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A Reader's Email About
Scoliosis in Children
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Related Sections from My Web Site: How Exercise Helped My Scoliosis Scoliosis Exercises - Part I - Yoga and the Egoscue Method Scoliosis Exercises - Part II - Stretching, Callanetics and Trigger Point Therapy My complete index of all the scoliosis related pages. Recommended Book:
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The email below is one I received in May, 2003 from a parent of a child with scoliosis. The child's orthopedic surgeon has recommended spinal fusion surgery, but the boy's father has decided that at this time the best course of action is to aggressively pursue nonsurgical treatment options for his son. I get a lot of emails from parents wanting more information about nonsurgical treatment options, so I thought I'd print this email to share this parent's ideas with my other web site readers.
(Reprinted with the author's permission.)
A reader in Monnesota writes -
"Just wanted to pop off an email to you thanking you for your wonderful site, and give you a snapshot of some of the things I've been discovering about scoliosis. No need to reply - hopefully there are some ideas here to munch on.
Our son Ben is 14, and was just diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis (no pain, no nerve problems, no discomfort). He has a quite severe S-curve, and the orthopedist very calmly tapped his neck and his sacrum when illustrating the span he'd like to fuse. The orthopedist has given us six months to try our voodoo and witchcraft, after which he'll take another look, and if the curve has stabilized or (gasp) regressed, he'll back off the insistence on surgery for at least another six months. I think he'd also expect to go ice-skating in Hades if that happened. We've taken the stand that unless imminent medical catastrophe can be demonstrated, we will not subject him to this surgery. So far the risks of surgery are greater than the risks of progression (not to say this might not change, but he didn't make the case).
He has been a very sedentary child, with much time spent at a computer. The first thing we noticed was that in the posture he most naturally adopts at the computer, he perfectly accentuates the constrictions visible in his curve. If I had to give a recipe to scientists eager to produce exactly his curve (the ones tethering rabbits, abusing chickens and so forth), I'd send them a picture of him at his desk. He's very overweight, as well. We are bad parents, and have already assumed our portion of the blame .. (only partly kidding). The overwhelming common sense conclusion is that in the past year (when the curve really began flourishing) during a growth spurt, he'd had his spine tethered. The corollary to this conclusion is that what posture and habit produce, posture and habit may have a role in undoing.
His lifestyle, his work posture and diet have changed, and we are currently pursuing the following remedies:
1. Rolfing - he'd had the original ten sessions done before the curve was noticed. He's now had three sessions and the rolfer is quite astonished at his progress. The rotation is demonstrably gone, and the curves seem slightly less severe. He will continue to have work after his body's settled a few weeks. My wife and I both had amazing results from our rolfing, and have a great deal of faith in this technique of bodywork.
The underlying premise is that through tension and atrophy, he's managed to re-architect his myofascial structure at a time when it is growing rapidly. Why do braced scoliotics often quickly revert to their curves? I believe it's because this re-education of the fascia has not occurred - together with a lack of strengthening addressed in the next strategy:
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Continued at Scoliosis in Children - Part II
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Related Pages in My Site
Scoliosis Brace - a reader letter on why one mother chose alternative treatments over a brace for her daughter with spinal curvature.
Scoliosis: Can Diet and Exercise Help? - Explores the role of diet and exercise treatment. Reviews recent research linking scoliosis to osteopenia and osteoporosis.
Scoliosis Exercises Recommended books and tips. Covers yoga and Egoscue method.
Scoliosis Exercises - Part II - Recommended books and tips. Covers trigger point therapy, Callanetics and stretching.
Yoga for Kids - tips on getting your child motivated to do yoga each day.
Children with Scoliosis - FAQ from my email.
Disclaimer: Statements and information regarding any products mentioned within this site have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. Any information on this site should be considered as general information only and should not be used to diagnose or treat any health condition.
See your health care provider for a diagnosis and treatment of any medical concerns you may have, and before implementing any diet, supplement, exercise or other lifestyle changes. This site may contain errors. Use it at your own risk. Read the rest of our disclaimer and terms of use.
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