It’s one of those words isn’t it? We hear it from time to time but what does it really mean? And if it was that serious, a real problem, then we would all know about it wouldn’t we?
Well let us bring this problem sharply into your vision – right now.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame was the way he was due to a severe scoliosis. That’s what a severe scoliosis can do to you. Does it sound serious now? Of course it is serious – the effects can be devastating.
Now the Hunchback of Notre Dame is a mythical figure, and of course the narrative is a tragic love story. But be in no doubt, scoliosis is a condition to be taken seriously. It often starts at a young age, more often in girls than boys but both can experience this condition. And here’s the crunch. If it is not corrected by the age of about 16 – that’s it, it is not changing.
But chiropractic care is one of the few approaches that can really make a difference, especially if spotted at a young age – the condition can be corrected. If you leave it and just ‘keep an eye on it’ it can be too late. And this is just a tragedy.
So, what is it exactly?
Well if you were to look at a normal healthy person, face on and you could see their spine then it should be standing straight upwards. From the side view the spine is curved, from the front or back view it should be straight.
A Scoliosis is when the spine, when looked at from the front has a curve in it, in some cases more than one curve. So it bends from side to side as well as front to back. This causes the body to twist and the muscles go out of symmetry. The unfortunate person suffering from scoliosis often appears bent over with a hunch on their back. This effect can be slight or severe depending on the extent of the scoliosis.
Quite apart from the postural appearance, a scoliosis can cause any number of related internal problems, as well as low self esteem and a lack of confidence. So, if you are a parent can you spot it? Simply take a good look at your child’s posture:
• Is one shoulder higher than the other?
• Do they seem slightly twisted in their posture?
• Do they seem slightly bent over rather than straight backed?
• Are they starting to form a hunch on their back, however small?
If you suspect that your child may be suffering from a scoliosis, Act and Act Now! TODAY! Procrastination is another day nearer to a potentially permanent problem.
Call our practice for an appointment and bring your child along for a thorough examination. There is a good chance we can help.
Just one thing – you do not want a doctor to have to say to you, ‘I’m sorry, it’s too late for your child.’ A colleague of ours, a fantastic doctor, had this experience. He said, ‘The mother cried when I had to tell her that, and I cried with her.’ It is such a sad story.
There is usually time just as long as you take action now. Take a good look at your children. Ask them questions, be inquisitive because everything will seem normal to them.
They are our responsibility, let’s do our best to protect them from this awful condition…
