Scoliosis: An Introduction
A normal spine is straight, without much disparity from one side to the other, when the body is viewed from behind.Scoliosis is a condition that is generally associated with a lateral, or side-to-side, curvature of the spine.This condition often gives the appearance of the individual leaning to one side though it should not be confused with unsatisfactory posture. Expressed by both lateral curvature and rotation of the vertebra, this puzzling deformity oftentimes causes a symptomatic “rib hump” in the mid or thoracic spine. This is caused by the vertebrae in the region of the major curve rotating toward the concavity and pushing their attached ribs posterior thus creating the characteristic rib hump seen in thoracic scoliosis. If the thoracic curve and rib rotation are severe, greater than 70 degrees, pulmonary and cardiac function can be impeded. Often later in life in untreated severe idiopathic infantile and juvenile scoliosis patients, this amount of curve and consequential cardiac and pulmonary changes can be life threatening.
Anatomy
The spine discloses four normal curves: the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral, all of which are observable from a side view of the trunk. The thoracic, in the chest vicinity, has a normal round curve, “reversed C,” called a kyphosis, while in the lower spine there is a normal “C” curve, known as swayback or lordosis. Hyperlordosis is the term used to describe increased swayback, while increased kyphosis in the thoracic spine is called hyperkyphosis. Scoliosis changes generally accompany alterations from normal on a side view. Postural exercises can resolve some round back deformities that are simply due to bad posture. A small percentage of individuals 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.
Even a layman can help to identify a child or grownup with scoliosis merely by looking at the person in a standing position, preferably bare-chested and in shorts, and observing the following:
- One shoulder may be more elevated than the other.
- One scapula (shoulder blade) may be higher or more conspicuous than the other.
- There may be more room between the arm and the body on one side when the arms hang loosely at the side.
- One hip may seem to be more elevated or more conspicuous than the other.
- The head is not centered over the pelvis.
- When the person is observed from the rear and asked to flex forward until the spine is horizontal, one side of the back seems more elevated than the other.
Once scoliosis is identified, 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, but the most prevalent, by far, is Idiopathic Scoliosis, which accounts for approximately 85 % of all cases. “Idiopathic” means “no known cause” and is witnessed with equal occurrence 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 frequently runs in families and may be caused by genetic or hereditary influences. However girls, for unknown reasons are five to eight times more likely than boys to have their curves develop in size and require treatment. The most frequent time for the development of Idiopathic Scoliosis is during adolescence when children are finishing the last major growth spurt. It is a good idea to have this age group viewed by a professional on a regular basis because young people are hesitant to permit their body to be looked at by parents or other adults.
If a scoliotic curve is found in the growing adolescent, it is vital that the curves be monitored for change by periodic examination and sometimes standing X-rays. In ninety percent of conditions, the scoliosis is mild and does not require active treatment, however increases in spinal deformity require evaluation to determine if a brace or other management is needed. In a small number of individuals, surgical treatment may be required.~Surgery may be necessary for a small number of individuals.
Brace support (orthosis) is recommended for newly-found cases of moderate scoliosis or abnormal kyphosis, as well as when an increase in scoliosis or kyphosis is discovered in both juvenile and adolescent children. There are many kinds of braces, all designed to prevent curves from increasing through acting as a buttress for the spine during active skeletal growth. Braces will not usually make the spine completely straight, and cannot always keep a curve from increasing. However, bracing is successful in halting curve progression in a very large number of skeletally-immature adolescents.
There is no simple solution for scoliosis. Most cases, even though often monitored, are not actively treated. Severe symptoms are occasionally treated surgically, but the common medical treatment for moderate symptoms 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 used along with bracing. It appears that the most effective results have been maintained with a multi-faceted approach to the care of this affliction.
There are chiropractors, that have years of experience treating scoliosis cases.
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