How We Dealt With Mom's Spinal Stenosis Treatment

There was a sinking feeling in my stomach as I watched my mother make her way slowly and painfully down the stairs; right then and there, I made an appointment with her doctor for another approach on her spinal stenosis treatment. There are various courses of action you can take with spinal stenosis treatment - medications with anti-inflammatory drugs, conservative treatments, and surgical procedures. We discussed another method with her doctor and we decided to stick to the anti-inflammatory drugs but use another type of medicine thought to be more effective. We zeroed in on a thoraco-lumbar spinal brace to help support her lower back and, with a lot of opposition from her, convinced her to use a cane when walking for more than a few minutes. Surgery was still not a good option, the doctor thought, since we hadn't completely explored all out options yet.

So you understand a little more of what's happening in my mother's body, spinal stenosis is the constricting of the hollow tube that holds the spinal cord and the nerves. While this could be a birth defect, this stenosis has many causes. Bulging discs can take up space in the spine, and so can bone spurs and calcification. Aging complications like arthritis don't help either. My mother always thought of her back pain as normal and would just take painkillers for it, more like what you would do for bulging disc treatments. We knew it was really bad when she asked us to bring her to the doctor. He put her through a thorough physical check-up and requested she take some MRI scans to pinpoint the problem. That's the first time she got spinal stenosis treatment and it really helped her.

Conservative spinal stenosis treatment mainly involves physical therapy that makes use of light exercise to help keep the patient moving while allowing him to deal with the pain better. The activities can be combined with steroidal epidural injections, although this is not allowed more than three times a year. It's not a therapeutic treatment, though, but more of a pain management procedure. This has a success rate of about 50% though, and it's recommended because the patient remains in control of his body for much longer.

Spinal stenosis treatment also focuses on the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and analgesics. These provide temporary relief from the pain but can damage the liver and kidneys in the long run. Coupled with supplements like glucosamine and a complete multivitamin with B-complex and 1200 mg of folic acid, it's being touted as the latest cure for stenosis, although the jury is still out on its effectivity.

The last resort in spinal stenosis treatment is one most sufferers wish to avoid - surgery. While there are many kinds of surgery that can be performed on stenosis, their main goal is to release the compression on the nerves and alleviate the pain. There are a lot of fancy medical terms that would just go over the layman's head but all they actually do is describe what part of the spine or which vertebrae are going to be treated.

Surgeons would actually not prefer to perform this delicate treatment unless absolutely necessary as surgery can provide up to 85% of relief to spinal stenosis, spinal stenosis treatment will only resort to this if all other none-invasive treatments have failed.

Chiropractic Exercises to Relieve Back Pain

Try these three extremely effective and quick exercises to decrease your middle and upper back pain. Better yet, you can do them at home, and it just takes a few minutes.

Almost everyone has back pain at some point. If you constantly bend and twist, you are constantly at risk of hurting your back. Therefore, if you do have to bend or twist, make sure you're doing so properly. You should also be aware that there are lots of different kinds of exercises that you can do so that if you do have back pain, you can get rid of it. When you do these exercises, you should feel better very quickly. However, do go see your doctor if you have severe pain, and don't do these exercises until your doctor says it's fine.

The first exercise that can help you with your middle or upper back pain involves your hamstrings. Hamstring stretches actually do help your back, even though that might not make sense. Why? Because everything in your body is connected to something else, and if you have tight hamstrings, this can make you have a tight back, too. And if a tight back is allowed to continue, you could eventually have back pain because of it. So, stretch your hamstrings by standing up, bending your knees just slightly, and then bending over to touch your toes. More than likely, you're not going to be able to touch your toes, but if you try to do so every time you do this, you should see that you get farther every time you try.

Next, try this exercise for middle upper back pain, called the "cat stretch." With this particular type of stretch, you stretch your back. Get on the floor, on all fours, and position your hands and knees as though you're simply going to crawl. Keep your hands and knees in place, and then just lean back. Look at your dog or cat sometime when he or she stretches. This stretch should look like that for you. When you do this "cat stretch," you're stretching your back muscles. This will make your back less tight, which will alleviate pain.

You can also strengthen your back to alleviate back pain, and because of that, you should do some strengthening exercises, too. Most people injure their backs because their backs are either weak, tight, or both. Your lower back is usually going to give you the most problems. First, try doing something called the "Superman." Lie flat on the floor, face down, and lift your back, stretching your legs and arms out behind you at the same time, and keeping them straight and "pulling back." Hold this position for a few seconds, and then return to starting position. These and other exercises can most certainly help decrease middle and upper back pain.

