Treatment of Scoliosis Pain

Scoliosis is a disorder that causes an abnormal curve of the spine, or backbone. The spine has normal curves when looking from the side, but it should appear straight when looking from the front. What’s more, kyphosis is a curve in the spine seen from the side in which the spine is bent forward. There is a normal kyphosis in the middle spine. Lordosis is a curve seen from the side in which the spine is bent backward. There is a normal lordosis in the upper spine and the lower spine. People with scoliosis develop additional curves to either side of the body, and the bones of the spine twist on each other, forming a "C" or an "S" shape in the spine. Scoliosis is as twice as common in girls than boys. It can be seen at any age, but it is most common in those over about 10 years of age. Also, scoliosis is hereditary in that people with scoliosis are more likely to have children with scoliosis. However, there is no correlation between the severities of the curves from one generation to the next. Here is everything about the treatment of scoliosis pain.

Treatments to Increase Strength and Mobility

Increasing strength and mobility can both relieve pain and reduce the risk for pain to recur in the future. Treatments that can help strengthen the back, keep it flexible and decrease the pain include:

• Physical therapy - A physical therapist can you help develop an exercise and stretching routine to meet the patient’s specific needs. Physical therapy can help keep the soft tissues and joints limber as well as strengthen the targeted muscles.
• Pool therapy – Some helpful exercises can be done in a pool. The body’s natural buoyancy in water helps counteract the effects of gravity, enabling patients to condition muscles while putting less stress on the facet joints.

Painkillers

Painkilling tablets may help relieve the pain that can be associated with scoliosis. Anti-inflammatories are usually the first treatment recommended. These are available to buy from pharmacies and supermarkets without a prescription. But anti-inflammatories aren't suitable for everyone, so make sure to check the box or leaflet to see whether you can take the medicine first. Speak to a pharmacist if you're not sure. See your doctor if painkillers don't work. He/she may prescribe stronger painkillers or refer you to a specialist pain management clinic.

Nonsurgical treatments

These vary from weight loss to decrease the pressure across the joints to wearing a corset brace to restrict motion and relieve pain enough to engage in daily activity, and participate in physical conditioning. They also include manual adjustments of the spine by a qualified chiropractic professional or osteopathic physician, eating anti-inflammatory foods, and taking nutritional supplements.

Surgery

When curves are between 45 and 50 degrees, they’re usually expected to get worse and may even affect how the lungs work. In cases like this, your doctor may recommend spinal fusion surgery, which has been shown to stop the increase of curves.

Injections

Epidural steroid injections can reduce inflammation, or a facet block injection can block pain signals from reaching the brain. These types of injections deliver the anti-inflammatory medication directly to the affected area in the back via needle and X-ray guidance.

It should be noted that medications can not heal what causes scoliosis to be painful, but they might be able to temporarily reduce pain so a person can complete daily activities or progress with a physical therapy program that might offer long-term benefits with a stronger and more flexible back.