The condition known as adolescent idiopathic scoliosis which causes curvature of the spine in children is both mysterious and complex. Most specialists will agree that there is no known single cause of this serious condition. Experts agree of the fact that they see more cases to severe ones in females than in males. In this article we will attempt to take some of the mystery out of this baffling condition and make some sense of the reason that it predominates in females. We will discuss some theories as to the reasons why this is so. However, please remember that they are not straight facts but theories.

Girls are more than ten times more likely to develop adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) by the age of ten than boys according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Also, the chances of the curvature getting worse is ten times more likely in girls than of boys the same age. So why are girls being diagnosed with scoliosis more than boys?

Levels of Female Hormones

Look at any public-school class of the age of pre-puberty or puberty children and you cannot help but notice that some of the girls look like young ladies and the boys of the same age appear as young kids. This can explain why in public schools girls will gravitate to boys who are a few years older than they are for social and romantic interaction. Girls feel that a boy their own age is akin to a younger brother. Also, the boys their age have not reached puberty and their interest in girls is more on the teasing level than on the romantic one.

We are familiar with the fact that puberty starts earlier in girls than boys. The big trigger of scoliosis progression in girls is rapid growth and development. Hormone levels in girls shoot up at a much earlier age which is one of the reasons why scoliosis develops more typically in girls.

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) directs both skeletal growth and puberty through hormone levels. A major hormone called leptin, regulates the body functions relating to reproduction and physical growth, specifically, body weight, puberty signals and bone growth. Leptin is the hormone that regulates how the body manages weight gain. Low BMI (body-mass index) in girls of puberty age results in the development of scoliosis. The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) in girls increases in activity because of the increase of the hormone, leptin. While the girls are growing earlier than boys of the same age the neuroendocrine (hormone) stimulation effects the spinal growth in adolescent girls more routinely. The hormone, leptin controls a person of any age’s increased appetite and weight gain. The Leptin theory could explain why certain people can eat the same amount as others and not gain weight. Some experts are exploring other hormone’s roles in scoliosis development such as melatonin, however, no clear conclusion has yet been established.

Emotional Triggers of Adolescent Female Idiopathic Scoliosis

When neuroscientists present the emotional triggers of certain physical conditions they are inevitably going to have to deal with arguments against their theories. We will try to stay clear of making any judgments and state the details of each theory. After finishing this article, you might be interested in reading more detailed accounts of specific scoliosis patients and how their emotional health affects their physical stature.

According to neuroscience, the brains of male and females are programmed differently. There is a popular book that every man and women who is or would like to be in a thriving relationship should read. The book is called Men Are From Mars Women Are From Venus which helps navigate any relationship with the opposite sex, whether it’s in the professional realm or personal one. Most people have heard of this book but don’t take it seriously since it is written in a down to earth manner.

Men Have Bigger Brains

Men may have larger brains physically but the limbic system, which is responsible for memory and emotion is more prominent in women. The limbic system guides the hormonal response to emotional stimuli. Women respond more emotionally, and they remember much more detail and more of the past than men. That’s the reason why women are called historical (similar in pronunciation to hysterical). If a man or woman have an argument, the man will go forward, and the woman will have more of a tendency to look back. All this results from the limbic system.

Next time your wife reminds you of one of your mistakes from a few years back you will understand why she remembers, and she should understand why you do not.

Brain Threat Detector

The amygdala, or brain threat indicator, is slightly larger in men than women. The amygdala responds to threats differently in men than women. For example, if a woman is in a dangerous situation, she might freeze. This is the old-fashioned version of the damsel in distress waiting for the man to rescue her. Scientists compare this to the way a fawn freeze when it sees a car on the road and instead running it just immobilizes and unfortunately can be run over. Women have more of a tendency to suppress threatening or negative emotions.

How does this relate to scoliosis in female adolescents? Adolescence is an emotional struggle for both boys and girls. Boys, try to be macho and fight when possible, but any bad experiences in either sex during adolescence can arrest their emotional development critically. The female brain is more susceptible to stress and we will see why this increases the development of scoliosis in girls.