These exercises are simple but very effective, and they can be beneficial right now. In no time, your middle or upper back pain could be a distant memory. Do these exercises to enjoy the quality of life you've been missing.

Visiting the Doctor For Back Pain: What To Ask And Tell

You've decided to see a physician about back pain; now it's time to prepare for your appointment. While it may seem that the initial appointment requires no prior thought, you're likely to get the kind of treatment you want and need faster if you come prepared with questions to ask and information to give your doctor.

Questions for the Doctor

1. Ask your doctor what the usual course of diagnosis and treatment is. The answer will partly depend on the symptoms you exhibit. If you don't have "red flag" symptoms like referred pain, numbness and weakness in the leg, then diagnostic imaging tests should not be mentioned right off the bat. If these are suggested, your doctor may be setting you up for unnecessary expenses.

2. Ask if your doctor is willing to work with other health professionals, such as chiropractors, physical therapists, massage therapists or other complementary and alternative health professionals as part of your treatment plan. A multidisciplinary approach can be beneficial when dealing with back pain, a notoriously difficult condition to diagnose and treat.

3. Ask for activity advice. There is almost no situation that calls for bed rest for more than two days, but if you are uncertain of what types of activity could harm you, you may find yourself hesitant to move much. This can be detrimental to your recovery, as exercise is important for back health. Ask your doctor if your symptoms pose a problem for your work responsibilities, home life or hobbies.

4. Ask your doctor to list all possible treatment options for back pain. If pain medication and surgery are the main responses, proceed with caution. Medication should only be used when your pain significantly disrupts your ability to function, and it should never be the only course of treatment pursued. Surgery is always a last resort, rarely necessary for back pain and should only be considered in the short term if you have red flag symptoms.

5. Ask about the risks of treatments. You may not think to do this, as it is generally expected that doctors will fully explain benefits and risks of treatments. However, a Consumer Reports survey showed, alarmingly, that over a quarter of respondents who had spinal surgery said they weren't informed about risks. You can't assume that your doctor will always do the right thing. See more on the survey at http://news.consumerreports.org/health/2010/04/invasive-back-surgery-on-the-rise-despite-the-evidence-back-pain-compression-spinal-fusion.html.

Things to Tell Your Doctor

1. You may not think that your mental and physical health are related, but they are. A plethora of studies have been conducted to assess the effects of anxiety, depression and outlook on recovery and pain perception in people with back pain, and it is hard to find one with inconclusive results. The way you feel mentally and emotionally can have an immense impact on how you feel physically. If you have anxiety, negative thought patterns or any other psychological difficulty, it would be wise to consider adding a psychological component like cognitive behavioral therapy to your treatment plan. This type of therapy helps you cope with pain and be proactive about treatment.

2. Tell your doctor if you have had drug abuse problems in the past, or if you simply prefer to treat medication as a last resort. Writing a prescription for medication is a default for some physicians; be sure you're working with someone who is willing to accommodate your preferences.

3. Tell your doctor if you're interested in pursuing alternative forms of therapy. In some states, you need a referral to see a chiropractor or physical therapist; treatments like massage, acupuncture and movement therapy usually aren't covered. See if your doctor is willing to prescribe alternative therapies or at least work with other professionals; this could inform you right off the bat if you should be looking for a different doctor. See http://nccam.nih.gov/health/whatiscam for information on complementary and alternative forms of treatment.

4. Some people are comfortable not knowing details; others feel anxious without them. Let your doctor know what your information preferences are. While there are plenty of good doctors who make an effort to give each patient adequate time in which to explain what is happening with them, it is unfortunately not uncommon to encounter patients who leave with scant understanding of their condition or the treatments prescribed.

Asking important questions and giving essential information about your preferences are as essential as describing your symptoms on the first visit. Being prepared for your first appointment will give you a better chance of receiving effective treatment.

Back Pain, Therapeutics, and Somatics

To begin, I'll state my bias: I am a clinical somatic educator trained in methods of mind-brain-body training that address habituated reflex patterns triggered by stress (distress) and trauma. What I write is from that viewpoint: habituation or habit formation.

