The Causes of Scoliosis and How Does it Form?

Scoliosis is a spine deformity. Having this condition means you have an abnormal spinal curve that is either shaped like an “S” or a “C”. It might sound serious, but the good news is that most scoliosis cases are mild, so it won’t lead to various health complications. In Singapore, scoliosis treatment is only recommended for patients whose spinal curve exceeds 30 degrees.

 

Causes of Scoliosis

 

The most common type of scoliosis is idiopathic. This means the definite cause for this condition is unknown. However, medical experts found that most patients diagnosed with this condition have a family history of scoliosis. Fortunately, it’s a mild type of scoliosis and it usually doesn’t require treatment. But, it’s still important to take a quick visit to a scoliosis clinic in Singapore to monitor if the spine’s curve has progressed or not. 

 

Meanwhile, scoliosis is also divided into two categories: non-structural and structural.

 

• Non-Structural or Functional Scoliosis
  If it is non-structural scoliosis, then it’s only temporary. It happens when athletes do workouts and exercises that cause muscle imbalance. This could lead to posture deformation such as scoliosis, but various treatments can help fix it.Other causes of functional scoliosis are inflammations (ex. appendicitis) that can result in muscle spasms. Once the doctor detects the underlying condition and they manage to treat it, the spine will go back to its normal curve.

 

• Structural Scoliosis
  As for structural scoliosis, the spine’s abnormal curve is permanent. Here are some of its main causes:
  • Neuromuscular Conditions
    Some of these conditions are cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, and musculoskeletal tumours. It’s when the body has poor muscle control because the neurological nerves are not working properly. Patients who have these conditions couldn’t even sit up straight.
  • Congenital Disorder
    These are commonly known as birth defects. It’s when the baby’s vertebrae do not completely grow while his body is slowly developing in his mother’s womb. As a result, the spine lacks the support it needs. Congenital disorders can also be because of “error segmentation”. It happens when then the bones of the spine fail to separate and create regions to make it more stable.
  • Genetic Conditions
    Two genetic conditions could cause scoliosis: Marfan Syndrome and Down Syndrome. In Singapore, scoliosis surgery is usually the treatment for people who have Marfan Syndrome because it can help address the loose ligaments in their bodies. Meanwhile, people who have Down Syndrome, and they eventually had scoliosis need to wear a brace to prevent the curve from progressing.

 

Chiropractic Treatments for Scoliosis

 

Even though scoliosis specialists in Singapore usually suggest corrective brace and spinal fusion surgery for treatment, there are still other non-surgical methods for this condition. One of which is through chiropractic treatment. This involves putting gentle pressure on the head, neck, back, and hips using an adjusting instrument. Aside from this, patients will be taught to do some exercises that could help correct the spines’ abnormal curve.

 

If you have scoliosis and you don’t want to have surgery as much as possible, then consider consulting one of our scoliosis specialists at Bones and Beyond. They can suggest a suitable treatment for you.