Align Clinic

  • 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 Techonolgy
      • 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
  • Patient Resources
    • WCR Brace Clinics >
      • USA Clinics
      • China Clinics
      • Canada Clinics
    • WCR Certified Practitioners
    • Professional Contacts & References
    • Forms & Insurance
    • Clinical Photos and X-rays
    • Scoliosis Rehab PT, CA
    • Blog
  • Events
    • Brace Clinic Calendar
    • 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 >
      • SOSORT 2019 San Francisco
      • SOSORT2018 Dubrovnik/Croatia
      • SOSORT2017 Lyon/France
      • SOSORT2016 Canada
  • Services
    • Scoliosis & Spine Online Learning
    • Prosthetics
    • Orthotics >
      • Pediatric Orthotics
      • WalkAide
      • Cranial Remolding Band
  • Hope's EmbraceĀ® Undershirts
  • Wall Grids
  • WCR Brace Fitting Evaluation
  • For PTs/Orthotists
  • WCR Measurement Order Form
  • Masterclass Conferences
  • Covid19_Info
  • Share your story
  • 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 Techonolgy
      • 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
  • Patient Resources
    • WCR Brace Clinics >
      • USA Clinics
      • China Clinics
      • Canada Clinics
    • WCR Certified Practitioners
    • Professional Contacts & References
    • Forms & Insurance
    • Clinical Photos and X-rays
    • Scoliosis Rehab PT, CA
    • Blog
  • Events
    • Brace Clinic Calendar
    • 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 >
      • SOSORT 2019 San Francisco
      • SOSORT2018 Dubrovnik/Croatia
      • SOSORT2017 Lyon/France
      • SOSORT2016 Canada
  • Services
    • Scoliosis & Spine Online Learning
    • Prosthetics
    • Orthotics >
      • Pediatric Orthotics
      • WalkAide
      • Cranial Remolding Band
  • Hope's EmbraceĀ® Undershirts
  • Wall Grids
  • WCR Brace Fitting Evaluation
  • For PTs/Orthotists
  • WCR Measurement Order Form
  • Masterclass Conferences
  • Covid19_Info
  • Share your story

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

First Signs of Scoliosis and What to Do When They Appear to Stop Its Progression

7/15/2020

1 Comment

 
Picture
Scoliosis is a serious condition affecting millions of people around the world. But while it’s been researched for years, there’s still little evidence pointing to its cause. So far, it seems that nature and nurture both play a crucial part in the development of this condition. 
On the one hand, patients can have a genetic predisposition for it. On the other, they can develop it due to environmental impacts such as disease, sports injuries, or poor posture. So yes, if you were wondering whether you could develop scoliosis later in life, the answer’s unfortunately positive. 
​

It’s not all bad news, however. Catching scoliosis early on can help to prevent its progression and allow patients to maintain or even improve their quality of life. 

But how can you catch scoliosis early on? What can you do to stop it? Let’s find out.

Symptoms of Scoliosis ​

Early symptoms can be difficult to catch – especially today when most children and adults are suffering from bad posture due to the increasingly sedentary lifestyle. Still, there are some tell-tale signs that could show it’s time to visit a scoliosis clinic.

1. Genetic Predisposition 
While genetics doesn’t always play a part in scoliosis, it could make you more likely to develop it. According to a study done on 1,463 scoliosis patients, 56% had one or more relatives with the condition, and 36% had at least one first-degree relative with it. 

Those with a genetic predisposition for scoliosis should go for more regular check-ups and examinations. 

2. Ill-Fitting Clothes 
One of the subtler signs of scoliosis could be ill-fitting clothes. Even the slightest change in posture can make the clothes appear asymmetrical or poorly tailored. You’ll notice that one pant leg seems longer than the other, or that a skirt is tighter on one side of the body than on the other. 

Some of the signs you should pay attention to include: 
  • Off-centered neckline 
  • Asymmetrical shirt sleeves 
  • Warped hemline 
  • Asymmetrical pant legs 

Of course, these could also simply be the signs of poor manufacturing, so don’t base your judgment solely on this – visit a scoliosis clinic for a proper diagnosis. 

