How to live with scoliosis
Living with scoliosis is a fact of life for some people. Idiopathic Scoliosis is the most common form of scoliosis and often develops in early childhood. Most cases of scoliosis are very mild and people experience little or no pain related to it. If the spinal curvatures get more severe, it can start to increase compression in the thoracic cavity containing your lungs and heart. This can lead to breathing and heart related issues. So how do you live with scoliosis?
If it is mild, staying active and strengthening the core muscles may help stabilize and reduce the potential for the condition to worsen. For children, be aware that the pressure from wearing a backpack may increase discomfort in the back but will not contribute to worsening the condition. Wearing a brace can help mitigate the potential progression of the condition. Surgery is typically not recommended with mild forms of scoliosis.
If the condition is moderate to severe, staying active and strengthening the core muscles are still recommended, but with increased precautions. Physical therapy and chiropractic care are good options because the expertise in designing a proper program will help address most issue. Avoid carry heavy loads as the spine is not strongly supported and can lead to injury. A brace is typically mandatory to help provide support and a surgical option may be recommended to correct the condition. If you are wearing a brace, make sure to wear it at least 13 hours per day because studies have shown that wearing the brace only 6 hours a day has little or no affect on the condition. If surgery is recommended many patients experience some correction in the curvature of their spine. Just be aware the recovery time may take from 6 months to a year.