Girls Have Less Testosterone

Since girls have more estrogen and less testosterone, they are more sensitive and emotional with an increased tendency to depression. Higher levels of testosterone help the boys avoid emotional triggers and maybe be considered insensitive by their female peers. The cultural myth of the “cool guy” is actually true and caused by testosterone.

In a lab study of male and female rats, it was found that stress binds more closely to the female rat’s brain. By self-reducing the hormone, corticotropin – releasing factor (CRF), the male rats showed more tolerance for and adaptation to the stress.

Emotional Repression in Girls Can Cause Scoliosis

When I was small my father would sing us a poem about the advantages of having daughters. Part of the poem was, “Girls are made of sugar and spice and everything nice. Boys are made of snakes and snails and puppy dog tails”. This rhyme teaches a girl early that she is expected to behave nicely and be good. A good girl is polite and obedient and if she tries to be like a boy, she would be called, “a tomboy”.

Jon Burras, writes in his book, Return To Nature: The Five Pillars of Healing, his belief as to the reason scoliosis is prominent in girls. Girls’ bodies change drastically in a very short time during puberty. A twelve-year-old girl who does not have self- esteem will try to hide her changing body. A boy’s body does not show the effects of puberty in such a public way and starts later on.

Cheryl of MindKind Mom, attests to her own childhood experiences of emotional repression causing her own scoliosis. Cheryl’s mom was an epitome of emotional repression and Cheryl looked up to her as her role model. Her mom never spoke badly about anyone nor did she raise her voice or get angry. Cheryl calls scoliosis, a non- person disease.

Boys Tend to Be More Physically Active Than Girls

You may take issue with this statement since there are many girls’ sports domains and teams. We all are aware that physical activity is a stress buster. You may argue that the good hormones endorphins, are plentiful in active females and are amazing reducers of stress. You cannot argue, however, that while the guys are shooting baskets or hitting baseballs for fun, the girls are hanging out with friends. Some old-fashioned girls will still avoid activities considered, unladylike. Girls will therefore have weaker bones and muscles which becomes the perfect storm for a condition like scoliosis.

Final Words

There is no absolute answer for the cause of idiopathic adolescent scoliosis. It is imperative that a parent take their child to a doctor and if necessary, to a scoliosis center to treat this problem. Most parents can detect if there is an underlying emotional issue with their child. If there is an unhealthy situation going on at home, the school should look into it if they see the child both unhappy and in a bent down position including very little eye contact. No matter what the underlying cause of the scoliosis is, and we may never find out, it must be treated with the latest brace technology and physical therapy. Perhaps during these sessions, a sensitive professional can speak to the child, comfort her, and give her the emotional support which will build her self-esteem and at the same time manage her scoliosis.

Some people swear by chiropractors, however, there is controversy as to the efficiency and knowledgeability of chiropractors in the treatment of scoliosis. In this article we will attempt to find out if chiropractic care can be beneficial in improving the spinal Cobb scale of your child’s spine and decreasing or eliminating the pain of this condition. Idiopathic scoliosis is the term used for childhood scoliosis, but adults may suffer from scoliosis as well.

History of Chiropractic Care

It’s quite fascinating to learn why Daniel David Palmer of Davenport, Iowa is credited in the popularization of chiropractic practices. It was because of a serendipitous incident that happened in his office. Prior to this occurrence Palmer held various jobs such as a schoolteacher and grocery store owner and had a prior interest in the various health philosophies of his day, including magnetic healing. Historically, chiropractic care dates back to 1895 and originates from Greek, chiro, meaning “by hand”, and praktos meaning, “done”. It seems to stress a more natural homeopathic philosophy with the emphasis on avoiding both drugs and surgery. In fact, Palmer was a self-taught healer who attempted to find cures for diseases without using drugs. This ancient art of manipulating the body parts, especially the spine, in a gentle but effective way, claims to be able to stop earaches in children, neck pain, spinal disk conditions, osteoarthritis, headaches and other serious debilitating ailments. People are attracted to chiropractors because they emphasize the more conservative methods of treatments instead of more aggressive medical interventions.

