Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a medical condition that refers to a lateral or rotational curve and deformities in the spine.

There are different types and causes of scoliosis.

Congenital scoliosis is a condition that develops after birth, while idiopathic scoliosis develops as a secondary symptom of another condition. Scoliosis can affect anyone and serious cases can be physically debilitating. Scoliosis causes the spine to either develop or curve into a C-shape or into other directions. It is often painful but some conditions during adolescence tend to not cause too much discomfort except for the obvious physical or skeletal imbalance.

To get proper diagnosis, a person must consult an orthopedist who specializes in spine diseases and bone abnormalities. The orthopedist will usually ask the patient to undergo the following examinations:

•Physical Examination - Your doctor will check your back, chest, hips, legs, and even the skin. The doctor will look for imbalances or structural abnormalities in your shoulders, legs, and chest. Specifically, the doctor will look to see of your head is centered over your shoulders, and whether opposite sides of your body look even. Another easy way to detect scoliosis is to examine whether your pant legs drop at equal length.

•X-ray - If you have unusual, persistent low back pain or a large spinal curve, the doctor will ask you to take an x-ray examination. The x-ray of your back will give a more detailed picture of the spine and the curvatures.

•Curve Measurement - Using the X-ray image, the doctor will measure the curve and determine what kind of therapy or treatment is needed based on the degree of curvature. Curves that are greater than 20 degrees need immediate medical treatment, which may include surgery.

Depending on what kind of scoliosis you suffer from and the severity of it, there are different approaches in the treatment and management of scoliosis, as shown below:

•Bracing - This is recommended for children or adolescents whose curves progress to 30 degrees and beyond. Bracing allows the spine to be held in a straighter position and prevents the progression of the curve. A brace will not make your spine straight but it will help improve the posture and reduce the curvature.

•Surgery - When bracing fails to give the desired results, surgery is often seen as the next option. Bracing might not work for everyone. The main purpose for surgery is to join together the bones of your curve and realign the vertebrae. The surgical procedure is called spinal fusion.

•Flotation Therapy – Flotation therapy is a fairly recent pain management method, which is often referred to as the restricted environmental stimulation technique (REST). REST is a method that takes place in a flotation tank. This is a great way to reduce anxiety and just relax the entire mind and body. REST helps the body and mind relax both during the flotation session as well as afterwards. During flotation-REST a person lies horizontally in a quiet, light-insulated tank, filled with Epsom salt and saturated water. The tank includes an easy to open lid, allowing users to regulate the amount of time they spend within the tank (a typical session is 45 minutes), and also includes an underwater lamp that can be turned on and off by users. 

At TrueREST, we strive to reduce stress and joint pain and increase relaxation through the innovative method of flotation therapy. In today’s day and age people are going nonstop, which doesn’t allow them to relax and greatly increases stress. We provide quality therapy to Scottsdale, AZ and the surrounding communities. Visit our about us page, call us for information at 480-389-0853, or stop by at 15033 N. Thompson Peak Parkway, D101, Scottsdale, AZ to help you live a relaxing, stress-free life.