Scholiosis

One word...PILATES. I was diagnosed with scoliosis at the age of 11 and now at 41 I am better than ever. I have been a pilates instructor for about 5 years. I have noticed that my hips and shoulders are lined up again (I always had one higher than the other). I am able to help a lot of people with a lot of problems. The main thing I hear is how it has helped their back pain. Anyway...Pilates is a series of exercises designed to strengthen the core which in turn strengthens the back. It also lengthens and straightens the spine. You would benefit from finding a class with a certified instructor to start with and if you can't afford to keep paying the fee get a video, but you need to learn the principles first.
I hope this helps.

Have you thought about a chiropractor? I don't know where you are, but I have one in Mebane, NC. She is not pushy like some to keep making you come back. She also has a cash-fee system that is very reasonable -- cheaper than using my insurance.

Let me know if you want her info.

I am sorry about your pain and problems. I would advise you to find someone in your area that knows Quantum Touch energy healing. Some massage therapists know it; some chiropractors; and some are simply Quantum Touch practitioners. If you can't find one, contact me and I'll try to locate one close to you. It does work and it works for scholiosis. It may take several sessions but it will be well worth it. The cost is general around $65 to $75 for an hour session. I have personally seen people that have had their spine straightened with this procedure.

.

My sisters both have it. I would recommend YOGA for sure. The stretching of your spine and straightening will do very good for you. Also for excersizes my mom bought a -I hate to say machine- but thing that my sister kinda stands on and then as she leans back it slowly flips her upside down. That is the absolute best thing! It feels great on my back too. I don't think it cost very much and I bet you could find one used too. The more you do now the better you will be in the long run. Also little things like sitting up straight and holding your tummy in are also good.

Good luck!

E., I have scoliosis and my back never hurts due to that. Are you sure your doctor knows what he/she's talking about? I have a slight C which is a slight curvature at the top. It's not serious at all. Did he/she do any X-Rays? Did you bend over to touch your toes to see if you had scoliosis? That's how they do an exam to see if you have scoliosis. My niece has scoliosis but I don't think she has pain either. You can tell she has it because one of her shoulders is lower that the other. She has to have surgery because her's is an S which is very serious. I'd get a second opinion if I were you. If you trust your doctor that's fine. I'm not saying you don't have it, I just don't see why you would be in pain. I was diagnosed with it when I was 15 o16. Most girls get it in between the ages of 12-16 yrs. of age. I hope all goes well. Good luck with everything. J. A.

I have a list of exercises from a physical therapist that helps with back pain. Email me if you want them.
____@____.com

Jeeeeeeeez! You poor thing!!!! I hope I have some advice that can help. Where are you from? If you're in my area I know a chiropracter who will help people without insurance without breaking your pocket book.

The most important thing to know is if your scoliosis is congenital- like you were born with it or it's an actual physical deformity, or is it the result of injuries? If it's congenital it usually has to be corrected with surgery. Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine, but can be caused from something as simple as problems with your feet or knees.

There are lots of stretches you can do to strengthen the muscles in your back and help with pain. You can also alternate using cold and heat therapy for pain, but stretching will probably help the most.

See if there's a massage school around you, often times they will give you an hour long student massage for sometimes as cheap as $20. Some chiropracters have "hardship" programs where they charge a flat rate for adjustments and physical therapy if you don't have insurance or if your deductible is so ridiculous you have to pay cash up front anyway. They usually want you to go three times a week, just like physical therapy, but if you can't afford it, you can't afford it! You can also always go once and have them show you a routine you can do on your own.

Anyways, I hope this helps, if you have any questions please send me a message, good luck!

I've got a bit of scholiosis, too! I'm willing to bet you slouch a whole lot! E., go to the physical therapist. They can help. Find a way to go. I went 2x a week for nearly 2 months. Basically, they showed me how to correct my horrible posture which was causing me the back/neck pain. Your physical therapist (PT) will show you exercises to strengthen the muscles you have for good posture through small movements with resistance bands and show you stretching techniques. If you're as bad off as I was, they can perform traction which is manipulating your spinal column with gentle force after applying heat to your neck and shoulders to relax and loosen your muscles (my favorite part!). I compare it to trying to pull off a Barbie doll head. LOL.
Be conscious of your posture now. When sitting, arch your lower back forward with the tailbone out. Your shoulders should be back and not forward. This small adjustment will improve your posture. You must elongate your neck and keep your chin back instead of reaching forward as well. One of the exercises I still do is to pinch shoulder blades together. You basically put your hands at your side while seated and bring your shoulder blades together and down a little, then release. You can do that for 2 sets of 10. Also, if you have a swimming noodle, you can wrap it in a blanket to make it thicker. Then center yourself on it from head to bottom, knees bent, feet apart for stability. Slowly stretch your arms out like making a snow angel. Set a timer for 3 minutes. This is an incredible help to an aching back because it stretches the muscles out. I hope this helps!