Palmer’s Discovery

While in his office, Palmer noticed that the janitor of the building, Harvey Lillard who was bending over bare backed to empty the trash can, had a vertebra out of position. Palmer asked the janitor if he was injured, and the janitor answered that he moved the wrong way and heard a “pop”. The janitor claimed that at the same moment of the “pop” he realized that his hearing was lost! Palmer asked the janitor to lay face down on the floor and adjusted his back. Coming back the next day to Palmer, the janitor announced that his hearing had returned. Amazingly, two years later Palmer opened the first school of chiropractic.

Scoliosis Cure vs. Pain

From this author’s research on chiropractic manipulation, chiropractors look at the whole person and their body not just at the spine curvature. Dr. Dennis Woggon, founder of the Clear Institute, claims that scoliosis does not begin with the Cobb’s angle but rather begins in the head. According to the Clear Institute mantra, the brain needs to be retrained to use the spinal joints and muscles in an entirely different way than it’s used to. In treating scoliosis, the chiropractor will use a combination of different treatments such as, stretches and exercises along with massages. It is his belief that nerve tension is a factor in the development of scoliosis and the relieving of nerve tension will quicken the reshaping of the spine.

Sensorimotor integration (or SMI) is the relationship of the brain to the body or how they communicate. If the body and the brain are in sync, then there will be pain improvement. To help scoliosis patients, the chiropractor must retrain the brain on how to use the body, specifically the spine in new ways that it is not accustomed to.

Dr. Waggon stresses that although scoliosis can be controlled, it cannot be completely cured. If the Cobb angle is below 20 degrees when the patient arrives for their first session, it can be reduced to below 10 degrees and then technically it will no longer be considered scoliosis. Even after a few weeks of treatment, a subtle improvement can be seen in the appearance of the ribs in the back on the right side and in the front on the left side. Before starting treatment, the chiropractor will take x-rays to see the extent of the damage to the spine.

Dr. Waggon’s Clear Institute cautions about chiropractors who look to “unstuck” joints that are stuck or rigid. Scoliosis does not have a joint mobility problem rather it’s the location of the joints that need to be realigned. Traditional chiropractic approaches can aggravate the scoliosis by pressuring the spinal joints and aggravating the surrounding nerves. In other words, each chiropractor must be assessed individually in their treatment of scoliosis.

Many people are misinformed as to what a chiropractor actually does. A controlled force (usually the hand) is applied in the exact direction to a spinal joint that is so called, “locked up” or not moving correctly. This procedure will correct the structural alignment and remove any blockages there may be in the nervous system. This should cause improved spinal function with a reduction of pain. The patient is supposed to have an overall improvement in their mood and overall wellness. If done correctly a spinal adjustment should not cause pain since the force and pressure are gentle and minimal. If there is soreness it should feel like starting a new exercise program. Just like with exercising, drinking lots of water and maybe using an ice pack initially can help with any feeling of discomfort when you begin working with a chiropractor.

Difference Between a Physical Therapist & Chiropractor

Although physical therapists and chiropractors often treat the same conditions and areas of the body, they are coming from different perspectives, expectations, and outcomes for their clients.

Chiropractors emphasize how the nervous system and brain influence disorders of the joints and spine. To become a chiropractor, a student needs to complete a bachelor’s degree, receive a Doctor of Chiropractic degree after completing an accredited program and then pass a license certification test.

Physical therapists with the same training differ in their approach and exercise regimens. Personally, I can attest to having used three different physical therapists for my own back issues and they were each unique. Some gave a massage before beginning treatment to loosen tight muscles while another gave a hot compress before beginning a session. Still another gave a cold compress upon ending the session. Each one had totally different exercise routines and tools. One stayed close by during the entire session giving me individual attention while another put me on the stationary bike and left me alone in the room.

