If you’ve been diagnosed with scoliosis, in addition to scoliosis treatment options such as scoliosis braces, you probably have a lot of questions that need answers.
Scoliosis Braces and Stopping Spinal Degeneration
What causes scoliosis to get worse?
As we covered previously, the muscles of posture on the outside of the curve will increase in mass,called hypertrophy, due to constant use for stabilization whereas the https://correctscoliosis.com/?p=2111“>inside posture muscles will no longer be needed to stabilize the spine and will atrophy and decrease in mass due to disuse. Think of the posture muscles as a light switch with a dimmer attached, the dimmer switch can be changed to either allow more current or less current to the bulb making it brighter or dimmer where the outside of the scoliosis curvature is given a lot of current and gets brighter (hypertrophy) and the inside of the curvature gets very little current and is dim(atrophy). The larger the scoliosis becomes the more noticeable the difference in brightness or muscle tone. It is not a case of weak or strong but rather how much current is being supplied due to need to remain stable in gravity.
Secondary adaptations to the “S” curve will involve disc wedge deformation and eventually bone wedge deformation. These secondary adaptations occur due to cellular remodeling. Direct pressure on the cartilaginous discs and the individual vertebrae will stimulate or inhibit growth creating an actual difference in the height of the disc or bone. Ribcage deformation will become noticeable with much larger curves in this type of pattern and will be somewhat limited due to the smaller size of thoracic curvature. The ribcage and individual ribs will also deform due to direct pressure since bone remodels based on its stress demands (Heuter- Volkmann principle) when ribs are placed under excessive pressure they will change shape.
Why You Might Need a Scoliosis Brace
As the spinal column bends and rotates in the thoracic region this will then create direct forces upon the ribs since they are attached to each individual thoracic vertebrae. The further the spine pushes laterally to the side the more forces will affect the entire cage adding to the ribcage deformation.
If we go back to the bending test and notice the two protrusions that appear in an “S” pattern scoliosis the protrusion in the thoracic region will eventually become structural deformation because of the ribs becoming bent. Since the lumbar spine does not have ribs attached the bulging protrusion in this region is limited to the muscle and remains purely soft tissue even in adulthood whereas the individual vertebrae regardless of location will become structural adaptation with time.
If you have scoliosis, you need to start correcting the condition with the help of your chiropractor. One option? A soft scoliosis brace.
Pivonka Family Chiropractic
1355 S Higley Rd #102
Gilbert, AZ 85296
(480) 892-0022
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