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The Align Clinic Blog
​ Your Home For Orthotic and Prosthetic Knowledge

Why Is Catching Scoliosis Early Important?

4/20/2022

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As its name suggests, the disorder is known as scoliosis causes the spine to bend inward, this being the stage in which wearing a scoliosis brace is necessary. Scoliosis is most common in young children just before puberty when they are going through a growth spurt. Scoliosis affects roughly 3% of adolescents. Muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy can make scoliosis worse, although the specific etiology is uncertain.
1. What Are the Symptoms of Scoliosis?
Scoliosis usually does not produce symptoms. However, discomfort might develop in certain circumstances. Back pain may be caused by a variety of other factors, such as arthritis, the inability to stand up straight, weakness in core muscles, or a lack of training. These are just a few examples. If the lumbar spine's nerves are under pressure, then leg discomfort, numbness, and weakness might result as well.
 In certain cases, body changes in scoliosis and when not wearing a scoliosis brace include:
  • Reduced stature
  • Hips and pelvis not in proper alignment
  • Unbalanced scapulae
  • Shoulder blades that don't line up perfectly
2. When to Check for Scoliosis
If you suspect scoliosis and think you might need to wear a scoliosis brace, then make an appointment with your General Practitioner right at once. You should have it looked out, even though it's doubtful that anything severe is going on.
If the GP suspects that you have scoliosis and you might need to put on a scoliosis brace, they will recommend you to a doctor in the hospital for further evaluation. There, you will have back scans done to determine whether you have an abnormal curvature in the spine.
There are several treatment options available to those with scoliosis, so it's important to contact an expert in time. 
3. Can Scoliosis Cause Complications?
Scoliosis, no matter how moderate or severe may be harmful to one's health. The lungs and heart may be pressed against the ribs by severe curvatures. If this happens, you might have a hard time breathing and your heart could be harmed.

Adults who had scoliosis as children are more likely to experience back pain in old age. It's also possible that the scoliosis symptoms have worsened. Initially, subtle symptoms might become more obvious as scoliosis progresses, affecting your child's look and self-confidence.
Scoliosis may progress to a 45-degree curvature at times. A doctor might undertake surgery to straighten and fuse the spine to fewer than 25 degrees to decrease the curvature. In children, scoliosis surgery has fewer dangers and doesn't cause too much pain.
 4. How to Treat Early Scoliosis
Scoliosis might be treated nonoperatively in most adult instances. Treatments may include doctor's frequent examinations, over-the-counter pain medicines, and workouts that target the abs, spine, and flexibility. If you're a smoker, then you need to stop smoking, as degenerative processes may be accelerated by smoking.
Physical therapy and wearing a scoliosis brace are often prescribed by the doctor. They will help you keep or regain your strength and/or to alleviate your scoliosis symptoms. 
Included on the list of physical therapy are:
  • Attempting to enhance one's posture
  • Swimming and other low-impact workouts
  • Regular physical activity such as stretching
  • Maintaining an active lifestyle
An epidural or a nerve block injection in case oral drugs and physical therapy don't treat the pain effectively enough.
Adult scoliosis might need surgery in certain circumstances. Because of the potential for serious side effects from spinal surgery, this is the final resort. 
There are several reasons why surgery may be recommended:
  • Pain. If the scoliosis-related back and leg discomfort persists and does not improve with conservative care, surgery might be necessary.
  • A misalignment of the spine. It's critical to determine whether scoliosis has progressed and whether surgery is necessary to correct it. When seen from the front, the head must be centered over the middle of the pelvis, and when viewed sideways, it should be centered over hip joints. The further the curve advances, the more likely it is that people will become chronically unwell and unable to function as they once did.
Surgical intervention is required to achieve a higher standard of living. Surgery is not suggested purely for the sake of looks. Some patients find their spinal deformity's symptoms so painful that surgery remains the only option. Basic functions and general wellbeing are harmed because of spinal misalignment. In many circumstances, the sole treatment option is surgery. 
When it comes to deciding whether to undergo surgery on an aesthetic abnormality, younger people are more likely to be swayed by this consideration.
Each patient's situation necessitates a different approach when it comes to spinal surgery. Scoliosis is a condition that occurs when the spine becomes misaligned and puts pressure on nearby nerves. Spinal stabilization surgery employs bone grafts and titanium implants to bind the spine together and stabilize it.
Computer-aided navigation systems and surgical methods have made it feasible to do less invasive procedures and reduce recuperation time.
Wearing a Scoliosis Brace
In many cases, wearing a scoliosis brace solves the problem to the extent that the disease no longer advances and even starts to show signs of improvement with time. Scoliosis braces can be worn at any age and by any person who suffers from this condition. 
Keep Your Spine Safe!
Corrective procedures may be implemented if scoliosis is discovered early enough, often when the patient is a child or a toddler.
Spinal alignment and growth may be corrected with a scoliosis brace. In adolescents, scoliosis might need surgery to rectify the curvature that has already begun to harden the spine.
Many scoliosis patients can enjoy normal lives if diagnosed and treated early. Scoliosis that has gone untreated might worsen and lead to chronic pain that can be treated only with customized treatment strategies.
Contact us today if you have any questions about scoliosis.
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Nutrition and Supplements for Scoliosis