Physical therapy began by filling a gap for the overwork of doctors and nurses with soldiers after World War 1. They helped those soldiers who were not able to walk independently to live a more productive life. These therapists work with both hands-on manual therapy and neuromuscular education and exercises that patients are prescribed to follow up at home.

To become a physical therapist, the student completes their bachelor’s degree, receives a Doctorate in Physical Therapy, and passes an exam to complete their licensing. Then they must participate in a residency program and receive additional experience and expertise.

Putting It All Together

The world of chiropractors is intriguing. Their patients run the gamut of the medical patient population. There may be some that are experts in certain areas such as scoliosis. They believe in working in conjunction with bracing and surgery. Then there are the more extreme types of chiropractors who have certain specific beliefs such as anti-vaccination, anti-drug, and pro-herbal. These people should be approached with caution especially with a condition in children such as scoliosis. Scoliosis if left untreated or mistreated is not a condition that is dormant. As the child grows the curve will get worse and someone who is working exclusively with a chiropractor will miss the margin of opportunity of non- surgical corrections such as bracing and physical therapy.

Even the most knowledgeable chiropractor explained scoliosis this way. “It is vital to understand on the onset that scoliosis pain can be treated though not curable….it is most often compared to diabetes which happens to be a condition that requires continuous care.” Yes, it’s true that scoliosis takes a while to cure, but I don’t think that a scoliosis specialist will speak in this way. Scoliosis is a condition that is considered curable when a prescribed regimen of bracing (if necessary) and physical therapy are utilized simultaneously. From my research it seems that most chiropractors concentrate on pain relief sans drugs while scoliosis brace and physical therapists concentrate on a solution.

Some chiropractors will work along with scoliosis centers to give pain relief to those who suffer while ongoing scoliosis treatment. Those chiropractors are experts at light touch massaging which will not injure delicate tissues and bones in the mid-therapy years. Relaxation techniques can be helpful for children and teens who are stressed from wearing their bracing for such long stretches.

Final Words

It is critical that your child gets an accurate scoliosis diagnosis and treatment regimen before even thinking about visiting a chiropractor. Most chiropractors are not trained to diagnose scoliosis abnormalities. They can therefore miss a primary cause of scoliosis or any other related issues. So, do not use a chiropractor as a diagnostician and only with the complete consent of your scoliosis therapist agree to let your child be treated by a competent and recommended chiropractor.

In the USA, approximately three million people are diagnosed with scoliosis every year. Most of these people are between the ages of 10-13. However, there is a small portion of people between the ages of 60 years of age and older that develop degenerative scoliosis. 

Scoliosis in adults is also known as degenerative scoliosis. This condition tends to be underdiagnosed and undermanaged, but most of all poorly prevented. The causes of degenerative scoliosis can be due to pediatric idiopathic scoliosis or a result of the aging process. 

Some of the most common scoliosis symptoms in adults include numbness, cramping, shooting pain in the legs, trouble walking, uneven hips or shoulders, and a loss of height. People also frequently experience fatigue from the extra strain placed on their lower back and legs.

As we age, the structure of our bodies weakens including muscles, bones, ligaments, and tendons. This weakening leads to heavier loads on joints, especially the spine. It is important to be aware of how these changes affect our bodies.

Individuals with scoliosis need to learn how to manage their condition throughout the course of their lives or the consequences can be very detrimental. Even adults that have not been diagnosed with scoliosis need to be cognizant of ways to manage the risk of developing it. 

Understanding how the body changes over time

Muscles

Muscles that help to maintain the movement of our bodies and provide support to our skeleton suffer muscle loss called sarcopenia. This is a natural part of aging but can take a toll on the support our spines need to function normally. We begin to lose muscle mass at the rate of 3%-5% every 10 years beginning at age 30. Studies indicate that most individuals lose about 25%-30% of their muscle mass in their lifetime.

Ligaments and Joint Capsules

Ligaments are short bands of strong, flexible fibrous connective tissue which connects two bones which aids in supporting joints and limiting unwanted mobility. Ligaments and joint capsules decrease in stiffness and strength as a result of aging and decrease in their ability to heal from injury or trauma. 