In my viewpoint, muscular activity comes either from voluntary behavior, from habitual learned behavior, or from involuntary reflexes. That means that movement, posture, and muscular tension come from either of these three general categories as responses controlled by the nervous system.

One category of involuntary reflex, the postural reflex, is largely learned, the learning built upon rudimentary primitive reflexes.

You can identify with the fact that stress and trauma leave impressions in memory and that those impressions might be associated with tension of one sort or another. The piece I'm adding, here, is that the memory of injury, if intense enough, can displace the familiar sense of movement position and control we have over ourselves, creating a kind of amnesia of the body, where we forget free movement and get trapped in tension. It's this kind of tension that conventional medicine tries to "cure" by means of manipulative therapeutics (including chiropractic and acupuncture), drugs, and surgery.

This article stands as a critique of those methods in contrast to an approach that deals with many musculo-skeletal problems in general, and back pain in specific, as maladaptive, stress-related disorders.

That this approach works better than the methods this article critiques remains for you, the reader, to see for yourself. I can't convince you, here (any more than I could be convinced before seeing for myself), but can only offer you a line of reasoning and... at the bottom of this page, a bit of evidence -- a link to a candid, two-minute video clip that shows the first moments of a client after a one-hour session of clinical somatic education.

So, I must appeal to your capacity to reason and to your intelligence and you must seek out the experience, for yourself.

We begin.

OVERVIEW OF THERAPEUTIC MODALITIES FOR BACK PAIN

First, I'll comment on drugs, then manipulative techniques in general, then surgery, then clinical somatic education.

Two of these three approaches, drugs and manipulation, are best for temporary relief or for relief of new or momentary muscle spasms (cramp), not for long-term or severe problems.

The third, surgery, is a last resort with a poor track record (estimated by one physical therapist at 15% success rate).

You can get a comparison chart of common modalities here.

DRUGS

Drugs can provide temporary relief or for relief of new or momentary muscle spasms (cramp), but can't provide a satisfactory solution for long-term or severe problems. They generally consist of muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatories, and analgesics (pain meds).

Muscle relaxants have the side-effect of inducing stupor, as you have found if you've used them; they're a temporary measure because as soon as one discontinues use, muscular contractions return.

Anti-inflammatories (such as cortisone or "NSAIDS" - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) reduce pain, swelling and redness, and they have their proper applications (tissue damage). Cortizone, in particular, has a side effect of breaking down collagen (of which all tissues of the body are made). When pain results from muscular contractions (muscle fatigue/soreness) or nerve impingement (generally caused by muscular contractions), anti-inflammatories are the wrong approach because these conditions are not cases of tissue damage. Nonetheless, people confuse pain with inflammation, or assume that if there's pain, there's inflammation or tissue damage, and use anti-inflammatories to combat the wrong problem.

Analgesics tend to be inadequate to relieve back pain or the pain of trapped nerves and, in any case, only hide that something is going on, something that needs correction to avoid more serious spine damage.

MANIPULATIVE TECHNIQUES

Manipulative techniques consist of chiropractic, massage, stretching and strengthening (which includes most yoga and Pilates), most physical therapy, inversion, and other forms of traction such as DRS Spine Decompression.

Most back pain consists of muscular contractions maintained reflexively by the brain, the master control center for muscular activity and movement (except for momentary reflexes like the stretch reflex or Golgi Tendon Organ inhibitory response, which are spinal reflexes). I put the last comment in for people who are more technically versed in these matters; if these terms are unfamiliar to you, don't worry. My point is that manipulative techniques can be only temporarily effective (as you have probably already found) because they don't change muscular function at the level of brain conditioning, which controls tension and movement, and which causes the back muscle spasms.

Nonetheless, people commonly resort to manipulative techniques because it's what they know -- and manipulation is the most common approach, other than muscle relaxant drugs or analgesics, to pain of muscular origin.

SURGERY

Surgery includes laminectomy, discectomy, implantation of Harrington Rods, and surgical spine stabilization (spinal fusion).

Surgery is the resort of the desperate, and although surgery has a poor track record for back pain, people resort to it in desperation. There are situations where surgery is necessary -- torn or ruptured discs, fractures, spinal stenosis; situations where surgery is inappropriate -- bulging discs, undiagnosable pain, muscular nerve impingement; and situations where surgery is sometimes appropriate -- rare cases of congenital scoliosis. (scoliosis -- curvature of the spine -- is more commonly a functional scoliosis, the consequence of muscular tensions around the ribs and spine, rather than the result of deformed growth).

