Scoliosis is the term used to describe an abnormal sidewards curvature in the spine.
When viewed from the back, the spine should appear straight from the top of the neck to the bottom of the tail bone. However, when a scoliosis occurs, the spine can appear in one of three ways:
– ‘S’ shaped – with two curves
– ‘C’ shaped – curved to the left
– Reverse ‘C’ shaped – curved to the right
How do you get scoliosis?
There are various types and causes of scoliosis, including:
– Idiopathic: rare condition with no identifiable cause
– Congenital: as a result of bone abnormalities present at birth
– Neuromuscular: due to a variety of disorders affecting the nervous and musculoskeletal systems
– Degenerative: secondary to traumatic injury or illness
But isn’t it good to have a curved spine?
From front to back, yes. From left to right, no.
What can I do about this?
Specific Physiotherapy rehabilitation exercise programs may be beneficial in the treatment and management of the symptoms associated with scoliosis, including pain, restricted mobility, poor posture, coordination difficulties, reduced muscular endurance and spine stabilisation.
At Health Space, our physiotherapists are determined to assessing the requirements of each individual and providing them with the specific care they need. For more information on how Physiotherapy can benefit you, please call the clinic today and speak to one of our friendly receptionists.
Eleni Tsagaris
Physiotherapist
