Category: Other Medical Issues

Dealing with a chronic illness such as scoliosis is already devastating for most teens. But with the condition accompanied by teen mental health and emotional struggle, the whole experience can become a total disaster.

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Depression In Silence

Teenagers dealing with depression often talk about how they feel stuck in a situation that locks them alone in a specific area. They compared it to a maze that is impossible to get out of. Often, they discuss their thoughts and feelings with others, but they can’t genuinely get the help they need because they lack the ability to trust. Eventually, they begin to like the dark place they are in, and that’s quite alarming because it would be difficult to help them in that critical state.

A lot of teenagers do not have that ideal support. Often, they are faced with individuals unaware of their condition that gets confused whenever they show unusual behaviors. Usually, these people dismiss and ignore their situation, thus making it worse. It becomes more difficult for them to seek assistance. They become more confused, lonely, and devastated.

How To Know If People Don’t Understand The Situation?

Not Letting Teens Seek Professional Help

Teenagers coming to terms with their mental health disorder and realizing they are currently unsupported by the people they trust can negatively impact recovery. It ruins their remaining hope of getting better. Since it takes a lot of courage and strength to deal with a mental illness, teenagers not given an opportunity to seek medical treatment or professional advice might handle it differently. It can extremely cause unfortunate consequences and may result in suicide or self-harm.

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Telling Teens, It’s Nothing, And They Are Fine

One thing that ruins teenagers’ ability to engage and trust the people around them is when they try to reach out, and these people shut them down. Teenagers might subtly explain or show their emotional and mental crisis, but when the people around them do not care and insist they are fine, teens may feel the need to invalidate the negative emotions. As a result, they will start feeding their minds with depleting thoughts and negatively encouraging themselves that what they are dealing with is nothing and does not require attention.

Considering The Condition As An Act Of Rebellion

People who don’t understand the situation often tell teens that they only use their mental condition to act out the way they want. Most individuals unfamiliar with the signs and symptoms of depression often see it as a form of rebellion. They do not take teen depression seriously. These unbelievable people are using teenagers’ struggles to convince others that they are just kids seeking attention. It creates a long-term effect as teens would have problems with isolation, alcohol and drug abuse, self-harm, bullying, and other self-destructive behaviors.

 

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Starting To Make A Joke Out Of It

Most times, people do not care enough to understand a situation. And when mental health is a concern, they often make fun of or joke about it because there’s not enough evidence to convince them that it is currently on the teenagers’ plate. It is entirely dangerous because it leaves teens with serious and untreated mental health disorders. It’s more likely to spiral into something that hurts the kids and other people. The idea of joking about other people’s mental disorders and using them for entertainment can cause teens to build resentment that can damage connections and relationships.

Having A Hard Time Adjusting To The Changes

Teenagers struggling with depression may view the world differently. They might not care about themselves or not engage with peers anymore. They may even hate the things they once loved. When people around them feel upset about the changes and start blaming the teens for making it difficult for them to adjust, they are not worthy of being around. They will only make the teenagers’ depression even worse. These people won’t compromise as they only want to direct attention to themselves and make the whole situation about them. It’s sad because it leaves depressed teens unsupported.

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Not Wanting To Learn About The Condition

Depressed teenagers choose not to seek professional help because not everyone around them is willing to engage and learn about their condition. These individuals are often hands-off in assisting. Perhaps that is because they do not want to carry the burden of thinking about how to help their loved ones and do not want to suffer the way their kids do. A selfish act as it is. They do not want to acknowledge that they need a better understanding of the situation because mental health disorder is imagination and not their teens’ reality.

Sadly, some teens feel unsupported when all they wanted was help from the people around them.

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I was always a victim of bullying at school. Some kids used to think that I was a deformed human being due to my scoliosis. However, I didn’t pay too much attention to what they were saying; it kind of sucks that I have to deal with them every day emotionally. At times, I get tired of trying to explain to these individuals what my condition is. Others are seemed open and aware of it. At the same time, few don’t want to educate themselves. I am not comfortable with other people’s help, so I would rather isolate myself most of the time. I believe that my troubles are mine and alone.

