June is scoliosis awareness month!
At Level Spine Chiropractic we love helping people with with scoliosis. Chiropractic care can be a great means to help manage symptoms and in combination with specific Chiropractic adjustments, Corrective Chiropractic care can help to get a level of structural stabilisation and even improvement, meaning better long term results!
So what exactly is a scoliosis?
Many people have heard of the condition and around 2-4% of the population live with it.
It is defined as a bend of the spine with rotation of the vertebral bodies which measures greater than 10 degrees.
It can occur in any region of the spine, although it’s most commonly seen in the thoracic and lumbar spine. There can be a single curve or a double curve, with the primary curve being where where the biggest bend of the spine is. By nature, it is a progressive condition – meaning the curve/s can increase in magnitude over time.
What are the causes?
There are a number of underlying pathologies which can result in the development of a scoliosis and they include:
- Different types of tumors – directly or indirectly putting pressure on the spine.
- Underling neuromuscular disorders causing weakness in spinal musculature.
- Fractures altering bone shape.
- Spinal arthritis weakening and deforming the spine.
- Rheumatoid disease causing joint problems.
- Post surgical interventions.
Although there are a number of listed potential causes above, the most common type is know as an IDIOPATHIC SCOLIOSIS – accounting for 80% of all diagnosis.
This simply means means there is no know cause!
Who can develop a scoliosis?
Anyone can develop an idiopathic scoliosis at any age. Although there are some more common groups. It is more prevalent is girls, especially during adolescence. This is because the spine is growing a lot during these years. It is also quite prevalent in the elderly population. This is because of the increase and severity of spinal arthritis and muscle weakness leading to structural deformity.
Below are the age ranges for diagnosis.
Infantile: between 0 – 3 years of age
Juvenile: between 3 – onset of puberty (10 years of age)
Adolescence: 10 – 18 years of age
Adult: 18 years or older
Why can an get adult diagnoses with a scoliosis?
It’s not uncommon for adults to develop symptoms and other spinal problems only to find out they have an underlying scoliosis.
When an scoliosis is detected in an adult it’s usually a result of the following:
- It may be that the person developed a scoliosis in younger years and has only found out about it later in life.
- It may be the result of an adult onset scoliosis. This can be a secondary effect of an underlying pathology or a result of spinal arthritis which is weakening the spine creating deformity.
- It can be a combination of both!
How is a scoliosis diagnosed?
The only way to accuracy diagnose a scoliosis is through spinal imaging. The most effective way being X-ray analysis.
Often people have a family history of scoliosis, have notice postural changes or experienced spinal pain, limited range of motion or weakness – causing them to seek a professional assessment.
A detailed health history and thorough physical assessment can provide the practitioner with enough clues to warrant further investigation through spinal imaging.
Scoliosis awareness month is a worldwide initiative. Early detection, proper treatment and monitoring is key to managing this condition.
Keeping a healthy spine will help scoliosis patients’ keep their bodies performing optimally, not live in fear and enjoy to do the thing in life they want and need to do!
If you or someone you know is looking for a successful strategy to manage and monitor their condition, we’d like to help!
An initial assessment allows us to understand your level of spinal health and what an appropriate course of care is.
To book your initial assessment by clicking the button below.