| Frequently
asked questions: Page (1)
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| Can
you please refer me to a doctor for my scoliosis? |
| Lists
of some orthopedic doctors who are spine specialists
are available for most states. The presence of a doctor's
name on the list for any slot is not to be considered
an endorsement or referral by the NSF. Please write
to us and indicate which state list you would like
to recieve. Your family physician, local hospitals
or state medical societies are also sources for referrals. |
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| My
doctor told me not to worry about my scoliosis. What
should I do? |
| If
you are concerned about the diagnosis given to you,
feel free to seek a second opinion. |
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| Can
you tell me what is the best treatment for Scoliosis? |
| The
treatment prescribed for scoliosis, kyphosis or lordosis
varies with the individual patient. Severity and location
of the curve, age, potential for further growth and
general health of the patient all must be taken into
account. A mild curvature (up to 20 degrees) generally
needs only periodic observation to watch for signs
of further progression. Bracing is the usual treatment
for children and adolescent with curves of 25-40 degrees,
and in other special circumstances. |
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| I
have a mild scoliosis curvature. Should I be concerned? |
| Four
out of five people with scoliosis have curves of less
than 20 degrees. Such curves are usually unnoticable
to the untrained eye and are no cause for concern,
provided they show no sign of further progression.
However, in growing children and adolescents, mild
curvatures can worsen quite rapidly (10 degrees or
more in a few months ). Therefore, for this age group,
frequent checkups by a primary care physician or orthopedist
is well advised. |
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| Will
you please send me a description of exercises to help
my scoliosis? |
| Orthopedists
tell us that exercise alone will not prevent a curvature
from progressing. Exercises are prescribed in conjunction
with brace treatment to maintain muscle tone while
the torso is immobilized by the brace. These exercises
are prescribed individually according to the age of
the patient and the location and degree of the curvature. |
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| Do
you think a chiropractor could help my scoliosis? |
For
moderate to major curvatures:
We do not know of any long-term study which shows
that chiropractic treatment can stop a moderate (over
25 degrees) or major curve (over 40 degrees) from
progressing in the bone growing years. It has been
our experience that chiropractors who are knowledgeable
about the development of idiopathic scoliosis in children
will refer young patients with such curvatures to
an orthopedist for a second opinion.
For
minor curvatures:
It is still not clear whether spinal manipulation
is effective in controling minor curves (under 20
degrees). Chiropractors do tell us that they have
had success but they have not sent us controlled
research data to support these claims. On the other
hand, the data collected by orthopedists shows that
without any form of treatment, 4 out of 5 minor
curvatures will not progress beyond 20 degrees.
For this reason, orthopedists no longer treat such
minor curvatures but they do recommend periodic
observation, especially in growing children.
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