterus that
contains a foetus) get tangled around a developing foetus,
Tibial Hemimelia – The child is born with a tibia that is either shorter than normal or is missing.
Diastrophic dwarfism – The child’s legs and arms do not grow and develop to the typical adult
length.
Traditional treatments for Club Foot
Traditionally, the most common treatments for clubfoot have been casting and surgery.
- Casting or the Ponseti method involves gradually manipulating the foot into the correct position and placing it in a cast to maintain the correct alignment. This process typically takes several weeks or months, changing the cast regularly. This is followed by the use of foot abduction brace to prevent the occurrence of relapse.
- Surgery may be recommended for severe cases or when conservative treatments have failed. It involves lengthening tendons, repositioning bones, and sometimes using external fixators to hold the foot in the correct position. Surgery is usually followed by a period of casting and immobilization to allow for proper healing.
Both of these approaches force the foot into its correct alignment using invasive, restrictive and likely painful treatments for the infant.
An infant with legs encased in plaster for the casting club feet treatment.
Limitations and Drawbacks of Traditional Treatments
While casting and surgery have been employed in treating clubfoot for many years, they are not without limitations and drawbacks.
- Casting can be uncomfortable for the child, and the prolonged immobilization can affect their mobility and development.
- Surgery carries risks such as infection, scarring, and the need for subsequent surgeries as the child grows.
Furthermore, both casting and surgery can be emotionally, physically and financially draining for both the child and their parents. The long treatment duration and the associated pain and discomfort can take a toll on the child and their family’s well-being.
How SCENAR Therapy Works for Clubfoot Treatment
SCENAR Therapy offers a different approach to clubfoot treatment by harnessing the body’s natural healing abilities. SCENAR Therapy involves using a handheld device that emits low-frequency electrical impulses. These impulses stimulate the patient’s nervous system, prompting the body to release endorphins, increase circulation, and promote healing in the affected area.
During a SCENAR Therapy session, the practitioner will glide the device over the foot and ankle, targeting specific points and areas of tension. The electrical impulses are designed to mimic the body’s own neural signals, facilitating communication between the nervous system and the affected muscles and tissues.
The therapy is gentle, painless, and non-invasive, making it suitable for infants and young children.
Unlike traditional treatments, SCENAR Therapy does not require any medication, casts, or surgery, nor is it restrictive or painful. SCENAR is a holistic approach that focuses on activating the body’s innate healing mechanisms.
Benefits of SCENAR Therapy for treating Clubfoot
SCENAR Therapy has several benefits when it comes to treating clubfoot.
Relax Tightened Muscles.
Firstly, SCENAR therapy helps relax tight muscles and improve flexibility in the foot and ankle. By the therapist targeting specific points, the therapy can release tension and reduce spasms, allowing for a greater range of motion.
Reduce inflammation and swelling.
Additionally, SCENAR Therapy promotes circulation in the affected area, which can help reduce inflammation and swelling. Improved blood flow also ensures that vital nutrients and oxygen reach the tissues, supporting healing.
Encourage rather than force a natural foot position.
Any attempt to force bones into a different position will cause the Golgi tendon organs whose purpose is to protect muscles from damage will cause the muscles attached to the affected bones to go into protection mode.
Protection mode causes muscles to become short and tight, which is quite the opposite of what is required of the already excessively tight muscles that cause a clubfoot!
Because of this ability of SCENAR Therapy to work with, rather than against the natural normal principles
of body movement, SCENAR is able to promote proper foot alignment.
The therapy can encourage the foot to assume a more natural position over time by stimulating the nervous system and enhancing communication with the muscles and tissues.
Finding a Qualified SCENAR Therapy Practitioner for Clubfoot Treatment
If you’re considering SCENAR Therapy as a treatment option for your child’s clubfoot, it is important to find a qualified practitioner. Look for someone with experience working with paediatric patients and specialising in musculoskeletal conditions, such as Michael R E Butler.
Michael holds a current certification for SCENAR Therapy and is a member of the SCENAR Practitioners Association of Australasia.
Frequently Asked Questions about SCENAR Therapy for Clubfoot
Q: Is SCENAR Therapy painful?
A: No, SCENAR Therapy performed in the correct way is painless. The electrical impulses delivered by the
therapist’s handheld device should be gentle and designed to stimulate the body’s natural healing
mechanisms.
To achieve this gentle treatment, the practitioner needs to explain that a gentle approach will give the best results and that the patient must tell the practitioner immediately if the impulse level is starting to become uncomfortable.
It is a commonly mis-held assumption to believe that no pain no gain is the best policy when treating the human body.
The youngest patient treated with SCENAR Therapy by Michael R E Butler was only nine weeks old! A
small baby cannot communicate verbally how strong a SCENAR impulse is, but an experienced and
sensitive practitioner will start with the SCENAR at zero level and by observing the baby’s slightest
movement and hearing the tiniest whimper will use the correct painless level.
Babies love SCENAR when it is used properly.
Q: How long does a SCENAR Therapy session typically last?
A: The duration of a SCENAR Therapy session can vary depending on the individual patient and their specific needs. However, a typical session usually lasts between 30 minutes to an hour.
Q: How many sessions of SCENAR Therapy are required for clubfoot treatment?
A: The number of sessions required will depend on the severity of the clubfoot and the individual’s response to the therapy. Significant improvements can be seen in some cases after just a few sessions, while others may require additional regular therapy.
Q: Are there any side effects of SCENAR Therapy?
A: SCENAR Therapy is generally considered safe with minimal side effects. Very rarely, some individuals
may experience mild skin irritation at the site of treatment, but a skilled practitioner will observe and
ensure that this symptom resolves quickly.
Conclusion: Why SCENAR Therapy is a less barbaric approach for Clubfoot Treatment.
If you’re looking for a gentler, more effective approach to clubfoot treatment, SCENAR Therapy might be the solution you’ve been searching for. Say goodbye to barbaric methods and embrace a holistic, nurturing way to help your child overcome clubfoot.
SCENAR Therapy offers a non-invasive alternative to traditional treatments like casting and surgery. It stimulates the body’s self-healing mechanisms through the use of gentle electrical impulses, reducing pain, promoting circulation, and encouraging proper alignment of the foot.
With its promising results and minimal side effects, SCENAR Therapy has the potential to revolutionize clubfoot treatment. However, it is important to find a qualified practitioner who specializes in the therapy and has experience working with paediatric patients.
By choosing SCENAR Therapy, you can provide your child with a less invasive and more gentle approach to clubfoot treatment, ultimately improving their mobility, reducing pain, and enhancing their overall quality of life.