Winning Over Scoliosis

How A Teenager And Her Family Deal With The Condition

Source: Flickr.com

Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis [AIS] is the most common form of spine curvature that affects tweens [preteens] and teens. The cause is still unknown, and there is no known cure for this condition. For teenagers who undergo these most change-riddled years, having scoliosis on top of the puberty-driven physical development may be overwhelming causing a slew of over-anxiety and depression.

Well, one thing you can do for teens with scoliosis is to encourage them to have a positive outlook about their future even when they have to live with the condition and, of course, support them as they deal with it. Like this teen whose life was changed by scoliosis. With the help and support of her family, she’s able to weather through all the difficulties associated with her condition. Want to know her story? Read on!

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Help, My Teenager Has Scoliosis!

Parents, What To Do When Your Kid’s Diagnosed With Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis [AIS]

Source: Pinterest.com

Described as “too tall for her age”, 14-year-old Anna’s significantly jutting shoulder blade and dipping waist on one side made her more self-conscious and critical about her physical appearance. After a few visits to two doctors – the family’s physician and an orthopedist – the prognosis came out: Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis [AIS]. And though Anna looked devastated after hearing the diagnosis, Anna’s mother, Malene, was the picture of calm.

“We’ll get through this,” she comfortingly said to her daughter who clung to her.

Afterwards, however, Malene voiced out her inner panic. “My teenager has scoliosis. I don’t even know what that is beyond what the doctors told me about her spine curving. I just don’t know what to do!”

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Physical Exercises for People with Scoliosis

People living with scoliosis can find it hard and painful to do what ordinary people can. It is difficult for people to perform some physical activities due to the pain it can give. Scoliosis is distinguished by an S or C-shaped curve in the spinal cord. Some curves are broader compared to the others. It can be corrected through surgery in moderate or severe cases. However, there is a non-surgical way to cure this abnormality.

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Complementary Therapies of Scoliosis

Source: scolicare.com

According to statistics, scoliosis affects around 2-3 percent of the general population that is approximately six to nine million people in the US. Scoliosis is usually diagnosed in childhood or adolescence period. It is equally occurring in both genders; however, females are eight times most likely to develop a curve magnitude that requires treatment. On a yearly average, patients with scoliosis make more 600,000 visits to private physician clinics, a rough estimate of 30,000 children are fitted with postural braces and 38,000 patients undergone spinal fusion surgery. Studies also show that scoliosis in adult can be costly and limits the quality of life. Experts say that scoliosis in the adult has a similar impact than that of coronary artery disease, osteoarthritis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and posts a burden on the health-related quality of life.

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Best Resting And Sleeping Positions For People With Scoliosis

What is something you don’t notice until someone points it out? That’s right; it’s Scoliosis. And aside from its irregular spinal form, a person having this may experience occasional pain due to the weak lumbar region.

Not everyone knows what it’s like to have Scoliosis. Having that abnormal spinal curve can make sleeping, let alone being comfortable, difficult. So how should you rest? Here are the best resting positions that can help soothe it.

Source: youtube.com

Often described as a curve that looks like a “C” or an “S,” Scoliosis is a condition wherein a person’s backbone curves to the side. Typically, the spine runs straight down the middle, but it doesn’t apply to everyone. According to doctors, anything that measures more than 10 degrees is already Scoliosis; so, whether the curve is small or large, you should get it checked out.

Comfortably sleeping is a problem people with Scoliosis know all too well. Some consider it a “nightmare,” because it causes unwelcome body pain. It doesn’t matter if you are sporting a brace, it hurts just as bad.

If you haven’t got the chance to visit your doctor yet, don’t worry! Here are the resting and sleeping positions guaranteed to be pain-free:

ON YOUR BACKS. READY, SET, SLEEP!

The irony of this style is you are sleeping on your back, but you are also taking the pressure off of it. Sleep on your back with a towel, or thin pillow tucked underneath your shoulder blades. As you rest in this position, your head is also lying on a standard pillow. Sleeping on your back is considered the healthiest sleeping position. It prevents neck and back pain, reduces acid reflux, and minimizes wrinkles.

Source: wellnessforlife.com.sg

GOING SIDEWAYS.

A favorite resting position by anyone (not just those with Scoliosis). As you sleep on your side, get a body pillow and tuck it between your legs. Tucking the pillow helps open up the spinal canal. You may also place a rolled-up towel or pillow under your upper rib cage. Sleeping on your side helps reduce snoring and acid reflux, and maintain regular blood flow, especially for the pregnant mommies.