Bone Density

Bone density is determined by the amount of bone formation (osteoblasts) vs bone breakdown (osteoclasts). From ages 25-50, the activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts keep the bone density of the body stable. However, after the age of about 50, osteoclast activity is greater than that of osteoblasts causing the loss of bone density. This bone density loss can lead to both osteopenia and osteoporosis. These conditions increase the risk of fractures, degeneration of bones in the spine creating a loss of height, scoliosis, etc. 

Degenerative Discs

Intervertebral discs are found between each vertebrae in the spinal column. Each of these discs form a fibrocartilaginous joint to allow slight movement of the vertebrae, to act as a ligament does to hold the vertebrae together, and functions to attenuate or absorb shock for the spine.

As we age, the discs that are located between each of our vertebrae begin to dry out and no longer cushion the bones. Without the ability of the discs to absorb shock, the nerve roots or spinal cord (or both) start to get pinched or pressured. This condition is called aging degeneration or disc degeneration. When the disc degenerates uneven, the loads and forces being placed on the spine are also uneven. Hence, the breakdown of the spine in an uneven fashion creates a scoliotic curve. In order for the body to maintain its balance, compensatory curves and/or movement begin, further causing the body injury and/or pain. Degeneration of the discs can lead to contact between bone, pinched nerves, and fatigue as the body tries to compensate for the structural imbalance.

Adult Scoliosis Prevention

Because weakening musculature contributes to scoliosis, strengthening the muscles responsible for supporting the spine can help. People who have scoliosis or are at risk for developing it should maintain a high level of activity. Low-impact exercises like swimming and yoga are often ideal.

Conditions which affect bone health, like osteoporosis, can lead to degenerative scoliosis. Two of the most significant ways to maintain bone health include losing excess weight and having a diet that’s rich with vitamin D and calcium. Getting an average of 7 hours of sleep is also a significant factor to allow the spine to rehydrate unloaded by gravity. 

Scoliosis Treatment in Adults

Very few people require surgery for scoliosis. It’s only necessary when spinal curvature continues to worsen beyond a certain point or when pain becomes unmanageable using conservative treatments. For most people, conservative treatments produce the best results. Drugs that treat inflammation can help manage pain associated with degenerative scoliosis. This is a only short-term solution. They are more of a means of helping to cope with the pain of rebuilding the strength needed for activities of daily living. Adults with scoliosis have been able to use the custom WCR brace to help with pain relief while allowing them to strengthen their muscles. Bracing is the only non-surgical treatment proven to reduce the progression of scoliosis curves, as Schroth therapy which is specific to scoliosis helps tremendously in combination with the brace.

Prevention Exercises

Talk to your doctor or physical therapist to see if these exercises would be beneficial for you to do before trying them. I highly recommend seeking a consultation and evaluation by a Schroth Therapist. Schroth Therapists specialize in treating scoliosis, all curves are different, and some exercises are contraindicated based on the condition of your spine.

Arm Leg Raise

Arm/leg raises strengths the lower back and core muscles, which support your spine.

1) Lie on your stomach with your chin or forehead to the ground. Hold your legs straight and arms extended overhead.

2) Slowly raise one arm off the ground, hold for a moment, and lower it back to the ground.

3) Now repeat this for your other arm and legs, 15 repetitions each. You may prefer a slightly more intense version of this exercise, which requires additional balance and coordination. This version is sometimes called an opposite arm/leg raise, or a bird-dog exercise.

4) Get on your hands and knees. Keep your spine straight, with your hands directly below your shoulders and your knees aligned directly under your hips.

5) Reach out with an arm and keep it straight and level. At the same time, extend the leg on your opposite side, keeping it straight and level.

6) Hold for a few deep breaths, then gently lower your arm and leg to starting position.

7) Repeat this exercise with your other arm/leg. Try for 10 to 15 repetitions on each side.

