Ventura Chiropractic believes that the more you know about scoliosis, the better decisions you’ll make when it comes to care and pain relief. Here is what you need to know:

A normal spine appears straight, without much deviation from laterally, when the body is viewed from behind. Therefore, if the spine is observed to have a lateral, or side-to-side, curvature, the individual might have an affliction called scoliosis.The disorder shouldn’t be confused with unsatisfactory posture, even though it frequently gives the appearance that the patient is leaning to one side. Scoliosis is a puzzling deformity that is expressed by both lateral curvature and rotation of the vertebra oftentimes creating a distinctive “rib hump” in the mid or thoracic spine. This is produced by the vertebrae in the region 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, more than 70 degrees, pulmonary and cardiac function can be impeded. This degree of curve and subsequent cardiac and pulmonary changes are often seen later in life in untreated severe idiopathic infantile and juvenile scoliosis patients and, more often than not, present a threat to life.

Anatomy

The spine reveals 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 healthy “C” curve, known as swayback or lordosis. Hyperlordosis is the term used to describe increased swayback, while increased kyphosis in the thoracic spine is called hyperkyphosis. Changes from normal that are visible from a side view frequently accompany scoliosis changes. Postural exercises can resolve some round back deformities that are simply due to poor posture. A small percentage of people with kyphosis have more rigid deformities than the postural type, which are seen in conjunction with vertebral deformity. This type 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 just by looking at the person in a standing position, preferably bare-chested and in briefs, and observing the following:

* One shoulder may be more elevated than the other.

* One scapula (shoulder blade) may be higher or more conspicuous than the other.

* There may be more space between the arm and the body on one side when the arms hang relaxed at the side.

* One hip may seem to be raised or more prominent than the other.

* The head is not aligned with the pelvis.

* When the person is analyzed from the rear and asked to bend forward until the spine is horizontal, one side of the back appears more raised than the other.

Once scoliosis is detected, the child or adult should be sent to a health care professional, such as a chiropractor, for further diagnosis. your chiropractor would be happy to help.

There are many different causes and many varieties of scoliosis, but the most prevailing, by far, is Idiopathic Scoliosis, which accounts for nearly 85 % of all cases. “Idiopathic” means “no known cause” and is seen with equal frequency in boys and girls in the mild or low curve magnitudes. This condition can be sub-classified into infantile, juvenile and adolescent categories, contingent upon the age of onset. Idiopathic Scoliosis may be due to genetic or hereditary influences as it often runs in families. Though it is unknown why, girls are five to eight times more likely than boys to have their curves grow in size and require treatment. As the term “Idiopathic Scoliosis” infers, this type of scoliosis more often than not occurs when children are ending their last major growth spurt. Unfortunately, at this age young people are reluctant to permit their body to be viewed by parents and other adults, so it is smart to have this age group observed on a regular basis.

It is crucial that if a scoliotic curve is discovered in a growing adolescent, the curves be monitored for any advancement by a periodic examination and from time to time standing x-rays. In ninety percent of conditions, the scoliosis is mild and does not require active treatment, though| increases in spinal deformity necessitate evaluation to decide if a brace or other therapy is required. In a small number of individuals, surgical treatment may be required.~Surgery may be required for a small number of individuals.

Brace support (orthosis) is recommended for newly-identified conditions of moderate scoliosis or abnormal kyphosis, as well as when an increase in scoliosis or kyphosis is identified in both juvenile and adolescent children. There are a number of types of braces, all made to prevent curves from increasing by acting as a buttress for the spine during active skeletal growth. Braces normally will not make the spine perfectly straight, and cannot always keep a curve from increasing. But, bracing is successful in halting curve progression in a very large portion of skeletally-immature adolescents.

Scoliosis has no simple resolution. Nearly all cases, even though regularly monitored, are not actively treated. The common medical treatment for moderate instances is a brace, whereas severe afflictions are sometimes 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 a number of modalities used in addition to bracing. It looks as if the most beneficial results have been supported with a multi-faceted approach to the management of this condition.

There are chiropractors, such as your Ventura Chiropractor, that have years of experience treating scoliosis conditions.

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