SOMATIC EDUCATION

Most back disorders are of muscular (neuromuscular) origin - and correctable by clinical somatic education (which is not about convincing people that 'things are not so bad, and live with it' or 'understanding their condition better' - but a procedure for eliminating symptoms and their underlying causes, and for improving function). Severity of pain is not the proper criterion for determining which approach to take. The proper criterion is recognition of the underlying cause of the problem.

In the case of back pain, the underlying cause -- chronic back tension -- causes muscular pain (fatigue), disc compression, nerve root compression, facet joint irritation, and the catch-all term, arthritis -- all through strictly mechanical means.

Degenerative Disc Disease, for example, is no more a disease of the discs than is excessive tire wear and breakdown from an overload of weight over a long period of time. There is no such thing as Degenerative Disc "Disease".

Somatic education is a discipline distinct from osteopathy, physical therapy, chiropractic, massage therapy, and other similar modalities.

As such, it isn't a "brand" of therapy or treatment, but a category or discipline within which various somatic "brands" or approaches exist. Examples of "brands" include Trager Psychophysical Integration, Aston Patterning, Rolfing Movement, Orthobionomy, Somatic Experiencing, Feldenkrais Functional Integration, and Hanna Somatic Education.

The prime approach of somatic education, through various methods according to the 'brand' or school of somatic education, is to retrain the nervous system to free muscles from being in an excessively contracted state. The general category of training is movement education, where it is understood that the function of muscles is movement and training movement trains muscle tension.

In the abstract, what distinguishes somatic education from manipulative practices is the active participation in learning by the client. The instruction comes from outside; the learning comes from within, and what the client learns during sessions (in terms of sensory awareness and control of muscles and movement) is what produces the improvements, and not what a practitioner does to the client, per se. As education, it deals with memory patterns, which show up as habitual patterns of muscular activity: tight muscles and familiar patterns of coordination and control. Deeper-acting somatic disciplines, such as Feldenkrais Functional Integration and Hanna somatic education, deal with more deeply ingrained and unconscious habit patterns formed by injuries and stress.

More concretely, somatic education uses movement and positioning to enable the client, by delilberate effort and practice, to gain access to muscles out of voluntary control, and thereby to recapture control from conditioned reflexes triggered by injury or stress and to improve quality of movement and physical comfort. Sensory awareness techniques are a large part of the process, as are controlled breathing, controlled pacing of movements, and coordination training.

Most forms of somatic education are "enriching" in nature, as they improve movement and sensory awareness, but gradually and with practical limits as to predictability of a specific outcome. They are often successful in the alleviation of pain, where more conventional therapeutic methods -- manipulation, stretching, strengthening, drugs, surgery -- are less successful. However, the gradualness of and unpredictability of improvements make them impractical as methods to be used in a clinical setting, although they are often used as an adjunct to those conventional methods.

A clinical approach to somatic education is so distinguished by the ability of practitioners to predict with a high degree of reliability and number and kind of sessions required to resolve a specific malady and to achieve resolution efficiently.

The specific advantage seen in clinical somatic education by referring physicians is that, while being effective in the relief of muscular pain and spasticity, it has the specific virtue of teaching the client an ability so to control the muscular complaint that there is little chance of a future return of the problem.

For a technical comparison between somatic education and chiropractic (as an example of a manipulative approach), see below.

How to Get Pain Relief for Spinal Stenosis Without Drugs or Surgery

The human backbone (spine) is a very complex biological structure. The spine is composed of 26 bone discs that are called "vertebrae". The complex mechanisms and structures of the spinal column allow us to bend forward, backwards, and side to side. Additionally, the spine carries an electrical system called "nerves" that transmit complex electrochemical messages to our organs, muscles, other skeleton bone structures (arms, hands, feet), and it is all wired back into the brain, our biological computer system.

There are a wide variety of injuries and ailments that can affect the proper functioning of the spine. Infections, injuries, and tumors can lead to different spinal problems, such as spinal stenosis, a herniated disc, arthritis, scoliosis, compression fractures, and many others. In this article, we will focus on a single spinal injury, spinal stenosis, and how the pain from this condition may be improved by chiropractic care.

What is spinal stenosis?

In its simplest definition, spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal column which puts pressure on the spinal nerves. Spinal stenosis mainly affects those over the age of 50 and the elderly population in general.