Some people may even want to perform this exercise by lying with their stomach over an exercise ball. Talk to your health care provider to determine which version of this exercise suits you best.

Pelvic Tilt

The pelvic tilt helps strengthen your abdominal muscles. It is recommended you perform it on a yoga mat.

1) Lie on your back. Bend your knees so both feet are flat on the surface with toes pointed forward.

2) Pull your belly button in so your pelvis pushes toward the ceiling and your back flattens against the ground.

3) Hold this position for 20 seconds, and then relax. Try to do this exercise 10 times. Make sure you rely on your core muscles to perform the pelvic tilt, rather than pushing with your legs.

This exercise appears simple but can be tricky to get right, so you may want to practice technique with a physical therapist or other qualified healthcare provider.

Cat/Cow Exercise

This exercise stretches the muscles and tendons that support your spine.

1) Start on your hands and knees. Align your arms straight under your shoulders and your knees under your hips.

2) Look at the floor, keeping your head straight in line with your torso and spine.

3) Round your back, lifting your spine toward the ceiling. Your eyes should face your belly.

4) Hold for a deep breath.

5) Slowly lift your chest and tailbone toward the ceiling, letting your stomach sink toward the ground. Your eyes will look up toward the ceiling.

6) After another breath, gently round your back and lift your spine toward the ceiling again. Alternate between the poses.

The cat/cow provides a gentle strengthening exercise for your abdominals and stretches your lower back.

Latissimus Stretch

This stretch can help elongate and strengthen your lat muscles, which may feel tight due to scoliosis.

1) Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, slightly bent at the knees.

2) Reach overhead and grab your left wrist with your right hand.

3) Bend at your right side until you feel a stretch along your left trunk. Put most of your body weight on your right leg.

4) Hold for 5 to 10 seconds, then return to the starting position by pushing from your right foot.

5) Try this exercise on the opposite side.

Scoliosis is a complex condition that requires a multidisciplinary approach in order to obtain the most optimal outcome, which is avoiding surgery, preventing or reducing pain, and preventing progression of the curve(s), and improvement of body alignment. It is quite common to hear that an individual with scoliosis will see a physician for the monitoring and overall care of their spine, an orthotist for bracing and a physical therapist for movement treatment. Many parents I meet have put quite a bit of time and effort into learning about and understanding the condition and treatment options. After finding the best physician who will take a conservative approach to treatment, an orthotist that provides a Rigo-Chêneau brace that truly follows the principles that Dr. Rigo teaches, and a physical therapist that is experienced and certified in the Schroth Method, one would think they have covered all bases. There is one more thing to consider, diet and nutrition. It is less common to hear about the diet of the person as part of their treatment plan.  As you read this blog, my intention is to create awareness of the importance of proper nutrition and how it relates to scoliosis. If your providers have not discussed this with you, it is important to ask at your next visit.

We know that scoliosis is a life-long condition that is crucial to control while you are growing to prevent surgery and pain later in life. If you think of scoliosis as a structure like a slinky or Jenga, it is easy to understand why balance and alignment are the priority. If one block is unbalanced, rotated, or twisted, the entire structure is affected. Thinking in these terms makes it easier to understand why we want to ensure that these blocks or vertebrae are strong, aligned and balanced so that the spine can remain stable over a long period of time.

