Scoliosis - What is it & how can it be treated?

Are you looking for scoliosis treatment in Oxford? What exactly is scoliosis, and how can it be treated using osteopathy? Let's take a look. Scoliosis is a fairly common condition in my Oxford practice. Scoliosis means lateral curves of the spine, and it's much more common than you might think. We all have curves in our spines; usually, these are positioned front to back. However, with scoliosis, the angles are from left to right. These spinal curves can affect people of all ages and, surprisingly, are much more common in females (we get all the breaks, hey?).

The significant causes of scoliosis are a mystery. Some of the known reasons, however, are as follows:

• Spinal bones not forming correctly in the womb (Congenital Scoliosis)
• Underlying nervous or muscular concerns (Neuromuscular Scoliosis)
• Age-related wear and tear (Degenerative Scoliosis)

What are the main signs and symptoms of scoliosis to look out for?

• Tendency to lean on or favour one side
• Hip / Ribs / Shoulders sloping to one side
• From nagging to chronic back pain
• Visible curvature of the spine
• Inhibited mobility
• Clothing is not fitting as it should

What treatment options are available? Osteopathy can be an effective technique available to you if you have scoliosis, and treatment for scoliosis is very much age-dependent and will vary greatly depending on how severe the twist or curve is. When treating older patients, the focus is on maintaining mobility, reducing the symptoms, and slowing the progression. Scoliosis is a progressive condition.

However, this is not the case with infants, as in quite a few cases, there may be no need for treatment, as the twist or curve straightens out as the spine matures and grows. A brace can implemented to ensure the spinal issues do not worsen as they grow. The good news is that scoliosis in children is managed well due to these bones not having completely fused yet.

With older children, they may also need to wear a back brace or support to stop the curve from getting worse as they grow. Occasionally, surgery is required to temper and support the growth of the spine, followed by an operation to straighten the spine once it has finished the growing phase.

As mentioned, I focus on pain relief, mobility, and symptomatic relief in adults. Also, strengthening the supporting muscles can be beneficial with Pilates. Exercise is a hugely important practice for children with scoliosis, as it will help improve core muscle strength, which is proven to help reduce instances or severity of back pain.

If you or one of your loved ones suffers from the above symptoms, why not call Sophie for a consultation at her Oxford practice? You can contact her at info@kenningtonosteo.co.uk or by calling 07787 404419

Thank you for reading, and I hope this info is helpful!

Until next time,

Sophie x

‍