A normal spine looks straight, without much disparity from laterally, when the body is viewed from behind. But, if the spine is observed to have a lateral, or side-to-side, curvature, the person might have a condition called scoliosis.This condition often gives the appearance of the person leaning to one side but it should not be confused with poor posture. Scoliosis is a complicated deformity that is defined by both lateral curvature and rotation of the vertebra oftentimes creating a characteristic “rib hump” in the mid or thoracic spine. This is caused by the vertebrae in the area of the major curve rotating toward the concavity and pushing their connected ribs posterior thereby causing the symptomatic 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 resulting 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 apparent from a side view of the trunk. The thoracic, in the chest area, has a natural round curve, “reversed C,” called a kyphosis, while in the lower spine there is a natural “C” curve, known as swayback or lordosis. Hyperlordosis is the term used to describe elevated swayback, while increased kyphosis in the thoracic spine is called hyperkyphosis. Diversions from normal that are visible from a side view frequently accompany scoliosis changes. A few round back deformities are simply due to bad posture and can often be resolved with postural exercises. A small percentage of people 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 nonprofessional can help to identify a child or fully-grown individual with scoliosis simply by observing the person in a standing position, preferably without a shirt and in boxers, and observing the following:
- One shoulder may be raised than the other.
- One scapula (shoulder blade) may be higher or more prominent than the other.
- With the arms hanging loosely at the sides, there may be more room between the arm and the body on one side.
- One hip may look to be more elevated or more prominent 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 higher than the other.
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.
There are a variety of roots and many varieties of scoliosis, however the most common, by far, is Idiopathic Scoliosis, which accounts for nearly 85 % of all cases. “Idiopathic” means “no known cause” and is seen with equal prevalence in boys and girls in the mild or low curve magnitudes. This condition can be sub-classified into infantile, juvenile and adolescent types, based upon the age of onset. Idiopathic Scoliosis may be linked to genetic or hereditary influences as it commonly runs in families. However girls, for unknown reasons are five to eight times more likely than boys to have their curves develop in size and require treatment. As the term “Idiopathic Scoliosis” implies, this class of scoliosis usually happens when children are completing their last major growth spurt. Unfortunately, at this age young people are disinclined to allow their body to be seen by parents and other adults, so it is smart to have this age group examined on a regular basis.
If a scoliotic curve is found in the growing adolescent, it is vital that the curves be monitored for change by periodic examination and from time to time standing X-rays. In ninety percent of instances, the scoliosis is mild and does not require active treatment, however increases in spinal deformity require evaluation to determine if a brace or other treatment is required. In a small number of patients, surgical treatment may be required.~Surgery may be needed for a small number of individuals.
Brace support (orthosis) is recommended for both juvenile and adolescent children when an increase in their scoliosis or kyphosis is observed, or when new symptoms of moderate scoliosis or abnormal kyphosis are discovered. There are many styles of braces, all made to prevent curves from increasing through the process of acting as a buttress for the spine during active skeletal growth. Bracing is successful in stopping curve progression in an impressive number of skeletally-immature adolescents. However, braces generally won’t make the spine completely straight, and cannot always keep a curve from progressing.
Scoliosis has no simple answer. Nearly all cases, even though often monitored, are not actively treated. Severe conditions are sometimes treated surgically, but the standard medical treatment for moderate conditions 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 a number of modalities used besides bracing. It seems like the most effective results have been sustained with a multi-faceted approach to the care of this abnormality.
There are chiropractors, that have years of experience treating scoliosis cases.
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