Honestly, as much as I want to stay positive and just let it go, I somehow feel trapped. My whole life, I had to deal with different people who didn’t seem to care about what I was going through. And the worse part of that is I am beginning to believe that what everybody thinks of me is my reality. But fortunately, after talking to my therapist, she said I shouldn’t feel bad about my condition. My healthcare provider asked me to examine my mental and emotional state because she thinks I might be too hard on myself. Here’s how she confidently managed to identify that.

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I Always Allow People To Bully Me – There is nothing much I can do with my current condition. I don’t see myself in such positive light. Perhaps that is the reason why I sometimes spit out some stupid statements such as “I am not worthy of living.” I allowed people to constantly bully me because I didn’t think that my feelings would matter. I hold on to this mentality that I don’t deserve to be friends with anyone at school because soon after, I know they will leave me. It is weird, but I just let others say mean things to me because that’s what I am used to. Besides, what they are saying is sometimes partially true, like “You’re ugly,” “You look disgusting,” “You look like you struggled your whole life with scoliosis” Surely, those are hurtful words, but I know deep down those are the truth I need to live with.

I Neglect Taking Care Of Myself – My therapist said that I possibly hate myself because I neglect to take care of it. I could deny it immediately because I wouldn’t consider teen counseling and therapy if I had bad blood between myself. However, when I think of it, the habits I do and my lifestyle can tell otherwise. With the anxiety and emotional distraught caused by some people around me who used to view my physical condition negatively, I can’t help but lose focus. I admit I don’t sleep well, eat right, and do not exert any effort to look nice for myself. I already forgot how to smile and genuinely make myself happy. I refuse to pamper myself because soon enough, others would immediately cut that pleasant feeling I give to myself.

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I Don’t Acknowledge My Achievements – I don’t brag, but I know I am intelligent. I am good at Math, and I am probably one of the most articulate students in our class. But unfortunately, I do not feel proud about it. And no matter how far I often made it to the top, and despite my ability to single-handedly accomplish things, I still feel not worthy enough. I grapple with feelings of self-loathing because I am dealing with a physical condition that takes away my confidence. Don’t get me wrong, I do not self-sabotage, and I am not planning to do it ever. However, I still hold onto the negative view of myself. I am aware of my skills, but I can’t find the right courage to appreciate myself. I would rather not expose myself to avoid becoming a constant target of physical, emotional, and mental torture.

I Am My Own Worst Enemy – I often pressure myself to excel at something due to my scoliosis. It sometimes suffocates me because I find it unnecessary for my mental and emotional health. I dislike my current self, which is why I can probably say tons of negative things about myself. Tearing myself down has become a daily habit, and I often stick to the insecurities inside of my head. I am quick to blame myself for every bad thing happening, and I take all the responsibility even if it is not my fault. I feel hate towards myself whenever things go wrong because I believe it is all because of me. I often criticize myself for every bit of mistake I make because that’s what people say. Every time I look in the mirror, all I see is a reflection of a girl who has scoliosis, which is unworthy of love, care, and attention. As a teen, it is important to take care of your teen mental health, talk to a professional if you need help.

 

Bad body image does not often relate to the extent of the spinal curve. Your adolescent might have a minor existing curve and be bothered by their body image. He could decline to wear tight tops or bathing suits. On the contrary, she might have a major spinal deformity and alterations to his body shape without having issues with his body image.

Teenagers With Scoliosis

Impact Of Scoliosis On Teenagers

Adolescent idiopathic or even congenital scoliosis significantly impacts the shape of an adolescent’s body – his shoulder blade, hips, rib cage, and definitely his back. Often, these alterations can impact the way teens with scoliosis curves perceive their body images and themselves as well.

Emotional Issues

Having been diagnosed with this disease may significantly induce stress. When he was previously diagnosed, your patient’s child could have felt fear, withdrawal, anxiety, and depression. These emotions could improve eventually.

