What is Scoliosis?
It refers to a sideways curvature of the spine. There are five types of scoliosis:
- Idiopathic scoliosis – common in infants, children and adolescents.
- Congenital scoliosis – linked with a structural abnormality in the body
- Neuromuscular scoliosis – linked with diseases and disorders of the brain, nerves and muscles such as muscular dystrophy
- Paralytic scoliosis – linked with a loss of spinal cord function from injury or disease
- Functional scoliosis – common in adults
Can scoliosis be caused by poor posture?
No.
Can physiotherapy help people with scoliosis?
Yes. Physiotherapy is part of the treatment plan for scoliosis at every phase, with focus on pain reduction, correction of muscle imbalances, restoring full function and preventing a reoccurrence.
What are the causes of scoliosis?
Genetics – a family history of scoliosis
Uneven leg length
Neuromuscular conditions
Injury
Repetitive practice of asymmetrical activities leading to overuse
How do I know if I have scoliosis?
Uneven hips
Uneven shoulders
One shoulder blade being more prominent than the other
Curve is more pronounced when bending forward
Bending to one side
Pain in the joints around the curvature
Not sure about your conditions?