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Scoliosis: An Introduction

When the body is looked at from behind, a normal spine looks straight without much deviation from laterally.Scoliosis is an affliction that is often associated with a lateral, or side-to-side, curvature of the spine.The condition shouldn’t be confused with bad posture, even though it oftentimes gives the appearance that the patient is leaning to one side. Scoliosis is a complicated deformity that is expressed by both lateral curvature and rotation of the vertebra frequently producing a characteristic “rib hump” in the mid or thoracic spine. This is caused by the vertebrae in the zone of the major curve rotating toward the concavity and pushing their attached ribs posterior thus producing the characteristic rib hump seen in thoracic scoliosis. The pulmonary and cardiac functions can be obstructed if the thoracic curve and rib rotation is more than 70 degrees. This amount of curve and subsequent cardiac and pulmonary changes are frequently seen later in life in untreated severe idiopathic infantile and juvenile scoliosis patients and, as such, present a threat to life.

Anatomy

The spine reveals four normal curves: the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral, all of which are apparent from a side view of the trunk. In the lower spine there is a natural “C-shaped” curve called swayback or lordosis, while the thoracic curve in the chest area has a “reverse C” called a kyphosis. Increased kyphosis in the thoracic area is called hyperkyphosis, while increased swayback is termed, hyperlordosis. Diversions from normal that are visible from a side view regularly accompany scoliosis changes. Postural exercises can correct some round back deformities that are simply due to unhealthy posture. A small portion of people with kyphosis have more rigid deformities than the postural type, which are coincidental with vertebral deformity. This kind of deformity, called Scheuermann’s kyphosis, is much more problematic to treat than postural kyphosis, and it’s cause is unknown.

Almost anyone can help to identify a child or adult with scoliosis simply by viewing the person in a standing position, preferably with no shirt and in briefs, and observing the following:

• One shoulder may be higher than the other.

• One scapula (shoulder blade) may be more elevated or more pronounced than the other.

• There may be more area between the arm and the body on one side when the arms hang loosely at the side.

• One hip may seem to be raised or more prominent than the other.

• The head is not aligned with the pelvis.

• One side of the back appears more raised than the other when the individual is viewed from the rear and asked to bend forward until the the spine is horizontal.

Once scoliosis is suspected, the child or adult should be sent to a healthcare professional, such as a chiropractor, for further assessment. your chiropractor would be happy to help.

There are many different roots and many types of scoliosis, however the most common, by far, is Idiopathic Scoliosis, which accounts for nearly 85 % of all cases. “Idiopathic” means “no known cause” and is observed with equal frequency in boys and girls in the mild or low curve magnitudes. This disorder can be sub-classified into infantile, juvenile and adolescent categories, depending upon the age of onset. Idiopathic Scoliosis may be caused by genetic or hereditary influences as it often runs in families. However girls, for unknown reasons are five to eight times more likely than boys to have their curves grow in size and require treatment. The most common time for the development of Idiopathic Scoliosis is during adolescence when children are ending the last major growth spurt. Unfortunately, at this age young people are disinclined to permit their body to be seen by parents and other adults, so it is smart to have this age group examined on a regular basis.

It is very important that if a scoliotic curve is found in a growing adolescent, the curves be monitored for any development by a periodic examination and sometimes standing x-rays. In ninety percent of instances, the scoliosis is mild and does not require active treatment, however increases in spinal deformity necessitate evaluation to determine if a brace or other management is required. In a small number of people, surgical treatment may be required.~Surgery may be needed for a small number of people.

Brace treatment (orthosis) is recommended for newly-found symptoms of moderate scoliosis or abnormal kyphosis, as well as when an increase in scoliosis or kyphosis is observed in both juvenile and adolescent children. There are many types of braces, all designed to prevent curves from increasing through the process of acting as a buttress for the spine during active skeletal growth. Bracing is successful in halting curve progression in an impressive number of skeletally-immature adolescents. Nevertheless, braces will not usually make the spine entirely straight, and cannot always keep a curve from getting bigger.

Scoliosis has no simple resolution. Most cases, even though often monitored, are not actively treated. Severe cases are sometimes treated surgically, but the general medical treatment for moderate conditions is a brace. You may want to see your local chiropractor first.

Specialized exercise, electric stimulation of spinal muscles, nutritional programs, and chiropractic treatments are among many modalities offered along with bracing. It appears that the most effective results have been maintained with a multi-faceted approach to the care of this abnormality.

There are chiropractors, that have excellent success treating scoliosis symptoms.