If your child needs to don braces before surgical treatment, they could face more challenges, such as feeling indifferent, teased and bullied by their schoolmates, and arguing with you as parents about why he has to wear the brace.

If they require obvious surgery, here are some issues they will need to face:

• Concerns about having to miss school or fail in school
• Problems with activities that he won’t be able to perform following surgery
• Fear of having the surgery, including its risks
• Problems concerning pain following surgery

Other concerns that would make it challenging to adjust in addition to the mental health after scoliosis diagnosis include:

• Past challenges with managing other circumstances
• Denial, which means declining to acknowledge the actual diagnosis and its treatment
• Constant family problems
• Prolonged diagnosis of scoliosis treatment
• History of being ridiculed or badgered at school
• You, your adolescent, or other family members have a pre-existing mental health condition like depression, eating disorder, or anxiety, among others.

Conversely, not all diagnosed adolescents respond negatively.

A certain study revealed that about 40% of teens were not worried about being diagnosed with severe curves or large curve progression conditions, and 50% of teens who have undergone surgery claimed that they felt more free and mature. Nevertheless, if you are troubled or if your adolescent has shared his worries with you, be sure that you inform his surgeon as soon as possible.

Teenagers Handling The Anxiety

Research shows that it is typical for adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis to have increased stress levels before having surgery. Indications of stress include restlessness, worry, irritability, tension, nervousness, and tension. These signs and symptoms are occasionally felt as depression or anxiety.

Learning to deal with stress requires practice. Your youngster might find it beneficial to think about and learn techniques for managing stress before going into several different types of surgery. These techniques can also be utilized to deal with pain experienced following surgery.

Knowing what to anticipate from the surgery for severe scoliosis can tremendously help children be more relieved and confident about the outcomes. Urge your adolescent always to ask questions and be assertive about any concerns he has before his surgery, may it be back surgery or spinal fusion surgery. It may also be helpful for you and your youngster to first study further curve progression and determine the reasons why your adolescent needs surgery. It could be based on your family history, on the current child’s spinal curve magnitude, or on genetic and environmental factors.

Scoliosis Surgery And Recovery

Being admitted to the hospital and undergoing physical examination (such as X-rays) can be tough for kids, particularly adolescents. Adolescence is a period when peer relationships, privacy, independence, and body image are crucially important. Surgery and recovery from that can affect each aspect as teenagers rely on others to meet their standards, the time required to be away from school, and experience modifications in a bad posture of physical appearance.

In the hospital, your teen is urged to:

• Express how he feels with friends and family or perhaps the community’s social worker.
• Learn and practice stress management techniques when he feels frustrated, hurt, or overwhelmed.
• Stay in touch with family and friends.
• Remember that being in the hospital is not permanent
• Find ways to distract himself. The hospital has different interesting spaces for him and the entire family and fun activities that can be done in your teen’s room. Your youngster can also do his projects and homework while he’s admitted.

Keep in mind that your adolescent needs a care team and support from his family after his surgery for at least 4 weeks, as he may be feeling weak and defenseless.

Just imagine the amount of pressure of wearing metal rods only to get rid of entire spine curves in the body. Some deal with small curves on one side ribs, pelvis, one hip, side to side curve, and disfigurement of bones.

Occasionally, the vulnerability could come across as violence, confusion, or anger. Your adolescent might not verbally express his emotions of anxiety and stress. You may find that he is feeling stressed by observing his behavior. Thus regular checkups are required at this stage.

Indications of stress in patients, particularly children, youngsters, and adolescents may include headaches, stomach problems, irritability, mood changes, problems at school, constant crying, changes in sleep patterns, and difficulty concentrating, among others.

