Straigt Answers on Scoliosis & Spine Health

By Dr. Randall Hensley, D.C., Hensley ChiropracticIt's likely your first and only exposure to this term was during a junior high scoliosis screening. As such this musculoskeletal condition is frequently surrounded by confusion, questions, and fear. The following points are offered to settle your nerves regarding this diagnosis.

What is it?


From the Greek “skolios” for twisted or crooked, the term “scoliosis” describes any functional or structural tilting or sideways curvature of the spine. The human spine should have three curves front to back as looking from the side but when looking straight at a mirror, there should be no sideways curvature or asymmetry.


What causes it?


Measured in degrees of curvature, scoliosis can be “structural” such as a curve caused by a malformed vertebrae or “nonstructural” as in a compensatory curve due to a muscle spasm caused by a nerve irritated by a disc herniation. Although there are 7 different classifications of spinal curves and 8 different types of “structural scoliosis” the “idiopathic structural” form of scoliosis is by far the most common and most frustrating because “idiopathic” means “unknown cause”. There is a strong hereditary and female predilection. Scoliosis is usually progressive during adolescent growth spurts and later as degenerative changes remodel the spine.


What are the signs and symptoms?


Very often scoliosis is totally asymptomatic until severe. A chiropractor or other health professional trained in screening for scoliosis will look for differences in shoulder or hip height, lateral deviation of the head or shoulders, rib-cage deformity, muscular imbalances, etc. In additional to the visual and orthopedic examination, the gold standard for curvature diagnosis is a weight-bearing standing x-ray of the full spine.


How much curve is too much curve?


Two main questions arise from a positive scoliosis exam. How curved is it and is it getting worse? The second of these questions is very significant because it is the driving force behind the selected treatment and timeline.

How is it treated?


The ideal goal of treatment begins with a correct and early diagnosis. Secondly, one must identify and eliminate any subtle cause or modifiable contributing factors such as poor postural habits, structural imbalance, asymmetrical foot pronation, etc. Although some debate exists regarding the efficacy of certain treatments, options range from simply watching for progression, corrective postural exercises, chiropractic adjustments, palliative symptom care, corrective orthotics, full spine bracing, traction, and invasive spinal surgery.


What to do:


Parents, please be observant of your child's posture, be pro-active in requesting a spinal exam from your health care providers, and do all you can in minimizing the consequences of this potentially life-altering condition.