As some people age, the spinal joints become arthritic and form bone spurs. The ligaments thicken, and the discs may collapse and protrude into the spinal canal. Since there is a limited amount of room within the spinal canal, these intrusions put pressure on the nerves. As a consequence, there is often back and leg pain, which can be made worse by standing or walking.

Symptoms of spinal stenosis are varied and may include pain in the neck or back, pain in the legs and arms, numbness, weakness, or foot problems. Traditional allopathic medical treatment involves surgery, medications, braces, and physical therapy.

In some of the most severe cases, medication is not sufficient to relieve pain, and epidural steroid injections are used to suppress the nerve-pain impulses. When even steroid injections don't work, surgical decompression may be recommended. Both of these treatments are invasive and potentially dangerous. This is why chiropractic treatment of spinal stenosis may be a better option.

Since the main cause of pain in spinal stenosis is the compression and narrowing of the spinal canal pressing in on the nerves, effective chiropractic treatment would involve manipulating the spine to open up the canals to allow for a natural increased blood flow and less pressure on the nerves. Special spinal decompression manipulation techniques are employed by the skilled chiropractor to relieve pressure on nerves and blood vessels.

Additionally an advanced technique called non-surgical spinal decompression therapy may also be may helpful. This computerized treatment produces negative pressure within the disc, which gives the patient's body an opportunity to heal naturally.

An added advantage to chiropractic treatment is its cost effectiveness and safety. The risk of injury associated with chiropractic care is exceedingly low. Many thousands of people have obtained relief from overwhelming spinal and back pain, using chiropractic treatment.

In fact, there are many reported instances of people with spinal stenosis, who after repeated failures with traditional therapies, finally found pain relief when they discovered chiropractic treatment for spinal stenosis!

Scoliosis and Chiropractic Treatment

Scoliosis is "a lateral curvature in the normally straight vertical line of the spine". In layman's terms, the spine has a sideways curve in the shape of either a "S" or "C". If the curve is at or above 60 degrees, then scoliosis can be spotted visually due to the patient's waist and shoulders being uneven. The actual cause of the various types of scoliosis is currently unknown. Some people have it when they are born, noticed during adolescence/early 20's, or in the later years of their life (it is more common in children and adults 18-25). Every case is unique to that particular patient. Whether the scoliosis is mild or severe, there will be some level of pain and stiffness. Getting in to see a chiropractor as soon as possible is the first step in the rehabilitation process.

How is scoliosis diagnosed? In some, the curvature of the spine is visually detectable, while others need special testing to make an accurate diagnosis. The main test is called an "Adams Forward Bending" test. There are also other reliable tests such as X-rays and palpation, orthopedic, and neurological testing to determine the extent of the damage that has been caused by scoliosis. The chiropractor will also take a detailed history of the patient's medical history, family's medical history, as well as work-related and/or recreational/daily activities.

How is scoliosis treated? The methods of treatment depends on the severity of the disorder. Traditional methods are the use of an orthopedic brace, moist heat, and surgery. The use of an orthopedic brace helps prevent the spine from further curvature. It holds it in place but does not limit (all or most) of the patients mobility or interrupt daily or recreational activities. Moist heat is used to decrease pain and stiffness. If it is an extreme case, surgery may be required. Spinal Fusion Surgery places rods and hooks along the spine to prevent any further curvature. There is also placement of a spinal cord monitor to lessen the chances of paralysis. This form of treatment is the absolute last resort, due to the high risk factor for further injury or complications.

There is another option available...chiropractic treatment. Use of a chiropractor for treating scoliosis is gaining respect and popularity among patients and within the medical community. It is now recognized as a reasonable and practicable form of medical care. It not only treats the existing condition, but prevents that condition from worsening. It also aids in the prevention of new medical issues rising to the surface. A majority of patients who suffer from scoliosis, and have used this form of treatment, showed dramatic favorable results in the size of the spinal curves. Studies also showed that after chiropractic care patients saw an increase in overall stability and even a total correction of the spine. In essence, it has improved their quality of life and and decreased the need for more traditional methods of care.

After an initial assessment, the chiropractor and the patient's physician will decide which treatments will be the most beneficial and produce an optimal end result. Some of the chiropractic treatment options are spinal manipulation, shoe lifts, electric stimulation, and isotonic or other exercise methods. It will be up to the chiropractor and the patient's physician which of the above methods will be used. If none of the above methods will work, they will refer the patient to a specialist.

