National Scoliosis Month
 |
Scoliosis is an abnormal spinal curvature affecting up to about 6 million people. It can occur in people of all ages, races, and socioeconomic levels. There is no cure for scoliosis, but there are treatments to minimize the pain, increase your ability to be comfortably active and to help improve secondary effects of scoliosis. These secondary effects include problems with body image and reduced self-esteem, back pain, and problems with breathing.
The ideal way to address scoliosis is to catch and treat it early. Once your child reaches their preteen years, you should be checking their spine periodically. Look for one hip or shoulder that is higher than the other, and/or a "hump" on one side of the spine. Although school screening can help you identify scoliosis, many states (in 2007, about 25) have discontinued this program. So be pro-active when at your pediatrician’s office. Ask your doctor to check your child for scoliosis.
Often the treatment strategy is to monitor the curve(s), in an effort to halt the curve's progression while the child is growing. Your child may need to wear a brace and do specific exercises. If the curve continues to increase, your doctor may suggest back surgery. Also, there is a new treatment for young children under investigation called scoliosis stapling.
For a quick overview of scoliosis, check out this video.
| Measuring Scoliosis Curves | Adult Scoliosis | Detect Scoliosis in Your Child |
Comments
How can I deal with scoliosis neck pain? I’ve heard neck traction devices might be a solution to relieve pain.
Hi, healthygoody,
Well, it’s really hard to answer that question over the internet. This is because I (nor any other back and spine health writer you might encounter) don’t know anything about your or your scoliosis.
It is imperative that whatever you do, you begin by getting an accurate diagnosis. I probably wouldn’t rush into traction because scoliosis is a very complicated condition. Just trying to stretch out the spine doesn’t address all its rotational and 3 dimensional aspects.
Again, I would start at the doctor’s offices getting an accurate diagnosis. With that said, many people find that doing scoliosis specific exercises helps them manage pain. (This is true of me with lower back.)
Best of luck with it.
Anne