Scoliosis is one of the most common spine disorders with more than three million cases in the United States alone each year according to the Mayo Clinic. It is believed that at any given point, around three percent of adolescents have a form of scoliosis. However, just because it is common doesn’t mean it isn’t serious. Scoliosis is something that you should always watch out for in your children and even yourself if possible. Most cases develop around the time of puberty in the growth spurt that directly precedes it. That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t double check for it at any age, however, especially if you are experiencing back pain without any obvious reason.
Scoliosis is defined as a sideways curvature of the spine. Except for a few situations, the majority of scoliosis cases do not have a specific known cause. While there does seem to be evidence that there may be a genetic connection, it has not been proven one way or the other. Thankfully, most cases of scoliosis are mild and may even go undiagnosed throughout the person’s entire life. In this situation, the scoliosis is normally monitored through x-rays to make sure the curvature doesn’t get worse. If it does, however, a back brace may be needed to try and correct the deformity. If the curve is severe enough, surgery may be entertained. This normally occurs only in extreme circumstances where the scoliosis is causing pain and possibly even breathing and cardiovascular issues due to the rib cage pressing against the lungs and heart because of a severe curve and/or twist in the spine.
If you think you may have scoliosis or are concerned about your child developing the disorder, call DiBella Chiropractic today. It is important to catch an issue like this early, so if you have children living with you that are around the age that puberty begins, be sure to bring them in to be monitored. We can check the spine regularly to see if any change occurs. If you have a mild case that develops, you want to make sure that it doesn’t progress further. If it does, we can talk about your options to help mitigate any damage that may be done to the spine for the future. Set up an appointment with us so that you can put your mind at rest. You can never be too careful when it comes to your back!
