What is Scoliosis?
Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine. It usually develops during a person's childhood or teenage years and can get worse over time. In some cases, the curvature can become severe enough to cause pain and difficulty with movement.
What Causes Scoliosis?
The exact cause of scoliosis is unknown, however, it is believed to be the result of a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.
What Makes Scoliosis Worse?
There are several factors that can make scoliosis worse, including:
• Growth spurts: During periods of rapid growth, such as puberty, the spine can curve more rapidly.
• Poor posture: Slouching or hunching over can worsen existing scoliosis.
• Muscle imbalances: Weak muscles in the back or abdominal area can cause the spine to curve further.
• Weight gain: Being overweight or obese can put additional stress on the spine, causing it to curve further.
• Inactivity: Lack of exercise can cause the muscles in the back and abdomen to become weaker, leading to more curvature in the spine.
• Injury or trauma: An injury or trauma to the spine can cause scoliosis to worsen.
How to Manage Scoliosis?
Although there is no cure for scoliosis, there are some things that can be done to manage it. These include:
• Exercise: Regular exercise can help strengthen the back and abdominal muscles, which can help prevent the spine from curving further.
• Posture: Good posture can help reduce the amount of curvature in the spine.
• Bracing: In some cases, a brace may be recommended to help keep the spine in a straighter position.
• Surgery: Surgery may be recommended in severe cases of scoliosis in order to correct the curvature of the spine.