Scoliosis is a medical condition wherein it causes the spine to curve on one side. It can affect not only the posture of the person but also his capabilities. In fact, living with scoliosis can be hard for people who wish to have kids someday. However, it is not impossible.
The spine is a fundamental part of the body that serves to hold and protect the spinal cord – where the nerves connect to the brain. It also controls the body’s movement. However, when the spine makes an inappropriate rotation, it creates what the therapist calls a rib hump. The condition is known as scoliosis. It gets represented by making the body look like an S or C body formation. Usually, it is due to the ribs too much movement that somehow creates a noticeable imbalance physical structure in the upper torso. It creates a significant difference in the breast and changes chest size also. It makes the shoulders and waist appear uneven as well. As an individual with scoliosis, the curve of the body becomes more considerable as he grows. That is up in about 45 to 50 degrees total spine deformation. And without proper medical assistance, the struggle can go on throughout the person’s life.
Continue reading Addressing Scoliosis – A Therapist Helpful Guidelines
Being a regular adolescent is already hard enough. Your body goes through a lot of significant changes, and being diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis is even harder. Idiopathic scoliosis is an abnormal curve of a person’s backbone that can affect their posture. Sometimes, this causes pain that can be hard to tolerate. There is still no known cause as to why this happens, and that makes it even harder to treat. Medical treatments are the priorities of both medical professionals and parents when their adolescent child is suffering from this sickness. And what parents fail to realize is that there is no attention given to the emotional health of the child. Psychologists say that this can also greatly affect their self-confidence and self-esteem. Emotional support must be given to those who have this problem.
A parent wants nothing but the best for his child. No mother or father in this world wishes for something unfortunate to take place in the life of his or her kid. As such, it is only normal if you feel like you have to protect your teen for any danger that may come into his life. Do not feel bad if you act strange or strict to ensure that your teenage child will not suffer in this world. This is why you may consider sending your teen to a boarding school or even go for therapy online.
Unfortunately, several things are not under your control. No matter how hard you make an effort to keep your child to be away from danger or bad influence, they may still end up on the bad side. This situation can lead to rebellion or worse, depression. If you are going through this difficult phase in your life as a parent to a troubled teenager, then we highly recommend that you finish this article from start to bottom.
For today’s post, our highlight will be about the possible need to try therapy online. “Therapy is extremely personal and intimate, you don’t want to have to go with the only one that has availability,” says Sena Moran, LMHC. The best part about the recent developments in the field of technology is that you can always get in touch with the right professionals who can assist you in your medical concerns or mental health problems. In this case, you have to seek professional help, not for your sanity but your teenager. Below are the top tips to remember when it comes to trying this mode of treatment for your teen:
Assess The Situation First
As a mother, you are the best person to know if there is indeed something wrong in your child’s life. Has there been a significant change in his attitude? Did he experience a traumatic event recently? When was the last time he acted normal? These are the kinds of questions to consider before contacting a therapist. Make sure that you have already assessed the situation so that you can provide correct details to the teen mental health expert, especially if you are going to do it online.
Talk To Your Teen
Another step that you must resort to before contacting a therapist is to talk to your teen. It is essential to establish an honest and open communication with him. As a parent, it is your role to see to it that he would feel comfortable talking to you about anything under the sun. You need to make an effort in reaching out to your teen and try to fix the problem before it gets worst. However, in a situation where his attitude has become impossible to handle, you can always tell him that it is time to seek professional help. “It is a healing process that allows people to not only start feeling better but gain insight, awareness, and ultimately begin trusting their intuition and experience.” Dr. Mitch Keil, a clinical psychologist said.
Do Your Research
Do not rush the process of looking for the right therapist to help your child. As much as possible, contact someone who has a proven track record in the field of teen counseling or therapy. Otherwise, you will only end up wasting your money. It is ideal to find a mental health expert who has experience in treating troubled teenagers. The reason behind this is that he is more likely to change the bad or negative habits compared to other professionals who have little or no experience at all. Moreover, you can also view and read online journals and check the therapists or companies mentioned.
Be Supportive
Trying out therapy online for the first time can be complicated and confusing. Hence, you may hear your child complaining about the set-up. In this kind of situation, the best way to handle the issue is to show your teen that you support him all the way. Make him feel that you are by his side in every step of the way. You can constantly remind him of his online sessions until he gets used to it. Furthermore, you may also consider taking care of the online expenses ahead of time so that there will be no issues in the arrangement.
