Scoliosis is a spinal condition that disrupts the body’s symmetry through postural changes, but weight gain and/or loss isn’t considered a common effect of the condition. Scoliosis is, however, associated with some symptoms that can contribute to weight gain, and conservative scoliosis treatment can contribute to weight loss. Weight changes aren’t a common symptom of scoliosis, but when conditions affect movement, are painful, or lead to activity restrictions, weight gain can become an indirect effect; weight loss can occur when patients commit to an exercise program as part of treatment and l ..read more

Although scoliosis is a spinal condition, its effects aren’t just limited to the spine alone. An unnatural spinal curve can affect the entire body, along with the spine and its surrounding nerves and muscles; for example, a muscular imbalance can develop as the spine’s surrounding muscles struggle to support its unnatural bend and twist. Scoliosis is associated with the development of a muscle imbalance. As an unnatural spinal curve develops and progresses, it can pull its surrounding muscles in different directions, causing some to become weak from underuse, while others become tight and sore ..read more

While it’s important for everyone to be mindful of spinal health, for those living with a progressive spinal condition like scoliosis, it can be particularly important. Understanding spinal health and function is the best way to approach living with, and treating, scoliosis. When it comes to scoliosis dos and dont’s, we’re talking about how best to lead a spine-friendly lifestyle, minimize condition effects, and treat conditions proactively. It’s also important for those recently diagnosed to understand the condition’s progressive nature and treatment needs. How to Lead a Spine-Friendly Lifest ..read more

There are three main spinal sections, each with its own characteristics, roles to play in how the spine functions, and type of spinal curvature; the spine’s ability to maintain its natural curves is important because they facilitate a wide range of motion and flexibility, make the spine stronger, and help it to handle mechanical stress from impact and movement. The cervical spine refers to the neck and contains the first seven vertebrae of the spine. A diagnosis of cervical kyphosis would mean the neck has lost its healthy and natural inward-bending = (shaped curve, instead developing a curve ..read more

Although scoliosis is a spinal condition, it doesn’t just affect the back; it also impacts the spine’s surrounding nerves, muscles, and the rest of the body. Continue reading to learn how an unnatural spinal curve can cause a muscular imbalance and what can be done about it. The uneven forces of scoliosis disrupt the spine’s alignment and the body’s natural symmetry, including back muscles. When a scoliotic curve bends to the right, the muscles on the right side of the spine are being overused, while muscles on the opposite side are being underused. Before getting to the specifics of how a sco ..read more

What patients should know about being diagnosed with scoliosis is that the way a diagnosis is responded to can have far-reaching effects. Treatment results can never be guaranteed, but particularly with early detection, a chiropractic-centered treatment approach can have a number of benefits. As a progressive condition, scoliosis can’t technically be cured because its nature will always be to get worse over time; however, when chiropractic care is scoliosis-specific and combined with other types of treatment, it can be highly treatable. Before getting to the specifics of what chiropractors can ..read more

A Harrington rod for scoliosis is instrumentation used in spinal fusion; it's attached to the spine with the goal of holding it in a straighter position so its vertebrae can't become more tilted over time. Harrington rods implanted are permanent, and if one fails or malfunctions in some way, there is no reversing the procedure. Surgical intervention for scoliosis has been in place for many years, and this has involved the use of a Harrington rod that's commonly attached to the spine with small hooks. Spinal fusion carries some serious potential risks that should be weighed carefully against th ..read more

If the spine becomes excessively straight, this is contrary to its natural curved design. It's the spine's healthy curves that keep it flexible, strong, and able to handle stress from impact and movement. The position and alignment of the spine affects body position and posture, so one of the main effects of straight-back syndrome is postural deviation. The spine's natural curves allow it to function optimally, but if the thoracic spine loses its healthy level of kyphosis and becomes excessively straight, this is known as straight back syndrome (SBS) and can be problematic. Before defining and ..read more

As scoliosis was first described and documented in the ancient world, the medical community has had many years to observe how it progresses, what triggers it to do so, and how the condition responds to treatment. Swimming can’t treat scoliosis, and while recreational swimming can offer some therapeutic benefits, certain aspects of swimming, and/or swimming competitively, aren’t recommended for some patients. Swimming was once thought to be a form of treatment for scoliosis, but we’ve since learned that scoliosis progression is more about growth than gravity.  Swimming can help with pain r ..read more

A spine with its healthy curves in place will appear straight from the front and/or back and have a soft ‘S’ shape when viewed from either side, and if those curves fall with a healthy range, this means that the spine’s vertebrae are aligned as they should be. If an unnatural spinal curvature develops, the spine is no longer aligned and can cause a number of symptoms felt throughout the body. Part of the spine’s ability to function optimally is based on its natural curves and alignment. Hypolordosis refers to a loss of the spine’s healthy inward curve in the cervical or lumbar spinal sections ..read more