Scoliosis

When the spine deforms, the patient may suffer from idiopathic scoliosis. This pathology is manifested by a three-dimensional deformation in the trunk and spine. Its name is taken from the Greek “scolios” which means tortuous. This meaning reflects precisely the twisting of the trunk and / or spine that causes a deformation of the body and back pain.

What is scoliosis?

This is a disease that often occurs in adolescence. Idiopathic scoliosis affects nearly 3% of adolescents in Quebec. The majority of those affected are female: one boy suffers from this pathology, compared to 8 or 9 girls. The angle of curvature can reach 30 degrees.

There are different types of scoliosis:

• Neurological scoliosis: This type of scoliosis is caused by a neurological disease that has affected children during their growing season.
• Congenital scoliosis: the vertebra deforms from birth.
• Idiopathic scoliosis: the patient does not suffer from any bone deformities. This type of scoliosis occurs at any time. Its cause is often unknown. 80% of people with scoliosis are affected by this type of scoliosis.

Scoliosis is classified into two categories:

• Single-curvature scoliosis: the curvature appears in the thoracic, lumbar or thoracolumbar area.
• Double curvature scoliosis: Two types of scoliosis can affect the same area.

Scoliosis: Causes and symptoms

Several factors can cause scoliosis. Genetic factors account for 40% of idiopathic scoliosis cases. For the rest, the triggers can be:

• A melatonin problem;
• A central neurological disease.

Factors that can aggravate scoliosis are:

• Poor posture;
• An asymmetry of the body that can differentiate the condition and resistance of muscles.

In terms of symptoms, scoliosis gradually deforms the body, without causing more or less intense back pain.

• Back pain affects 60-78% of adolescents with scoliosis.
• 28-48% of adolescents who do not suffer from scoliosis complain of back pain.

In most cases, people who suffer from back pain do not systematically consult their doctor. This type of disease is actually considered common due to body changes during the child’s growth period.

The back can curve one degree per year in adulthood. However, this progression of scoliosis varies from one subject to another depending on its type and severity. For scoliosis of 30 degrees, the risk of worsening scoliosis increases to 30%, compared to 70% for scoliosis of 50 degrees and more.

How to properly prevent scoliosis?

Parental intervention is of great importance in the prevention of scoliosis. Although the child shows no signs of curvature or back pain, his posture must be kept straight throughout childhood and throughout adolescence. Scoliosis most often occurs between the ages of 10 and 12 in adolescents. To detect possible scoliosis, here are some signs to evaluate:

• Size asymmetry;
• An asymmetrical posture (the head is not aligned with the buttocks and pelvis);
• Asymmetrical shoulders;
• Legs of different sizes;
• Some relatives suffer from scoliosis.

How to treat scoliosis in physiotherapy?

In North America, physiotherapy is a little-known method, unlike in Europe where it has become much more democratic. The intensity of the treatment depends on the degree of torsion:

• Between 15 and 25 degrees, preventive physiotherapy is recommended;
• Between 20 and 25 degrees, wearing a corset limits the progression of scoliosis;
• Between 25 and 45 degrees, wearing a corset should be combined with physiotherapy;
• A curvature of more than 45 degrees requires surgery.

Physiotherapists treat scoliosis in several ways:

• Modification of posture using stretching;
• Movement rehabilitation to correct and reduce curvature;
• Diagnosis of the origin of back pain if there is in order to develop an adequate treatment for rapid relief.

At Physio + Hamel, you are entitled to personalized treatment of your scoliosis by qualified physiotherapists.