Do not hesitate to try online therapy for your teen. Show him the benefits and advantages of going through the entire treatment process through virtual sessions. Over time, he will start to realize that everything you do is for his good. But remember that “Online care is not for every patient or practitioner. Clients with more serious mental illnesses or addictions likely need more treatment than digital therapy can provide. And some clinicians may find certain telehealth modalities difficult,” says clinical psychologist Nina Barlevy, PsyD.
When you are on your way to becoming a young canoeing expert, but you find yourself with a health condition like scoliosis, it may feel like it’s over for you. The sport, after all, requires you to sit in a small boat and paddle on the water for as long as necessary to reach your destination. If it used to be effortless for you, the same might be difficult to say now, especially when you want to prevent your spine from curving further.
Nonetheless, in case your physical therapist deems that it is okay for you to continue canoeing even after getting diagnosed with scoliosis, you should find the best seat that will make the ride more stress-free for your body. Here are some things to consider before purchasing one.
Weight
Canoe seats have different weight limits. One size does not fit all. This is the first thing you have to put into consideration when you wish to purchase new boat chairs. If you are a bit hefty, you should take a chair that is durable and can hold your mass well. Flimsy materials may not last even after a single usage, so that is already one aspect to remember. It is also practical to go for canoe seats with the metal foundation since that is sturdier than average.
Practicality
You have to be realistic with what is convenient for you in terms of pricing and product bulk. It is not impossible to find longer-lasting canoe seats. However, you should be diligent in searching for them. On the other hand, not owning a canoe is not a reason for you to not acquire your seats. If you like to rent one with friends and family, you only need to get seats that can be fastened to the regular chairs.
Padding
Padded chairs are not a must, yet this is what most people look for in canoe seats. When you are out on the water, after all, and the weather is nice, the cushioned chair can make you momentarily forget that you have to row, row, and row to move the narrow boat. You can stop far from the shore and get your daily dose of news without worrying about toppling over since your weight is well-distributed. Canoeing for more than five hours is not going to give you pain on your bum either because you won’t have to stay seated on a flat surface.
Breathability
Sitting in the car cannot be that comfortable if you do not lean away from the backrest from time to time. Regardless if the air conditioner is in full swing or not, heat can build up on your back since the upholstery material may not be very breathable.
Now, this idea is analogous to canoe seats, although you merely need to rely on natural air when you are on the boat. Hence, the chairs you are looking for should be capable of letting wind pass through little vents in the backrest. Meanwhile, the full ones either have a small horizontal gap where the lower back is supposed to be situated or a mesh back support.
Functionality
Unless you are a professional paddler, there will only be certain times in a year when you can ride the canoes. For this reason, it may be more convenient if the seats you are considering to purchase can be utilized on your other trips too. If ever you are to sit in a concrete stadium, go on camping or watch an outdoor concert, for instance, you should be able to bring it.
Comfortability
Your welfare is of utmost importance. In case you cannot let a year pass without taking a canoe on the river behind the house or fishing for a short while, there are small boats with back support that can provide less strain on your muscles and spine. You may benefit greatly from getting the canoe seats that Coleman makes, to be specific, since they typically come with webbed backrest. Besides, mesh and padded seatbacks are available in the market now as well.
Extras
When you are training for a competition or aiming to travel from one side of the lake to the other, you can get canoe seats with a cup holder or drink container. It can ensure that you will stay hydrated and energized throughout your journey. Thus, you have higher chances of winning against other competitors.
Final Thoughts
Who said that you need to let go of your dreams of being a canoeing expert because a doctor diagnosed you with scoliosis?
You may need to be more conscious of your paddling technique than your peers, but it is not essential to avoid it altogether. Aside from finding the best seat for this sport, you can always rest when you feel exhausted because of it. Try not to let others hinder you from doing what you love.
Good luck!
According to a doctor and a professional expert, the increasing rate of youth suicide is quite alarming. Adolescent mental health is a very important subject for families, especially for parents who have troubled youngsters. In most mental health issues involving a child and adolescent, the condition also significantly affects their academic performance and self care.
Adolescents’ Guide To Improving Well-Being
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Children with optimal well-being will most likely excel in their schools. What is its concept and how can we emphasize its significance? Is adolescent psych health hard to achieve? Let’s discuss more of it in this article.
