Comprehensive Health Services
3543 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014
602-263-8484 phone 602-263-3697 fax
Scoliosis Treatment
Fast Facts About Scoliosis
What Is Scoliosis?
Who Has Scoliosis?
What Causes Scoliosis?
How Is Scoliosis Diagnosed?
How Is Scoliosis Treated?
Can Exercise Help?
About Other Treatments for Scoliosis
What Research Is Being Done on Scoliosis?
What Is Scoliosis?
Scoliosis (sko-lee-O-sis) is a disorder in which there is a sideways curve of the spine, or backbone. Curves are often S-shaped or C-shaped. In most people, there is no known cause for this curve. This is known as idiopathic (id-ee-o-PATH-ik) scoliosis.
People with milder curves may only need to visit their doctor for periodic exams. Some people who have scoliosis need treatment.
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Who Has Scoliosis?
People of all ages can have scoliosis. The most common type is idiopathic scoliosis in children aged 10-12 and in their early teens. This is the time when children are growing fast. Girls are more likely than boys to have this type of scoliosis.
Scoliosis can run in families. A child who has a parent, brother, or sister with idiopathic scoliosis should have regular checkups by the family doctor.
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What Causes Scoliosis?
In most people with scoliosis the cause is known. In other cases the cause is not known.
Doctors classify curves as:
Nonstructural, which is when the spine is structurally normal and the curve is temporary. In these cases, the doctor will try to find and correct the cause.
Structural, which is when the spine has a fixed curve. The cause could be a disease, injury, infection, or birth defect.
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How Is Scoliosis Diagnosed?
Doctors use a medical and family history, physical exam, and tests when checking a person for scoliosis. An x- ray of the spine can help the doctor decide if a person has scoliosis. The x- ray lets the doctor measure the curve in degrees (such as 25 degrees) and see its location, shape, and pattern.
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How Is Scoliosis Treated?
Understanding scoliosis is based on:
The person's age
How much more he or she is likely to grow
The degree and pattern of the curve
The type of scoliosis.
The doctor may recommend observation, bracing, manipulative surgery, or invasive surgery.
In children and adolescents whose parents are not yet ready for them to undergo active treatment for their scoliosis, observation is necessary to prevent them from developing a more severe form of scoliosis. The doctor will check every 4 to 6 months to see if the curve is getting better or worse. This is the worst choice because you can make a bigger change when there is less wrong. The furtheer down the path you go, the harder it is to get back.
The person is still growing and has a curve of more than 25 to 30 degrees.
The person is still growing and has a curve between 20 and 29 degrees that is getting worse.
The person has at least 2 years of growth remaining and has a curve that is between 20 and 29 degrees. If a girl has scoliosis, she should begin treatment before she starts having her monthly periods.
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Can Exercise Help?
Exercise programs have not been shown to keep scoliosis from getting worse. But it is important for all people, including those with scoliosis, to exercise and remain physically fit. Weight-bearing exercise, such as walking, running, soccer, and gymnastics, helps keep bones strong. Swimming is the best exercise for scoliosis as it maintains flexibility without the high impact of the other activities. For both boys and girls, exercising and playing sports improves their sense of well-being.
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About Other Treatments for Scoliosis
So far, there is no convincing evidence based medicine research that shows the following treatments keep curves from getting worse in scoliosis:
Standard chiropractic treatment
Electrical stimulation
Nutritional supplements
Exercise
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What Research Is Being Done on Scoliosis?
Researchers are looking for the causes of idiopathic scoliosis. They have studied genetics, growth, and changes in the spine, muscles, and nerves. They are studying how different treatments can help to straighten the spine or keep curves from getting worse. They are also studying the long-term effects of surgery and of untreated scoliosis.
top
What Is Scoliosis?
Who Has Scoliosis?
What Causes Scoliosis?
How Is Scoliosis Diagnosed?
How Is Scoliosis Treated?
Can Exercise Help?
About Other Treatments for Scoliosis
What Research Is Being Done on Scoliosis?
What Is Scoliosis?
Scoliosis (sko-lee-O-sis) is a disorder in which there is a sideways curve of the spine, or backbone. Curves are often S-shaped or C-shaped. In most people, there is no known cause for this curve. This is known as idiopathic (id-ee-o-PATH-ik) scoliosis.
People with milder curves may only need to visit their doctor for periodic exams. Some people who have scoliosis need treatment.
top
Who Has Scoliosis?
People of all ages can have scoliosis. The most common type is idiopathic scoliosis in children aged 10-12 and in their early teens. This is the time when children are growing fast. Girls are more likely than boys to have this type of scoliosis.
Scoliosis can run in families. A child who has a parent, brother, or sister with idiopathic scoliosis should have regular checkups by the family doctor.
top
What Causes Scoliosis?
In most people with scoliosis the cause is known. In other cases the cause is not known.
Doctors classify curves as:
Nonstructural, which is when the spine is structurally normal and the curve is temporary. In these cases, the doctor will try to find and correct the cause.
Structural, which is when the spine has a fixed curve. The cause could be a disease, injury, infection, or birth defect.
top
How Is Scoliosis Diagnosed?
Doctors use a medical and family history, physical exam, and tests when checking a person for scoliosis. An x- ray of the spine can help the doctor decide if a person has scoliosis. The x- ray lets the doctor measure the curve in degrees (such as 25 degrees) and see its location, shape, and pattern.
top
How Is Scoliosis Treated?
Understanding scoliosis is based on:
The person's age
How much more he or she is likely to grow
The degree and pattern of the curve
The type of scoliosis.
The doctor may recommend observation, bracing, manipulative surgery, or invasive surgery.
- Observation:
In children and adolescents whose parents are not yet ready for them to undergo active treatment for their scoliosis, observation is necessary to prevent them from developing a more severe form of scoliosis. The doctor will check every 4 to 6 months to see if the curve is getting better or worse. This is the worst choice because you can make a bigger change when there is less wrong. The furtheer down the path you go, the harder it is to get back.
- Bracing:
The person is still growing and has a curve of more than 25 to 30 degrees.
The person is still growing and has a curve between 20 and 29 degrees that is getting worse.
The person has at least 2 years of growth remaining and has a curve that is between 20 and 29 degrees. If a girl has scoliosis, she should begin treatment before she starts having her monthly periods.
- Manipulative Surgery:
- Invasive Surgery:
top
Can Exercise Help?
Exercise programs have not been shown to keep scoliosis from getting worse. But it is important for all people, including those with scoliosis, to exercise and remain physically fit. Weight-bearing exercise, such as walking, running, soccer, and gymnastics, helps keep bones strong. Swimming is the best exercise for scoliosis as it maintains flexibility without the high impact of the other activities. For both boys and girls, exercising and playing sports improves their sense of well-being.
top
About Other Treatments for Scoliosis
So far, there is no convincing evidence based medicine research that shows the following treatments keep curves from getting worse in scoliosis:
Standard chiropractic treatment
Electrical stimulation
Nutritional supplements
Exercise
top
What Research Is Being Done on Scoliosis?
Researchers are looking for the causes of idiopathic scoliosis. They have studied genetics, growth, and changes in the spine, muscles, and nerves. They are studying how different treatments can help to straighten the spine or keep curves from getting worse. They are also studying the long-term effects of surgery and of untreated scoliosis.
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