Causes of Scoliosis
The most common causes of non-idiopathic scoliosis are birth defects and other genetic conditions, neuromuscular problems, and leg-length disparity. Scoliosis can also be caused by disease conditions, such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, and tumors, all of which require prompt medical attention. Although conventional medicine claims there are no known causes of idiopathic scoliosis, alternative health practitioners disagree. From the perspective of alternative medicine, idiopathic scoliosis is primarily caused by misalignments of the spine (known as subluxations, according to chiropractic theory) and/or stagnation in the body`s flow of vital energy.
Subluxations cause pressure to be exerted on the nerves that pass through the spine. Over time, this nerve pressure can cause muscles along the spine to tighten and contract along one side of the spine, while corresponding muscles along the opposite of the spine weaken. This causes the vertebrae of the spine to be pulled in the direction of the contracting spine, causing scoliosis.
Stagnation of the body`s vital energy, known as qi by practitioners of acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine, can also cause spinal muscles to tighten and contract, pulling the vertebrae out of alignment and causing the spine to become curved.
Finally, one of the most common causes of idiopathic scoliosis, especially in teenagers and adults, is habitual posture, both while sitting and standing. As your poor posture habits become more pronounced, your body is forced to compensate. This compensation process can also cause muscle contraction and lead to scoliosis.
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Natural Cures
Acupuncture: Acupuncture can help correct scoliosis that is caused by muscle contractions due to its ability to release your body`s stagnant vital energy or qi. As your vital energy begins to freely flow once more, your muscles will automatically start to relax and return to their normal shape. This, in turn, can significantly improve scoliosis.
To further stimulate vital energy and correct scoliosis, electrical current may sometimes be passed through the acupuncture needles. This helps to deepen the effects of the acupuncture treatment, resulting in deeper healing and longer-lasting results.
Aromatherapy: Massaging tense muscles that are contributing to your scoliosis with essential oils can help release muscle tension and contraction. Ideal essential oils for this purpose include clary sage, lavender, marjoram, and rosemary.
Bodywork: The field of bodywork offers a number of techniques for treating and preventing scoliosis, such as Rolfing and Hellerwork, both which involve manipulation of the muscles, connective tissue, and joints in order to allow the body, muscles, and connective tissue to properly realign themselves. Other types of bodywork that can effectively treat scoliosis include Bowen Therapy, Massage Therapy, Reflexology, and Shiatsu. Movement awareness therapies such as the Alexander technique, the Feldenkrais Method, and Trager Work, are also effective for realigning and correcting posture and spinal curvature.
Chiropractic: Chiropractic can be very effective in helping to resolve scoliosis because of its ability to correct spinal misalignments. All forms of chiropractic care work by adjusting the spine to release subluxations. In doing so, chiropractic also alleviates nerve pressure and restores normal muscle function, all of which can significantly reduce scoliosis symptoms.
Two specific chiropractic methods are particularly useful for scoliosis. The first is known as the Pettibon technique, since it was developed by the chiropractor Burl Pettibon. This method works by correcting specific distortions in the spine and surrounding muscles that most commonly cause or contribute to scoliosis.
A second method, known as chiropractic biophysics, or CBP, entails in-depth analysis of spinal distortions and poor posture. In addition to chiropractic adjustments specifically tailored to address these issues, chiropractors trained in CBP also instruct their patients in self-care exercises that they can use to further correct their scoliosis symptoms.
Lifestyle: In dealing with scoliosis, it is essential that you improve your posture and learn how to properly move your body. A regular exercise program, especially stretching, can also help improve your symptoms.
Nutritional Supplements: Calcium and magnesium supplements can help your back muscles to relax, thereby helping to release chronic muscle contraction that is associated with scoliosis.
Osteopathy: Because of their ability to combine conventional and alternative medicine techniques, osteopathic physicians (D.O.s) are in a unique position to treat scoliosis. Osteopathic techniques range from gentle joint work to specific thrust approaches similar to chiropractic adjustments.
In addition to being able to manipulate the spine and other joints of the body to relieve tight muscles and restore spinal alignment, most D.O.s are also licensed to give injections in order to relieve painful inflammation in the joints that can also cause scoliosis. In addition, they may use electrical stimulation and various forms of mechanical therapy in order to trigger muscle relaxation, including gentle "muscle energy" techniques, and functional and positional release techniques, all of which are unique to osteopathic medicine.
Physical Manipulation Techniques: Physical manipulation techniques help to move the muscles, connective tissues, and vertebrae of the back into proper alignment, and can also correct problems relating to stress and physical pain. Physical therapists will also usually work to stretch and relax muscles by teaching their patients effective stretching exercises, and by training them to develop healthier habits related to posture.
Alternative Professional Care
The following professional care therapies are also useful for treating and preventing scoliosis: Alphabiotics, Applied Kinesiology, Craniosacral Therapy, Neural Therapy, Qigong, Tai Chi, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Yoga. (See Glossary for descriptions of these Alternative Therapies.)
2006-10-06 17:03:59
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answer #1
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answered by Anonymous
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I have scoliosis and I would recommend that you consider a rolling backpack (see link below). It's important not to strain your back. When you're pain free it's easier to get motivated to exercise. Before exercising at any gym, make sure that you have an advisor who's well trained so that you don't do anything to injure yourself. If your college has a major in kinesthesiology (or if not, then even phy ed) they may be able to refer you to someone for a few training session on how to exercise properly. When you get up from bed, always roll on your side first, then flex your knees and gently lift up to a sitting position. Hope these suggestions and links help you.
2006-10-06 17:19:26
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answer #2
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answered by Anonymous
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Two of my patients were treated in India for their back problem in India by the Forerunners Healthcare.One was a young man who was treated for herniated disc by microsurgical discectomy and the other was a little girl who was treated for scoliosis by laminectomy and spinal fusion.The results in both the cases were excellent.I strongly recommend you to check your scoliosis surgery options with the Forerunners Healthcare.
Forerunners Healthcare is very famous in India. I read a lot about them in the Newspapers and magazines. I have read a lot of their patient stories also. They arrange financing for USA, Canadian, UK and other international patients who plan to have surgery abroad for low price, as all joint surgery is not covered by insurance in USA or by NHS in the UK. They also have photos pasted of their International patients. You can checkout their website. There are huge cost savings. As a doctor I personally believe that your surgery can be easily handled in India, as the quality of healthcare available In India is simply best in the world. The surgeons are USA/UK trained and facilities are 5 star.
http://www.forerunnershealthcare.com
Hope this helps.
2006-10-08 02:07:41
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answer #6
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answered by Anonymous
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