When people think of scoliosis they think of children and teens with crooked backs when in reality many adults suffer from scoliosis. The popular medical approach to scoliosis treatment is to “wait and see”–to monitor the curve to see if its at risk for progression. By these standards the curves that are treated are those … Read more
We all know that improper posture, both standing and seated, is bad for the joints and especially bad for the back, but could it be worse for scoliosis patients? Research suggests that poor posture can exacerbate scoliosis. Specifically, increased time spent in a seated position–an incorrect seated position–can lead to asymmetry of the spine and … Read more
Jogging and running are fine for most people with scoliosis. The National Institute of Arthritis states: “Although exercise programs have not been shown to affect the natural history of scoliosis, exercise is encouraged in patients with scoliosis to minimize any potential decrease in functional ability over time. It is very important for all people, including … Read more
Scoliosis exercise can be a very effective part of a more comprehensive treatment plan for scoliosis. It’s the type of scoliosis exercise that is key! Exercise for scoliosis can be divided into two groups. Isometric and Isotonic. Isometric scoliosis exercise is a way to exercise the muscles while in a stationary position. Isometric exercise is … Read more
Scoliosis and Osteoporosis A concern with degenerative or adult-onset scoliosis is how it is affected by osteoporosis. Osteoporosis and scoliosis are related because they are both conditions which affect the spine. Osteoporosis is a disease that affects the density or mass of bone structures. Millions are diagnosed with the condition, which decreases the strength of … Read more
In the average person’s mind, scoliosis is associated with children and adolescents and the prevalence of scoliosis amongst adolescents is 4%. Surprisingly, in adults in general, scoliosis is over 20%. It increases to 40% in adults over age 60 and to 68% in adults over age 70. Two thirds of the elderly population has scoliosis … Read more
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) (sometimes referred to as “teenage scoliosis”) is defined as a lateral curvature of the spine greater than 10 degrees accompanied by vertebral rotation and is present in 2 to 4 percent of children between 10 and 16 years of age. It may start at puberty or during a growth spurt in … Read more
Linda Blair – Actress Linda Blair, is most known for her childhood role in the film The Exorcist. In some notorious scenes, Blair violently trashes around on a levitating bed. Blair says she’s never been the same since she starred in the film. Due to a mechanical failure while filming the scene, she sustained a slight … Read more
Since idiopathic scoliosis is common in girls there are concerns about the effects it may have on pregnancy or becoming pregnant. Over the past 40 years, several studies have been conducted with hundreds of women that showed no difference in pregnancy, labor, delivery and fetal complications for women with scoliosis compared to women without. … Read more
Can Baby Walkers, Swingy Swings & Jolly Jumpers cause (or “turn on” genetic predispositions for) Scoliosis in Infants? From TORTIPELVIS VOL. I, by Dr. Fred Barge: From the womb to birth children begin life with their spine in a “C” curve. The secondary curves are not yet developed as is evident in a newborns inability … Read more
Shailene Woodley – Actress Woodley is known for portraying Beatrice Prior in the Divergent series and for other roles like The Fault in Our Stars and Big Little Lies. When she was 15 she was diagnosed with a 38 degree Idiopathic Scoliosis. Woodley was diagnosed later than most because she had passed a scoliosis screening in … Read more
Scoliosis has been known to run in families. According to the University of Iowa Health Care department, “Hereditary and congenital irregularities have emerged as the most probable causes of scoliosis today.” While genetics is believed to play a role in scoliosis and despite the vast amount of research, more than 80 percent of scoliosis cases … Read more