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What causes Scoliosis?
In 85% to 90% of the cases the cause is unknown. This
is called AIS or adult idiopathic Scoliosis The mystery
is compounded by the fact that in all Scoliosis sufferers,
the spinal parts - the vertebrae, discs, ligaments,
tendons, and muscles - all appear to be normal (although
as the Scoliosis worsens one or more of these parts
may develop abnormalities).
In 10% to 15% of the cases the cause of Scoliosis
is tumor; infection; a neuromuscular disease such as
cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy; a birth deformity;
or disc problems. Further deepening the mystery of Scoliosis
is the fact that no one knows why some minor curves
get worse whereas about 90% do not. However, it should
be pointed out that it is not true, as commonly thought,
that poor posture is a cause of Scoliosis or that women
with Scoliosis have more problems carrying babies to
term than women who do not have the disease.
Most Lead a Normal Life
Most people with Scoliosis can lead a normal life,
never ever knowing that they have a condition. No one
dies from Scoliosis But in severe cases Scoliosis sufferers
can have impaired respiratory or heart function that
may be due to neurological malfunction, but not from
mechanical restriction of the rib cage. This is seldom
a health problem in Scoliosis 30 degrees or less.
Unknown Controlling Factor
Apparently there is some unknown controlling factor
or influence in Scoliosis that causes healthy parts
of the body to assume an unusual shape. Some people
feel that there may be a hereditary component to the
disease since there is a higher incidence among relatives
than in the general population. However, studies have
not ruled out emotional factors that could as well cause
occurrence to run in families. If there is anything
that all Scoliosis researchers can agree on, it's that
few of them agree.
The Orthodox Medical Approach
Orthodox medical approaches to Scoliosis have come
and gone. Wrapping the torso in a plaster cast was replaced
in 1945 by the Milwaukee brace, a device that used rods
and metal restraints to straighten the spine. Since
then several other braces have been developed, and recently
electrical stimulation has become popular. However,
there has been a wave of negative comments about both
bracing and electrical stimulation, with some surgeons
going so far as to state that they are of no value whatsoever.
Bracing
Initially it was hoped that bracing would provide lasting
improvement in Scoliosis This optimism arose from studies
showing that curves straighten an average of 50% of
the time with bracing application. When bracing was
followed in the long term, however, a gradual loss of
correction was observed, particularly after the patient
was weaned from treatment. All the important studies
of bracing show similar results. First, there is an
approximately 50% improvement in the curve at about
6 months into treatment, after which there is a gradual
lessening in the improvement. When use of the brace
is discontinued, the average curve is about 15% better
than before the bracing; after 5 years the average curve
is about the same as it was prior to the bracing. These
figures, however, are averaged - some patients are much
better after bracing, some much worse; it seems that
bracing is effective in controlling some curves but
not all.
Electrical Stimulation
As mentioned above, electrical stimulation is also
controversial. As one researcher has said: "The stimulator
would thus appear to be as good as, or as bad as, the
brace in treatment of adolescent idiopathic Scoliosis"
To further complicate matters, patients often don't
use their brace, and plaster casts have been found to
be emotionally scarring.
Over treatment?
Robert Mendelson, M.D., has criticized the usual medical
approach to Scoliosis on many fronts; "Scoliosis is
not serious unless the curvature of the spine is severe,
but it is over treated almost as often as it is over
diagnosed. If you child is diagnosed as a victim of
Scoliosis, don't accept surgical procedures or even
bracing without first exploring all of the less radical
treatment alternatives.
"Epidemiological studies on Scoliosis are so scanty
that we know next to nothing. There are no prospective
controlled studies regarding the effects of orthotic
treatment on the natural history of idiopathic scoliosis...Is
anything actually prevented or is progression merely
delayed until a later period in life? The answer is
simply not known."
Neurological Disturbance
New research on Scoliosis shows the cause or important
contributing factor to be a disturbance or defect in
the area of the nervous system that controls posture,
body balance, and posturing. In one study researchers
were able to identify by neurological tests alone nearly
95% of the scoliotics.
The Chiropractic Approach
Chiropractors do not treat disease, Scoliosis included,
but they do correct spinal nerve stress - a condition
that interferes with proper functioning of the nervous
system and the body as a whole. A body without spinal
nerve stress is in a better position to resist abnormalities
and disease of all kinds, including Scoliosis Recent
research suggesting that Scoliosis may be caused by
a neurological defect reinforces the validity of the
chiropractic approach - the nervous system must remain
free of structural damage in order for the body to be
healthy.
Scott Banks, D.C., former editor of the journal Spinal
Manipulation, states that the role of chiropractic with
Scoliosis is supported by a "long history of empirical
evidence..."
Fred Barge, D.C., author of a text on Scoliosis, has
stated, "Traditional chiropractic concepts and techniques...have
shown decent clinical results in Scoliosis control,
reduction, and correction."
Clearly, the final word is not in on this mysterious
condition. However, the evidence increasingly tells
us that every Scoliosis sufferer should be under chiropractic
care.
Testimonial
Scoliosis
I came into see Dr.
Carlomagno after taking a lot of medication for a condition diagnosed as structural
scoliosis. I was told that I had a compound-complex curvature that was 21 degrees
in the thoracic spine and 16 degrees in the lumbar region. I was having difficulty
breathing for the first time in my 42 year old life and was experiencing discomfort
with movement to the right. The M.D.'s told me that I would eventually develop
degeneration and symptoms from this very self- limiting condition. After a
few sessions with Dr. Carlomagno I noticed my respiration was lighter and easier.
I also started feeling an increase in my spinal movement which allowed me to
once again go back to my normal duties on the job and at home. I have been
under care now for over 12 years with Dr. Carlomagno and quite frankly the
degeneration that they told me that would progress has only shown minor increase
with post X-Rays. I think Chiropractic Care is the greatest and would love
to wish the same good fortune to all of you who are thinking of becoming a
patient of his. See Dr. Carlomagno (he really cares and has great hands)
L.G. Carpenter
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