4/13/2022

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Scoliosis progression can be slowed down when having an unhealthy diet and the body experiences hormone or neurotransmitter abnormalities. Scoliosis isn't caused by an inadequate diet on its own. And neither ending up with scoliosis bracing is caused by an imbalanced diet. 
Either the children are born predisposed to mental illness, or they aren't. However, studies have shown a connection between the condition's progression and a lack of nourishment. 
An inherited neuro-hormonal disorder, scoliosis may be passed down from one generation to another. The brain of the patient must send signals to muscles for spine straightening, as the spine develops wrongly.
Even when the child is healthy, their brain doesn't comprehend that its posture is out of alignment and therefore, it doesn't give any signals to the body. Scoliosis may develop because of misunderstandings like these, and then, wearing scoliosis bracing might be necessary.
Can Nutrition and Supplements Help Against Scoliosis?
1. Supplements That Help in Scoliosis
Many people with idiopathic scoliosis don't have enough Selenium in their blood, says Wiley InterScience research. Osteopontin (OPN), which governs the bone formation, has also been shown to be elevated in scoliosis patients. Deficiency in Selenium might be producing abnormal bone formation and higher OPN levels.
Every day, taking 200 mcg of Selenium or L-selenomethionine can reduce OPN levels. There is a chance that this will delay or stop the fast advancement of scoliosis. 
Supplements that should be avoided after spinal fusion and even when wearing scoliosis bracing include that one.
After doing a nutritional assessment, further supplements that should be considered, are: 
  • Inflavonoids
Some of these natural pain remedies include ginger, turmeric, and lemon bioflavonoids.
  • Curcumin pills
  •  Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)
  • Anti-inflammatory herbs
  • Supplements for aiding digestion
Digestive enzymes can be of assistance in the fight against digestive issues.
  • Probiotic supplements
  • A complex of EPA and DHA
  • Omega-3 fatty acids 
  • Probioplex 
Intestinal health is aided by this protein and probiotic combination, as because of the way gut bacteria alters hormone metabolism, bone density declines.
  • Collagenic supplements
These are amino acids, and free-form amino acids in unique combinations.
  • The minerals that are essential to life
  • Nutritional additions
  • Supplements with collagen should once more be mentioned
  • Vitamin D3 
The body's ability to absorb Calcium is greatly enhanced by vitamin D, which also aids in the body's metabolic and neurological processes.
  • Multigenics
Liver health is improved by taking this combination of vitamins for scoliosis. Amino acids and Calcium could be added as well. Vitamins A, D, E, and K can only be properly absorbed by a person with a healthy liver.
2. Improving the Diet
Scoliosis progression can be prevented by improving nutrition. Everyone can benefit from these dietary recommendations. Regardless of whether they have scoliosis or not, as well as whether they are wearing scoliosis bracing or they don’t.
Foods laced with preservatives and chemical additives have been shown to contribute to the development of a chronic inflammatory state. Stress triggers the release of cytokines, which in turn induces inflammation. 
Bone loss occurs as a result over time. Hip fractures are 73% more common in those with elevated levels of inflammatory markers. 
As a result, you'll have a considerably tougher difficulty keeping the spine in place if you've exhausted your muscles or have been wearing scoliosis bracing for a long time.
Muscles and bones are deprived of vital nutrients by several chemical additions. Salt, for example, causes the kidneys to excrete an excessive amount of Calcium. Calcium absorption is inhibited by soda and sugar. 
A lack of bone mass may be caused by drinking alcohol, which also inhibits bone growth. Every 100 mg of caffeine leads to losing 6 mg of Calcium from bones.
Citric fruits and liquids should also be avoided, doctors are saying. Tomato juice as well. Vitamin C, which is found in citrus fruits, may stimulate the body to shift Calcium from bones into the bloodstream. 
This weakens the skeletal system. So, people who suffer from scoliosis and especially those who are wearing scoliosis bracing might benefit from any formula for strong bones.
Losing weight while also preventing or slowing the advancement of the spinal curvature may feel like an impossible task. Reading product labels is a good place to begin. It's possible that people don't even know how much sugar, salt, or other preservatives they're consuming. Healthier alternatives like whole-grain flours are always best. 
Eat as many vegetables as possible, as well as fruits that are grown without the use of pesticides. Non-organic foods are most of the time tainted by carcinogens, pesticides, hormone disruptors, developmental toxins, and neurotoxins. 
3. Foods to Avoid
Below is a list of foods to avoid when suffering from scoliosis, whether the condition requires wearing scoliosis bracing or not.
·      Wine, beer, and spirits
·      White flour 
·      Sodas
·      All soy products, soy milk included
·      Coffee
·      Sugar – it can be replaced with Stevia
·      Salt is OK only in little doses, provided it is sea salt
·      Chocolate, only if it's dark and in small amounts
·      Frozen or deep-fried dishes, notably from fast-food chains
·      Corn syrup
·      Food chemicals and preservatives from pre-packaged luncheon meats
·      MSG and some other additives such as Gelatin, Monosodium Glutamate, Calcium Caseinate, HVP, Textured Protein, Monopotassium Glutamate, HPP, Yeast Extract, Glutamate, Autolyzed Plant Protein, and others
Alleviate Scoliosis Pain Through Healthy Eating
Scoliosis therapy may benefit greatly from a healthy diet. The capacity to train the brain so that the posture is corrected and the spinal curvature gets minimized is essential for healing successes in the long run. 
More improvement can be achieved when neurotransmitters become restored to their normal levels. You can reach us here if you have more questions regarding this article. 
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Long-Term Treatments for Scoliosis

