Scoliosis SufferersScoliosis ScoliosisScoliosis StoryScoliosis AwarnessScoliosis WarriorScoliosis SurgerySpine SurgerySurgery CrazySurgery YikesForwardDuring Scoliosis Surgery ~ fucken crazy! My sis and I watched the surgery on A & E once with our mouths wide open! Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine that occurs most often during the growth spurt just before puberty. While scoliosis can be caused by conditions such as cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy, the cause of most scoliosis is unknown. Most cases of scoliosis are mild, but some children develop spine deformities that continue to get more severe as they grow. Severe scoliosis can be disabling. An especially severe spinal curve can reduce the amount of space within the chest, making it difficult for the lungs to function properly. Children who have mild scoliosis are monitored closely, usually with X-rays, to see if the curve is getting worse. In many cases, no treatment is necessary. Some children will need to wear a brace to stop the curve from worsening.
Others may need surgery to keep the scoliosis from worsening and to straighten severe cases of scoliosis. Scoliosis care at Mayo Clinic Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic Share on: Facebook Twitter Questions and answers about scoliosis in children and adolescents. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Accessed Feb. 2, 2016.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Kliegman RM, et al. In: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 20th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: Clinical features, evaluation and diagnosis. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: Management and prognosis. Shaughnessy WJ (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Feb. 20, 2016. Shands AR. End result of the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Feb. 8, 2016. ScoliosisOverviewSymptoms & causesDiagnosis & treatmentRequest an appointmentDiagnosisTreatmentThe Mayo Clinic experience & patient storiesDepartments & specialtiesExpertise & rankingsLocations, travel & lodgingClinical trialsResearchCosts & insurancePreparing for your appointmentSelf-managementMore aboutIn-DepthMultimediaNews from Mayo Clinic
The file you are looking for no longer exists. Please use the menu on the right to navigate to the section or document you're looking for. Footwear and Back Pain Getting a Good Night’s Sleep Golf Tips to Avoid Back Pain Avoiding Back Pain on Vacation Keeping a Healthy Posture Pain Prevention for Athletes Yard Work and Back Pain Housework and Back or Neck Pain Swimming and Back or Neck Pain Back Injury Prevention Tips Staying Active in the Winter Staying Active While at Home Staying Fit while Avoiding Injury Depression Caused by Back Pain Office Chairs and Ergonomics Jobs That Might Cause or Aggravate Back Pain Recreational Sports That Might Aggravate Back Pain Running and Lower Back Pain The Effects of Smoking on Spinal Anatomy How to Quit Smoking Medications to Quit Smoking Back Pain and Computer Use Back Pain during Travel Ways to Relieve Stress Ever wonder why you sometimes go to sleep without spine pain and wake up with an achy back?
Chances are you’re not sleeping on a mattress with proper spine support. Because we spend about eight hours out of every 24 in bed, it’s extremely important that we practice correct spinal alignment as we sleep, just as we would try to have good posture while sitting or standing. Tips for mattress buying If you’re one of the millions of people who experience neck or back pain due to a ruptured disc, disc protrusion, spinal stenosis or arthritis of the spine, you should remember that spending eight hours in a position that puts added stress on any component of your neck or back will only exacerbate these conditions. Below are a few tips for selecting a mattress that can help you get a good night’s sleep. Get a medium-firm mattress. While many people say you should get an extra firm mattress, these can actually be too firm and might not allow your spine to settle into a neutral position. Look for a mattress with lumbar support. The lower back is the area of the back that is most prone to degenerative conditions, so a mattress should “cradle” this section of your back, thereby encouraging proper posture even while sleeping.
Consider an adjustable bed. This type of mattress will allow you to get support from your head to your toes, including under-the-knee support, pelvic support and upper back support. Buy a pillow with cervical (neck) support. This will allow your neck to reach a neutral position and will mitigate stress on the other regions of the spine.You could do hours of research on the best types of orthopedic mattresses, but nothing can compare to your first instinct when you lie down on a mattress and feel completely comfortable. Other lifestyle changes that can help mitigate back pain There are a variety of other lifestyle changes that can help reduce discomfort in your back. Consider ergonomic seating at the office. Avoid recreational sports that might cause or aggravate neck or back pain, but remember to stay active with low-impact exercises like walking or swimming. Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. If your back pain persists, work with your physician to design a regimen of pain medication, hot-cold therapy and other conservative treatments.
Scoliosis pain falls into two categories: acute and chronic. In periods of acute flare-up the emphasis is on resting the spine and getting comfortable lying down - because getting a good night's sleep is the most difficult of missions. In the chronic stage the treatment is more pro-active and intensive where you are looking to strengthen and straighten the spine. With acute flareups of scoliosis - and even with a relatively mild scoliosis - it can be impossible to get comfortable in bed at night. One of the best solutions is to use an old feather-and-down pillow that's partially lost its stuffing and push it into the small of your back in bed. This makes lying on your back much more comfortable, but it also helps with sleeping on your painful side. Usually, you need it on the convex side, with the welcome bulk of the pillow stopping your spine sinking deeper into the lateral curvature. Sometimes it's best to actually tie the pillow around your waist. In extreme cases of sleepless nights, the photo below also shows a pillow either side as well, which supports you when you're on your side.
It also allows you to put the pillow between your thighs which makes for more comfort. This seems a lot of pillows in the bed! But it will give you your best night's sleep. For acute scoliosis pain relief, this is the best pillow arrangement for sleeping Read more about this book Readers' Reviews of Back in Action Spinal scoliosis isn't at all scary when you understand it. What's also illuminating is how hard you can push a scoliotic spine to 'undo' its curvature. Although you never get the spine completely straight, it will feel looser and less painful from the benefit of mobilisation. HERE ARE SOME RELATED PAGES ON SCOLIOSIS Scoliosis pain relief in the chronic (less painful) phase focuses on loosening the spinal segments, stretching the spine out of its scoliotic twists (spinal decompression) and spinal strengthening exercises to help the spine stay up stronger and straighter. Although you will never get the spine completely straight you can lessen the curves (and the back is much more comfortable being more compliant).