Scoliosis is a medical disorder common to people in which the spine or vertebral column becomes misaligned through a 3-dimensional deviation. Three-dimensional meaning, it can be viewed on the x-ray as resembling a letter “C” or “S” instead of the normal straight line. The word scoliosis came from the Greek word σκολίωσις (skoliosis) literally meaning bended or crooked.

Although both men and women can be afflicted with scoliosis, statistics show that women have more risk of acquiring it. The condition is often seen to aggravate during adolescence when bodily growth is at its peak.

Causes of Scoliosis

Scoliosis is usually congenital in nature. This means that people with scoliosis are often born with it. They had a vertebral abnormality since birth.

In cases when scoliosis is not congenital, the causes can range from neuropathic to myopathic conditions that can result in a loss of muscular support for the spinal column which will lead in the spine and vertebral column being pulled and pushed out through abnormal positions. We call non-congenital scoliosis as secondary scoliosis. Other conditions that can cause secondary scoliosis are myotonia, poliomyelitis, muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy, cerebral palsy, and spinal cord trauma.

If scoliosis is found to have unknown causes, the condition is said to be idiopathic.

Symptoms of Scoliosis

You may have scoliosis if you feel and experience the following signs on your body:

• Crinkled musculature on one side of the spine
• A bulge on any of the ribs or a conspicuous shoulder blade, caused by the rotation of the ribcage due to the crooked vertebral bone misalignment
• Uneven hips, arms, and/or leg lengths
• In some cases, the patient becomes laggard due to slow nerve reception.

Osteopathy and Scoliosis

The treatment of scoliosis via osteopathy depends on the diagnosis. The osteopath will need to examine how intense the bend of the spine is. He or she will check how it impacts your daily functional living and if there is a likelihood of exacerbation.

The therapy osteopaths will perform on the patient can provide assistance in getting movement from the lumbar and thoracic spine, with the goal of accelerating the scope of mobilization in both the said domains of the spine. Osteopaths may advise the patient to do some exercises such as (but not limited to) standing with a hamstring stretch, cat and camel exercise, tilting on the pelvic region, a partial curl action, and/or prone hip extension.

For further information or to consult with one of our skilled osteopaths, you can use the Contact Us or Appointment Request buttons at the top or bottom of this page.