Scoliosis Management; Depends On the Severity of the Condition and Patient's Physical Maturity

There are three proven methods for the scoliosis management; doctor may recommend surgery, bracing, and observation depending on the severity of the condition and the patient's physical maturity. Scoliosis is a medical condition that causes an abnormal curve of the spine that most often is diagnosed in adolescents. Both men and women are about equally likely to have minor scoliosis, but women are 5 to 10 times more likely to have severe scoliosis, possibly requiring treatment. However, the treatment depends on the severity of the curve and the risk of it getting worse. Orthopedic surgeons or neurosurgeons are often consulted if surgery is needed.

Physiotherapy is an effective solution for scoliosis management. Physical therapy and bracing are used to treat mild scoliosis to avoid surgery and maintain cosmesis. Mild scoliosis is often managed simply with scoliosis-specific physical therapy, medical observation, exercise, and chiropractic treatment from a chiropractic scoliosis specialist. Yoga is also recommended for some people to increase flexibility and decrease their pain level. While massage therapy cannot cure the underlying cause, medical research has found that it can provide temporary relief from scoliosis pain and other symptoms.

Scoliosis is a three-dimensional abnormality that occurs when the spine becomes rotated and curved sideways. According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, scoliosis affects around 2 to 3% of the US population, or around six to nine million people in the United States. Every year, around 29,000 scoliosis surgeries are performed on adolescent patients in the United States alone. The cause of scoliosis is still unknown, however, it may cause due to environmental and/or hereditary factors. It can develop in infancy or early childhood. However, the primary age of onset is 10 to 15 years, occurring equally among both genders.

Thus, there is an increasing demand for the scoliosis management solutions in this region. Signs and symptoms may include pain in the neck & back, respiratory/cardiac problems in severe cases, uneven shoulder area, and constipation due to curvature. Diagnosis of scoliosis can be done with a normal X-ray imaging technique that can reveal the severity of the spinal curvature.