Anyone have scoliosis?

[dragonwarrior]

Hi guys,
just wondering if anyone else here has scoliosis? Maybe you can share your story on how do you manage to live with scoliosis. Mine was detected about 4 years ago and the curve was about 13-15 degrees. At some point of my life I felt discomfort and pain while doing daily activities. I cannot run from the fact that it is a lifelong condition that I have to live with forever. So I managed to get treatments by chiropractor every week and later every month (in 2 years). But personally I'm not sure whether chiropractic is really effective and also requires a lot of money. Lately I've been doing basic yoga and I stopped going to chiropractor for nearly a year now. I feel better yet weaker (I mean I could not feel the strength to lift something heavy especially on my upper body). Just today I got the result of my thorax x-ray and I feel that the upper spine curves even more. I could not compare it with the old x-ray right now since I still keep it in the chiropractic clinic. I don't know what to do.. should I go to a chiropractor? Please share your thoughts here. Thanks

Metta,
Winny

[Ben]

Greetings Winny

I'm sorry to learn of your condition. I don't have scoliosis and I can only imagine how it must limit you in your daily life. I recommend that you get a referral from your family doctor to a specialist such as a thoracic or orthopaedic surgeon.
Wishing you the very best,

Ben

[dragonwarrior]

Hi Ben, thanks for your kind thoughts.. I hope surgery will be my very last choice

[Dominic Sidor]

Hi Winny,

I have a curve in my spine as well (although I'm unsure if it's as severe as yours). Was going to a chiro once a week which as you have pointed out costs quite a bit. From memory I think the chiro said it was a mild case of scoliosis.

I've found daily yoga type stretching (google 'lower back strengthening excercises') has helped a lot, also strengthening the core through ab exercises (v-situps, the plank etc.) and strength conditioning using a kettlebell (forces your body to balance, increases strenght and flexibility, I found this one helped the most). Also general flexibility in the lower body will help alleviate muscle strain and strain on your back (ie. if your legs are inflexible and you bend over to pick something up your body will use your lower back).

My chiro also said that running is actually beneficial for the spine (not sure how, I think it is because when you run your body automatically straightens into a correct posutre). Otherwise do you play any sports? I also found swimming to help as well. Also what kind of job are you doing? If you're in an office you really do need to get up and stretch every hour, even if it looks ridiculous.

Unfortunately to ween myself off the chiro I found there was no simple answer, was an overall overhaul to ensure exercise, diet, stretching and general wellbeing. My spine is probably still curved but I haven't had pain for a long time, I guess the key is conditioning those muscles to support yourself.

I hope some of this helps, I know it's hard and how hard back pain can be. Not being able to put your socks on or roll out of bed can be a nightmare.

Take care,
Dominic Sidor

[dragonwarrior]

Dear Dominic,
thank for your kind suggestions. I'm a student majoring in hotel & tourism management. I had an experience working in hotel in front office dept. and I had to stand up for more than 8 hours a day with 5-cm heels everyday. My chiro said that it was only worsened the scoliosis.. Everyday was like torture for my feet. Fortunately I didn't experience any back pain during the internship. My biggest concern is that the spine will curves more and more every year. Plus I heard that the curve could progress fast during pregnancy period (can't imagine the lower back pain). It's difficult not to worry too much about this condition, isn't it? But I remember Buddha said that we shouldn't be worried of the future.. I find that anapanasati meditation is really helping when I do yoga.

I found there was no simple answer, was an overall overhaul to ensure exercise, diet, stretching and general wellbeing. My spine is probably still curved but I haven't had pain for a long time, I guess the key is conditioning those muscles to support yourself.

So agree with you

Wishing you the best too,
Winny

[SetSail]

Hiya, Winny! I know I'm on here a little late, but I wanted to chime in and thank everyone for their stories and experiences. I haven't been diagnosed with scoliosis, but I have reason to believe my sister Jennifer does. Jennifer has always been pretty healthy, but she hasn't been to a doctor in the past few years. That and as she's gotten older (she's 51 years old now), her bone health (and posture) has clearly deteriorated. Instead of that proud, strong stance, she's kinda slumped over; and I'm not speaking figuratively! I swear!

Anyway, she's been really iffy about going to the doctor after her husband (age 60) died due to congestive heart failure. Her thinking is "no news is good news" and this is CLEARLY the wrong way to think. This is why I'm here, of course. I'm trying to dig up similar stories and make her go. =)

Judging from the general consensus, it seems like you're all advocating going to a chiropractor but you're also endorsing exercise (yoga, running, etc). Did your general practitioners recommend this? Also, I have one more odd question: Does having scoliosis (curving of the spine) put you at higher risk for other bone related conditions like osteoporosis, metabolic bone disease, or in a worst case scenario, chondrosarcoma?I'm not asking if it causes it as much as I'm asking if it simply puts one at higher risk. Thanks, all! =)

[Dmytro]

Hi Winny,

I have quite a problem with my back. What helps me very much is:

Stott Pilates DVD:
http://store.stottpilates.com/store/ite ... de=DV81145

Gokhale method:
https://egwellness.com/classes-services/free-classes

Chiropractor's work has been helpful, but only with the inclusion of the Stott Pilates and Gokhale method.

IMHO, Stott Pilates is much better in such case than yoga.

Best wishes, Dmytro

[Ytrog]

I have a mild scoliosis as well (diagnosed when I was a child, never treated) and sometimes it hinders my meditation, however I found that the pain in my back is (if it's not too much) quite useful in meditation as something that I can observe.

Another trick I learned (from a Samanera) is to swing a bit to all sides with your back when you start meditating until you find a position that is reasonably comfortable.

[Within]

Hi there. My aunt had severe scoliosis and it progresses into her 60's and 70's. It eventually progressed to a point where her pain was interfering with her life in a fairly major way. She tried a lot of innovative treatments to get the pain and other symptoms under control. I'm in my late 20's and have scoliosis. I don't want to have to go through a lot of the stuff she did. Has anyone heard of the Anesthesia Pain Consultants of Indiana or has tried a therapy like this? I'm looking for any suggestions on how to get the pain under control before it gets too bad.