It is important to remember that SLEEPING ON YOUR BELLY is a DEFINITE NO-NO. It is the worst position for those with Scoliosis because it causes the thoracic spine to become relatively flatter. It may even be a cause of worst symptoms! Sleeping in this position also twist your spine, as it requires you to turn your head (while your body is flat on the bed) to the side.

Other Tips for a Restful Night’s Sleep

In addition to these proper and comfortable sleeping positions, you can also be a bit more extra by doing the following:

Invest in a good quality mattress. Having a quality mattress makes everything easier. Sleep is essential, but so is the bed you lie on. Allot time finding out which mattress feel more comfortable for your back. Getting the help of experts from different mattress stores is the way to go.

Source: en.softonic.com

Seek the help of a chiropractor. While this isn’t exactly the right option for everyone with Scoliosis, it still works for some. Make sure to research a lot of the risks, benefits, and advantages before getting chiropractic care to restore the optimal spinal function.

Finally, other individuals with scoliosis have a hard time falling asleep or staying asleep. A good recommendation for this is to consult a mental health professional to know the options available for them. Read the BetterHelp article to help you assess more about how can professionals help.

4 Mindful Habits To Reduce Anxiety And Depression

“Mindfulness is paying attention in a particular way, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally.” — Jon Kabat Zinn.

Source:anxiety.org

We all have worries about the small and big things of life that we cannot escape. For some of the unfortunate, it is growing up homeless, and good thing there are agencies such as this that help make it easier for the homeless child. Unable to control these worries leads to anxiety and stress that affects our mental health. If you are confused, BetterHelp can explain more about it for you.

With the high availability of counseling and therapy, every second person who suffers from anxiety prefer going for a Talk Therapy, Counselling or pharmacotherapy. We pay less heed to how we can contribute to reducing the worries.

How can we help ourselves?

Psychologists believe that most of our worries and griefs lie either in the past or is related to the future. Being mindful is being fully present in the ‘here and now’ and experience without any judgment.Have you ever tried doing this?

Exploring the mindful ways of reducing depression and anxiety

Source:healthline.com

There are different mindful exercises that can be done to reduce depression, anxiety, and stress. Though not all apply to all individuals, most of these truly help. While some are regulated by breathing, others are just by using all the sensory channels to be aware. Let us discuss the ways mindfulness can help us have a healthy mind.

 

  • Mindful Breathing – Mindful exercise should be initiated with breathing. You can count your breaths. Slow breathing by counting 5 and exhale by counting 7. This can be done at any time of the day for as long you want. Notice how your chest rises and falls with each inhale and exhale and feel the changes in yourself as you breathe. Focus on your breathing and nothing else around. Elizabeth S. York, M.Ed., LPC, LMFT once said, “A client once taught me an invaluable technique for reducing stress. Taking a slow deep breath”
  • The STOP method – This is an acronym for a step-by-step mindfulness practice.
  1. S (Stop) – Stop yourself whenever you feel you are worrying too much. Be aware of your thoughts and know when to draw the line. According to clinical psychologist Danielle Forshee, Psy.D. “those who worry — meaning everybody — can control the intensity and duration of their worry thoughts.”
  2. T (Take a break) – Take out some time for yourself where you can do or think about things that make you happy. It is a time-out from sadness and worries.
  3. O (Observe) – Observe the small things that we often overlook when our mind is preoccupied with negative thoughts. Observe yourself as you do the everyday works and notice how you feel as you do them.
  4. P (Proceed) – Do not hold yourself back with the worries. Focus on what you have and bring your attention on what you are doing ‘now’.
  • Musical Mindfulness – Choose your favorite music (preferably slow ones) and play them at a moderate volume while you just sit back and relax. Listen to the music with all your attention and let your mind wander for a while. It has a soothing effect and lets us forget our worries. Practice it as often you want for 15-20 minutes and notice how your mood changes after that.
  • Mindful Appreciation – We are often so busy worrying about the bigger things that we often fail to be thankful for the small things we have. For example, have you ever thanked your postman who brings you important mails everyday? Or have you ever thanked the man at the coffee bar who is always ready for serving you? Noticing these small things around and appreciating them help in seeing the goodness around. “Putting things in perspective and treating yourself with love and compassion can be such a gift.” Karla Helbert, LPC, E-RYT, C-IAYT said.

The 7 steps to happiness

  1. Think positive.
  2. Smile as often as you can.
  3. Listen to others patiently.
  4. Judge less and accept more.
  5. Never complain.
  6. Be thankful.
  7. Give love and respect to others.
Source:parents.com

Mindfulness is not a remedy – it is an assurance that we can give ourselves and prevent any external force from de-motivating us. It is the re-invention of our hidden strengths and is the way to let the light into our lives. It is merely a choice we need to consider in our lives.

