Scoliosis
What is Scoliosis?
Scoliosis is a medical condition where the spine has become curved or twisted. If a person has a curvature above 10 degrees it is classified as a scoliosis. It is extremely common affecting around 3% of the population. It affects people of all ages with the majority onset between 10-15 years of age.
There are different types of Scoliosis
Congenital – type of scoliosis that you are born with.
Early onset scoliosis – occurs between birth and the age of 10.
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis – occurs whilst a child is growing.
Degenerative scoliosis – occurs due to wear and tear in the spine.
Neuromuscular scoliosis – occurs due to a neurological condition.
The most common type of scoliosis is the adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. “Idiopathic” means there is no definite cause, it tends to run in families and affects girls eight times more often than boys. In the majority of cases idiopathic scoliosis is mild and requires no treatment other than regular observation.
Signs of Scoliosis
A visible curve
Leaning to one side
Shoulder height not being the same
Uneven hip, arm or leg length
One shoulder blade more prominent then the other
Ribs sticking out to one side
Clothes not fitting well.
In some cases, individuals may experience back pain however this tends to be more common in adults with the condition. It is important to note that back pain alone is not necessarily an indicator of scoliosis. There are many conditions besides scoliosis that may be causing your back pain.
Treatment of Scoliosis:
Treatment can depend on your age, severity of the spinal curve and whether its likely to get worse over time. Common treatment methods can include bracing, where the patient wears a rigid brace to prevent the curve worsening. More invasive treatment includes spinal surgery/spinal fusion where metal rods and fix to the spinal to correct the curvature.
Many people won’t need any treatment and only a small number will have to have surgery.
Osteopathy and Scoliosis
Seeing an osteopath can help a person identify if they have a scoliosis and how to best manage it. Osteopathic techniques can be beneficial to release restrictions in the spine and surrounding muscles. In particular it helps keep the facet joints (the joints of the spine) stay mobile, which in turn can offer relief from pain caused by scoliosis. We have found that treatment helps to improve posture and increase range of movement as well as ease the symptoms caused by scoliosis.