It is important to remember that for any treatment to work, regular visits to a primary care physician, specialist (if any), and chiropractor. They can track the progress of a patient throughout the rehabilitation process. This will allow them to decide if the current treatment is working or if any changes need to be made.

Scoliosis is a condition that needs to be treated by a team of medical professionals. Their goal is to increase muscle strength, and improve mobility. It will also help the patient become more independent, and making them less dependent on medications by decreasing pain/soreness and stiffness. Get with a physician and chiropractor today and start enjoying all that life has to offer.

A Spinal Condition Known As Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a condition that afflicts approximately 5 to 7 million Americans. Scoliosis is a disorder in which the spine curves sideways. It is sometimes exacerbated by lordosis (curving of the spine inward) or kyphosis (curving of the spine outward.) Scoliosis can be categorized by the three different ways it is caused: a) congenital, b) neuromuscular, and c) idiopathic, or of unknown cause. Scientists believe in the inheritability of scoliosis; however the precise genetics of it still remains to be determined. The most commonly observed form of scoliosis is adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Girls have a greater propensity than boys toward the severity of the condition.

Sometimes the spine itself is normal, but the curvature develops in response to a functional problem elsewhere in the body. This could be caused by muscle spasms in the back, a difference in leg lengths, or even poor posture. In neuromuscular scoliosis, the spinal curvature is caused by muscle weakness or very poor muscle control resulting directly from diseases such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, Marfan's disease, or polio. Thus, scoliosis affects individuals to varying degrees, on a case-by-case basis. Chiropractic care can helpful in treating those with a milder form of functional scoliosis.

Scoliosis has not only physical ramifications, but emotional as well. In particular, teenagers with scoliosis will need additional emotional support and guidance during this crucial growth period. Sometimes the scoliosis is so severe that the rib cage presses against the heart and lungs. This then creates additional heath risks, increasing one's propensity toward lung infections and pneumonia.

Most often, scoliosis occurs in such a mild form that it can only be detected by a professional eye. In such cases, as long as the condition is monitored, there is very little need for concern or alarm. Scoliosis in children and teenagers, though, requires special medical attention and care since their bones are undergoing rapid growth. For those in this age group, the spinal conditions can quickly worsen within a mere few months. Thus, frequent checkups by a medical professional are absolutely essential.

There are a few ways your doctor can use to detect signs of scoliosis. The most preliminary step is to get a postural analysis during your physical examination. If there is any sign of potential scoliosis, your doctor will then refer you to a specialist. Then, a spinal X-ray is taken to pinpoint the exact location and degree of curvature in the spine.

In addition to the spinal X-ray, your doctor may also examine your wrists and bones to help determine your skeletal age and estimate the progression of the spinal curvature. Depending upon your specific condition, your doctor may recommend that you go in for periodic checkups.

The Scoliometer, or inclinometer, is also used as a device to empirically measure the amount of asymmetry in the torso. The Scoliometer is useful for quick estimates in a pain-free, non-invasive way that also helps minimize one's exposure to X-rays.

If the progression of spinal curvature is slow, only very minimal treatment may be required. In contrast, scoliosis in pre-menstrual girls is very likely to develop at a rapid, aggressive rate, especially since girls at this age grow so rapidly. During this growth spurt, the spinal curvature may develop asymmetrically just as quickly. When girls start to menstruate, they don't grow as rapidly anymore. Thus, the scoliosis does not worsen as quickly either.

Beyond medical checkups, treatment for scoliosis includes the use of a brace and/or surgery. When the scoliosis is mild, it does not impinge upon one's lifestyle very much. People can live and function quite normally. There are several different types of braces, but they are all used when a child has not reached skeletal maturity. A brace does not cure scoliosis, nor does it forcibly realign the spine. It helps, however, prevent further progression of the curvature during the child's growth period. Scoliosis surgery, also called spinal fusion, helps correct the curve, but not all the way. The bones in the curve are fused together using metal rods, hooks, screws, or wire to hold the spinal area straight while it heals. Surgery is usually not recommended except in the most severe of cases.

Scoliosis may sometimes mean living with chronic pain. The pain associated with scoliosis can be eased through chiropractic care. For many people with scoliosis, a regular chiropractic regimen is essential in helping them ease the pain and discomfort, and live more normally.

Scoliosis is best treated when detected early. If you suspect that you or your child may have scoliosis, contact your physician immediately.