What Parents Need to Know About Adolescent Scoliosis

If your child has been diagnosed with scoliosis, you might be feeling a bit overwhelmed. Scoliosis is a condition that affects the spine and can cause the spine to curve to the side. While it can be a serious condition, many treatment options are available. Your child can live a normal, healthy life with the right treatment plan. Contact Dr. Han Jo Kim today!

What You Should Know About Scoliosis:

1. Scoliosis Is A Relatively Common Condition – According to the National Scoliosis Foundation, about 3% of the population has scoliosis. That means that 1 in every 33 people has the condition. It occurs more often in girls than in boys and is most commonly diagnosed during adolescence.
2. There Are Two Main Types Of Scoliosis – Structural scoliosis is the most common type and occurs when the spine itself is curved. This type of scoliosis is usually genetic and can run in families. The other type of scoliosis, functional scoliosis, occurs when the muscles or joints around the spine are not working properly. This can be caused by things like leg length discrepancies or cerebral palsy.
3. Scoliosis Can Range From Mild To Severe – The severity of scoliosis is determined by how much the spine has curved. A mild case of scoliosis may only have a curve of 10-20 degrees. A severe case of scoliosis can have a curve of more than 50 degrees.
4. Scoliosis Is Usually Asymptomatic – This means that most people with scoliosis do not experience any pain or other symptoms. The condition is usually only discovered when an X-ray or other imaging test is performed for another reason. In some cases, however, scoliosis can cause pain, fatigue, or difficulty breathing.
5. There Is No Cure For Scoliosis – However, there are many treatment options available that can stop the condition’s progression and help relieve symptoms. Treatment options include things like physical therapy, bracing, and surgery. The type of treatment recommended will depend on the severity of the scoliosis.

If your child has been diagnosed with scoliosis, its best to talk to our spine doctors in NJ about what treatment options are available.

Exercises For Scoliosis

If your child has scoliosis, their doctor may recommend that they do some exercises to help improve their condition. Exercise can help strengthen the spine’s muscles and stop the progression of scoliosis.

1. Forward Bends – Forward bends help stretch out the back muscles and improve posture. To do a forward bend, stand with your feet about hip-width apart. Bend forward at the waist, keeping your back straight. Reach your hands toward the ground. Hold the stretch for 30 seconds.
2. Side Bends – Side bends help stretch the muscles on the sides of the spine. To do a side bend, stand with your feet about hip-width apart. Reach one hand over your head and down toward the opposite hip. Bend at the waist, keeping your back straight. Hold the stretch for 30 seconds, then repeat on the other side.
3. Superman Exercises – Superman exercises help strengthen the back muscles and improve posture. To do a Superman exercise, lie on your stomach on the ground. Hold for 5 seconds, then lower back down. Repeat ten times.
4. Bird Dog Exercise – The bird dog exercise helps strengthen the back muscles and improve posture. Start on all fours on the ground to do the bird dog exercise. Raise one arm and the opposite leg off the ground. Repeat 10 times, then repeat with the other arm and leg.
5. Wall Sits – Wall sits help strengthen the legs’ muscles and improve posture. Stand with your back against a wall and your feet about shoulder-width apart to do a wall sit. Slide down the wall until your knees are bent at a 90-degree angle. Hold for 30 seconds, then stand back up. Repeat three times.

These are just some of the exercises that can help improve scoliosis. Talk to a spine doctor before starting any exercise program to make sure it is safe for them.

Contact Dr. Han Jo Kim Today!

Scoliosis is a condition that causes the spine to curve to the side. It can range from mild to severe and is usually asymptomatic. There is no cure for scoliosis, but many treatment options are available that can stop the condition’s progression and help relieve symptoms. If your child has scoliosis, talk to Dr. Han Jo Kim about what treatment options are available.