Teens Need Care And Support After Their Back Surgery

Please find out how your adolescent is feeling by hearing out his concerns and encouraging free-flowing conversation. Avoid interruptions like using phones while talking with your youngster. You can’t fix every issue, but you can accept and understand your loved one and what he’s going through, especially on cases of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

As parents, we can also mirror positive strategies for handling our stress. Don’t forget to take care of yourself, deal with daily demands, and ask for help when you need it. As your adolescent recuperates, incite a gradual return to his usual activities in and out of school, including activities among his peers.

As scoliosis research society experts often say, you should support what your adolescent is doing positively and the improvements he is making while he is recuperating.

Final Thoughts

Talking With A Counselor Or Social Worker Before Surgery Helps

Teen counseling with a counselor or social worker is available to help adolescents and their families in dealing with the issues that may emerge during surgery. Your adolescent may tell you that he wants to talk to a counselor before he goes into surgery or wants to see a social worker while he is in the hospital. The social worker can guide you and your youngster with tough emotions, promote your family’s needs, deal with stress, and provide you with connections to support and resources from the local community.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can you fix scoliosis at 15?

Can you develop scoliosis as a teenager?

Is scoliosis worse after puberty?

At what age can scoliosis be corrected?

Will scoliosis get worse with age?

What happens if you don’t treat the significant type of scoliosis?

Does adolescent scoliosis go away?

Can you live a normal life with scoliosis?

Is scoliosis a disability?

Does mild scoliosis affect periods?

The period of teenhood is tough for everyone because they go through body modifications, peer pressure, and rising hormones. When an adolescent is diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis, it can cause things to be even more difficult.

If your teen with scoliosis has depression, recognizing it early and seeking counseling by a licensed professional can tremendously help get successful results.

I Got Diagnosed With Scoliosis

Other Typical Difficulties With Scoliosis Teen Counseling May Include:

• Sideward curves of the spine or rib humps are visible if using a swimsuit or dressing in the locker room.
• Donning a back brace that seems awkward and needs limitation of activities, like only being able to shower, swim, or exercise at scheduled times daily when the brace is not worn. Other back braces would be noticeable even with clothes on, and this could cause teasing or questions.
• Clothing that fits unevenly, like one sleeve looking too long and the other sleeve looking too short.

Subsequently, adolescents coping with scoliosis also have a higher likelihood of having depression, so teen counseling administered by vetted therapists might be needed.

Scoliosis Counseling For Kids And Adolescents

Scoliosis curvatures are conventionally gauged by using what is known as the Cobb angle. This is described as an angle formed by the most skewed vertebra below the spine’s apex and the most skewed vertebra over the curvature’s apex. The sizes of these curves differ – they range from scarcely considered as scoliosis, which is 10 degrees or not visible, to major curvatures that are simply evident when wearing a swimsuit.

Adolescents and young adult scoliosis are intimately associated with decreased self-esteem, although some studies imply that findings are slightly independent of its curve size. Teens with comparatively minor cases of scoliosis may still experience severe psychological challenges because of their scoliosis and find themselves in need of in-person therapy or from a licensed professional therapist, licensed mental health counselor, or online therapy provider.

There is a lack of a robust connection between minor to severe Cobb angles and self-confidence, and this could be due to how individuals feel about their condition, which is subjective. An adolescent may have a minor curve yet still be disturbed by the thought of having some form of abnormal spine curvature, even though it is hardly noticeable.

Another Adolescent May Have A Major Curve But Can Adjust To It Efficiently

Numerous other elements would be involved, like the thought that another adolescent with a milder form of scoliosis might be bullied or ridiculed for it compared to an adolescent with a more serious case.

Emotional Support For A Teen With Scoliosis

When an adolescent is diagnosed with scoliosis by a trained counselor, there might be a feeling of lack of control. There is no cure for scoliosis – either the brace only prevents worsening of the curvature, or surgery aligns and fuses fragments of the spine. If bracing is suggested, it usually entails stringent rules concerning the tightness of the brace, when it should be donned, and the dos and don’ts while the brace is on.

Whatever family members, friends, and significant others can do to urge teens with scoliosis can be beneficial.

