As defined in my last blog, simply put, scoliosis is a curve in the spine to the left or the right when viewed from behind. When a structural or postural spinal problem is left for a long time it starts to wear (or degenerate). Wear and tear in the joints, soft tissues and bones creates slow deformity over time (wolf’s law). Left for many years this deformity/degeneration magnifies and distorts, often in the form of a lateral curve or scoliosis – a degenerative scoliosis.
This accounts for why a previously healthy, straight spine becomes curved with age, and it may seem surprising but this has become the most common form of scoliosis in the world today.
What can you do about it? It is important to remember that this form of scoliosis takes many years to occur. By maintaining good posture and structure throughout life you can vastly minimise the chance of developing a degenerative scoliosis later in life. This is one of the reasons Chiropractors advocate a maintenance approach to your back. Chiropractors specialise in postural and structural correction and by keeping your spine straight and level you can prevent a degenerative scoliosis.
For people who have developed a scoliosis in adolescence, there is a greater risk of this progressing to a degenerative scoliosis as you get older. Consequently for these people it is even more important to be carrying out preventative treatment throughout life to try and avoid this second advancement period.
This accounts for why a previously healthy, straight spine becomes curved with age, and it may seem surprising but this has become the most common form of scoliosis in the world today.
What can you do about it? It is important to remember that this form of scoliosis takes many years to occur. By maintaining good posture and structure throughout life you can vastly minimise the chance of developing a degenerative scoliosis later in life. This is one of the reasons Chiropractors advocate a maintenance approach to your back. Chiropractors specialise in postural and structural correction and by keeping your spine straight and level you can prevent a degenerative scoliosis.
For people who have developed a scoliosis in adolescence, there is a greater risk of this progressing to a degenerative scoliosis as you get older. Consequently for these people it is even more important to be carrying out preventative treatment throughout life to try and avoid this second advancement period.
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