If you are a parent of troubled youth, you should learn more about your child’s child’s health and cognitive development and how to improve on it. The psychological health of your adolescent may affect his schoolwork, social relationships, and life factors in general. Your kid must learn how to improve his wellness. Optimal mental health care most frequently assures a more positive mental health and confident mindset and fewer disability issues. Yes, young adults with mental health, in general, are crucial.
Firstly, you have to understand the importance of improving your centers of cognitive wellness. In this article, allow us to provide you with the perfect guide on improving one’s mental health, particularly the adolescents mental health. You can check out BetterHelp for more of these treatment options and tips, just in case.
Improving Teen Mental HealthDid you know that an adolescent can overreact about most cases and situations that he encounters daily and see on social media? Unfortunately, many adolescents are confused about what is going on in their lives and this tremendously affects their mental health condition. The best way to be happier and improve overall mental health is to be strong enough to identify the consequences that cause you pain and suffering. Catherine “Katie” Ness, MA, LCPC says, “Making the decision to enter into treatment requires a commitment to prioritize your mental health and make significant life changes.” An adolescent and his psychological balance should be a priority for parents.
Tips For Teen Mental Health
The mental health of an adolescent is also affected when he feels lonely or depressed. When an adolescent becomes insecure or anti-social, his mental health is not in the right place. His mental health is at risk. Thus, they should have supportive environments with healthy relationships so they can identity and have critical knowledge to cope with whatever negative things come their way.
As a parent, allow your adolescent to be with people he enjoys being with. This helps foster disease control and positive cognitive improvement. It also reduces fear or anxiety disorder, food eating disorders, anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, and other childhood mental health conditions that have bigger risks of evolving.
Adolescence is a crucial period for young adulthood or high school students because this age group is prone to alcohol and substance use or drug use. Their negative habits and interest with drugs can cause them to have early warning signs of depression and addiction. Sometimes, their developed depression symptoms, lead to unwanted difficult feelings or emotional stress can pressure them into a stigma, and promote self harm and suicide.
That explains why most of them have a range of suicide thoughts, with difficulty in education learning, having issues with community interaction, dealing with severe family violence, and more.
“Your environment can greatly impact how you feel.” A reminder from Marjie L. Roddick, MA, NCC, LMHC.F
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Sometimes, you have to hear the support and wisdom coming from an elder. Cliché as it may sound, you are still young – just a kid whose cognitive health is fragile. One third of kids experiences within the community will not only mold and shape your physical and mental health and may require guidance from teachers and adults.
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Therefore, it’s best if you can make efforts to connect with an elder who can impart a thing or two about life. Listen to their stories, review, and learn from their experience. The mere act of talking about your family and life concerns or having persistent feelings of excessive worry is already therapeutic and beneficial for your mental health. This can prevent you from rapid suicide attempts and possibly leading to death.
As Nikki Martinez, Psy.D. LCPC explains, “We only have control of ourselves and our own desire for growth and change. Part of that growth and change is deciding the type of person we allow in our lives.”
The top three things mentioned above are not exclusive, which means that there are other prevention and strategies that you can use to improve your cognitive health. We only emphasize the tips listed above because we believe that as an adolescent, these ones have proven effective for you. As long as you know how to follow the intended normal guides, you are bound to have stable mental health and an improved mood.
If you find it hard to address and achieve good mental health after reading this, try to seek access to therapy or other mental health services.
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Is mental health a social issue?
Dressing up is one of the things that a lot of teenage girls enjoy. It feels good to shop for dresses, shirts, blouses, skirts, and pants that are so trendy. Because of this, several department stores and boutiques have taken advantage of this common practice by increasing their inventories every month. The entrepreneurs behind these clothing lines make an effort to come up with pieces of clothing that can satisfy the varying needs and styles of different consumers.
Unfortunately, some teens do not get to enjoy easy access to these trendy clothing especially for those who are suffering from scoliosis. This medical condition prevents them from staying on top of the fashion world because several teenage girls start to lose confidence due to their current state. The physical deformity brought by this condition can also make some girls suffer.
For this reason, we have decided to come up with an article that talks about the perfect fashion tips for women who have scoliosis. If you are one of them, then make sure to check this write up from start to finish. Remember that you can still dress confidently, as long as you know how to handle your emotions. Below are some of the tips and tricks to remember:
Prioritize Comfort
Avoid stressing yourself over fashionable items that will not look flattering on you. Instead, focus on those that will make you feel comfortable. Keep in mind that the perfect clothing is one that does not cause any inconvenience on your part. If you believe that a particular dress or blouse would be dug into the curve of your back, be sure to avoid wearing it. Choose something comfortable yet stylish.