For example, expressing verbal support, taking time to listen about how he feels or assisting him with some tasks that he finds difficult to do alone, and simply being with him and taking part in his activities, interesting or not.

If an adolescent begins to show indications of depression – like a strange, longstanding mood change or more and more time spent alone – it is crucial to reach out to a mental health therapist capable of assessing his situation. By doing so, they would be able to provide the appropriate mental health treatment for the teens suffering from issues of anxiety, bullying,  troubled relationships, child trauma, and other range of issues and concerns. Aside from that, some insurance covers online therapy for teens, and that’s an advantage for a series of health claims.

In severe cases, continuous mental health services or online services may be needed to maximize the mental health benefits of the adolescent to avoid further severe conditions mental health after a scoliosis diagnosis.

Idiopathic scoliosis in itself does not usually lead to physical pain in adolescents and young adults; it can result in other types of discomfort, pain, and other challenges.

Major Surgery

If conservative mental health treatment and medication management no longer work for the teen, the doctor will most probably recommend spinal fusion surgery. Scoliosis surgery is a comparatively harmless procedure with good reviews and excellent outcomes; it is still a major procedure. The recuperation process could take six to twelve months and can be demanding physically and mentally.

Awkward Brace Treatment

Experienced online therapists’ most commonly recommended noninvasive scoliosis treatment is to put on an inflexible brace that tightens the wearer’s torso. This treatment is quite uncomfortable, particularly when the adolescent’s body is initially trying to get used to wearing the brace. Wearing it would also add to the adolescent’s disappointment by being too warm or too tight, making him finish his daily tasks longer than usual.

Emotional Pain

Many teens struggle with the thought of being different from the rest of their friends. Some of their feelings might include embarrassment, fear, sadness, anger, or denial. If an adolescent is also being bullied in school, his situation would even worsen.

Mental Treatment for Adolescents Suffering From Scoliosis Final Thoughts

According to the national suicide prevention lifeline, because of the numerous life transitions and challenges that you can expect with teens with scoliosis, experts have revealed that teenagers with the condition have a serious risk of developing depression that often results in self-harm or suicidal thoughts. If an adolescent does have depression, recognizing it early and seeking immediate help from a licensed mental health professional or even online professional family therapy sessions and in-person visits can tremendously help get successful results in dealing with adolescent and teen mental health issues.

Talk and communicate with a mental health expert and help teens.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Counseling Effective For Teenagers?

How Do I Know If My Teenager Needs Therapy?

What Type Of Licensed Therapists Should A Teenager See?

Can 15-Year-Olds Get Therapy?

How Can I Get Counseling Without My Parents Knowing?

Do Licensed Professional Counselors Tell Your Parents?

Can parents sit in on therapy phones and video therapy sessions?

Why won’t my parents let me go to a therapist?

How do you ask your parents if you can see a therapist?

How much does a therapist cost?

 

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When someone in the family suffers from a spinal cord injury or SCI, the news can feel overwhelming to the whole family, and feelings of helplessness, depression, and overall sadness can arise. Unexpectedly, a loved one who has been diagnosed of SCI can evoke a gamut of emotions for a lot of people, including worry about the future, the level of disability that the family member has sustained, and just how the whole family is going to deal with their loved one’s injury and his life. Nothing can ever prepare us for the effects of spinal cord injury.

Feeling miserable during this time is a naturally acceptable feeling any time since the injury happened, even the period of rehabilitation or when the loved one has left the hospital to try to cope at home. Not everyone feels the same, though, and there is no wrong or right way to feel.

From the time of injury, the family may feel that nothing is going to be the same again. With time, reassurance, and guidance from the medical health professional team as well as the loved one’s family, life could again be lived with meaning. In fact, oftentimes, relationships are strengthened, and bonds get deeper. Perhaps this is because the SCI patient is most often at home. Thus he has more time spent with the family with the opportunity to develop deeper relationships with their spouse, child, or other family members, for that matter. This may be something that he previously did not do before he suffered the injury.

