Here’s a riddle for you: What holds your body upright, is made up of a series of irregularly shaped bones, appears to be in a straight line but is also curved when you look at it from the side?
The answer: YOUR SPINE!
When the curves in your spine appear more exaggerated, it’s likely you’re looking at a spinal deformity. There are three ways that the spine can be categorized when it strays from the normal shape:
- Kyphosis
- Lordosis
- Scoliosis
Kyphosis and lordosis both refer to the excessive curvature where there is already a gentle curve in the spine. Kyphosis is the abnormal curvature of the upper back, also known as the thoracic spine, resulting in a round back appearance. Lordosis is an abnormal curvature of the lower back, also known as the lumbar spine, sometimes referred to as swayback.
Scoliosis is when the spine has some form of rotation as well a “C” or “S” shaped curve. You might think these curves appear primarily in the older population but that’s not true. We see all three curves in infants, adolescents and the adult population so age is not necessarily a factor. In this article, we will focus on scoliosis because it’s a condition we help patients with at Loudoun Sports Therapy Center quite often.
Scoliosis can be identified relatively quickly either just by looking at someone’s spine or by using a few tests. However, in most cases, there isn’t a direct cause for the condition. Nearly 80% of all scoliosis diagnoses are idiopathic, meaning there is no direct cause for the curvature. Within that 80%, experts say only 10% of the cases get to the point where treatment is required.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Scoliosis are similar in both adults and adolescents:
- Back pain
- Muscles spasms on one side
- Leaning towards one side
- One shoulder is higher or lower than the other
- “Winged scapula”
- Muscle imbalances
- Clothes hang unevenly
- The most obvious sign is a one-sided “hump” that is noticeable when the person bends forward to try and reach the ground.
At Loudoun Sports Therapy Center, when we look at a patient’s spine, it’s important that we recognize which level and side the curvature is pointing to since that helps dictate the basis for our individualized treatment program. For example, if a patient showed a right thoracic curve, we would focus on strengthening the left side of the thoracic spine to help move the spine back towards the center of the body. If we chose to strengthen the right side, we would only be creating added pull to the right side of the spine and therefore actually increase the curve.
By Cierra Washington. ATC
If you feel as though you may be experiencing pain related to scoliosis or back pain in general please, don’t wait! Call Loudoun Sports Therapy Center today at 703-450-4300. Schedule your personalized evaluation with one of our physical therapist so we can create an individualized treatment program to help you get back to the activities you want and need to be doing everyday!
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