Hi E.,

My husband was diagnosed with scoliosis in high school. He has always just dealt with the pain until I finally convinced him to see a chiropractor about it. He wouldn't go because he didn't think there was anything they could do for it. But a year into his treatments, and comparative x-rays are showing significant improvement in his curvature.

The chiropractor is pretty sure we'll never be able to fully straighten his spine, but the regular visits are helping a lot with his pain and correcting the curve a little at a time.

Depending on the severity of your curvature, chiropractic treatments could actually correct it significantly if not completely. If nothing else, it would do wonders for your pain! Most chiropractors will work with you on payment options as well, whether through insurance or out of pocket depending on your situation. Might be something for you to consider. Good luck!

Hi E.~

I am 41 yrs. old and I was diagnosed with scoliosis at age 14. The curvature has worsened through the years with having 6 babies. But, I have never experienced back pain.

The exercises are to help you strengthen the back muscles along each side of the spinal column. Scoliosis is caused by having too much elacticity in the ligaments that naturally keep your spine aligned. You may find that you are limber everywhere else in your body, as well.

The only 2 that I remember were certain types of leg lifts: one where you kick back and forth, and one where you scissor cross your legs while laying on your back with your legs up in the air.

You might be able to do a google search to find more exercises that strengthen back muscles. Your back pain may be coming from the fact that your muscles are being strained trying to hold you upright, so strengthening them will help.

I don't want to frighten you, but Scoliosis is something you need to see a specialist for so that they can start monitering your progression as you age. It can become severe when you are older, and if you develop osteoperosis, it can even become fatal.

God Bless and I wish you well! S.

Along with the other ladies' recommendations, I would like to suggest herbal supplements. According to MRIs and neurosurgens, I supposedly be bedridden unless I underwent surgery; however, I started taking a great supplement on Rick Shifflet's and conducted the assessments and exercises from Lose the Back Pain Institute websites and no pain plus they guarantee their products and systems; along with support. Check it out; it may or may not be for you. Everyone I recommended these to with mild to extreme back pain and related pains; have not been disappointed including myself.

Hi E.,

You need to find a new doctor. Scoliosis can be completely cured. My husband had it terribly and it is completely gone now. He attributes it mostly to a good upper cervical chiropractor and an inversion table. He was diagnosed in high school.

Just FYI, if you drink sodas or anything else with phosphoric acid, stop. It eats away at the bones and makes them more susceptible to problems including, but not limited to osteoporosis. You wouldn't believe how many 20 somethings already have osteoporosis.

If you don't know a good chiropractor in your area go to www.upcspine.com. Don't be afraid to interview THEM. They are here to help you and good ones will appreciate you asking questions. If anyone tells you that you can't fix your problem, you're at the wrong place...

God bless!
M.
www.squidoo.com/ifyourbabycouldtalk

PS Most chiropractors will work with your financial budget as well!

I also have scoliosis. I have used chiropractic care since I was about 30. The chiropractor can make adjustments to your spine. It will not go back to 100% normal but adjustments can be made on a regular basis to keep your spine in the best alignment possible, thus allowing your body to work and heal better. If you are in the North Knoxville TN area I have a chiropractor that I love. Our whole family sees him. He is good about working with payments if you do not have insurance.

I was diagnoised with scholiosis when I was in 5th grade...I am now 35! I think it is a combo of things...this being part of the problem b/c it does weaken your posture and such. There is a list of stretches I do to help strengthen my back muscles. If you send me your email I can email you pics of the stretches. When you do get insurance go to a chiro. I have been going to one for 8 yrs. Helps greatly!! Also, watch what you lift up...esp your little ones. Where is the pain...mine is my lower back right above my butt cheeks. Have you been having any pain in any of your legs? If so you might also have a pinched nerve. My email address...or i guess you can send a message through mamasource...is ____@____.com

You can not correct a bone structure problem. But yoga, stretching, good posture, good shoes will help.
Lie down and stretch your hands over you head and push your feet out, with toes facing toward our head. HOld the stretch for 10 sec or longer release, so again.
google stretching exercises and they are so many pages that will come up. All looked good.
Try this and take your anti inflammory meds.
Good luck. You have to do these every day
P.