Scoliosis Care

Scoliosis is a sideways curve of the spine that develops during childhood and most often being diagnosed in adolescents. Normally the spine appears straight when viewed from front to back. However, a “C” shape or an “S” shape spine will be seen in someone with scoliosis.

Scoliosis is determined when the curvature of the spine is measured 10 degrees or greater on an X-ray. Spinal curvature from scoliosis may occur on the right or left side of the spine, or on both sides in different sections. Both the thoracic and lumbar spine may be affected by scoliosis.

Nationwide, about 3% of the Malaysian population has some form of scoliosis; some who are born with it, and some who get scoliosis as they age. About 90% of scoliosis patients have a spinal curvature that is not severe enough to require surgery, yet is extremely painful because of how it affects the body’s anatomy.

Type of Scoliosis:
Functional scoliosis is a curvature due to a problem that does not involve the spine, such as having legs that are different lengths or muscle spasms caused by pain. These can cause to lean to the side, creating the appearance of scoliosis. More importantly, this type of curvature is flexible and will go away if the problem that causes to lean to the side goes away.

Structural scoliosis is the spine curvature is not flexible and does not go away with a change in position.
There is no evidence that functional scoliosis will lead to structural scoliosis.

Most cases of scoliosis are considered idiopathic, meaning the cause is unknown. Less commonly, scoliosis may be caused by genetic factors, bad posture and underlying nerve or muscle conditions.

– Difference in shoulder height 


– ⁠The head isn’t centered with the rest of the body 


– Difference in hip height 


– ⁠Difference in shoulder blade height


– ⁠Asymmetry in the ribs seen from front or back


– ⁠When bend forward, humping on one side of the body (Adam’s Test)

As the degree of curvature increases, the excess curvature can cause other health problems.
Increasing spinal curvature can result in breathing difficulty and reduced lung capacity. In milder cases, scoliosis may not be easily noticed by the person or their family. Detecting scoliosis early in children is especially important because some forms of scoliosis keep progressing.

Symptoms are typically not associated with idiopathic scoliosis. However, in some cases, patients may present with back pain, leg pain, numbness, or changes in bowel and bladder function. The presence of these symptoms is not characteristic of idiopathic scoliosis and may indicate an underlying condition. Individuals experiencing such signs should seek prompt medical evaluation by a qualified doctor to determine the underlying cause.

Early detection of scoliosis is most important for successful treatment. In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, an X-ray is the primary diagnostic tool for scoliosis. In establishing a diagnosis of scoliosis, the doctor measures the degree of spinal curvature on the X-ray.

Yes!

It appears that most successful cases of scoliosis management used a multi-modal approach, combining chiropractic adjustments with self-care exercises and other methods of rehabilitation. Case studies indicate that early intervention with conservative care has the potential to stop or reverse the curvature.

Mild scoliosis (below 19 degree) : Conservative (Chiropractic adjustment, bracing, rehabilitation)
Moderate scoliosis (20-44 degree) : Conservative (Chiropractic adjustment, bracing, rehabilitation)
Severe scoliosis ( >45 degree) : Surgery consideration

The Schroth Method is a specialized, physiotherapeutic exercise approach designed for individuals with scoliosis. It focuses on 3-dimensional correction of the spine through targeted exercises, breathing techniques, and postural awareness. The Schroth method, developed by Katharina Schroth in the 1920s in Germany, is highly recognized for its effectiveness in managing scoliosis.