The Family’s Challenges

After a spinal cord injury, the whole family would have to make the necessary adjustments. This will also depend on the level of injury that the loved one has sustained. As mentioned, the family’s relationship with the SCI loved one may change too, and he or she may be staying in the hospital only for a while to recuperate at home, or maybe hospitalized for a longer period. If it is the latter, then emotions such as a yearning for physical and emotional intimacy, stress, thoughts of retirement and the future, and other things that were part of the loved one’s life with his family before the injury. There are some days when you feel hopeful and optimistic about your loved one’s prognosis and rehabilitation. Other days, though, may feel challenging, tiring, and depressing for both the patient and the family.

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The SCI patient also faces a myriad of challenges, as he is the most affected of all. His activities will now have to be managed differently, and the whole family, including the patient himself, must work together to learn and find ways to adapt to the different aspects of the patient’s life. As the patient undergoes rehabilitation, he may be able to come home to his family for a few days. This often inspires the patient to cooperate with his treatment and get better, making it easier for him to shift move from hospital to home.

Understanding Stress

All of us feel strained at some point in our lives, and we all try to manage it in our ways. The increase or decrease in our adrenaline levels influences how stress affects us mentally and physically. Physically, people may manifest symptoms like dry mouth, lack of sleep, headaches, mood swings, muscle weakness, and anxiety, among others. Your close friends would ask you if you are fine and if you’re coping well, but these questions may not be easy to answer. Some patients are stronger and more resilient, while others have weaker spirits and are more difficult to encourage.

We can’t always control the outside sources of stress, but how we feel and act during these times will impact the way SCI patients and their families will cope with the problems that may confront them. One simple way to help deal with stress is to imagine yourself in a certain situation that might cause you stress and then imagine what you can do to change the situation and be able to resolve it. It could also help if you list the things that you prioritize and do what needs to be done first – and do it head-on.

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Help And Support

Support for the family and the SCI patient is available for dealing with emotions such as stress, depression, sadness, and others. A doctor must be consulted if these feelings do not go away for quite some time. Additionally, most spinal facilities have a psychologist or counselor who is capable of providing professional emotional support and guidance. Seeking emotional help is not a mistake at all, especially during a challenging time, like having someone from the family diagnosed with spinal cord injury. When a loved one in the family suffers from SCI, it does take time to take it all in. This starts from when the information is disclosed to the patient and then to the family, making wise decisions about the loved one’s treatment and rehabilitation, and adapting to the changes caused by the injury. Nothing is easy, and asking help for dealing with the emotional journey is acceptable.

 

 

 

 

Scoliosis differs from one person to another. It can be a bunch of things altogether. It can be a medical condition that an individual had in his whole life or can be posturally induced. People with scoliosis can have a C or S curve, and these types get to be evaluated by a licensed physical therapist.

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In this pandemic crisis, since many individuals with scoliosis face different physical challenges, working on some exercises can be beneficial for their health. But disclaimer: these exercises are for self-development purposes only. It does not cure or treat scoliosis, especially the ones with severe conditions. So before anyone tries these physical activities, please consult a medical health professional first.

Side Lean – It is an advisable exercise for people with scoliosis because it is easy and comfortable. An individual can start by putting his body in a good stance position, and hold a weight on one side of his hand. From there, he’s just going to lean over on the side and then come back up. But note, the goal is not to entirely lean forward or twist the body exaggeratedly.

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Bridging – It is a type of exercise that is super easy and comfortable to do. It helps in strengthening the core, the pelvis, as well as the back muscles. With bridging, the body lies down on a flat surface while propping the knee. The arms are positioned on the sides, touching the ground. Then the back gets pushed up and down, putting the whole body into a slant position. The exercise ensures an individual to have control over his movement. Shoulders are not coming off the floor, but the entire body is. An individual can go for one segment at a time.

