A normal spine looks straight, without much deviation from side-to-side, when the body is seen from behind. But, if the spine is viewed to have a lateral, or side-to-side, curvature, the person might have an affliction called scoliosis.The condition shouldn’t be confused with poor posture, even though it often gives the appearance that the patient is leaning to one side. Scoliosis is a complicated deformity that is defined by both lateral curvature and rotation of the vertebra often causing a symptomatic “rib hump” in the mid or thoracic spine. This is created by the vertebrae in the zone of the major curve rotating toward the concavity and pushing their fastened ribs posterior hence causing the distinctive 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. Frequently 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. In the lower spine there is a healthy “C-shaped” curve called swayback or lordosis, while the thoracic curve in the chest region has a “reverse C” called a kyphosis. Increased kyphosis in the thoracic area is called hyperkyphosis, while increased swayback is termed, hyperlordosis. Scoliosis changes regularly accompany diversions from normal on a side view. Some round back deformities are simply due to poor posture and can often be corrected with postural exercises. A small portion of people with kyphosis have more rigid deformities than the postural type, which are associated 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 nonprofessional can help to identify a child or grownup with scoliosis merely by looking at 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 higher or more prominent than the other.

• There may be more area 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 conspicuous 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 observed from the rear and asked to flex forward until the the spine is horizontal.

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

The most common kind of scoliosis is, by far, Idiopathic, and although there are many different roots and many types, Idiopathic Scoliosis accounts for about 85% of all cases. “Idiopathic” means “no known cause” and is observed with equal occurrence in boys and girls in the mild or low curve magnitudes. Depending on the age of onset, this condition can be sub-classified into infantile, juvenile and adolescent categories. Idiopathic Scoliosis commonly runs in families and may be linked to genetic or hereditary influences. However girls, for unknown reasons are five to eight times more likely than boys to have their curves grow in size and require treatment. As the term “Idiopathic Scoliosis” implies, this kind of scoliosis commonly occurs when children are finishing their last major growth spurt. It is smart to have this age group viewed by a professional on a regular basis because young people are disinclined to permit their body to be seen 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 advancement by periodic examination and sometimes standing X-rays. In ninety percent of cases, the scoliosis is mild and does not require active treatment, but increases in spinal deformity demand evaluation to decide if a brace or other therapy is needed. In a small number of people, surgical treatment may be necessary.~Surgery may be necessary for a small number of individuals.

Brace therapy (orthosis) is recommended for both juvenile and adolescent children when an increase in their scoliosis or kyphosis is observed, or when new cases of moderate scoliosis or abnormal kyphosis are found. There are quite a few types of braces, all created to prevent curves from increasing through the process of acting as a buttress for the spine during active skeletal growth. Bracing is effective in preventing curve progression in a very large percentage of skeletally-immature adolescents. However, braces generally won’t make the spine entirely straight, and cannot always keep a curve from progressing.

Scoliosis has no simple resolution. Nearly all cases, even though frequently monitored, are not actively treated. The standard medical treatment for moderate conditions is a brace, whereas severe conditions in some cases are treated surgically. You may want to see your local chiropractor first.

Specialized exercise, electric stimulation of spinal muscles, nutritional programs, and chiropractic treatments are among the complementary treatments used in addition to bracing. It seems like the most effective results have been supported with a multi-faceted approach to the management of this abnormality.

There are chiropractors, that have years of experience managing scoliosis conditions.

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