What is Scoliosis?

When looking at you from a side view, your spine has three normal curves-one in the neck, one in the upper back, and another in the lower back. These curves serve a vital function of being shock absorbers for your body during walking and other activities.

When looking at you from a front view, your spine should be straight. If your spine has a side-to-side curve, this curve is called scoliosis. A scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of your spine and it interferes with your spine's shock absorbing capabilities.

You will almost never feel any pain when scoliosis is first developing, so regular checks are very important. If scoliosis is detected early, you can receive treatment that may control the condition and prevent pain from developing in the future.

If the curve increases, you eventually may have back pain, lose flexibility, and appear bent over. You also may be more likely to develop arthritis, respiratory infections, and heart problems as you grow older.

Who Gets It and When?

According to statistics from the National Institutes of Health, anywhere from 5 to 10 of every 100 young people from ages 9 to 14 will develop scoliosis.

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Most cases of scoliosis are mild-meaning that they don't require surgery or orthopedic bracing.

These "mild" cases need monitoring, BEYOND WHAT YOUR CHILD GETS IN BY THE SCHOOL NURSE in order to prevent your child from developing muscular imbalances in his or her body that will eventually lead to PAIN.

The best way to find and control scoliosis is to look for it often during the years when your bones are growing the fastest, which is from age 9-14.

Have you ever been checked for a short leg?

Studies suggest that 1 in 4 people have one leg that is anatomically shorter than the other. This leads to an imbalance in your hips, pelvis, and spine. Sometimes what appears to be a mild scoliosis may simply be the consequence what a short leg does to your posture. School nurses and most MD's don't look for this!

If you or you child have been told that you may have a "mild" scoliosis, consult a chiropractor immediately who specializes in posture correction! Identifying and correcting a leg length imbalance is the key to preventing future muscle problems and pain!