Bird-Dog Exercise – It is one of the most challenging exercises for individuals with scoliosis. Not only it’s a bit uncomfortable, but also some might find it hard to put their bodies in a neutral position. In this exercise, the body is positioned in a chair-like state where an individual should keep the back flat and neutral. From there, the arm and opposite leg are stretched out alternately. It is important to note that it is unnecessary to twist the whole body when doing this.

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Side Crunch – For some individuals struggling with a severe scoliosis condition, they do not have to come to a full sit-up. That is to prevent the cause of some back issues. Side crunch is an exercise that can become a little uncomfortable to do. That is why some people like to put their hands at the back of their heads to support their neck while others try to place it crossing in their chest. The position requires the body to lie down. An individual attempted to pull up the upper body towards a couple of inches and then crunch from side to side.

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Side Plank – So, with the side plank, the body is placed in a slant position using one side of the body. It should use the elbow, supported by the shoulder, as a stand to align the body. It might feel a little complicated, and there might be some discomfort in doing this. But that is okay. The feeling of the hips collapsing is what makes the exercise effective. So for individuals with scoliosis, it is vital to note that a 10-second hold is more than enough at first. There is no need to go for long minutes. So don’t try and force it to avoid ending up being in pain.

Depending on how severe the scoliosis condition, these exercises might be a little tough to do. Thus, if an individual wants to work on this, he should consult his physical therapist for a modification.

Living life with scoliosis is complicated. And now that there’s a pandemic, well, it seems like it is all the same. I am not saying that I need to complain about it. But individuals like me who suffer from chronic conditions are less likely to feel anxious about the whole situation. For all I know, I cannot already do things I want because of my scoliosis. Therefore, what else do I have to worry about?

 

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Should I worry About My Social Life?

Some people assume that because one is suffering from a chronic condition, they are incapable of social interaction. Well, that is entirely not true. Individuals with scoliosis like me may have a different physical appearance from others, but we are capable of communicating and interacting socially. Though I must say, we can become a topic of judgment and humiliation at some point due to our spinal “deformity.” But in the state of social communication during this COVID-19 pandemic, I say all are good. Yes, we can’t go to school and hang out with our friends due to the lockdown. But that is okay. We are still connecting with them through social media platforms, and that’s pretty much the best of what we can do.

 

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Should I Worry About Isolation?

No, of course not. I know there are some individuals out there with scoliosis that already suffered enough from isolation. Not that it is a good thing, though. But the point is, the whole lockdown thing is not going to make individuals like me more worried than ever. Some of us perhaps mastered the art of not interacting with any people. Some of us have this idea that it will be useless to participate in any activities because it might cost us our lives. Honestly, I can say that most of us consider isolation as a way to prevent ourselves from harm.  Since the severity of our conditions differs from one another, I am sure there are individuals like me with scoliosis who appreciate isolation more than anything else. Isolation is not that bad, as a therapist from BetterHelp explains.

 

Source: pxfuel.com

Should I Worry About My Health?

Well, that is one thing. For those mild conditions of scoliosis, one can shrug the idea of dying. Perhaps some of us think that a spinal curve can cause no harm. However, in some instances, scoliosis can cause severe health complications. These may include broken rib cages, as well as lung and heart damages. That is because severe cases of scoliosis can make the ribs press against the lung and heart. When that befalls, there is a tendency that an individual will have difficulty breathing, and it will more likely make his heart unable to pump blood. And with COVID-19, this particular condition of a person with scoliosis is at stake. That is because weak lungs and heart are what makes this virus stronger. Somehow, that particular information creates worries.

 

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Should I Worry About What I Do?

Honestly, there is nothing to worry about the things that I should do. Of all people in the world who require themselves to have a better immune system, I know exactly why I need it. Living with scoliosis has its limitations. Frankly, I understand the risk. For people like me who suffer from the condition, we know that our priority right now is to take care of ourselves and be healthy. We do not need to remind ourselves of the importance of eating nutritional food because that is where we get our strength. We do not force ourselves to get into physical activities in an instant because we know it can be dangerous. We do not let ourselves get overwhelmed with accomplishing the small task in the house because we know it triggers our progressions.

