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Scoliosis: An Introduction

A normal spine appears straight, without much deviation from laterally, when the body is looked at from behind. Therefore, if the spine is seen to have a lateral, or side-to-side, curvature, the person might have a disorder called scoliosis.This condition often gives the appearance of the individual leaning to one side but it should not be confused with poor posture. Scoliosis is a troublesome deformity that is defined by both lateral curvature and rotation of the vertebra often causing a distinctive “rib hump” in the mid or thoracic spine. This is produced by the vertebrae in the zone of the major curve rotating toward the concavity and pushing their connected ribs posterior thus causing 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. Oftentimes later in life in untreated severe idiopathic infantile and juvenile scoliosis patients, this intensity of curve and consequential cardiac and pulmonary changes can be life threatening.

Anatomy

The spine displays four normal curves: the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral, all of which are apparent from a side view of the trunk. The thoracic, in the chest vicinity, has a natural round curve, “reversed C,” called a kyphosis, while in the lower spine there is a healthy “C” curve, known as swayback or lordosis. Increased kyphosis in the thoracic area is called hyperkyphosis, while heightened swayback is termed, hyperlordosis. Changes from normal that are visible from a side view regularly accompany scoliosis changes. Postural exercises can resolve some round back deformities that are simply due to poor posture. A small percentage of individuals with kyphosis have more rigid deformities than the postural type, which are associated with vertebral deformity. This type 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 observing the person in a standing position, preferably without a 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 conspicuous than the other.

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

• One hip may appear to be more elevated or more prominent than the other.

• The head is not in plumb with the pelvis.

• When the person is viewed from the rear and asked to bend forward until the spine is horizontal, one side of the back seems more elevated than the other.

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

There are various causes and many varieties of scoliosis, nevertheless the most prevailing, by far, is Idiopathic Scoliosis, which accounts for nearly 85 % of all cases. “Idiopathic” means “no known cause” and is seen with equal frequency in boys and girls in the mild or low curve magnitudes. Depending on the age of onset, this disorder can be sub-classified into infantile, juvenile and adolescent types. Idiopathic Scoliosis may be due to genetic or hereditary influences as it commonly runs in families. Though it is unknown why, girls are five to eight times more likely than boys to have their curves grow in size and require treatment. As the term “Idiopathic Scoliosis” suggests, this kind of scoliosis more often than not develops when children are finishing their last major growth spurt. It is a good idea to have this age group observed by a professional on a regular basis because young people are reluctant to let their body to be viewed by parents or other adults.

If a scoliotic curve is observed in the growing adolescent, it is very important that the curves be monitored for development by periodic examination and from time to time standing X-rays. In ninety percent of conditions, the scoliosis is mild and does not require active treatment, though| increases in spinal deformity demand evaluation to decide if a brace or other management is required. In a small number of patients, surgical treatment may be required.~Surgery may be required for a small number of people.

Brace treatment (orthosis) is recommended for newly-found conditions of moderate scoliosis or abnormal kyphosis, as well as when an increase in scoliosis or kyphosis is identified in both juvenile and adolescent children. There are many types of braces, all created to prevent curves from increasing through acting as a buttress for the spine during active skeletal growth. Braces generally won’t make the spine perfectly straight, and cannot always keep a curve from increasing. But, bracing is effectual in stopping curve progression in an impressive number of skeletally-immature adolescents.

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

Besides bracing, many other therapies have been used successfully including specialized exercise, electric stimulation of spinal muscles, nutritional programs, and chiropractic treatments. It seems like the most beneficial results have been maintained with a multi-faceted approach to the management of this abnormality.

There are chiropractors, that have excellent success assisting with scoliosis symptoms.