They are protected by 33 strong vertebrae bones that make up your spinal column. A healthy back and spine has all of these vertebrae connected, with cartilage and tissues between them that help your vertebrae to move smoothly while protecting vital nerves. Your back is separated into three separate areas: the cervical spine consisting of 7 vertebrae in the neck area, the middle, thoracic spinal vertebrae 12 and the lower, lumbar spine vertebrae 5.
If people experience back pain, the majority have lower back pain in the lumbar spine. This is because the lumbar spine takes the most pressure and force of day-to-day living and movements from the limbs. A painful back should be evaluated for problems such as pinched nerves, injuries and scoliosis. One of the causes of back pain is scoliosis. This is a condition where the spine of the back curves abnormally. A healthy spine will have an inward curve in the lower portion of the back lumbar region.
This is a surprisingly common back problem that millions of children get screened for every year. Idiopathic scoliosis isn't caused by things like carrying a heavy backpack, bad posture, playing sports — or anything else you might do. You don't have control over whether you get scoliosis. It's in your genes. Sometimes scoliosis is easy to see. A curve in the spine can make the body tilt to the left or right.
If you have scoliosis, it might look like you are leaning to one side. Some people have one shoulder higher than the other or one shoulder blade that sticks out more than the other. If your spine is twisted, one side of your ribcage might stick out more when you bend over. Often, scoliosis isn't obvious.
That's why health care providers do a scoliosis exam as part of your regular checkup. Some states have school-based scoliosis screening programs. If you think you have scoliosis, make an appointment with your health care provider. The health care provider will examine you and take your medical history to help make a diagnosis.
Part of the medical history is asking questions about your family's health because scoliosis can run in families.
Finding out if relatives had it will help the provider decide if you might too. Your health care provider may refer you to an orthopedic specialist. These experts treat diseases of the bones and muscles. They see lots of teens with scoliosis and can decide if you need treatment. Severe curves can affect the lungs. Some curves are more severe than others. If you suspect scoliosis, you should consult your doctor about an appropriate treatment plan.
We spoke to Rocky Snyder , a personal trainer and corrective exercise specialist based in Santa Cruz, California, who suggested a few exercises for people with scoliosis, as well as stretches that may help improve dexterity. The difference between a typical spine and that of a person with scoliosis, he explains, is that the former can move from side to side.
For instance, when you walk, your spine bends and rotates left and right, ultimately reverting back to the center. People with scoliosis have a difficult time moving in one direction due to the curvature of their spine. The following exercises may not necessarily be targeted toward your specific scoliosis diagnosis, but they are a good starting point to get you moving. Sometimes, these general strength and conditioning techniques are enough to reduce symptoms of mild scoliosis.
Schroth exercises are asymmetric scoliosis-specific postural exercises that aim to improve posture and pain and to teach patients to consciously maintain the correct posture in daily living activities. A study showed that patients who performed Schroth exercises made improvements in self-image, back muscle endurance, and pain levels.
Certain exercises may be prescribed by a physician or physical therapist to help you with your specific structural difference, but they are not a means for treatment.
Treatment for moderate to severe scoliosis will most likely involve surgery. Mild scoliosis will usually not require significant medical attention and is not as visible to the eye as other posture disorders.
Mild scoliosis is generally the term used to describe scoliosis where the Cobb angle, or curvature of the spine, is less than 20 degrees. Introduction to scoliosis. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Kliegman RM, et al. The spine. In: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics.
Elsevier; Scherl SA. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: Clinical features, evaluation and diagnosis. Ferri FF.
In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: Management and prognosis. Miller MD, et al. The adolescent: Scoliosis. In: Essential Orthopaedics. Kim W, et al. Clinical evaluation, imaging and management of adolescent idiopathic and adult degenerative scoliosis. In: Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology. Azar FM, et al. Scoliosis and kyphosis. In: Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics.
Surgical treatment for scoliosis. Devlin VJ.
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