Bone mass is important to help prevent osteoporosis as an adult. Calcium and Vitamin D play essential roles in helping the body to build bone mass. Calcium builds bone mass when the appropriate amount is consumed consistently in the diet or with the use of supplements. Vitamin D aids the body in absorbing calcium and helps with both metabolic and neurological functions.  The Texas Children’s Hospital recommends adolescents consume between 1200 and 1500 mg of calcium every day to minimize the risk of bone loss. Since the 1980’s sun exposure was demonized and as a result our society has become driven to stay inside to protect ourselves. Certainly, understanding the risks of excessive UV ray exposure and how it relates to cancer is certainly important to prevent. However, sun exposure is one of the best ways to get our dose of vitamin D. This article is not suggesting UVB rays are the only way to obtain vitamin D. As you read on, you will find through diet and supplements, the ability to get exactly the amount of this vitamin safely. The benefits of vitamin D are plentiful and important to the health of our bodies. Vitamin D helps promote angiogenesis and helps to mitigate the body’s inflammatory response. Angiogenesis can be described as the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones. This process helps calcium that is available in the stomach to be transported to the bones and help to strengthen them. There is not yet a standard vitamin D dosage that is agreed upon by the experts because there are so many factors that can cause deficiencies. It is important that factors such as medical history, lifestyle, geographical location, and body composition all be considered when a dosage is prescribed. It is imperative that a physician or registered dietitian prescribe the correct dosage because some diseases limit the amount of vitamin D supplementation.

A 25(OH)D or calcidiol test is needed to most accurately evaluate the status of Vitamin D in the individual, however, it is not always necessary in order for your physician to prescribe the appropriate amount of supplementation when all factors of the individual are considered.

Some of the reasons that individuals experience Vitamin D deficiency:

• Constant use of sunscreen when in an outdoor environment. Even using SPF 15 blocks 99% of UVB rays which make vitamin D in the skin.
• Dress. Some cultures cover almost all the skin, blocking UVB rays.
• Diet. Foods high in Vitamin D include fortified milk, fortified cereal, and fatty fish
• Living 40 degrees north of the equator. This includes Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. This geographical region has less opportunity for UVB exposure. The 40-degree line above the equator defines the state borders of Nebraska and Kansas.
• Supplements. Limited use of supplements that include the appropriate amount of vitamin D. Typically a multivitamin does not contain enough vitamin D to be considered optimal, especially if some of the other factors listed are present.
• Darker skin. Those with darker complexions (i.e. from Africa, East India, and Caribbean, etc.) can require 6 times the amount of sun exposure to form the same amount of vitamin D as those with lighter skin.
• Disorders. Disorders that cause malabsorption of vitamins such as cystic fibrosis, Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, etc.
• Medications: Some medications require limited sun exposure because they cause photosensitivity. Examples are tetracyclines which are used to treat infections such as pneumonia and respiratory infections and amiodarone used to treat irregular heartbeat.

There can be additional symptoms related to scoliosis. Most people think of scoliosis as a condition that affects only the bones of the spine and musculature surrounding these structures. Scoliosis can also be accompanied with digestive problems such as pain, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), acid reflux, constipation, and heartburn. The use of digestive aids can be helpful in minimizing these issues. Some enzyme formulas such as Metagest or Metaxyme have been found to help. EPA-DHA Complex is a probiotic that promotes healthy bacteria in the intestine. As always, it is important to consult your physician before taking supplement or digestive aid.

Anecdotal evidence has shown that the use of a Wood Chêneau Rigo brace as well as Schroth Therapy have helped to reduce and/or resolve some symptoms of digestive issues, acid reflux and heartburn. This is primarily because the brace does not squeeze the body but translates and shifts it. The brace does not use force to correct the spine, it allows the body to adapt to the corrective position over time. For this reason, the WCR brace is not painful to wear and does not feel like it is squeezing the body. Schroth therapy uses exercises to strengthen weak muscles and lengthen shortened muscles while breathing into the concavities of the curve. This therapy is not painful for the person and focuses on correction of the pelvis, ribs, and shoulder alignment. The WCR brace allows the person to breathe into the concavities naturally using the Schroth therapy techniques to continuously work toward improved alignment with every breath.

In conclusion, at Scoliosis Therapy Centers, we are focused on comprehensive and multidisciplinary treatment, providing you with continuous knowledge to obtain the best care possible. Understanding that there are a lot of variables to consider, we feel strongly that we can guide you through what can seem to be a daunting task to get the results you deserve. We want you to feel comfortable reaching out with questions and feel confident that we are doing our part in continuously learning and improving the services we provide. We are available to help you navigate through all the different disciplines to find the providers that can help create your multidisciplinary team, many of which we already work with closely.