Oftentimes, people ask me many of the same questions when they first learn they have scoliosis. So, I wanted to spend this week answering some of the most common questions I have been asked.
Q: What is scoliosis?
A: For more than 50 years, doctors thought scoliosis was a spinal disorder that could only be corrected by surgery. But today we know scoliosis is much more complex than that. Scoliosis attacks the spinal column's muscles and ligaments and causes the spine, ribs and pelvis to twist and rotate sideways. Scoliosis also affects the body’s neurological, hormonal, and digestive systems.
Q: How does scoliosis affect my body?
Continue reading "Scoliosis and Osteoporosis: Frequently Asked Questions – Part 1" »
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March 4, 2008
Oftentimes, people ask me many of the same questions when they first learn they have scoliosis. So, I wanted to spend time answering some of the most common questions scoliosis sufferers ask me.
Q: My scoliosis curvature is mild. Do I still need to be concerned?
A: Four out of five people diagnosed with scoliosis have curves of less than 20°. These types of curves are so slight they’re usually only noticeable to the trained eye, and they are of concern. Mild curvatures can worsen very quickly in growing children and teens. In part one, the signs of mood swings, sleeping patterns, carbohydrate diets and cranky personalities are signs of hormonal changes. These hormonal changes may indicate curve progression. So, these age groups should have frequent checkups, lab work ups and X-rays to monitor their scoliosis curvatures. Do not wait and see if it is not bad enough to do any thing, be proactive and not reactive.
Q: Is scoliosis genetic?
Continue reading "Scoliosis and Osteoporosis: Frequently Asked Questions – Part 2" »
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March 6, 2008
Oftentimes, people ask me many of the same questions when they first learn they have scoliosis. So, I wanted to answer some of the most common questions scoliosis sufferers ask me.
Q: How can my scoliosis be treated?
A: Your scoliosis can be treated with a multiple approach program. Your spinal curvature progression can be stopped and reversed using a relatively simple treatment plan based on the same principles orthodontists use to straighten teeth. The “wait and see” approach almost always results in protracted treatment and even surgery. It is important to treat the many layers of scoliosis, with focus being on five medical fronts: hormonal, neurological, digestive, skeleton, and muscle imbalances.
Q: When I was younger my scoliosis didn’t bother me, but now it has become painful. What should I do?
Continue reading "Scoliosis and Osteoporosis: Frequently Asked Questions – Part 3" »
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March 8, 2008
If you have an inflammatory condition, chances are your doctor has prescribed steroids for you. Steroids like prednisone are great for reducing inflammation.
And….even though the side effects from steroids can vary greatly, they generally go away quickly once the dosage is lowered or stopped.
But….many people who are prescribed steroids by their doctors for their inflammatory conditions have no idea of the serious dangers and lasting effects that come with taking steroids at high dosages and for long periods of time. It does have a lasting negative affect on scoliosis curves.
Continue reading "Scoliosis and Osteoporosis: Steroid-Induced Osteoporosis Part 1" »
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March 11, 2008
We know from our previous discussions that osteoporosis is a weakening of the bones. It makes bones thinner, more brittle, and easier to fracture.
And we generally see osteoporosis in men and women with certain risk factors:
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Over 65 years of age
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Caucasian or Asian decent
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Thin or small builds
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Family history
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Early menopause
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Scoliosis
So how can steroids cause osteoporosis?
Continue reading "Scoliosis and Osteoporosis: Steroid-Induced Osteoporosis Part 2" »
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March 12, 2008
Let’s wrap up this week’s look at steroid-induced osteoporosis by covering what your treatment options are if you already have steroid-induced osteoporosis.
If you’ve learned you have osteoporosis and you are currently taking steroids, it’s important to take the lowest dosage possible for the shortest amount of time necessary in order to prevent bone loss.
Proper supplements can help treat or prevent early bone loss if you have been diagnosed with steroid-induced osteoporosis. Please remember bone tissue is made of several minerals with calcium. Calcium alone really will not work. In previous writings you learned that calcium was regulated by vitamin D, calcitonion, and parathyroid hormone. Vitamin D, PTH, and calcitonion influence the absorption of both calcium and phosphate from the intestinal tract, and also affect the kidneys’ ability to regulate these minerals. They also regulate blood calcium and phosphate by initiating resorption of these minerals from the bone.
