Scoliosis – The Abnormal Spinal Curve Its Causes, Prevention, & Treatments

The “S” shaped spine although has normal curves, a condition arises when it curves or twists to one side of the body, causing the torso and the ribs on that side to compress while the ribs of another side to move apart. Such a disorder can put further a strain on the back muscles, triggering pain and discomfort.

The spinal curvature of scoliosis is though barely noticeable, however, out of every 1,000 children, 3 to 5 develop spinal curves and in which especially girls are more affected than boys as reported by the Times of India.

Causes & Signs of Scoliosis:

The exact cause of scoliosis is still unknown. Yet, according to the doctors, genetics can be one of the major reason as generally, this disorder develops in children more. Another reason is birth defect i.e poor development of bones. Apart from that, conditions like polio, cerebral palsy, juvenile osteoporosis, or other diseases may cause a curve in the spine. Even poor postures are said to be another major reason for this condition. Scoliosis can develop at any age, although in adults it may occur due to severe muscle spasm caused by muscle strain or injury, pressure on spinal discs etc. It is scarier in children as they continue to grow, chances of deformity grows with it if not treated.

Symptoms: 
Visible spinal curve
Abnormal posture
Uneven shoulders, hips, waist
Vague muscle back pain,
Inflamed joints
Fatigue and stiffness
In severe cases, the spine may get rotated
Disturbance in the functioning of other organs like heart, lungs etc.

Treatments: 
Scoliosis is treated completely based on the severity and regular monitoring of the spinal curvature.

1. As a starter, braces can help. Thoracolumbosacral orthosis (TLSO), made of plastic, is designed to fit neatly around the body’s curves and is not usually visible under clothing, while Milwaukee brace, is a full-torso brace with a neck ring and rests for chin and the back of the head. This type of brace is only used when the TLSO is not possible or not effective. Braces are good for children as they prevent further curvature.

2. Over-the-counter medicines like acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil) may help relieve the pain and inflammation.

3. Stretching exercises, hydrotherapy, massages, yoga, swimming, etc. are other types of treatments for moderate pain.

4. Counselling called cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help children and adolescents to deal with the negative feelings and concerns related to the chronic pain of scoliosis.

5. Electrotherapy – Electro Spinal stimulation is known to be the best and the safest method so far for treating scoliosis of any age. The tiny currents in it, stimulate the spinal muscles and gradually strengthen and straighten them.

6. In the worst cases, surgery like spinal fusion is suggested by the doctors.

Prevention:
Correcting the posture, early intervention, carrying less weight on the back, strengthening exercises etc. can prevent scoliosis from becoming worse.