Scoliosis means a lateral curvature of the spine, usually beginning in the teenage years, when the child or young person is growing rapidly, often corresponding with a growth spurt. The scoliosis or lateral curvature persists throughout life, and can, unsurprisingly, cause back pain. If very severe, in a very small number of cases, in a young person or teenager (with a potential danger for the internal organs of the thorax to be compromised due to being pressed into a smaller space) then surgery may be considered.
At one time, a system of strainless steel or titaneum metal rods called Harringtons Rods.were used for this. These are stainless steel rods fitted with hooks at both ends and a ratchet. At first, these were used without performing a spinal fusion but early results proved fusion as part of the procedure was necessary, as of the unfused spine would cause the metal to fatigue and eventually break. Harringtons Rods were used from the 1960s to the 1990. Since then,Harrington Rods are no longer used, and newer technologies are now available. The current correction techniques uses screws and multiple rods. Cotrel-Dubousset and pedicle screws. For more on this, you could read the evolution of scoliosis surgery
Having said all this, however, spinal surgery and fusion is only used on the most extreme of scoliosis patients. There are perhaps far more people with a mild or moderate amount of scoliosis where surgery is not required, and their lateral spinal curvature and be managed and improved (if not competely cured or reversed) and Osteopathy and Osteopathic treatment can be very helpful for this (and possibly Acupuncture can also be helpful both to soften muscle around the spine in preparation for osteopathic manipulation, and also help reduce pain.)
If you have Scoliosis yourself, or are the parent or carer of a young person with Scoliosis, it may be a good idea to book an appointment with an Osteopath at least for an assessment, and also treatment. Osteopathic treatment can help with many spinal conditions, and many types of back pain.
Please book online in the ususal way. (You are also welcome to book a free 15 minute Osteopathy phone consultation to talk more about Scoliosis, or Osteopathic treatment or any other questions you may have
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