The spine-damaging disease, scoliosis, can prove to be a life-time problem for some patients. Although most cases of the disease are minor, some patients suffer from chronic pain, primarily in the back and hips. The frequency of the pain can be either regular or occasional, depending on the patient’s condition.. The degree of the pain also varies from patient to patient. While some patients experience short, harsh bursts of pain, others suffer from lesser amounts, for longer periods of time. Fortunately, there are many modern treatments available which can be used to ease the suffering of scoliosis victims. Here are some of the most effective methods for treating the pain.
Exercise
Exercise can be an effective means of suppressing pain caused by scoliosis. However, there are specific exercise techniques for this purpose; other forms may cause further pain. Be sure to consult your physician before taking up any exercise regime. Basic stretches which involve the hips and back are quick and easy methods to deal with pain induced by the disease.
Simple exercises, such as stretches, can provide temporary relief from the pain. For long-term pain suppression treatments, patients should look into more advanced exercises, which focus on correcting the interaction between the brain and the spinal chord’s development. Yoga tactics have proven to be an effective way of achieving this. This is because yoga exercises aim to strengthen the muscle around the spine, lessening the stress on the spine itself. Moreover, various yoga positions also help correct the shape of the spine itself. Pilates is another popular form of exercise which scoliosis patients use to cope with pain, as it too strengthens core-muscles and relieves the spine from stress.
Using Physical Means
More often than not, pain that patients are suffering from in the back or hips can be reduced by physically warming the patient’s body. Applying a hot-water bottle on the affected area or sitting by a heater, can help soothe the pain temporarily. This is because pain caused by the disease is often due to muscle spasms and tightening. Ligaments become relaxed when warmed, which can help alleviate the pain.
Nutrition
Through controlling diet and food-intake, nutrition is believed to be another means for managing pain caused by scoliosis. To achieve this, there are two main approaches a patient should take towards their food. First, they should know which foods to avoid; and second, they should know which foods have positive effects.
Foods which aim to help patients deal with chronic pain do so by reducing inflammation inside the body. One of the best dietary approaches towards reducing inflammation involves restricting food-intake to fruits, vegetables, and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon. Even in the modern era, fruits and vegetables are used around the world to reduce back pain. Some of these include carrots, cherries, beets, grapes, watermelon and pomegranate. Cherries in particular contain powerful anti-oxidants, known as anthocyanins, which have anti-inflammation properties and also release pain-suppressing enzymes, similar to aspirin. Research over the years has found that cherries reduce muscle pain and lower inflammation by up to 25%.
Some foods are believed to increase inflammation of the body, and these should be avoided at all costs when dealing with pain induced by scoliosis. The main offenders here are processed foods, fast foods, hydrogenated fats and saturated fats.
Medication
Scoliosis patients may resort to using pain-killers to suppress their suffering. Over the counter pain medication, like aspirin, are popular choices for victims wishing to calm their back-pain. However, patients suffering from high levels of chronic pain should consult their doctors or physicians for a professional subscription. While medication is not a permanent solution to the pain, it can be necessary to temporarily provide a patient with relief.