4/6/2022

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Scoliosis bracing for adults could make sense at an adult age, but after many years down the road, how could surgery be avoided? 
Often, parents of children with scoliosis are rushed into making a choice before they have the time to gather the information needed to make informed decisions about long-term therapies for scoliosis.  
How Do Scoliosis Treatments Affect Patients in the Long Run?
Below are the long-term therapies for scoliosis and how these affect patients:
1. Back Bracing
A 12-year-old scoliosis patient's muscles on the back had deteriorated so much that she was unable to stand on her own. After many years, most of those who wear scoliosis bracing for adults are required to wear braces for more than 20 hours every day. 
That long-term stress on a child's body might lead to irreversible physical changes.
Bracing, on the other hand, doesn't correct long-term curvature. The curve size of patients changes when they start wearing braces. But, only a few have a significant increase in their curves' size. For example, the average curve can increase by 4 degrees over the course of 25 years after wearing scoliosis bracing for adults. 
Scoliosis bracing for adults may have detrimental long-term repercussions, such as:
  • Muscle atrophy. Muscles of the back are the first defense line against curve advancement and back discomfort in those who have scoliosis and live with it. Bracing for long periods of time weakens the nerves and muscles around the spine, which may lead to chronic injury. 
Loss of postural stability occurs when the spine becomes reliant on a scoliosis bracing for adults for support. When the brace is removed, curves tend to accelerate more quickly than before.
  • Deterioration of joints. The spine stiffens when immobilized. A lack of physical activity may lead to joint stiffness and degenerative conditions, which can restrict mobility. That causes discomfort in old age. Back discomfort, restricted spinal function, and significant impairment can influence 3 out of 4 individuals many years after wearing scoliosis bracing for adults. 
  • Growth of the spine was halted. In some of the spine's most crucial developmental years, braces for children have to be worn, whereas scoliosis bracing for adults are worn later. Braces function by relieving pressure on one curve's side while stimulating growth on the opposing side. 
But, if the spine isn't constantly pressed on sides, then bones can't expand. This might have a long-term effect on the body's biomechanics.
2. Spinal Fusion Surgery
After spinal fusion, most patients have long-term problems. Scoliosis surgery can cause implants to fail or get dislodged, which results in spinal damage and the need for numerous procedures to correct it. Deep infections can occur even after 10 years from surgery.
Scoliosis surgery does not have any long-term repercussions. However, just 1 in 3 people who undergo surgery retain many of its advantages in the next 10 years. 1 in 5 patients may need further surgery. Spinal fusion surgery also has long-term problems, such as: 
  • Loss of mobility. When treating the scoliosis curvature, doctors utilize steel rods to permanently alter the spine's biomechanics. It's impossible for the vertebrae to move in any direction after they have been fused. Patients who have spinal surgery should expect to lose anything from 20% to 60% of their flexibility within their spines at best. 
That is different from when wearing scoliosis bracing for adults. It's also possible for neighboring vertebrae, which are under more stress than usual, to become unstable and more susceptible to degeneration.
  • Lifelong disability. As a result of the surgery's invasiveness and potential for irreversible injury to spinal nerves, those who undergo spinal fusion may suffer from anything from leg weakness to loss of bladder control or bowel, and paralysis or quadriplegia.
  • Chronic pain. Approximately 1/3 of spinal fusion patients suffer from back pain after seven years after their procedure. It's possible for patients to suffer from persistent pain because of nerve injury, joint degeneration, implant failure, or something else.
  • Blood Loss. The spinal fusion surgery for scoliosis is very intrusive, so it's unavoidable to end up suffering from blood loss.  