3. Fatigue 
The muscles around your spine need to work much harder to keep you balanced when you have scoliosis. The condition can also put pressure on your ribcage and your chest, making it more difficult to breathe. So when you stay in a sitting or standing position for a while, you might start feeling fatigued. 

4. Back Pain 
Scoliosis isn’t always followed by back pain, at least not until the condition progresses and becomes apparent. Still, it can cause pains and aches in the early stages as well. 

As the spine curves, it puts more and more pressure on the surrounding nerves and the spinal cord. This pressure can result in lower back pain, leg pain, and numbness. 

If you’re experiencing inexplicable back pain, consult a doctor. 

5. Irregular Posture 
Of course, one of the most obvious early signs of scoliosis is bad posture. The spine affects the entire body, and as it falls out of alignment, it shifts the position of the head and neck, shoulders, hips, and more. Sometimes, these changes in posture are seen long before any noticeable changes in the spine. 

Look for these signs when standing straight: 
  • Uneven shoulders 
  • Head not centered 
  • One side of the hip more prominent than the other
  • Rib cage asymmetrical 
  • One leg appearing shorter 
  • Uneven waistline 
  • Leaning 
  • Limping 

​Once again, these are some common signs, but you’ll need a diagnosis by a specialist to be sure. The doctor will perform a spinal X-ray to diagnose the condition with certainty. 

Preventing Further Scoliosis Progression ​

There’s no reason to panic if you catch scoliosis early on. Over 60% of adults with scoliosis don’t experience the progression of the condition, and even if you’re at risk of progression, there are ways to prevent it.

1. Exercise 
Proper exercise is crucial to prevent the progression of scoliosis. As the spine curves, the muscles around it grow weaker and subsequently allow for the curvature to increase. You’ll need a strong back and abdominal muscles to keep your spine upright, but it’s essential to work with an expert. Otherwise, you could hurt yourself. 

Specialists often recommend Schroth therapy as an excellent way to manage scoliosis. 

2. Healthier Diet 
Both children and adults should maintain a healthy diet to avoid the progression of their scoliosis. The condition is associated with lower bone density in adolescents, so eating food that promotes better bone health is a must. 

Being overweight can also worsen scoliosis and make it harder to put under control. 

And not to mention, a healthy diet will promote better muscle growth, which is crucial for keeping the spine better aligned. 

3. Bracing 
A scoliosis brace isn’t always necessary, but it can help tremendously. It can help to promote better posture and prevent the spine curvature from increasing. 

It’s best to have a prosthetist design a custom scoliosis brace that suits your specific condition and body type. It will make the brace more comfortable and more effective. 

4. Surgery 
Finally, surgery is recommended only in extreme cases. It can help to return the spine to a normal position and eliminate many of the problems that come with scoliosis. 

It is, however, important to understand that it’s not always a permanent solution. Scoliosis can, at times, return several years after surgery. That’s precisely why developing long-term healthy habits is essential. Proper nutrition and exercise are crucial for spinal health and for maintaining better life quality. 

The Bottom Line ​

Detecting scoliosis early on and preventing its progression can help you lead a better life. Don’t overlook some of the common early signs of scoliosis, and always check with a specialist if you suspect something might be wrong. 
1 Comment
Taylor Hicken link
11/30/2020 06:53:20 pm

I appreciated it when you shared that bracing can help prevent the spine curvature from increasing while promoting a better posture for the patient. A friend of mine just told me the other day that his son is suffering from scoliosis and he is unable to walk like the other kids at school. Besides, he needs help whenever he wants to move or walk and it is hard whenever she is not around. I will suggest to her wearing braces to help with the issue so he can be treated faster.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Write something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview.

    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Check out Align Clinic on Yelp
Align Clinic San Mateo, California:
700 S Claremont St
Suite #105
San Mateo, CA 94402 
Hours: 8:30-5:30 Monday - Friday
Phone: (650) 375-2231
Fax: (650) 627-4632

Align Clinic Green Bay, Wisconsin:
445 Cardinal Lane
Suite #110
Green Bay, WI 54313
Hours: 8:30-5:30 Monday - Friday

Phone: (920) 940-5277
Fax: (844) 308-8462


Align Clinic Houston, Texas:
1001 Medical Plaza Drive, Suite #130
The Woodlands, TX  77380
Phone: (281) 419-1616
Fax: (281) 419-1615

Picture