Scoliosis is a disorder of the spine that affects about 3% of the population, with its severity ranging from mild to debilitating (1). While there is no “cure” for scoliosis, there are a number of treatments currently available conventionally, such as wearing a brace, different types of pain management, and surgery. However, integrative medicine offers alternatives to complement or replace these conventional treatments that can help to alleviate pain, prevent worsening of the condition, improve mobility and stability, and even promote greater healing after surgery.
What is scoliosis?
Scoliosis is any sideways curving or twisting of the spine (1, 2). Most commonly the upper (thoracic) spine curves to the right, although middle (thoracic-lumbar) or lower (lumbar) spine curvatures may also happen, either to the right or left (1). There is no consensus on the root cause of scoliosis, though certain conditions such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy can increase the likelihood of it developing (1, 2).
There are a few different categories of scoliosis, generally based on when the condition begins to develop. The most common type of scoliosis is adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, meaning that it first appears from ages 10-18 years old, with no apparent root cause (1). Infantile (0-3 years) and juvenile (4-9 years) idiopathic scoliosis are other types that develop in childhood, as well as congenital scoliosis (caused by spinal birth defects). Scoliosis can also develop a bit later in life, either due to neuromuscular conditions as mentioned above, or due to the degeneration of facet joints in the spine (called degenerative scoliosis). The last known type of scoliosis is called nonstructural or functional scoliosis, in which the spine begins to curve due to other maladjusted parts of the body, such as a difference in leg heights. Nonstructural scoliosis is unique in that it can often be corrected fully by addressing the root cause (1).
What are the symptoms of scoliosis?
Interestingly enough, other people are the ones who usually first notice scoliosis developing in another person. A curving spine can lead to a visibly uneven waist, a higher hip or shoulder, a more prominent shoulder blade or side of the ribcage, or a prominence on one side of the back when bending over. As the curvature increases, scoliosis can lead to (1, 2):
Back pain
Spasms in back muscles
Inflammation in back joints and muscles
Intervertebral disc and facet joint degeneration
Reduced range of motion
Changes in movement and gait due to misaligned hips (such as one hand hitting against the hip while the other swings out wide)
Muscles of back, hips, and core tiring faster
Reduced range of spinal motion
Trouble breathing
Cardiovascular problems due to structural inhibition of the heart
Lowered self esteem
Is scoliosis preventable? How can you treat it conventionally?
Unfortunately, scoliosis is not thought to be preventable at this time because the vast majority of cases are idiopathic (1, 2). Treatment varies based on the severity of the person’s scoliosis. Scoliosis is graded on the degree of spinal curvature, so if it has a 10 degrees curve or less, most people don’t notice it affecting their lives, or even notice it at all. If it is detected, most physicians will recommend a check-up 2-3 times a year to monitor progress and ensure that it isn’t worsening.
If the curve is worsening quickly or hits 20 degrees, generally physicians will prescribe interventions of some sort. The most common prescription is a back brace. While back braces don’t re-align the spine, they do prevent the curve from developing further and can be quite effective. Depending on the circumstances and person, either a full-time (16+ hours) or nighttime (8+ hours) brace may be recommended (1, 2).
For more severe cases, surgery may be necessary. For children who are still growing but their condition is worsening quickly, one option is a vertebral tethering system in which screws are placed alongside the outer edge of the curving spine, which is threaded with a strong but flexible cord that is tightened over time to straighten the spine (1, 2). Another type of surgery involves an expandable rod that is placed alongside the spine and mechanically lengthened via remote control as the child grows (1).
For adolescents and adults who have reached their fully mature height (usually around age 14 for females and 16 for males), another surgical option is spinal fusion. This procedure involves fusing two or more vertebrae together so that they can no longer move independently and thus curve further (1, 2). Bone or bone-like material is set between the vertebrae, and the spine as a whole is held together with metal rods, hooks, and/or screws to ensure that the spine stays straight while it heals and fuses to the new additions (2). However, this type of procedure is reserved for cases where the spinal curvature exceeds 40-50 degrees.
While the good news is that 90% of people with idiopathic scoliosis will not be prescribed braces or surgery, the unfortunate news is that anyone affected by scoliosis can still have side effects such as pain, inflammation, issues with misalignment, and a reduced range of motion (1).
What regenerative therapies can help with scoliosis?
At Temecula Center of Integrative Medicine, we offer a few types of regenerative therapies, including ozone therapy, platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy, and pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy.
Ozone Therapy
Ozone therapy involves injecting ozone (a form of oxygen) to acti