My patients often ask how much calcium they should take. Everyone’s body is unique and that recommendation can only be developed with proper blood and lab work. If you need to locate a doctor in your area that will work with you please summit inquire below.
A little pearl of wisdom…. Calcium needs vitamin D in order to be properly absorbed by your body, and one of the best ways to get your daily dose of vitamin D is by getting at least 30 minutes of good sun every day. Vitamin D supplements can be taken, but the sunshine is still needed for conversion.
Continue reading "Scoliosis and Osteoporosis: Steroid-Induced Osteoporosis Part 3" »
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March 15, 2008
This week, let’s discuss the big back muscles and how they can be affected by scoliosis by taking a look at some interesting facts.
Did you know….
· Muscles of one side of the body should match the opposite side in length, size, and structure, with equal counter action.
· Your back muscles actually change due to the disease of scoliosis. The stress load, and the lack of proper nutrients alter the muscles.
Continue reading "Scoliosis and Big Back Muscles: An Overview Part 1" »
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March 20, 2008
Let’s continue our look at the big back muscles and how they can be affected by scoliosis by discussing some more interesting facts.
Did you know….
· There are two types of muscle. A fiber and B fiber or you may know them as white and dark meat on a chicken.
· Muscles that run along your spinal column are known as Para-spinal muscles and they are A fiber.
· The muscles that are lateral (side body muscles) example are the transverse abs, up higher are the latissimus (lats) are B fiber.
· White muscles have more mitochondria, which has a higher respiratory enzyme activity and faster twitch contraction. But the red muscles have fewer mitochondria, which have a lower respiratory enzyme activity and slower twitch contraction. (This is very important fact in the non surgical treatment of scoliosis)
· Both the A and B fiber change in the person with scoliosis.
· The muscles of a scoliosis person in the concavity (A fiber) undergo scaring in the myotendon junction. Resulting in reduced range of motion and strength.
· The big back muscles alone the body sides undergo a stretch. These changes cause the fiber to loose strength due to over workload.
· People with scoliosis have asymmetry stretch receptors in their big back muscles.
· Both A and B fiber symmetry are lost, changing the neurological right reflex loop. This plays a large role in the progression of scoliosis and the scoliosis patient developing a skeleton deformity.
Keep checking back this week as we wrap up our overview of big back muscles and how they can be affected by scoliosis.
We Take the Fear and Worry Out of Scoliosis
Dr. Art Copes
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March 22, 2008
Let’s continue our look at the big back muscles and how they can be affected by scoliosis by discussing some more interesting facts.\
Did you know….
· As the deformity of scoliosis progresses the ribs also change.
· On the convex side of the curve, the ribs position expands out, like open fingers of a hand.
· On the concave side of the curve, the ribs position compresses, like closed fingers of a closed hand.
· On the convex side of the curve, the rib head and shaft angle decrease, causing a sharper angle or known as the rib hump in scoliosis.
· On the concave side of the curve the rib head and shaft angle increases, causing a flatting of the ribs.
· The big back muscles are caused the changes of the shape of the rib shafts. They are not bigger or thicker than the other side, just more pronounced.
· As the degree of the curve increases, the rib hump increases.
· The rib changes are due to vertebral body rotation. Please remember that vertebral rotation is into the curve. (Idiopathic scoliosis)
· Also affecting the rib architect and position are hormones and neurological input.
Keep checking back, as we will reveal more information about big back muscles and how they can be affected by scoliosis.
We Take the Fear and Worry Out of Scoliosis
Dr. Art Copes
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March 24, 2008
I’d like to wrap up this week’s overview of the big back muscles and how they can be affected by scoliosis by sharing a few more interesting facts with you.
Did you know….
· The big back muscles of scoliosis sufferers undergo a variety of changes both at the onset of scoliosis, and throughout the scoliosis patient’s pre and post teen years.
· The big back muscles of an adult scoliosis person’s change as they enter into their 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th, decade of life.
· Strengthening the scoliosis patient’s big back muscles in combination with tissue regeneration and neurological input can actually reverse the progression of scoliosis.
· The valleys and peeks of pain increases as scoliosis muscles weaken thought out life.
· Surgery lacks the ability to directly change the rib deformities, muscle strength, and neurological input, thus curve progression after surgery, from 1 to 2 degrees per year.
Join me in the coming weeks as we continue to debunk common misconceptions about scoliosis.
We Take the Fear and Worry Out of Scoliosis
Dr. Art Copes
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