What is Scoliosis?
Scoliosis is a condition characterised by a lateral curvature of the spine. Some of the bones in a scoliotic spine also may have rotated slightly, making the person's waist or shoulders appear uneven. It is frequently a progressive disease with the degree of curvature increasing over time which can lead to a number of secondary health problems.
Scoliosis can develop in anyone, at any point in life from infancy through old age. The upright human posture is reliant upon the continuous precise co-ordination between the central nervous system and the surrounding bone, muscle, cartilage and other soft tissue therefore any disease, injury or posture that results in failure or deterioration of any component can result in the development of scoliosis.
The prevalence of mild to moderate scoliosis in adolescents is 3000-5000 per 100,000 population, and in adults is as high as 12%.
There are several causes of scoliosis:
Congenital Scoliosis
Due to bony abnormalities present at birth involving either failure of formation of a vertebra or separation of adjacent vertebrae.
Neuromuscular problems
Neuromuscular problems can lead to development of scoliosis. Often this is a functional deformity as a result of asymmetric (unbalanced) posture, muscle weakness or leg length differences.
Neuropathic/myopathic scoliosis
Associated with individuals suffering from disorders of the central nervous system such as Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, Muscular Dystrophy, Rett Syndrome and Polio.
Idiopathic Scoliosis
Accounts for 80% of scolioses (idiopathic meaning of an unknown cause). The most common form of scoliosis is Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS), which develops in young adults around the onset of puberty.
Adult scoliosis
May represent the progression of a condition that actually began in childhood, and was not diagnosed or treated while the person was still growing. What might have started out as a slight or moderate curve has progressed in the absence of treatment.
Bambach understands the problems associated with Scoliosis
There are several problems associated with the development of Scoliosis:
- Increased back pain
- Decreased mobility and function
- Decreased pulmonary (lung) function
- Decreased exercise capacity
- Impaired quality of life
The primary aim of scoliosis management is to stop curvature progression. This will limit the associated problems and prevent further deformity which can inevitably require surgical intervention.
Posture plays a crucial role in this process as studies suggest that postural imbalance alone can cause severe scoliosis with vertebral rotation and wedging of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs.
It is suggested that spinal deformity may be still reversible providing that any postural imbalances are addressed and the individual is facilitated in maintaining a symmetrical, balanced posture.
