Scoliosis: Causes, Tests and Treatments

By John Hewitt

Scoliosis is a disorder in which your backbone becomes curved at the wrong angles. Its name is derived from the Greek work ‘skolios’ which means ‘crooked.’ The normal shape of your backbone is such that it is bent forward in the middle and backward at the top and bottom. When you view a normal backbone from the side, you can see the curve. And when you view from front, it looks straight. But if you acquire scoliosis, this means that your backbone develops more curves, which give your backbone an abnormal shape. The curves may develop at both the top and bottom of the backbone. This results in a backbone which has the shape of a ‘C’ or an ‘S.’
It is very important to diagnose scoliosis as early as possible. This is because if you get scoliosis while your bones are still growing, your scoliosis will get severe over time. And the severity of your backbone curve will worsen as long as your bones are growing. So if the diagnosis was late, you have given your backbone curve a lot of time to get worse. On the other hand, if you diagnose it soon after you acquire scoliosis, you may be in the position to apply a number of treatment methods such as braces to stop the worsening of your backbone curve or even improve the curve.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Andale LLC
• Release date: Sep 12, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465905789

John Hewitt

'John Hewitt outstrips the categories we keep invoking for him, such as “doyen of Ulster poets” or “conscience of the Planter tradition”. He becomes, instead, the universal poet, servant of the medium, renewer of the forms, discoverer of the nugget of harmony in the language and in ourselves.’ Seamus Heaney 'The constant subjects of his poetry are historical isolation and private loneliness. When he uses one as a metaphor for the other, he writes with an unforgettable mixture of courage and perception.' Eavan Boland    ‘John Hewitt the poet made himself heard in a land of bellowers without raising his voice. He held out the creative hand rather than the clenched fist.’ Michael Longley   John Hewitt, father figure to a generation of poets such as Seamus Heaney and Michael Longley, is widely acknowledged as a poetic icon and creative catalyst within the canon of Irish poetry. Edited, with a new introduction, by acclaimed poets Michael Longley and Frank Ormsby, Selected Poems is testament to Hewitt’s remarkable legacy, and a celebration of a unique, compelling and still urgent voice in Irish poetry. 

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Scoliosis: Causes, Tests and Treatments

John Hewitt MA

Mohamed Awad MD

Smashwords Edition

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Copyright 2011 John Hewitt MA and Mohamed Awad MD

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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Contents

One: What is Scoliosis?

Two: Why do you get Scoliosis?

Three: Common symptoms for Scoliosis

Four: How can I know if I have Scoliosis?

Five: Medical treatment

Six: Surgical treatments and risk associated with it

Seven: Exercises for Scoliosis

Glossary of Medical Terms

Appendix A: Internet Resources / Further Reading

Appendix B: Complete Directory of Holistic Physicians Listed By State

One: What is Scoliosis?

Scoliosis is a disorder in which your backbone becomes curved at the wrong angles. Its name is derived from the Greek work ‘skolios’ which means ‘crooked.’ The normal shape of your backbone is such that it is bent forward in the middle and backward at the top and bottom. When you view a normal backbone from the side, you can see the curve. And when you view from front, it looks straight. But if you acquire scoliosis, this means that your backbone develops more curves, which give your backbone an abnormal shape. The curves may develop at both the top and bottom of the backbone. This results in a backbone which has the shape of a ‘C’ or an ‘S.’

Scoliosis may occur due to a number of reasons. One reason can be there is a problem somewhere else in the body, such a muscle spasm or one leg being shorter than the other. This affects the backbone in such a way that you acquire scoliosis. Another cause for this disorder is that during fetal development, the bones of the backbone do not develop fully or normally. For example, the bones of your backbone either do not develop completely or they are not separated from each other well enough. Such a problem usually occurs with people who are born with other birth defects. A scoliosis that is acquired at the time of birth is much more severe and more careful and diligent treatment is needed in those cases.

Scoliosis is prevalent among two percent of females and 0.5 percent of males. This means that females are more likely to suffer from this disorder. In America, about 20 million people suffer from scoliosis. It can be acquired by birth or at a very early age but normally, scoliosis is acquired after the age of 10. Scoliosis is hereditary and there’s a high chance that if you have scoliosis, one of your children may also have this condition.

It is very important to diagnose scoliosis as early as possible. This is because if you get scoliosis while your bones are still growing, your scoliosis will get severe over time. And the severity of your backbone curve will worsen as long as your bones are growing. So if the diagnosis was late, you have given your backbone curve a lot of time to get worse. On the other hand, if you diagnose it soon after you acquire scoliosis, you may be in the position to apply a number of treatment methods such as braces to stop the worsening of your backbone curve or even improve the curve.

Two: Why do you get Scoliosis?

In about 65% of people with scoliosis, the exact cause is unknown (idiopathic). About 15% are congenital (caused by abnormalities in backbone at birth). Approximately 10% are secondary to another condition, such as physical trauma, cerebral palsy, or spina bifida. The most basic reason for idiopathic scoliosis is hereditary. One of your parents has scoliosis and as a result of that, you also suffer from this disorder. But the severity of the condition may vary from one generation to another. For example, one of your parents may suffer from a severe form of scoliosis but you experience only mild symptoms.

Normally, scoliosis is categorized into three types: functional, neuromuscular and degenerative. How each of these types of scoliosis is acquired differs from type to type.

Functional: In this type of scoliosis, there is no problem with your backbone. The backbone has a normal structure. But there is a problem somewhere else in the body. This can be a shorter leg or a muscular spasm. This problem affects the body and the backbone in such a way that you end up acquiring scoliosis. This type of scoliosis is treated through observation. The doctor first observes your condition and tries to find out the root cause of your scoliosis. Once he finds that, he treats you accordingly. For example if your scoliosis is a result of a short leg, he may place a wedge in your shoe to make both legs equal.

Neuromuscular: This type of scoliosis is acquired at the time of birth. In neuromuscular scoliosis, the patient is born with different disorders such as birth defects. This may make the body and bones weak. This also leads to a problem in the development of the backbone. The backbone either does not develop fully or develops abnormally. For example, the bones of the backbone either do not fully develop or if they do, they are not properly separated from each other. This results in a ‘C’ shaped curve of the backbone. Due to weak bones, a person suffering from this type of scoliosis is unable to keep his back straight. As it is acquired at the time of birth, this type