Scoliosis – Types, Symptoms and Treatment Methods

Scoliosis – Types, Symptoms and Treatment Methods

Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine. The article discusses different types of scoliosis, its associated symptoms and treatment methods.

Scoliosis is a condition that causes sideway curvature of the spine or backbone (that occurs most often during the growth spurt just before puberty). People of all ages can develop scoliosis. However, this condition is normally seen among children aged 10- 12 years and is more common in girls than in boys.

The condition can affect any part of the spine, but the most common regions are the thoracic and the thoracic-lumbar regions.

The exact causes of this disease remain unknown, though it often results from factors such as spinal infections, neuromuscular conditions (like cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy), birth defects affecting bones and other hereditary issues. Early diagnosis and proper treatment helps people better manage this spinal condition. Pain management specialists in leading healthcare centers in Brooklyn, NYC use a combination of different treatment methods that help patients achieve spine curvature reduction.

Types of Scoliosis ➢ Degenerative–occurs due to traumatic injury or illness, bone collapse, previous surgery or osteoporosis. ➢ Congenital – occurs due to a bone abnormality during birth. ➢ Neuromuscular - occurs due to abnormal muscles/nerves or muscular diseases. ➢ Idiopathic – no specific cause for this type of scoliosis, but strong evidence suggests that it is inherited.

Signs and Symptoms Common signs and symptoms of scoliosis include – Uneven waist and shoulders One shoulder blade that appears more prominent than the other One hip higher than the other Menstrual-cycle disturbances Leg and hip pain Knee pain Headache Difficulty in breathing Chronic fatigue and future spinal kyphosis (widow’s hump) Back pain A tendency to lean to one side A prominent ribcage CALL US! (718) 769-2521

Diagnosis and Treatment Methods Diagnosis of scoliosis involves physicians conducting a detailed neurological exam to check for muscle weakness, numbness and abnormal reflexes. In order to diagnose the range and severity of spinal curvature, physicians will recommend imaging tests such as X-ray or MRI scan of the lumbar spine.

As there are mild, moderate and severe curves, the decision to choose a treatment option is always made on an individual basis. Treatment methods for this condition may mainly depend on several individual factors such as patient age, sex, severity of curves and curve pattern and location. Some of the prominent treatment modalities for this condition – ✓ Chiropractic care – Chiropractic treatment involves spinal manual manipulation that helps to restore mobility of the joints and improves body movement without the need of medication or surgery. It can also help correct the overall spinal alignment. ✓ Physical therapy (PT) – Physical therapy helps strengthen the muscles, ease pain and improve flexibility in the region around the back. Strengthening and stretching exercises are prescribed to build up muscle strength and restore normal spinal function. ✓ Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) – TENS uses low voltage electric stimulation that interacts with the sensory nervous system to address pain. ✓ Game Ready - This computer-controlled modality combines cold therapy and intermittent active compression for all types of musculoskeletal injuries and orthopedic surgery rehabilitation. It includes flexible wraps that are designed to fit comfortably and target cold therapy to the entire affected area with intermittent pneumatic compression.

Getting yourselves engaged in regular physical exercise along with maintaining a healthy body weight can help reduce the symptoms of scoliosis to a great extent, thereby improving overall health and wellbeing.

CALL US! (718) 769-2521