What are the Ways to Deal with Scoliosis?
Scoliosis is defined as an abnormal curvature of the spine. People who have scoliosis develop additional curves on either side of the spine; the bones of the back may twist to form a letter C or a letter S. This condition is more common in girls than in boys and although scoliosis can happen at any age, it usually begins at the age of 10. This condition is also hereditary by nature and the cause is unknown.
There are three types of scoliosis. Functional scoliosis develops when the spine is normal but an abnormal curvature develops to compensate for problems in other parts of the body. This type of scoliosis is evident in people who may have one leg longer than the other and many other functional abnormalities. Neuromuscular is a type of scoliosis that develops due to a problem in the formation for the bones of the spine. This condition is evident in children with birth defects, cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy. The last type of scoliosis is degenerative which is common in adults. This condition is caused by changes in the spine as a result of a degenerative disease like arthritis, osteoporosis and disc degeneration.
Scoliosis is diagnosed by a medical professional. If you suspect that you or your child has scoliosis, consult a doctor for diagnosis and the ideal treatment to be done as soon as possible. The treatment for scoliosis on the other hand may depend on the type as well as the degree of curvature or the severity of the curvature of the spine.
Functional scoliosis may be treated by addressing the abnormality in the other areas of the body. As with the case of one leg longer than the other, an individual may wear shoe supports or a wedge to even out leg length. No direct treatment for the spine is advised since the spine appears normal in shape.
Neuromuscular scoliosis on the other hand may need early treatment to prevent the condition from getting worse. Sometimes bracing may not work or may be too late; surgical correction is often the ideal procedure to correct scoliosis. Juvenile idiopathic scoliosis poses the highest risk of getting worse and bracing is the ideal treatment by most specialists. The brace prevent the curve from getting worse and is worn until the person stops growing. Surgical procedures may also be done.
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is the most common form with the curvature of the spine is small when it was first diagnosed. This is often seen after a routine chest X-ray was done. A doctor may advice the ideal treatment depending on the degree of curvature of the spine. Observation is done through a once every three months consultation to diagnose worsening of the small curve. Bracing is done for people who are still in their teens while other measures like surgery may be required for people who have already stopped growing. Reducing pain is also one of the main reasons for physical therapy and this is done during bracing and after surgery.
There are three types of scoliosis. Functional scoliosis develops when the spine is normal but an abnormal curvature develops to compensate for problems in other parts of the body. This type of scoliosis is evident in people who may have one leg longer than the other and many other functional abnormalities. Neuromuscular is a type of scoliosis that develops due to a problem in the formation for the bones of the spine. This condition is evident in children with birth defects, cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy. The last type of scoliosis is degenerative which is common in adults. This condition is caused by changes in the spine as a result of a degenerative disease like arthritis, osteoporosis and disc degeneration.
Scoliosis is diagnosed by a medical professional. If you suspect that you or your child has scoliosis, consult a doctor for diagnosis and the ideal treatment to be done as soon as possible. The treatment for scoliosis on the other hand may depend on the type as well as the degree of curvature or the severity of the curvature of the spine.
Functional scoliosis may be treated by addressing the abnormality in the other areas of the body. As with the case of one leg longer than the other, an individual may wear shoe supports or a wedge to even out leg length. No direct treatment for the spine is advised since the spine appears normal in shape.
Neuromuscular scoliosis on the other hand may need early treatment to prevent the condition from getting worse. Sometimes bracing may not work or may be too late; surgical correction is often the ideal procedure to correct scoliosis. Juvenile idiopathic scoliosis poses the highest risk of getting worse and bracing is the ideal treatment by most specialists. The brace prevent the curve from getting worse and is worn until the person stops growing. Surgical procedures may also be done.
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is the most common form with the curvature of the spine is small when it was first diagnosed. This is often seen after a routine chest X-ray was done. A doctor may advice the ideal treatment depending on the degree of curvature of the spine. Observation is done through a once every three months consultation to diagnose worsening of the small curve. Bracing is done for people who are still in their teens while other measures like surgery may be required for people who have already stopped growing. Reducing pain is also one of the main reasons for physical therapy and this is done during bracing and after surgery.