Scoliosis affects people of any age, from babies to adults, but mostly starts presenting in children in their early teenage years. The condition is not always noticeable. People with this problem may lean on one side or have uneven hips or shoulders due to the spine’s curve. Specialists of scoliosis in Los Angeles provide chiropractic treatment to prevent a worsening of your spine’s curvature.
What Is Scoliosis?
Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine or backbone. In most cases, it is diagnosed in early adolescence or childhood. The exact cause of scoliosis is unknown, but if you have a family history of scoliosis, the risk of getting the condition is higher. Scoliosis can become debilitating and even severe without proper treatment. The situation can affect the functioning of your lungs.
What Are The Causes Of Other Types Of Scoliosis?
Functional: In this type of scoliosis, an abnormal curvature occurs because of a body problem. This could be due to carrying heavy loads with unequal weight-bearing, one leg being shorter than the other, or muscle spasms in the back.
Neuromuscular: In this type of scoliosis, a problem develops when the spine muscles are being formed. Either the spine's bones fail to separate from each other or don’t form completely during fetal development.
Congenital: This type of scoliosis develops in people with other problems, including muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, and congenital disabilities. People dealing with these conditions develop a long C-shaped curve and develop weak muscles that cannot hold them up straight. If the curve forms at birth, it is known as congenital scoliosis. This type is severe and needs more aggressive treatment than other types of scoliosis.
Degenerative: This type of scoliosis occurs in adults. It is developed due to changes in the spine caused by arthritis known as spondylosis. Abnormal bone spurs combined with the spine's soft tissues and weakening of normal ligaments can lead to the spine's abnormal curvature. The spine can also be affected by vertebral compression fractures, osteoporosis, and disc degeneration.
What Are Scoliosis Treatment Methods?
Surgery Treatment: When the curve measurement reaches 50 degrees, surgery is recommended. It is done for both adults and teens. For teens, curve progression signs have to be present, and for the adults, when you have nerve damage to your bowel or legs and the curve is at 50 degrees.
The goal of performing scoliosis surgery is to straighten the curve and prevent its progression.
Scroth Method: Most scoliosis treatment is centered on bracing, observation, and surgery. Several physical therapies like Scroth have provided evidence that bracing, lifestyle coaching and specific exercises can reverse curves in adults and adolescents. Scroth treatment method enables people to avoid surgery.
Scoliosis' long-term outlook depends on the severity of the spine curvature. For moderate cases, the problem does not interfere with everyday functions. People with severe types of scoliosis may experience physical limitations. Living with scoliosis may be difficult. If you need help managing your condition, you can seek a support group. These groups allow you to meet people with the same situation, and you can find encouragement and advice on how to deal with the state daily.
