“How could I not have noticed the back was like this before? What could I have done to prevent it?”
“I was diagnosed with dextroscoliosis, and winning Ms. Posture Philippines 2022
allows me to understand why it’s important to have an early diagnosis.
It allows me to see the significance of non-surgical care.” – Ms. Posture Philippines 2022 Maria Yzabelle Reonal
This June is International Scoliosis Awareness Month. It’s a month focused on uniting scoliosis patients,
families, physicians, health professionals and institutions to promote public awareness, education, and
advocacy of scoliosis. The Scoliosis Research Society (SRS), the premier spine society, is highlighting the
importance of early scoliosis detection and the effectiveness of bracing as early, non-surgical care.
“New research is emerging which shows the effectiveness of non-surgical approaches to scoliosis
treatment such as specific rehabilitation and bracing, and we have long known that it is incredibly important to detect this condition as early as possible”, says Dr Michael W. (Scoliosis Specialist)
“We need to make it routine to examine children’s spines and if needed, get them the right treatment
at the right time”.
In support of Scoliosis Awareness Month, Mabuhay Rehabilitation (Mabuhay Chiropractic Clinics) are
proud to be associated with Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) and their goal to screen 1,000 backs over the
month of June. Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) is a global resource for patients, their families and healthcare professionals to learn about scoliosis, how to effectively diagnose it and discover the latest
proven treatment techniques.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. What is Scoliosis?
Scoliosis describes a lateral curve of the spine, above 10 degrees including vertebral rotation. Although
most curves are small, some can be progressive and lead to spinal and postural deformities and sometimes
pain in later life
Q. What causes Scoliosis?
There are genetic risk factors for scoliosis, but there is no confirmed cause of scoliosis development.
Poor posture, carrying backpacks, and choice of mattress have not been shown to cause nor influence
scoliosis.
Screening
Q. Why should children be screened for Scoliosis?
Scoliosis often develops rapidly in pre-adolescence or adolescence. The condition is usually painless, so
there may be no symptoms to indicate a developing scoliosis. Pre-teens and teens often favor loose
clothing which may conceal visual indications of a scoliosis.
Q. When should children be screened for Scoliosis?
Girls should be first checked around 10-12 years old. Boys should be first checked around 11-13 years
old. Earlier detection and intervention have been shown to lead to better long-term outcomes for the
patient.
Q. How should a Scoliosis screening be carried out?
Ideally a “scoliometer” should be used to measure the Angle of Trunk Rotation (ATR). A trained Health
Professional can administer a scoliosis screening, looking for clinical indication of scoliosis in the patient’s
posture. If signs are detected, further investigation including X-Ray imaging may be recommended to
confirm their findings.
Prevention and Treatment
Q, Is there a way to prevent Scoliosis?
There is no known way to prevent a scoliosis from developing. The best-known ways to prevent a scoliosis
from worsening are early detection and prompt treatment.
Q. Can manual and complementary therapies help treat scoliosis? Complementary treatment may play
an important role though in addressing the ongoing health needs of a patient with scoliosis, however
there are limitations. These approaches may give pain relief, improve movement, and help general
posture and strength. These treatments should be encouraged if they help an individual patient deal with
specific pain, posture, or mobility issues.
Q. Does having a scoliosis prevent women from becoming pregnant or having children?
No. However, it is imperative to have children checked regularly if a parent or family member has
scoliosis.
Q. What do I do if a Scoliosis is detected?
If a scoliosis is confirmed on X-Ray, an MRI may be recommended to rule out rare complications. For mild
curves, observation or scoliosis rehabilitation may be indicated. For moderate curves, scoliosis bracing
may be recommended. For severe curves, a surgical consultation is often necessary
Where to get help?
In our community, we will be performing Spine and Posture Screenings in all Mabuhay Chiropractic
Clinics during the month of June to help towards the early detection and treatment of scoliosis.
Contact us for more information.
Dr Michael W.
Scoliosis Specialist
Mabuhay Chiropractic Clinics
888-Chiro (24476)
www.Chiropractic.com.ph
www.MabuhayHealth.com.ph
www.ChiropracticDiplomatic.com