What Is Scoliosis?
For hundreds of years, scoliosis has been regarded as simply an abnormal curvature of the spine, usually a side-ways bending. It has historically been left alone until it is bad enough to have a surgery. But with today's scientific knowledge, we now know that scoliosis is much more than simply an abnormal curvature, it also causes undue stress and strain on the ligaments, nerves, organs and other parts of the body. Idiopathic scoliosi is the most illusive of the different types of scoliosis. Idiopathic means cause unknown---we have many theories but no known definitive causes.
Is Scoliosis Genetic?
One of the prevailing theories suggest that if one or more parents has scoliosis, or more often, one of their grandparents, the possibility of their child inheriting the disease greatly increases.
How Does It Affect A Child?
Scoliosis is a progressive disease. In its early stages, a vertebral rotation and rib deformity is detected, usually when the curve approachs 20 degrees. Other signs seen include: shoulder unleveling, waistline tilt, headaches, shortness of breath sometimes referred to as an asthma, rib hump, back pain, a tired-overall feeling, and mood swings due to hormonal interferrences.
How Is Scoliosis Detected?
The basic signs include: raised muscles on one side of the spine while bending over, uneven hemline on pants or skirts, and an uneven waistline. Less obvious signs must be detected by a health professional through early screening, or diagnosed by your physician during a comprehensive physical exam.
What Are The Related Symptoms Accompanying Scoliosis?
Symptoms may be difficult to recognize until all of a sudden the physical deformity shows up. Many experience mood swings, headaches, back pain for no apparent reason, digestive problems, menstrual-cycle disturbances, and leg, hip, and knee pain.
How Can Scoliosis Be Treated?
The earlier the treatment is started, the more the spinal curvature progression can be stopped. We now know that the curvature can be reversed using a relatively simple treatment plan based on the same principles used by orthodontists to straighten teeth. No longer is the family told to "Wait and See", all the time just watching it get worse! Surgery is preferrably the last option, as surgery can never be reversed or changed. Important in treatment is addressing all the problems. We now know that we need to address all systems of the body such as muscle imbalances and bony deformities of the spine, ribs and pelvis. Additionally, we must also include proprioceptive and neurological deficits.
Is There Any Alternative To Surgery?
The answer is definitely--Yes. No longer do patients have only ineffective programs to choose from. We provide a permanent corrective program that addresses all of the body in our efforts to correct idiopathic scoliosis. There are many physicians nationwide that are now utilizing this non-surgical treatment program. Patients are achieving outstanding results when their physicians use the Scoliosis Complex Corrective Program which utilizes a custom-fitted corrective brace, muscle stimulation and strengthening, traction therapy, nutritional therapy, spinal adjustments, proproceptive retraining, and comprehensive exercises.
