02/06/2023
June is Scoliosis Awareness month. 😃
This is my spine - image created by the brilliant Sarah Day 🙏 It's definitely possible to find strength, and even beauty, in imperfection.
Facts about scoliosis:
A spine with scoliosis will curve sideways and often rotate as well. Small curves generally aren't problematic, but once a curve reaches 30-40 degrees it will usually progress, often resulting in the need for complex spinal surgery.
Scoliosis is relatively common, occurring in roughly 3% of the population, and 75% of cases are in females.
In the majority of cases it's not possible to find out what caused the curvature. However, scoliosis often develops during puberty, and untreated scoliosis seems to worsen during menopause. There is therefore speculation that hormones are involved in some way.
The signs aren't always easy to spot - but look for uneven shoulders, one shoulder blade that sticks out further than the other, a. uneven waist, ribs or hips. Look up the Adams Forward Bend Test, an easy test you can perform to check for the presence of a scoliosis.
If you suspect your child may be developing scoliosis, request a referral to a scoliosis specialist. Until your child's curve has been assessed on x-ray it's impossible for anyone, including a GP, to know whether it is serious enough to warrant specialist care.
The Scoliosis Association UK are a fantastic resource for help and support at any stage, including before an official diagnosis.
