Scoliosis

Answer by Puhlaa:

The answer to this would depend on how old you are, the severity of the scoliosis and whether the scoliosis is functional or structural.

- A structural scoliosis (caused by congenital deformity such as hemivertebrae) can only be corrected with surgery. How severe the curve is will determine if you are a candidate for surgery.

- If you have a functional scoliosis (caused by unequal leg lengths, unilateral muscle trauma, unilateral hip problem, etc.), then if you are not too old (younger than 55) and the curve is not too severe (less than 30 degrees), a chiropractor will likely be able to help reduce or eliminate the scoliosis. Treatments would include one or more of: orthotics, spinal manipulation, stretching, muscle strengthening, etc.

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It was previously thought that you cannot reverse Scoliosis. Chiropractic Biophysics practitioners have well documented improvements with scoliosis of all degrees. I suggest looking into one in your area by searching for Chiropractic Biophysics online.

There are really no scientifically documented risks when considering chiropractic care besides residual soreness in some patients. However, there are many documented risks associated with surgeries. Chiropractors are just like any other specialist or professional. Just as you can find a bad Dentist, Medical Doctor or mechanic that will take advantage of you, Chiropractors are no different. Ask questions. Feel it out. Go with your gut.

Treatment for the onset of scoliosis will be dependent upon the age of the patient and the severity of the curvature. The patient may have to wear a back brace, undergo physiotherapy and/or undergo surgery to insert a metal rod in the spine to prevent it from worsening.

It depends on how severe it is. In cases where the curvature of the spine is minimal, it can have a very limited impact on a person's health. In more severe cases it can impact breathing and cause other problems as well.

in the medical world, dextro is a synonym for right. dorsal refers to the parts of the spine that are facing out (the little knobby bumps that run down everyone's back) as opposed to the part of the spine that is facing inwards towards your organs. its just like a dolphin or shark- their dorsal fin is on their back.

probably yes scoliosis does not always result in uneven shoulders an easy way to tell is to band over and get someone to look at your back if your back is not flat, and one side if higher than the other, you have a curved spine its best to get a doctor to check it out

Picture a tripod, with the body of the vertebra as one leg, and the facet joints as the other two legs. Looking down on the spine from above with the stomach in the front... The body of the vertebra is at 12 o'clock (noon) and the facet joints are at 5 & 7 o'clock [posterior (behind) & lateral (off to the side)] of the main vertebral body.

Facet joints help stabilize the spine, and wear & tear over a long period of time will lead to the body strengthening these joints by depositing more bone to make them stronger. This is called arthritis.

Nerves exit the spinal cord and travel between these facet joints; when there is a lot of bone build-up, the causes crowding in the area where the nerves exit the spine to travel down the body. This narrowing is called 'stenosis'.

If there is enough 'stenosis' of this area the nerve exiting the spine in this area can have some pressure placed on it.

Nerves are like the wiring in the house, except individual nerves fibers are bundled up together, like a lot of individual small wires within the main bundle. Each individual wire (nerve fiber) travels to one specific spot in the brain, traveling all the way from its origin in the body, through the spinal column (cord) to the brain.

If this nerve fiber in affected ANYWHERE along its path, it will make the brain think pain is originating where the nerve fiber originated. So if a nerve bundle in "pinched" in the spine, the brain will get the signal that (let's say, assuming the nerve came from the foot) an area in the foot is hurting.

Bracing a child with scoliosis is not easy

The Doctors at Shriners Hostpital say thyat adolescents do not want to wear a brace that makes them look and feel different from their friends.

The accepted treatment for adolescents with a curve of 20 to 40 degrees has been bracing, however, there is no hard data to support that it works.

If bracing is prescribed then the brace must be worn for the allocated time the Dr informs, which is usually 20-22 hours per day, this can be hard on a child, especially an adolescent

Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine. Many people have a slight curvature less than 5 degrees that is not worth worrying about but as you age this curve can increase causing pain at various points of the body depending on what part of the spinal chord is affected as well as localized pain in the back. In extreme cases spinal fusion may be required to rectify the curve.

Scoliosis affects a small percentage of the population, approximately 2 percent. However, scoliosis runs in families. If someone in a family has scoliosis, the likelihood of an incidence is much higher - approximately 20 percent. If anyone in your family has curvature of the spine, you should be examined for scoliosis.

You really don't need to worry about the effects of your mattress on your scoliosis. I have scoliosis, so I know that your mattress does not make a difference. Just pick a mattress that feels comfortable.

With scoliosis, you're usually only limited if it causes back pain. If you suffer from back pain because of scoliosis, you might not be able to sit, stand, or bend over for long periods of time. Other physical activity may also be difficult.

Unless the scoliosis is severe, it shouldn't affect the things you do that much, and in very mild cases, it shouldn't affect the things you do at all.

On average its about 1 in every 100 people,

Back pain, and breathing problems(due to twisted lungs crushing the lungs).

No. Scoliosis is usally caused by a birth defect showing up around adolesence.

Well I have bad scoliosis but I have a brace. The person is probably lop sided but I'm not I have two curves one at top and one at bottom both are big but not quite 50 degrese. They also will be sore I can barely move anymore! But you should get a x-ray mine you could barely see from looking at it but was big in a X-ray

Yes i have scoliosis and i smoke weed every day. Tetrahydrocannibinol (THC) is by far the most effective, cleanest pain killer I've ever experienced.

the person who has it should be understood, they will get very tired and sore,

dont make the person walk too much or carry too many heavy things but don't baby them,

have them see a doctor, but dont trust everything the doctors say, have them refer you to a specialist. who you can believe,

no matter how long it takes get the right treatment for them.

if they have to have a back brace, be sympathetic, they are uncomfortable as they train your spine into a different way of growing, they might also be insecure about wearing it to school.

if they have to have the operation, be prepared for a shock,

they will have to learn to walk again and undergo lots of physio. its also very uncomfortable to have rods in your back as you can feel them, this will be a big shock to that person,

they might have to be on strong medication for at least two months, it can be very hard to give up the medication when you are in that much pain, they could have sleeping problems and withdrawls you just have to support them through it the whole way, and dont give up

because when they come out of it the other end, they will see things in a new light and everything will be great :)

good luck :)

You should always deal with a competent surgeon for scoliosis, your first point of call would be your GP/Dr who would then refer you to see a surgeon who will take x-rays and evaluate treatment

Combined lateral and rotational deviation of the vertebral column.

Origin: L. Roto, to rotate, + G. Skoliosis, crookedness

Scoliosis refers to an abnormal twisting of the spine. Rather than being in perfect alignment, the vertebrae are sometimes out of alignment relative to the vertebrae above and below them. When the vertebrae of the thoracic spine - the middle section of the spine where the ribs attach - can be seen to progressively twist to the left, the condition is called levoscoliosis.

I have scoliosis.

1 wear a brace

2 get surgery

3 do exercises approved by a doctor for your scoliosis

4 get medal bars planted next to your spine for support (surgery)

There is no concrete evidence to support that scoliosis is hereditary, however, surgeons are carrying out a lot of research at the Scottish Texas Rite hospital, they are looking at the gene CHD-7

Congenital Scoliosis is a lateral abnormal curve of the spine, resulting from disruption of normal vertebral development