  • Paraplegia or paralysis is also a possibility. The risk of getting paralyzed after surgery is minimal, but it remains a major issue. The loss of motor control or sensory may occur because of the disease. There must be constant monitoring of the stress applied on the spinal cord to minimize danger. 
3. Activity Suits
There are alternatives to bracing for children or scoliosis bracing for adults and surgery. Activity suits stabilize or improve curves in 9 out of 10 patients. 2 out of every 3 children who wear a suit see a drop in the size of their curve. The advantages of wearing activity suits are: 
  • Improved mobility. Activity suits use the ways the body naturally moves to create the flexibility and strength required to maintain a healthy posture. To begin with, exercises aim to loosen up joints and muscles by focusing on the spine. 
  • A better understanding of how the body works. Misaligned postural patterns that promote scoliosis progression may be addressed with activity suits. Reducing strain on joints while relieving tension on some of the other body parts reduces pain and discomfort. 
  • Improved interaction between the brain and muscle. As the body's automatic reflexes are elicited by specific activities, new neural pathways are formed between brain and the muscles. After a few repetitions, movements become second nature to the spine, allowing it to spontaneously regulate and even lessen its curvature. 
Avoid Scoliosis Surgery
There is a tendency to focus only on the scoliosis problem when trying to treat it. The first objective shouldn't be beating the evolution of the curve. Consider the long-term impact on quality of life while deciding on a long-term treatment strategy. 
If you have any questions about scoliosis not covered in this article, feel free to reach out and we’ll be happy to help.
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  • Home
  • The WCR Brace
    • Case Presentations >
      • Infantile Idiopathic Scoliosis
      • Juvenile Idiopathic Scoliosis
      • Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
      • Switching to a WCR Brace
      • Adult Scoliosis Bracing
      • Neuromuscular Scoliosis
      • Treating Upper Thoracic Curves
    • Brace Articles
    • Patient Testimonials >
      • Grant's Testimonials
      • Paul's Testimonials
    • WCR Partner Testimonials
    • Grant's MS Thesis
    • Our Patients
    • Patients and Sports
    • Patients and Hobbies
    • Brace colors
    • Scoliosis Fashion
  • Locations
    • AC San Mateo, CA >
      • Inside AC SM
      • Advanced Technology
      • Stanford Children's Health Partnership
      • Local Hotels
      • Contact Us
      • Team Members
      • Our Practitioners >
        • Grant Wood
        • Paul Burnette
        • Steve Baum
        • Miguel Bustamante
    • AC Green Bay, WI >
      • Inside Wisconsin
      • Patient Testimonials
      • Contact Us
      • Emery Maloney
    • AC The Woodlands, TX
    • AC Fort Lauderdale, FL
  • Patient Resources
    • WCR Brace Clinics >
      • USA Clinics
      • China Clinics
      • Canada Clinics
      • Australia Clinics
      • WCR Brace Clinic Finder
    • WCR Certified Practitioners
    • Professional Contacts & References
    • Forms & Insurance
    • Clinical Photos and X-rays
    • Scoliosis Rehab PT, CA
    • Blog
  • Events
    • Brace Clinic Calendar
    • Sosort 2022 - San Sebastian, Spain
    • Past Events >
      • Advancements in Conservative Treatment of Scoliosis 2018 >
        • Award for Advancements in the Conservative Treatment of Scoliosis
      • Past USA WCR Clinics and Conferences
      • Advancements in Conservative Treatment Of Scoliosis 2017
      • Shanghai Clinic
      • AAOP Meetings
      • BSPTS Schroth PT Training
    • Past SOSORT Conferences >
      • sosort2019 San Francisco - CA
      • SOSORT2018 Dubrovnik/Croatia
      • SOSORT2017 Lyon/France
      • SOSORT2016 Canada
    • Northeast Region Re-Align Clinic
  • Services
    • Scoliosis & Spine Online Learning
    • Prosthetics
    • Orthotics >
      • Pediatric Orthotics
      • Cranial Remolding Band
  • Hope's EmbraceĀ® Undershirts
  • Wall Grids
  • WCR Brace Fitting Evaluation
  • For PTs/Orthotists
  • WCR Measurement Order Form
  • Masterclass Conferences
  • Careers
    • Front Desk - ACSM