Scoliosis

Overview

Scoliosis is a back condition characterized by unnatural curvature of the spine. Usually scoliosis creates two types of back curvatures: First, the original irregular curve, and second, the additional curve in the opposite direction caused by the body`s attempt to balance the original curvature. Conventional medicine treats scoliosis by electro-shock of the backbone, back braces, and surgical treatments ranging from spine fusion to the installation of supports along the backbone to prevent further curvature. In stark contrast to these approaches, holistic health care practitioners have a far less drastic and less invasive approach in their treatment options to help reverse scoliosis.

Types of Scoliosis

There are a number of different types of scoliosis, ranging from congenital scoliosis, which occurs due to birth defects, inflammation related scoliosis, which is caused by irritation of the spine, and osteopathic scoliosis, caused by deformed spine vertebrae. By far the most common type of scoliosis, however, is idiopathic scoliosis, which is scoliosis with no known cause. Idiopathic scoliosis affects people who are otherwise healthy and accounts for more than 80% of all instances of scoliosis. Idiopathic scoliosis is divided into four groups based on a person`s age: Infantile scoliosis (children 3 and under), juvenile scoliosis (children 3-9 years old), adolescent scoliosis (children and teenagers, 10-18 years of age), and adult scoliosis, which occurs after a person stops growing in height. Of these subcategories, the most common form of scoliosis is actually adolescent scoliosis.

Symptoms of Scoliosis

The most common symptom of scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine, however there are many other symptoms including, irregular shoulder heights, one prominent shoulder blade, pelvic bone off to one side, a raised hip, different left and right rib-cage heights, uneven waistline, changes in the skin covering the spine, and slanting of the body to one side.

Causes of Scoliosis

The most common causes of non-idiopathic scoliosis are birth defects, genetic conditions, neuromuscular difficulties, and lower-leg-length disparity. Scoliosis can also be caused by diseases such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, and tumors, all of which require quick medical attention. Although conventional medicine claims there are no recognized causes of idiopathic scoliosis, alternative health practitioners don’t agree. From the viewpoint of alternative treatment, idiopathic scoliosis is mainly caused by misalignments of the backbone (known as subluxations, according to chiropractic theory) and/or even stagnation in the body`s circulation of vital energy.

Subluxations cause stress to be exerted on the nerves that pass through the backbone. Over time, this nerve pressure can cause spinal muscle tissue to contract one one side of the spine, while corresponding muscles along the opposite side of the spine weaken. This will cause the vertebrae of the spine to be pulled in the direction of the contracting muscles, causing scoliosis.

Decreases in the body’s vital energy, known as Chi by practitioners of acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine, may also cause spinal muscles to tighten and contract, pulling the vertebrae out of alignment causing the spine to become curved.

Finally, the most common cause of idiopathic scoliosis, among teens and adults, is chronic posture problems, both while sitting and standing. As poor posture habits take over, your body starts to compensate. This compensation can trigger muscle shrinkage and result in scoliosis.

Natural Cures

Traditional Chinese Medicine: Acupuncture can help correct scoliosis caused by muscle contractions associated with the body’s lack of vital energy. As your vital energy begins to freely flow once more, your muscles may automatically start to relax and return to their normal form. This, in turn, can significantly improve scoliosis.

To further stimulate vital energy and improve scoliosis, electric current might sometimes be passed with the use of acupuncture needles. This helps to deepen the effects of the traditional Chinese treatments, leading to a deeper recovery and longer-lasting results.

Aromatherapy: Massaging the tight muscles which are contributing to scoliosis with essential natural oils can help relieve muscle tension and contraction. Ideal essential oils for this include clary sage, lavender, marjoram, and rosemary.

Bodywork: The field of bodywork offers a number of processes for treating and preventing scoliosis, such as Rolfing and Hellerwork, both of which involve adjustment of the muscles, connective tissue, and joints to allow the entire body to correctly realign on its own. Other types of body treatments that can effectively treat scoliosis include, Bowen Therapy, Massage Therapy, Reflexology, and Shiatsu. Movement awareness therapies such as the Alexander Technique, the Feldenkrais Method, and the Trager Function, are also all effective for realigning and fixing posture issues, and spinal curves.

Chiropractic Treatments: Chiropractic treatments can be very effective for helping to solve scoliosis because of their ability to correct spinal misalignments. Chiropractic treatments work by adjusting the spine to release subluxations. By doing so, chiropractic care also alleviates nerve stress and restores normal muscle function, which can significantly reduce scoliosis symptoms.

Specific chiropractic methods tend to be particularly useful for scoliosis. The first, known as the Pettibon method, was developed by the chiropractic specialist Burl Petition. This method functions by correcting distortions in the spine and surrounding muscles which most commonly cause or contribute to scoliosis.

A second technique, known as chiropractic care biophysics, or CBP, entails in-depth evaluation of spinal distortions as well as poor position. In addition to chiropractic adjustments specifically tailored to address these issues, chiropractors trained in CBP also instruct their patients in self-care exercises that they can make use of to further correct their scoliosis symptoms.

Lifestyle: In dealing with scoliosis, it is essential that you improve your posture and learn how to properly realign your body. A regular exercise program, particularly stretching, can also help improve your symptoms.

Supplements: Calcium and magnesium supplements can help your back muscles relax, therefore helping to release chronic muscle mass contraction associated with scoliosis.

Osteopathy: Due to their ability to combine conventional and alternative medical techniques, osteopathic physicians have a unique ability to treat scoliosis. Osteopathic techniques range from gentle joint therapy to specific adjustment methods similar to chiropractic care.

In addition to being able to adjust the spine and other joints of the body to relieve restricted muscles and restore spine alignment, the majority of Osteopaths also licensed to give injections in order to relieve painful inflammation in the joints that cause scoliosis. Additionally, they may use electrical shock and various forms of physical therapy to trigger muscle relaxation, including gentle “muscle energy” methods, and practical and positional release techniques, all of which are unique to osteopathic treatments.

Physical Manipulation Techniques: Physical manipulation methods help to move the muscles, connective tissues, and spinal vertebrae back into proper alignment, and can also correct difficulties relating to stress and pain. Physical therapists will also usually work to stretch as well as relax muscles by teaching their patients effective stretching workouts, and by training them to maintain healthier posture.

Alternative Expert Care

The following professional therapies are also useful for dealing with and preventing scoliosis: Alphabiotics, Applied Kinesiology, Craniosacral Treatment, Neural Treatment, Qigong, Tai Chi, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Yoga. (See Glossary for descriptions of these Alternative Therapies.)