So start training your mind to be able to see the good in everything and establish a connection with the present.

Role of Parents In Helping Their Teenage Children Cope With Scoliosis

 

Source: spineuniverse.com

Being diagnosed with scoliosis, a disease which affects the spinal-cord and can have lasting effects, is a scary ordeal for anyone. If your child, or adolescent, suffers from scoliosis, it’s important for you to handle the situation with care, and be completely supportive. As a parent, you should read-up on the disease and familiarize yourself with its symptoms, treatments, side-effects and severity. There are many important decisions you’ll have to make regarding your child’s health, so don’t be afraid to ask around for advice before deciding what to do.

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What Are The Long-Term Effects Of Scoliosis

A large number of cases of scoliosis, a spinal-disease which affects around 3 percent of the population, are mild and cause no significant harm. However, in cases where the spinal-curve is bent dangerously, the situation can worsen significantly over time. This can lead to numerous health problems.

The most troublesome part of scoliosis is the alarming rate at which it damages the spine. More often than not, treatments carried out by doctors struggle to prevent the disease from escalating.  As the spinal curve becomes more prominent, the patient’s symptoms become worse. In extreme cases, the patient can even be subject to an early death. Here are some of the long-term effects which scoliosis patients have to face.

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What Are The Different Treatment Options For Scoliosis

The spinal curvature caused by scoliosis causes a number of problems for the patient suffering from the disease. While a large majority of scoliosis cases are minor, patients which suffer from a more advanced form of the disease may need to take extreme measures. Over the years, people have adopted different approaches towards treating the illness and its symptoms. Such methods involve medication, surgery, and even natural methods. If you or someone you know is suffering from scoliosis, then it’s best to be familiar with the different treatment options available and their possible side-effects, before making an informed decision. Here are some of the most commonly used treatments.

https://www.spine-health.com/conditions/scoliosis/bracing-treatment-idiopathic-scoliosis

 

Bracing

Source: gooa.las.ac.cn

Scoliosis is a disease which expands rapidly. The illness is quick to damage the spine, and the spinal curvature can continue to increase at an alarming rate. Scoliosis curves can rarely be corrected except by surgery, which is a daunting option for some. However, bracing has proven to stop the progression of the curvature.   Bracing is the invasive coating of the spinal cord, which holds the spine in a fixed position. In this treatment, corrective forces are used to apply pressure on the outer part of the curve, as well as to lessen load on the inner curve. This can prevent the patient’s condition from worsening, albeit the brace may make life uncomfortable for the person. Some victims find it difficult to sleep with the brace, and further experience some restrictions in their mobility.

 

Corrective Exercises

Research has shown that some advanced exercise techniques, such as certain forms of yoga, can improve the condition of scoliosis patients. Basic exercises, such as stretching techniques, act as temporarily pain-relievers for people suffering from the disease. However, these exercises don’t provide long-term relief. Fortunately, there are advanced exercises which aim to correct the interaction between the brain and spinal curve, prompting the curve to assume its proper shape. This can be accomplished through a series of poses and exercises which govern the patient’s body’s response to certain stimuli, which ‘trains’ the spine to grow properly. It’s best to consult an expert, and take advice from your physician, before attempting such exercises. This is because certain exercises could further degenerate the spine, and thus a professional opinion is necessary.

 

Spinal Injections

Source: spineuniverse.com

Spinal injections are a temporary treatment for scoliosis patients. The disease tends to pressurize the victim’s nerves, which causes the patient pain and sometimes even numbness. To counter this, people suffering from the disease can opt for steroid injections to provide temporarily relief. Local anaesthesia can also be administered to reduce the pain. However, the comfort offered by these injections is not long-term, and the effects will wear off after a couple of months.

http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00638

 

Surgery

Source: ort.cuhk.edu.hk

The last resort and most extreme method for treating scoliosis is surgery. The reason surgery is put off until no other options remain is simply because it is a high-risk treatment. If the surgery isn’t successful, patients can suffer nerve-damage, chronic pain and infection. Sometimes, the victim may even face permanent disability if the surgery goes terribly wrong. Thus, patients are advised only to proceed with surgery if their scoliosis becomes life-threatening.

There are 3 main types of surgery to treat the disease; fusion, fusionless, and growing systems. Fusion surgery is the most effective method of surgery. It involves the spinal fusion of two or more adjacent vertebrae, which forms a single-bone that can no longer move. Modern advances have led to the use of tools such as rods, hooks and sometimes even wires, which have increased the efficiency of the surgery and the patient’s recovery time. A drawback to fusion surgery is that it limits the patient’s spine mobility. However, it has a history of successfully treating scoliosis.

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