Scoliosis awareness is important to everyone. Whether we have scoliosis or know someone who does, understanding the affliction can help to bring awareness to those around us. The more people are aware of this spinal condition, the more understanding that can take place and the more research that can be done.
What is scoliosis and why are we not aware? Scoliosis is a spinal condition when the spine is curved in an ‘s’ or ‘c’ shape rather than a vertical line. A small variation is straightness is normal, but a pronounced curve is not.
Scoliosis Awareness
Scoliosis is the most common form of deformity affecting the spine, with approximately 3% of the United States having this condition. While 3% does not seem like a large a large amount of the population, scoliosis is deemed prevalent, if not well known. Bringing awareness to the deformity will help shed light on the 3% of people seeking treatment and all they are capable of.
We at Better Health Chiropractic in Wasilla are able to work with those living with scoliosis and bring their patients to overall higher element of wellness. Managing one’s spinal health, especially when living with scoliosis, can help to alleviate pain, increase flexibility and strength, and relieve pain and irritation.
Perhaps due to the low percentage of people living with scoliosis, there are fewer people aware of the condition than other, more common, back conditions. The more prevalent the talk surrounding spine health becomes, the more prevalent talk on the topics of spinal deformity can take place. With increased talk and research comes an increase in awareness.
Read More:
- Bone Marrow Transplant – Treatment of the Incurable
- How To Keep Your Knees and Hips Healthy?
- Benefits of Yoga for Senior Citizens
What causes this condition? The cause of scoliosis is currently unknown. The deformity happens to men and women, young and old, but generally is diagnosed in the early teen years. Pediatricians may be the first to find scoliosis when examining children. During a well visit, a doctor may find a child having an uneven leg length or unsteady gait. The child may also have hips that vary in size. These clues may bring a pediatrician to investigate more into the health of a child’s spine, thereby diagnosing scoliosis.
New parents should be aware of the possibility of scoliosis in their child. Scoliosis awareness will educate parents of the symptoms to look for in advance of a diagnosis. Early knowledge on the condition may bring early preventive techniques to prevent further deformation of the spine. Early treatments and therapies can also help awareness of other conditions in the spine that may occur in tandem with scoliosis. Being fully aware of the spinal health of your child will bring a well-rounded approach to one’s future health.
Women tend to have more serious forms of scoliosis compared to men. While this determination is seemingly disastrous, there are many ways in which awareness of one’s gender predisposition to scoliosis can help one overcome it. Technology has made scoliosis research more advanced, therefore, treatments for scoliosis have also become more prevalent and successful. Women respond well to treatments and braces during treatment and should be aware of their abilities to overcome this challenge.
How is scoliosis awareness bringing about a diagnosis? Being aware of the potential deformities of one’s spine, or a spine of someone they love can help bring the first step to a chiropractor easier. The spine should be viewed by a medical doctor and through a chiropractor, with a diagnosis being made after an MRI and exams.
There are many types of scoliosis to be aware of. Idiopathic, neuromuscular, degenerative, and congenital scoliosis is different in nature and describes a variance of attributes. Being aware of each type can help you to determine whether you or someone you love s at risk of developing either type or bring awareness to you in how to treat each case as it presents.
Idiopathic is a type of spinal deformity that appears without reason or cause, although the deformity can be genetic. The spine is simply curved without having an injury or genetic disposition. This type of scoliosis is the most common form and is prevalent in as many as 85% of cases.
Neuromuscular scoliosis derives from other issues such as cerebral palsy or other neuromuscular diseases. Congenital scoliosis derives from birth and can affect 1 in 10,000 births. This type of scoliosis is seen as the spine taking a sideways shape. Being aware of the different types of scoliosis can bring you to understand how and why your spine has taken shape and what treatment is best for you. Having scoliosis will not be a death sentence for those living with the condition. Scoliosis requires treatment and therapies but will not severely impact one’s daily life.
Degenerative scoliosis is another type of deformity to be aware of. This type of scoliosis is developed over time and diagnosed in adults. The spinal column wears down with age, injury, and poor health, resulting in a spinal deformation of a curve.
Being aware of spinal health, and specifically, scoliosis can bring about enlightenment to how important spinal health is. Caring for one’s spine can help prevent scoliosis that develops over time. Being aware of the signs of scoliosis can help detect symptoms in those already afflicted that may go undiagnosed.