Question:
Can scoliosis curves be cured by...?
2008-09-21 15:55:28 UTC
I have scoliosis;2 curves I might be ading too much but I think they are about 30 and 22-28 degrees. They have not progressed in two years. Is there any way I could reduce the magnitude by stretching or anything that does not include surgery? I've heard bracing wont do much once you stop growing and the doctor said chiropractors aren't good choices. Can anyone give me advice?
Seven answers:
eilonwy82971
2008-09-21 17:26:48 UTC
How old are you? The more growth that a person has remaining increases the chances of scoliosis getting worse. A rough estimate is that you are down growing two years after you begin menstruating.



You need to see a spine specialist, either neurosurgeon or an orthopedic surgeon. I don't trust chiropractors. I had my back manipulated once or twice, it always hurt worse after they were done with it. As a nurse, I've also cared for a few patients who required surgery after seeing a chiropractor because the chiropractor actually caused nerve damage.



Treatment of scoliosis is based on the severity of the curve and the chances of the curve getting worse. Certain types of scoliosis have a greater chance of getting worse, so the type of scoliosis also helps to determine the proper treatment. There are three main categories of treatment: observation, bracing, and surgery.



If the curve is <25 degrees, it can be observed and followed with routine X-rays and measurements. If the curve is 25-40 degrees, a brace may be recommended. If the curve is >40 degrees, then surgery may be recommended.



Physical therapy, massage, exercises, and yoga can help strengthen the back muscles and relieve pain. But they are not a cure for scoliosis and will not be able to correct the abnormal curve.



If you've finished growing, it is not likely to get worse. But you should still stay current with your spine specialist. I'm 37 and I'm supposed to get a spine check every 3-5 years.
Trixy
2015-08-06 01:57:37 UTC
This Site Might Help You.



RE:

Can scoliosis curves be cured by...?

I have scoliosis;2 curves I might be ading too much but I think they are about 30 and 22-28 degrees. They have not progressed in two years. Is there any way I could reduce the magnitude by stretching or anything that does not include surgery? I've heard bracing wont do much once you stop growing...
susswein
2016-09-28 06:12:01 UTC
Can Scoliosis Be Cured
Scott B
2008-09-21 20:56:14 UTC
There isn't a lot that you can do to keep your spine from curving. You have only a few choices, assuming that you have structural scoliosis. (Keep reading...)



o You can exercise - that strengthens your core muscles which may reduce pain or help keep pain away, but it won't treat your curve.



o You can wear a brace - Many people, myself included, have worn them. They are supposed to keep your curve from getting worse, or at least slow down the speed at which your curve is increasing. They usually don't fix your curve. Bracing is only effective if your curve is around 25-40 degrees and you are still growing.



o pain management - pain pills or injections bring many of us with major pain to the point where most people are without the meds. There are many meds that are either taken by themselves or in combination with other meds. The key is to keep your pain doc informed when something isn't working (after giving it a reasonable chance to work). This should be done only if surgery isn't possible or you still have problems even after surgery.



o Surgery - This is done usually if your curve is greater than 50 degrees or it is increasing fast enough that there's little doubt that the curve will soon be greater than 50 degrees. This is the treatment you get when all else fails.



I've posted the following a few times for other people with questions. I hope I'll answer the things that have you concerned.



Scoliosis comes mainly in two flavors - functional (the curve is caused by another issue (uneven leg length for example) and structural. There are two main kinds of structural scoliosis - congenital (present at birth) and idiopathic (unknown cause). It is important for you to know what kind you have.



If you have functional scoliosis, a chiropractor may be able to help. Shoe lifts may help with uneven legs, but there can be many causes of functional scoliosis. I don't have much experience with functional scoliosis.



If you have structural scoliosis, there's not a lot you can do. The main treatments depend on how bad the curve is and how much more growth you have to go. Its not possible to predict how much or how fast a curve may increase.



You need to see a scoliosis specialist if you're not doing that already. A doctor that is not trained as a scoliosis specialist doesn't have the expertise to treat it.



Any curve under 10 degrees is considered normal and probably isn't monitored.



Curves from 10-25 degrees are mild but should be monitored, especially if you're still growing.



Curves from 25-40 degrees are moderate with bracing possible. You will need monitoring, especially if you're still growing.



Surgery may be recommended if your curve doesn't respond to bracing. Bracing will do no good if you're through growing. The purpose of a brace isn't to make your curve better, but rather to keep the curve from becoming worse.



Curves greater than 45 degrees is major. Surgery may be recommended. This depends on many things, but whether you're done growing, whether your curve is increasing, whether your heart and lungs are in danger of being squeezed by your curve, whether you're in pain, quality of life, etc.



If your curve is over 30 degrees, there is a good chance that it will increase even when you're through growing. (Mine did.)



Unfortunately, nothing can *fix* idiopathic scoliosis. Surgery can keep the curve from getting worse, and in most cases, will reduce the curve but most likely your spine won't be straight (unless you are very flexible in the area to be fused, then you might be lucky).



Chiropractors, message therapists, acupuncturists, etc., can't fix idiopathic scoliosis. These people adjust the soft, connective tissues and that may (or may not, you can't tell ahead of time) make you feel better, but remember, idiopathic scoliosis is not a connective tissue disease. Your spine is growing curved.
2016-04-22 19:19:52 UTC
Hypothyroidism, or low thyroid function, is a silent epidemic, according to many functional medicine doctors. How to cure hypothyroidism naturally https://tr.im/9gjRP



People can suffer for years with symptoms that our conventional medical system frequently doesn’t know how to treat because complaints seem scattered or vague and often there is no pill for the ill(s).



What’s worse, in most cases, hypothyroidism isn’t rooted in a thyroid problem in the first place. It’s rooted in an immune system gone awry, but most doctors don’t test for the antibodies that show the presence of autoimmunity.
Fraser
2017-02-10 14:44:49 UTC
2
2017-01-27 03:38:55 UTC
1


This content was originally posted on Y! Answers, a Q&A website that shut down in 2021.
Loading...