Wear The Right Shoes
One of the essential things that every person with scoliosis must remember is the fact that your shoes can have a big effect on your posture. If you keep on wearing high heels or wedges, then there is a high possibility that you will increase the risks to your medical condition. It can lead to an increase in the symptoms of scoliosis, which will eventually lead to a worse medical issue. As such, it is best to wear flip-flops or flat sandals so that your spine will not be harmed any longer.
Invest in Outfits
Remember that branded clothing does not necessarily mean that it is the best in the market. As such, there is no need on your part to pay large amounts of money for your outfits. What is essential is to buy the proper clothing that will serve its purpose. When we speak of “investment,” it refers to your ability to study whether a particular item is worth its price or not. Do not make rash decisions when it comes to buying your pair of jeans, dresses or even gowns. Think carefully before purchasing an item, just like how you would normally look at an investment.
Try It On First
In connection to the tip mentioned above, do not forget to try an item first before buying it. Fortunately, many stores and shops have created dressing rooms for all its customers. Do not hesitate to use these rooms to ensure that you will not commit an error in making a choice. Keep in mind that some fashionable items look good on display but do not look great when worn. Conversely, some outfits appear to be rubbish but provides a good fit once worn. Take your time as you shop for your wardrobe.
Shop Ahead Of Time
If you are going to attend a party and do not have an idea of what to wear, the best option is to shop at least three weeks before the scheduled event. Having scoliosis can be a challenge when it comes to choosing your event outfit. As such, it is best if you would schedule your shopping activity at an earlier time. In so doing, you will not feel any pressure as you look for the right dress or gown to wear. You can also check out magazines or look book blogs before shopping so that you will have an idea on what to look for.
Conclusion
Remember that what you wear defines who you are. Never stress yourself in choosing an outfit or clothing. Instead, enjoy every moment that you get in shopping for the above-mentioned fashionable items. At the same time, feel free to ask some recommendations or tips from your friends or family member.
You can even ask anyone of them to accompany you in your shopping spree. Sometimes, all you need is to hear the comment of others so that you will not have a hard time making a purchase. As a teen, do not be afraid to mix and match. As long as you follow the tips mentioned above, you are good to go. Have fun in experimenting fashion in your teenage years.
It may be challenging for adults to imagine how a scoliosis diagnosis sounds like the end of the world for a teenager. “Honey, the bright side of it is that you may become exempted from P.E. throughout high school,” a parent may say to cheer up the adolescent. In case the mom or dad thinks that their child worries about the curving of their spine, they might speak, “You can wear a brace, for sure.”
What many parents rarely perceive in this situation is that being idle or putting on a back contraption – regardless of how helpful it is – may not be the ideal way for youngsters to spend their teenage life. If they are into athletics, after all, having scoliosis entails that they need to slow down or stop doing sports at some point. However, even when they don’t play any outdoor activity, the possibility of wearing a brace that spans from the back to the thigh and being unable to hide it underneath clothes may be nightmarish for them.
“Everyone handles positive and negative stress differently. And yes, for some, positive stress can lead to a negative response to stress, depending on the situation.” Jessica Harris, LCPC, LPC said. Considering your teenage kid continues to stress over their scoliosis, here are some tips to share with them.
1. Avoid Over-Competitiveness
A child’s stress level may decrease immensely once you start encouraging him or her from the beginning to not compete with anyone too much. That is especially true when it comes to sports or other events at school that necessitates physical exertion. While a friendly rivalry is healthy, it can undeniably make your kid push himself or herself to the limit.
2. Do Activities That Don’t Often Require Back Bending
In case your teens with scoliosis still want to be active physically, you can encourage them to try sports that will rarely or never require them to bend backward. For instance, he or she can be a goalie at a soccer game. There are also dance routines in which you don’t need to perform back bending.
3. Stretch With Caution
Remember that not using the muscles surrounding the spine may be as bad as abusing them every day. Your teen kid may still work out to improve his or her core strength, yet he or she should stay away from exercises that involve stretching without a care about their back. The ones that someone with scoliosis can do include spinal molding, hanging on a bar, and stretching sideways.
