Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine that usually affects the central region of the back or the chest area between the shoulder blades. If you look at it from the side, you can see that the spine takes on a slight S shape that starts from the base of the skull to the coccyx. However, when viewed from the back, it should be straight, free from lateral deviations. If you notice it leaning to the right or left, it means you have scoliosis. Unfortunately, this deformation cannot be avoided in most cases, especially when curvature develops during adolescence (idiopathic scoliosis), although its progression can be reduced. On the other hand, it is possible to avoid some forms of scoliosis that develop in adulthood by maintaining correct posture, symmetry when exercising and eating well.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Slowing the Progression of Scoliosis in Adolescents
Step 1. See your doctor
If you think your child has scoliosis, perhaps because they tested positive in a school exam or because someone pointed out to you that their back or body looks asymmetrical, make an appointment with a family doctor or a doctor. specialist, such as the orthopedist. Scoliosis can get worse very quickly in boys, so the sooner you go to a professional, the better. Doctors cannot completely prevent scoliosis, but they are able to properly examine it and find valid solutions to prevent it from developing or getting worse.
- Your doctor will likely decide to take an x-ray and measure the angle of the curvature. Scoliosis is not considered particularly severe until the curve reaches 25-30 °.
- It is a disease that affects girls more frequently than boys and is transmitted between family members, therefore in some cases it can be considered hereditary in nature.
Step 2. Ask your doctor about the corrective corset
This is a fairly common option among teens with progressive scoliosis. The corset cannot prevent it from developing, but in some cases it can prevent it from getting worse. Depending on the severity of the situation and the point at which the unnatural curvature occurred, the torso can be made of rigid or elasticized plastic with metal inserts. Usually, it covers most of the chest and can be worn under clothing. This type of treatment is used when the curvature is greater than or equal to 25 ° and tends to progress rapidly or if it develops at a young age, when the spine is still growing and has already taken an angle greater than 30 °.
- Most braces need to be worn at least 16 hours a day for many months or even a few years, until the spine stops growing.
- Several studies have come to the conclusion that orthopedic braces prevent the curvature from worsening to the point of requiring surgery.
- Generally, about 25% of children / adolescents with scoliosis benefit from the use of the brace.
Step 3. Talk to your doctor about spinal surgery
This procedure should be considered as a last resort, but in some cases it is necessary to stop the progression of the curvature, which can lead to other health problems (due to organ crowding), chronic long-term pain and disability. The surgery consists of fusing two or more vertebrae together with bone grafts and inserting metal bars or other devices that allow you to keep the back straight and well supported. The operation is performed above all to correct a particularly evident curve or to stop its progression during the developmental phase of the adolescent; it is not typically used on adults who have a milder form of scoliosis. However, spinal fusion is also not unusual for older adults who have scoliosis or hyperkyphosis (hunched appearance) due to osteoporotic fractures in the central back area.
- Stainless steel or titanium rods are used to support the spine until bone fusion is complete; these metal rods are attached to the spine with screws, hooks and / or pins.
- Possible complications related to surgery include infections, excessive bleeding, allergic reaction to anesthesia, nerve damage / paralysis, and chronic pain.
Part 2 of 2: Preventing Scoliosis in Adults
Step 1. Understand the causes of scoliosis in adults
In most cases it is the idiopathic form; that is, there are no known reasons for people to develop this disorder. Some deformations could be due to:
- Congenital scoliosis: means that scoliosis is already present at birth. The disease may have been neglected from an early age, but it may also have gotten worse over time.
- Paralytic scoliosis: If the muscles surrounding the spine begin to weaken, the spine slowly begins to curve, losing its original position and leading to scoliosis. This disorder is often caused by an injury to the spine and can even result in paralysis.
- Secondary causes: scoliosis in this case is the consequence of various diseases of the spine, such as a degeneration of the same, osteoporosis, osteomalacia or following surgery on the spine.
Step 2. Be aware of the limitations of prevention
Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do to avoid scoliosis in adulthood; more often than not, the focus is on controlling the symptoms associated with the disease. In severe cases, surgery is needed, but the goal is usually to strengthen the spine and manage pain.
Step 3. Increase strength, flexibility, and range of motion with physical activity
There are some solutions to strengthen the muscles and perhaps prevent scoliosis from worsening or becoming more painful. Physiotherapy and hydrotherapy can help, just as chiropractic treatments can relieve pain.
- Contact a qualified physiotherapist to set up a personalized program to strengthen your muscles and make your back more flexible.
- Hydrotherapy helps reduce pressure on your joints, allowing you to focus more on strengthening your back muscles without the limitations that gravity brings.
- The chiropractor helps keep the joints supple and relieve pain.
Step 4. Eat nutritious foods
To keep the vertebrae and other bones in the body strong, healthy and straight, you need to regularly eat foods that are rich in certain minerals and vitamins. Specifically, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus make up the basic bone structure (including the spine); a food deficiency of this kind therefore causes weakening and fragility of the bones (osteoporosis), which therefore become more prone to fractures. As the vertebrae begin to break and degrade, the spine begins to bend to one side and what is known as degenerative scoliosis in adults develops. Vitamin D is also an important nutrient for making bones strong, because it is an element that allows calcium to be absorbed in the intestine. If you do not take an adequate amount, the bones become "soft" (in children this disorder is called rickets, while in adults osteomalacia), they easily deform or take on an unnatural curvature.
- Foods rich in calcium are kale, kale, spinach, sardines, tofu, dairy products, almonds and sesame seeds.
- Vitamin D is naturally produced by the body as a result of exposure to bright sunlight, although many people try to avoid the sun's rays. It is not present in many foods, but the best sources are: fatty fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel), fish oils, beef liver, aged cheeses and egg yolk.
Advice
- Physical activity may not be able to prevent the aggravation of scoliosis, but strong back muscles help reduce associated pain.
- A simple way to tell if your spine is curved is to lean forward at your waist, reach your hands towards the floor, and ask someone to check your shoulder blades. If one is more exposed than the other, you probably have scoliosis.
- Although chiropractic treatments, massage therapy, physiotherapy, and acupuncture can relieve the discomfort of this disease, there is no cure (other than surgery) that can reverse the curvature.
