The first thing you should know is that scoliosis is NOT a disease. It is a term used in the medical field to describe any abnormal, sideways curvature that occurs in the spine. A normal spine is straight when viewed from the back. If scoliosis is present, the spine can curve a few different ways:
- Shaped like the letter C where there is a single curve to the left, called levoscoliosis
- Shaped like a backwards letter C, where there is a single curve to the right, called dextroscoliosis
- Shaped like the letter S where the spine has two curves
There are two other categories that can help classify different cases of scoliosis:
- Structural – when the spine’s curve is fixed and was caused by a disease, injury, or birth defect
- Nonstructural – when the curve is temporary
The diagnosis of scoliosis often occurs after a child is 7 years old. The most common form of scoliosis, which occurs in approximately 2% the population, is called idiopathic (id-ee-o-PATH-ik) scoliosis. The term “idiopathic” simply means there is no known cause for a condition or disease.
It has been reported by the Scoliosis Research Society that more than 80% of cases have no clear cause. However, when a cause can be determined, it is often associated with birth defects (congenital), neurological abnormalities and genetic conditions.
Idiopathic scoliosis is by far the most common cause of scoliosis in children, while degenerative scoliosis is the most common form of scoliosis in adults.
Being diagnosed with Scoliosis can be a scary experience, leaving patients feeling like they only have surgical options when it comes to treatment. We don’t think surgery is always the answer and believe that it’s better if you can heal yourself naturally.
There is Effective Treatment for Adult Scoliosis Sufferers
Adult scoliosis can be the result of untreated childhood scoliosis. It can also be adult degenerative scoliosis which is a distinct condition that actually begins in adulthood and frequently occurs in people over 65 years of age.
The gradual deterioration of the facet joints is the same process that causes osteoarthritis of the spine. The key difference is that the pressure of the deteriorating facet joints in degenerative scoliosis causes a straight spine to shift so that the spine curves to one side forming a “C” shape.
Adult degenerative scoliosis symptoms
- Degenerative adult scoliosis usually begins as low back pain
- Weakness, numbness and pain in the legs
- Loss of coordination in the muscles of the legs making it difficult to walk
There may also be an obvious deformity in the back, but it’s usually the pain that brings patients into a spine specialist’s office. The pain is probably not coming from the curve in the spine but the degeneration process which is causing the curve to form. Not all cases of scoliosis cause the patient to have pain.
Scoliosis in Children Can Often Go Unnoticed
Scoliosis often does not have any noticeable symptoms in children and teenagers. When it is seen in children, there is room for concern because the skeletons of children and young adults grow quickly. This means the degree of the spinal curve may worsen as the spine continues to grow.
Rarely, untreated scoliosis can become so bad that it restricts the space in the ribcage needed for optimal heart and lung function.
Idiopathic scoliosis is NOT caused by activities such as exercise, sports, or lifting heavy things. It is also not caused from sleeping position, posture, or slight differences in leg length. With that said, the condition is aggravated by arching your back.
Idiopathic scoliosis, which is the most common form, is broken down by 3 age groups:
- Infant (0 to 3 years)
- Juvenile (4 to 10 years)
- Adolescent (11 to 18 years)
Infantile idiopathic scoliosis occurs before the age of 3 and is seen more in boys than girls, unlike juvenile or adolescent idiopathic scoliosis . Most cases resolve spontaneously, but treatment may be recommended to prevent the curve from causing a more severe deformity.
Juvenile idiopathic scoliosis happens between the ages of 3 and 9. The condition is found more frequently in girls than boys. The abnormal spinal curvatures in children at this age are generally at a high risk for progression.
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) occurs between the age of 10 and 18 and is by far the most common type of scoliosis. AIS usually becomes more apparent or worsen during an adolescent’s growth spurt, when girls are at higher risk than boys.
Congenital scoliosis is rare but occurs when a child develops a lateral curvature of the spine during the period of fetal growth in the womb. Congenital scoliosis means abnormal development is the cause of the condition. Congenital scoliosis happens when the spine fails to form properly or segments fuse together during fetal development. The defects in the spine can be minor or result in a more severe deformity.
Neuromuscular scoliosis is when a neurological or muscular disease is causing the scoliosis. The severity of this condition is extremely variable due to the wide variety of these types of diseases.
Scoliosis Symptoms
- Spine may appear to have a “C” or “S” shape
- Tilted head, uneven shoulders or hips
- The torso will rotate, which pulls the belly button off center
- Clothing/apparel may hang unevenly on the body
- One shoulder blade is often higher than the other which aggravates a “rib hump”
- Easily winded during physical activities
- Fatigued after physical activity, including sitting or standing
- Pain in spine between the shoulder blades and at the base of the rib cage
- Headaches
At the Chin’s Qi Tuina Cente, we have treated many patients with Scoliosis. We have succeeded in re-aligning the shoulder blades to even them up, level rib humps, or at least reduce them substantially, alleviate all the pain and aches in the back, shoulder blades, and base of rib cage, and headaches.We infuse energy through clearing qi blockages brought about by the Scoliosis and getting the patient’s qi to flow consistently and thus rejuvenating the patient.An interesting case was that of Chloe, a 12 year old girl from Kuantan, whose mother, Michelle, drives her to our KL clinic every Sunday arriving at 12 noon for treatment. Hers was a adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with a very pronounced “S” curve of 50 degrees.Her parents already ordered a body brace (to prevent her conditioning from worsening) for her with fitting to be done in 2 weeks when they came first to our clinic.After 2 treatments, Chloe’s spine became almost straight at the top, and after another 2 more treatments, her lower back curve was gone as well. They have expressed their sincere thanks and appreciation, and will be coming back for one last check up.After Chloe’s case, there was S. K., another 12 year old schoolgirl with more than 30 degrees, F. Y., a lady in her fifties, and Ong, a man in his 20’s (among others) who came in for corrective treatment. These 3 stories are explained at length at our website, Chin’s Qi Tuina Holistic Centre.
Please go to Chin’s Qi Tuina Cente for Clinic hours, address, and booking of appointments.
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