The sideways curving of the spine that often gets started in childhood, when the bones of the spine are still growing is commonly referred to as Scoliosis. In many cases, the exact cause of scoliosis is "idiopathic" or unknown.

Scoliosis is detected by uneven shoulder heights, a loss of structural balance, or a change in posture.

It is believed that scoliosis is the result of a genetic or hereditary problem or an adaptation to some type of trauma, such as the birth process, or an injury, such as falling off a bicycle. It usually starts with problems in the lower back.

Because spinal bones continue to grow well into the early 20s, if left uncorrected, scoliosis often worsens.

Unfortunately, the most common treatment approach has been to wait and see how bad it gets, resorting to unsightly braces, or eventually surgery, if it progresses too far.

Current research in the U.S. and Britain is showing that idiopathic scoliosis is a multifaceted disease that compromises all five of the body.s systems: neurological, digestive, hormonal, muscular and osseous (bone). These newer insights about the impact of the disease of scoliosis on a patient recognize that the body.s systems work together in an integrated fashion. When one of the body.s systems suffers a malady it can create problems with one or more of the body.s other systems.

If properly treated scoliosis can be stopped and in some cases reversed. Have one of our specially trained staff members at the Spine Center assess your condition.

Did you know

• Scoliosis more often tends to progress in girls than in boys, therefore girls more commonly need treatment.
• Females have a risk of curve progression 10 times higher than males.
• Scoliosis can run in families.
• Adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis are at increased risk of osteoporosis compared to the general pediatric population.
• There is a significant correlation of osteoporosis with idiopathic scoliosis in adults.
• Gall bladder problems are more likely to occur in people with scoliosis.
• There is not just one factor responsible for the spinal curvature of idiopathic scoliosis.
• There is evidence that poor nutrition may play a role in idiopathic scoliosis.