Written By: Pavitra Sampath | Published : June 25, 2015 7:08 PM IST
In a healthy, school going child the human spine is curved and flexible, which allows them a range of motion. But if your child s spine develops abnormally and curves sideways into an S or C shape, then it is possible that he or she may be suffering from a condition called Scoliosis. You may also like to read about the ill-effects of carrying heavy school bags.
A spinal deformity that affects four in 1,000 adolescents, scoliosis, can alter the shape of your teen s back, rib cage, shoulders, hips and can lead to back pain and poor self-image. Want to know more about the condition? Here is what Dr Manisha Moorjani, senior spine specialist at Qi Spine Clinic, has to say about the importance of understanding the effects of this potentially crippling condition and the need for its early detection.
Dealing with Scoliosis
While in most cases the cause of scoliosis is unknown (known as idiopathic scoliosis), there are some children who suffer from this ailment due to an underlying condition, injury, or infection. Though doctors have been unable to come up with foolproof prevention methods, there are various researches and studies that talk about the benefit of exercise programs and other potential prevention methods.
In scoliosis, the spine bends to the side abnormally; either to the right or left leading to back pain as the condition progressively worsens. The deformity may also lead to excessive pressure on nerves and possibly even on the spinal cord. This can lead to weakness, numbness, and extreme pain. In severe cases, pressure on the spinal cord may cause loss of coordination in the muscles of legs, making it difficult to walk normally. You may also like to read about this 90 minute yoga exercise to reduce adolecent spine related problems.
Scoliosis usually occurs during the early phase of puberty, but in some cases it can also manifest as early as infancy and early childhood. Statistically, most cases are detected between the ages of nine to thirteen; and the condition worsens when the child is growing most rapidly. Though the causes for the condition are unclear, scoliosis progresses eight times faster in girls than boys. What makes this condition worse is the fact that as a child grows older, the problem further aggrevates.
How scoliosis affects a child
Scoliosis can leave a child with low self-esteem, make them very conscious about their appearance and in extreme cases may even lead to depression. A recent study found that adolescents with progressive scoliosis had lower self-image and worse quality of life than children without scoliosis. Apart from that, many studies have found that teenagers with scoliosis are not happy with their appearance. They often fear that their bodies are developing abnormally, and boys with scoliosis tend to view themselves in poorer health when compared to their peers. Here are some common back related problems that can ruin your life.
How to tackle scoliosis effectively
Early consultation can help a patient slow down the progression of the disease. Coupled with parental education (by teaching them exercises, techniques and corrective positioning to be replicated at home) can help them become more accepting the diagnosis and assist their child feel better.
Apart from that regular exercise, talking and interacting with other patients facing the same issues such as those of clothing, playing sports and dating can help them cope as well. Apart from that talking with peers can also help them feel less isolated.
As for exercises, implementing the use of the wall bar and doing Swiss ball exercises, etc. can help break the monotony of regualr therapy and keep them on track in maintaining and preventing the progression of the characteristic curve. It also helps a patient and their family members more acceptable and self-confident.
Image source: Shutter Stock
For more articles on Diseases & Conditions, visit our Diseases & Conditions section. For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter.
