Is your spine ‘wonky’?
Scoliosis is a significant condition that affects the spinal column. It causes the spine to present as an ‘S’ or ‘C’ shaped curvature and has the ability to create lifelong implications. Typically, this condition first comes to light in early puberty when the body begins to develop and grow. Despite this, many individuals live unknowingly with scoliosis.
A large proportion of scoliosis patients are unaware of the cause of their extreme curvature. Typically, patients will experience a leg length discrepancy or pain in their spine, making them aware of the changes through their spinal column. It is uncommon to experience severe complications due to scoliosis but it is important to seek medical advice to ensure the lung and heart cavity have sufficient capabilities. With most cases being mild, common management strategies may include:
– Exercise prescription
– Manual therapy
– Heel lifts and other podiatry support
– Use of heat packs
– Pain medication
– Ergonomic modifications
– Bracing techniques
– Surgery (spinal fusion)
Within my own patient experience I have seen dozens of patients with scoliosis – some severe, some mild. The most severe case involved a 30 year old male that was only just discovering that the reason one shoulder was higher than the other and he always had back pain was because of a severe scoliosis through his spine. This patient’s scoliosis was caused by a 3 cm alteration in leg length, likely initiated during puberty or another peak growing phase. To manage this pain, this patient participates in a large amount of physical activity that they enjoy, endeavouring to maintain as much muscle mass and structure as possible around the spine. They have additional podiatry support including heel lifts and have modified their diet and medication intake to suit their underlying condition. This all allows reduced pressure on the spinal column. Activities he participates in include dancing, archery, yoga and swimming. This coupled with osteopathic treatment and physiotherapy has allowed him to continue to work and live independently without being affected by his scoliosis. He is now equipped with the knowledge to self-manage his scoliosis should an aggravation occur and he is unable to seek allied health support.
If this is something that has affected you, get in contact with us today!
A reminder that all advice is generalized and should be consulted with a health professional.