4. Say No To Jumping
“Stress can seem omnipresent. Between working, socializing and taking care of the home, it sometimes seems we don’t have a minute to ourselves, let alone enough time to really take care of our bodies and minds.” Sonja Seglin, LCPC said. So for your child to not get stressed about his or her bad back, it may be best to ask him or her to refrain from jumping. Don’t do it on a hard surface; don’t even attempt it on a trampoline. The reason is that the bouncing movement might agitate your teenager’s back, to the extent that his or her mild scoliosis becomes severe is a short period.
5. Turn Lights Off
Lastly, to lower the chances of progressing your kid’s condition, you may want to advise him or her to avoid keeping the lights on at night. Some studies reveal that scoliosis patients happen to deal with melatonin deficiency as well, you see. This hormone comes from the pineal gland, which sits between and above the eyes. When someone has a spinal problem, even a sliver of light touching that region might stop the production of melatonin.
In Conclusion
According to Dr. David Ballard, PsyD. “When stress becomes chronic, this narrow focus continues for a long time and we have difficulty paying attention to other things.” Stress may often try to break down your teenage child’s confidence, primarily when he or she is dealing with a health condition that affects him or her physically. Nonetheless, once you remind your kid about the things mentioned above, he or she may be able to find a way not to let scoliosis control their life.
In the United States, nine million people have scoliosis, and around 100,000 people are annually diagnosed with scoliosis. Let the people with this condition know they are not alone, and scoliosis may happen to anyone even for those who didn’t allow scoliosis to hinder their success.
This guide will help us better understand our loved ones with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and us to understand how we can support them while suffering from it. There are three types of scoliosis: adolescent idiopathic, neuromuscular, and congenital scoliosis in most children. If the type of scoliosis is unknown, it is called moderate idiopathic scoliosis.
The condition shows physical signs of uneven hips, shoulder blade, rib cage, and other neuromuscular conditions. But before jumping to conclusions about the types of the condition, one should undergo physical examination.
We should use our words to provide a positive perspective for people with muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy, or neuromuscular scoliosis. Instead of negative references like “hunchback” or “hump,” it is better to use “arch” or “severe curves.”
Join support groups for people with adult degenerative scoliosis to learn more about its daily challenges. These support groups also welcome family and friends as their members. Getting involved in these great support groups will allow you to achieve better knowledge about the condition, how it belongs to musculoskeletal and skin diseases, and its impact on the lives of other people. The sharing of experiences are essential tools for you to be able to better support your loved one’s mental health after scoliosis diagnosis.
People who have scoliosis deal with scoliosis either openly or reserved.
However, there’s no correct way to deal with the most common type. Some people are not afraid of talking about it but let’s not tell others with it that they should be doing the same. Learn how they feel about this condition first before taking matters into our hands. Ask permission first if you want to bring it up. Listen to what the person with scoliosis has to say and learn their state of emotion. It is up to them to decide if they want to share it or not.
It is difficult to take back a misspoken word. The person with scoliosis who heard it will get hurt. Your intention may be good until you realize they have scoliosis afterward. Remember that posture is something more natural than being controlled in scoliosis.
The University of Minnesota conducted a study that many children and teens with scoliosis are possibly having depression. We often disregard the impact of this condition on our emotional state and self-image. If you know someone with this scoliosis who shows signs of scoliosis depression, take time to ask them if they want to talk about it.
Help your friend to seek immediate professional teen counseling. If you notice that your friend is struggling with the higher risk factors of teen mental health issues, it is best to get professional help.
According to the national institute and national scoliosis foundation, some of us may have thought about scoliosis as something not severe or as just a little “abnormal lateral curvature of the lumbar spine.” It can cause muscle pains and breathing problems from spinal deformity or spinal curvature. Scoliosis lessens the ability to do daily chores, which become more difficult and stressful due to the curvature of the spine. People with scoliosis may have been complaining about their condition, and the metal rods attached to their bodies but think about how long they bore with it and stayed silent.
You may even make them feel sorry for their adolescent scoliosis, and we don’t want that. As much as possible, try to encourage them and help them overcome their challenges.
We all need to know the truth about our loved one’s scoliosis.
However, we should not be crushed by it and instead keep a positive outlook. There are plenty of things to enjoy in life and these “curves” from scoliosis should never stop us. There are even several scoliosis treatment options performed by orthopedic surgeons, such as posterior spinal fusion surgery or back surgery for severe scoliosis or spinal cord trauma. Decompression surgery treatment is only recommended if the other traditional options fail to stop the symptoms and curve progression of scoliosis.
If you want to know how to handle stress caused by chronic illnesses like childhood scoliosis, visit BetterHelp.
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