When a muscle on one side of the spine is tight and in spasm, it can severely pull on the spine, breaking the previous equilibrium.
The spine is the body’s backbone, and it is made up of vertebrae. The word scoliosis (say: sko-lee-OH-sis) comes from a Greek word meaning crooked. It is, in essence, a musculoskeletal disorder (in layman terms, injuries or pain in the body’s muscular and skeletal framework) in which there is a sideways curvature of the spine, or backbone. There are two types of scoliosis:
l Nonstructural (functional) scoliosis:is a normal spine that simply appears curved. This is a temporary curve, changing with the progress of time. Underlying conditions such as uneven leg lengths, postural problems, and muscular imbalances can result in back spasms and direct trauma to the spine, which lead to Scoliosis. Neither the vertebrae nor the spinal bones are affected.
l Structural scoliosis: is much more serious as compared to its nonstructural counterpart and develops as a result of unequal growth of the two sides of the vertebrae (spinal bones). Structural scoliosis involves both a side-to-side curve and also a twist or rotation in the spine.
What Causes Scoliosis?
This disorder mainly affects young children who are more susceptible to the deformity as the bones in their spine are less mature and stable. There are certain cases where there is no identifiable reason patient stands but disappears when the patient lies down or bends forward are normally functional, and spinal curves that are evident when a patient stands but persist when he lies down or bends (in any direction) are normally structural.
X-ray evaluation:
If scoliosis is suspected, a simple x-ray of the spine can be taken to confirm whether there is an abnormal curve present or not.
Scoliotic Spine
Your physiotherapist addresses, more specifically, muscle imbalance, which has a major role in bringing about functional scoliosis. This asymmetry, if not treated, will affectyour posture, your appearance and cause you tremendous pain. Tight or spastic muscles, if severe enough, can result in your spine bending as the muscles in the back and pelvis are attached to your spine. Normally, the muscles on both sides of your spine are in balance with one another, pulling your spine in their respective directions, equally – much like two equally matched teams locked in a perpetual tug-of-war. When a muscle on one side of the spine is tight and in spasm, it can severely pull on the spine, breaking the previous equilibrium. Your physiotherapist may use exercises to help relax the tight muscles, thus allowing the spine to return to its natural curvature.
These exercises simply strengthen the core and back muscles of your body. They are safe and will not cause your scoliosis to worsen in any way. The aim of this exercise is to strengthen your back muscles and in effect help to reduce future spinal issues.
Another form of exercise that can be undertaken by the physiotherapist for your benefit is Pilates. This exercise form is specifically designed to improve back health.Lastly, maintaining a good posture is just as important Dr Anjana Laungani Consultant Physiotherapist & Rehab Specialist.
Source: Free Press Journal , 21st Dec 2014 The spine is the body’s backbone, and it is made up of vertebrae. The word scoliosis (say: sko-lee-OH-sis) comes from a Greek word meaning crooked. It is, in essence, a musculoskeletal disorder (in layman terms, injuries or pain in the body’s muscular and skeletal framework) in which there is a sideways curvature of the spine, or backbone. There are two types of scoliosis:
l Nonstructural (functional) scoliosis:is a normal spine that simply appears curved. This is a temporary curve, changing with the progress of time. Underlying conditions such as uneven leg lengths, postural problems, and muscular imbalances can result in back spasms and direct trauma to the spine, which lead to Scoliosis. Neither the vertebrae nor the spinal bones are affected.
l Structural scoliosis: is much more serious as compared to its nonstructural counterpart and develops as a result of unequal growth of the two sides of the vertebrae (spinal bones). Structural scoliosis involves both a side-to-side curve and also a twist or rotation in the spine.
What Causes Scoliosis?
This disorder mainly affects young children who are more susceptible to the deformity as the bones in their spine are less mature and stable. There are certain cases where there is no identifiable reason patient stands but disappears when the patient lies down or bends forward are normally functional, and spinal curves that are evident when a patient stands but persist when he lies down or bends (in any direction) are normally structural.
X-ray evaluation:
If scoliosis is suspected, a simple x-ray of the spine can be taken to confirm whether there is an abnormal curve present or not.
Scoliotic Spine
Your physiotherapist addresses, more specifically, muscle imbalance, which has a major role in bringing about functional scoliosis. This asymmetry, if not treated, will affectyour posture, your appearance and cause you tremendous pain. Tight or spastic muscles, if severe enough, can result in your spine bending as the muscles in the back and pelvis are attached to your spine. Normally, the muscles on both sides of your spine are in balance with one another, pulling your spine in their respective directions, equally – much like two equally matched teams locked in a perpetual tug-of-war. When a muscle on one side of the spine is tight and in spasm, it can severely pull on the spine, breaking the previous equilibrium. Your physiotherapist may use exercises to help relax the tight muscles, thus allowing the spine to return to its natural curvature.
These exercises simply strengthen the core and back muscles of your body. They are safe and will not cause your scoliosis to worsen in any way. The aim of this exercise is to strengthen your back muscles and in effect help to reduce future spinal issues.
Another form of exercise that can be undertaken by the physiotherapist for your benefit is Pilates. This exercise form is specifically designed to improve back health.Lastly, maintaining a good posture is just as important Dr Anjana Laungani Consultant Physiotherapist & Rehab Specialist.
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