What are the symptoms of scoliosis? How do you know if you have scoliosis? What can you do if you have scoliosis? This article will attempt to answer these questions.
What Are the Symptoms of Scoliosis?
What are the symptoms of scoliosis? Often, scoliosis doesn’t manifest any symptoms whatsoever. There is often not any pain or even discomfort. Scoliosis in these cases begins with observation. A patient often notices that that they notice an issue with their spine. For example, you may notice that either one of your shoulders or one of your hips is higher or maybe you have a protruding shoulder blade. If you bend over and it looks worse, you may have scoliosis. Other things to look at is when bending to the side if the ribs stick out further or if one arm looks longer than the other. If the condition is allow to continue untreated, back pain may follow because of the pressure on your spinal nerves as well as the spinal cord itself. Later, weakness, numbness and pain in the legs and feet. In worse cases it may even be difficult to walk. You can also have fatigue, breathing problems and even heart failure.
How do you know if you have scoliosis? The only sure way is to be diagnosed with scoliosis by a spine specialist. You would need to have a series of X-Rays done. The X ray as well as a simple visual examination will determine if you have scoliosis or not. A spine specialist can tell at a glance if you have this condition or not. If you have scoliosis, what then?
What Can You Do if You Have Scoliosis?
What can you do if you have scoliosis? Well, your doctor will prescribe a treatment option. Most likely, he or she will prescribe observation unless the curvature is too much, usually at 40 degrees or higher, then you usually have two options open to you, bracing or surgery. Your doctor will go over each of the treatment options with you based on your level of curvature as well as your medical history and any risk factors you may or may not have.
Scoliosis affects millions of people in the US, about three million to be precise. Only in a small amount of cases is surgery necessary. Instead, your back doctor may have other treatment options such as scoliosis bracing.
Pivonka Family Chiropractic
1355 S Higley Rd #102
Gilbert, AZ 85296
(480) 892-0022
https://correctscoliosis.com
