A curved spine is often the result of a medical condition called scoliosis . There are three basic types of scoliosis, including functional, degenerative, and neuromuscular. A curved spine can also be caused by a benign spinal tumor, which can cause some people to lean to one side due to an immense amount of pain.
The cause of scoliosis is not known, although each type is clearly different. Functional scoliosis denotes a normal spine that is slightly curved due to another physical problem. For example, if one leg is shorter than the other, the result is often a curved spine. Similarly, any type of muscle spasm that occurs within the back area can lead to a curved spine.
Degenerative scoliosis only affects older adults who suffer from severe arthritis. As the name suggests, degenerative scoliosis cannot be reversed, and it tends to get worse over time. Neuromuscular scoliosis is usually caused by a type of birth defect, which is why many younger people suffer from this ailment. This type of scoliosis often occurs when the bones within the spine do not form properly.
Symptoms of scoliosis include noticeable curvature of the spine, shortness of breath, back pain, and even chest pain. While shortness of breath and chest pain are rare, these symptoms can occur if the spine has curved dramatically. Still, most people do not experience any pain from a curved spine.
The only way to determine whether or not a person has scoliosis is through a complete physical exam. When visiting a doctor, a patient will be asked to remove any clothing from the waist up. In this way, a medical professional can examine the curvature of the spine.
If scoliosis is detected, there are a couple of things that can be done to help correct this ailment. Before any type of treatment can begin, it is crucial that the type of scoliosis a person has be noted. Since the three types of scoliosis are drastically different from one another, there are three completely unique treatments for each type.
Functional scoliosis is treated, if possible, by correcting the problem that is causing a curved spine. Neuromuscular scoliosis is often treated with the help of specialized braces and surgery, while degenerative scoliosis is treated with physical therapy sessions and minor surgery. Anyone suffering from back pain, a curved spine, or any of the other symptoms listed above should seek immediate medical attention.