Osteoporosis, or the loss of bone mineral density, often begins at a very early age in people with scoliosis – sometimes even as young as 10.

But did you know that osteoporosis involves more than just the loss of calcium?

And…. you may be surprised to learn that as many as 95% of people with scoliosis also suffer from osteoporosis.

It’s also true that scoliosis osteoporosis affects more than just bone density – or how thick and strong your bones are. It also affects the muscles in your spine, hips and shoulders. Not to mention eyesight and inner ear balance.

Join me in the coming weeks as we explore some more interesting facts and background on osteoporosis in scoliosis.

We Take the Fear and Worry Out of Scoliosis

Dr. Art Copes

Scoliosis osteoporosis is most often seen in the vertebral bodies of the ribs and hips. Early signs of scoliosis osteoporosis can also be seen in the spine itself.

As the bone matrix begins to waste away, the spine begins to bend forward at the thoracic curve.

As a result, scoliosis sufferers begin to lose height in their spines – as much as 1 to 5 inches overall!

Scoliosis sufferers who also have osteoporosis are also at greater risk for faster curve deformities.

Scoliosis patients average a curve deformity rate of 1 to 3 degrees a year. But, osteoporosis scoliosis suffers actually average a higher curve deformity rate of 5 to 8 degrees a year.

Join me in the coming weeks as we continue to explore some more interesting facts and background on osteoporosis in scoliosis.

We Take the Fear and Worry Out of Scoliosis

Dr. Art Copes

So, my doctor told me I have scoliosis osteoporosis. But my diet didn’t affect it, right?

Wrong!

Malnutrition is the leading cause of scoliosis osteoporosis. Because you have an improper pH level in your digestive system, your small intestine isn’t able to absorb the key nutrients from the foods you eat to build bone.

And if you drink soft drinks, STOP. Soft drinks make matters worse because they can actually decrease your bone density.

Another way your digestive system is affecting your scoliosis osteoporosis is by not properly absorbing calcium from the foods you eat. Since your body needs calcium for your heart and brain to work properly, your body is actually “stealing” the calcium it needs from your bones.

Join me in the coming weeks as we continue to explore some more interesting facts and background on osteoporosis in scoliosis.

We Take the Fear and Worry Out of Scoliosis

Dr. Art Copes

If you’re like me, you can probably recall as a child having an older relative always remind you to “sit up straight” so you didn’t end up like your “poor Aunt Nedra”.

And, if you were like most of us, you did exactly as they asked – until they left the room.
But now you may be wondering if all that slouching you did, as a child is actually to blame for your scoliosis.

Well, the answer is NO!

While the exact causes of scoliosis are still being studied today; one thing we do know is scoliosis is absolutely, positively not caused by slouching – or any other form of poor posture for that matter.

Did you know that many scoliosis patients have been found with heavy metals in their bodies?

But what does that have to do with osteoporosis?

Well, we know that high exposure to heavy metals like cadmium, lead, and mercury can lead to osteoporosis.

You see, many heavy metals you’re exposed to stay in your bones. And… as the “bad” heavy metals move in to your bones, they destroy your normal bone minerals.

For example lead displaces calcium and is deposited in bone through the ends or joints. Lead can destroy the normal cartilage tissue and contribute to arthritis.

Does a scoliosis patient have a cartilage problem? “Big time”.

Now cadmium is a neurotoxin and adversely affects a number of enzymes. Cadmium deposits on the surface of bones can cause pain in the middle of the bones rather than the joints.

We all remember our mothers telling us to finish our glass of milk at dinner every night when we were growing up.

But… mom was on to something right? Well… not in scoliosis persons.

The digestive system in a person with scoliosis lacks the proper enzymes to up take the nutrition in milk. More milk is not better here. The lack of enzymes delivers a blow to the absorption of calcium and vitamin D.

Are you aware that vitamin D regulates the calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood? Vitamin D promotes bone formation and mineralization. At high levels it will promote bone resorption.

Even though we haven’t solved all parts of the mystery of what causes scoliosis, we do know that certain groups of people are more prone to developing scoliosis and osteoporosis.

And… one of the most at-risk groups for developing scoliosis is young female athletes.

This is often surprising to many people because we usually think of athletes as the least prone to get sick or develop illnesses like scoliosis because they’re so healthy.

But, the truth is young female athletes in high stress levels generally have very high rates of scoliosis and osteoporosis.

Join me in the coming days as we discuss why female athletes are at a higher risk for developing scoliosis and osteoporosis, and some of the reasons why.

We Take the Fear and Worry Out of Scoliosis

Dr. Art Copes

So, now we know young female athletes are at a higher risk for developing scoliosis and osteoporosis. But why?

Let’s take a look…

We know certain types of women who exercise excessively, strive to keep low body weights. These types of women include female athletes who train excessively, dancers, and gymnasts. There dietary thoughts are too reduce caloric uptake…. Right?

Protein and carbohydrates are often sacrificed in keeping their weight in the proper boundaries. This dietary action gives them the desired result, weight control…but pushes the body’s hormonal system is in a catabolic state.

If no substances are eaten (calcium, magnesium, potassium…), to keep the heart, and brain function going, the hormonal system is forced to steal nutrition from the bones and muscles… osteoporosis? This double, triple, stress load causes the endocrine system to shift in the scoliosis athletes.