So to answer if COVID-19 changes everything for us people with scoliosis, I think it does not.

 

Scoliosis is a disease that affects the spinal cord, forming an S or C shaped curvature. The disease can cause the victim severe discomfort, chronic pain, and is fatal in extreme cases. Fortunately, scoliosis patients usually suffer only from minor versions of the illness. There are many ways to deal with scoliosis, which include invasive methods, such as surgery and bracing, and non-invasive methods, such as exercise and diet restriction. Exercise, in particular, has proven to be beneficial in relieving pain caused by scoliosis. Moreover, some exercise techniques are believed to lessen the degree of the curve and improve the patient’s condition overall. Here are 5 of the best physical workouts to combat the disease. Before trying any of these workouts, however, be sure to consult with your physician or an experienced professional.

Continue reading Top 5 Workouts For Scoliosis And Why They Are Beneficial

Scoliosis, defined as the abnormal curvature of the spine, affects nearly 7 million people in America adults and children alike. Its cause is usually unknown. Most people with scoliosis don’t need surgical treatment, but there is a higher likelihood that they will frequently suffer from neck and back pain and breathing difficulties. So though it may not be a deadly spinal condition, scoliosis can reduce one’s quality of life. Thus, sufficient attention should be given to it.

If you’ve been diagnosed with scoliosis, you’ll be glad to know that there are many things you can do to deal with your condition. You don’t have to constantly live uncomfortably, and the earlier you understand that the sooner you can feel better. From physical activity to choosing the appropriate desk and chair, it’s the simple things that can make a tremendous difference in your life.

1. Be Conscious Of Your Posture. It’s difficult to stand or sit straight when you’re flaunting an unnaturally curved spine, but keeping it straight is of absolute importance. When you slouch or lean to one side consistently, you are aggravating the twist that is primarily causing your pain in the back. Imagine that when you’re standing, you’re leaning against a wall with your chin parallel to the floor. Practice walking with books on top of your head (yes, it does help) and keeping your balance throughout your walk. Relax your shoulders, keeping them down while your head is looking up towards where you’re heading.

Crossing your legs is also a position that causes low back pain, plus the potential to result in spider veins in the legs. It misaligns the spine and may lead to further abnormal curvature.

2. Sit Comfortably. Often, when we sit down, we don’t think about how we do it or what we sit on. This usually happens when you visit your child’s school or even at your workplace. Perhaps it’s time you demand replacement because you deserve to be seated on comfortable chairs – for your health! In the home, take time to choose chairs that your body will fit in, not those where your butts don’t manage to be seated fully. The height should be set in a way that your feet land on the ground, a backrest that accommodates your back conveniently, and cushions that provide sufficient softness and comfort.

 

3. Buy A Good Quality Mattress And Pillows. The memory foams and ergonomic pillows are worth every penny. You must sacrifice cost for quality. You’ll see the difference when you try sleeping with small and very soft pillows where your neck doesn’t seem to relax in the appropriate position when you go to bed, and then when you finally decide to purchase that Layla pillow you’ve been saving up for, or that easy sleeper from Nest Bedding. Memory foam mattresses are also the way to go, and a lot of people with back pain or scoliosis can swear to this.

 

4. Incorporate Yoga Into Your Daily Routine. Regularly doing yoga poses or enrolling in a yoga class is one of the best things you can do for your back pain and your overall health as well. However, choose the type of yoga that you practice. For instance, don’t choose a fast or high impact yoga practice like Ashtanga. The most preferable are Vinyasa and Hatha. And remember not to skip on the backbends. They are very beneficial in strengthening your back muscles.

 

5. Look For A Medical Professional That You Trust. A doctor that is credible and trustworthy can be a great support when you’re living with chronic back pain and scoliosis. You can have yourself monitored routinely for any development or progress. Your doctor can also provide sound advice on how to alleviate your pain and treat them conservatively or medically in case you need it. If you don’t have one yet, then now is the time to find someone in your area.