1. < Spine Health

Scoliosis and Chronic back pain

Posted by detzler @detzler, Jul 11, 2016

I am a 59 year old female. I have scoliosis which is causing a great deal of pain. I don't want to go on narcotics if I don't have to. What do others do with this problem?

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edieguinn | @edieguinn | Oct 5, 2016

Also look into a spinal cord stimulator implant. I'm not a candidate because my spine is too curved to put in leads.

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4 replies
mieke | @mieke | Oct 5, 2016
In reply to @aliskahan "I thought you would all appreciate this Q&A article from Mayo Clinic where Dr. Paul Huddleston..." + (show)
@aliskahan

I thought you would all appreciate this Q&A article from Mayo Clinic where Dr. Paul Huddleston answers the question "How effective is surgery to treat scoliosis in adults? What does the surgery involve?" http://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-for-adults-affected-by-scoliosis-treatment-based-on-severity-of-symptoms/

@ruben130476, to get answers about medical costs for surgery, please contact Mayo Clinic here: http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63 or if you prefer, the international patients page in Spanish here: http://www.mayoclinic.org/espanol/citas

@meike Can you tell us more about Zhineng Chi Qigong or Chi neng qi gong and how it works for you? Maybe you know of some good videos to share with other members?

@detzler, does your physical therapist give you exercises that you can do on your own or do you have a wheelchair accessible pool in your community?

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The best way is to take a few lessons of zhi neng qi gong first. Then you can practice at home, using an instruction video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rny4oO39mmQ

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mieke | @mieke | Oct 5, 2016
In reply to @edieguinn "Also look into a spinal cord stimulator implant. I'm not a candidate because my spine is..." + (show)
@edieguinn

Also look into a spinal cord stimulator implant. I'm not a candidate because my spine is too curved to put in leads.

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can you tell me where they do this procedure? Is it for loosing up the muscles?
My spine is very curved too. Cobb angle now 56 degrees...

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1 reply
edieguinn | @edieguinn | Oct 5, 2016
In reply to @aliskahan "I thought you would all appreciate this Q&A article from Mayo Clinic where Dr. Paul Huddleston..." + (show)
@aliskahan

I thought you would all appreciate this Q&A article from Mayo Clinic where Dr. Paul Huddleston answers the question "How effective is surgery to treat scoliosis in adults? What does the surgery involve?" http://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-for-adults-affected-by-scoliosis-treatment-based-on-severity-of-symptoms/

@ruben130476, to get answers about medical costs for surgery, please contact Mayo Clinic here: http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63 or if you prefer, the international patients page in Spanish here: http://www.mayoclinic.org/espanol/citas

@meike Can you tell us more about Zhineng Chi Qigong or Chi neng qi gong and how it works for you? Maybe you know of some good videos to share with other members?

@detzler, does your physical therapist give you exercises that you can do on your own or do you have a wheelchair accessible pool in your community?

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Thanks. I was thinking about looking into Tai Chi along with my stretching class

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edieguinn | @edieguinn | Oct 5, 2016
In reply to @edieguinn "Also look into a spinal cord stimulator implant. I'm not a candidate because my spine is..." + (show)
@edieguinn

Also look into a spinal cord stimulator implant. I'm not a candidate because my spine is too curved to put in leads.

Jump to this post

Your pain management doctor can do the trial test. Then if it works a neuro surgeon would do the permanent transplant

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edieguinn | @edieguinn | Oct 5, 2016
In reply to @edieguinn "Also look into a spinal cord stimulator implant. I'm not a candidate because my spine is..." + (show)
@edieguinn

Also look into a spinal cord stimulator implant. I'm not a candidate because my spine is too curved to put in leads.

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And maybe you're a candidate. My curve is 78 degrees

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rareeby | @rareeby | Oct 30, 2016
In reply to @kelseydm "Hi @sauwoon8 and @detzler. Welcome to Connect! I'm so glad you two were able to connect...." + (show)
@kelseydm

Hi @sauwoon8 and @detzler. Welcome to Connect! I'm so glad you two were able to connect. I'm also tagging @coladyrev, @ladidy, @mieke, @aeb1957, @ruben130476, @annieecruz and @maclyn who have all posted about scoliosis recently and can hopefully provide some insights and support. You may also want to check out these threads:

https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/i-had-surgery-for-scoliosis-in-1973-which-included-harrington-rod-placement/
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/searching-for-adults-living-with-scoliosis-thoracic-stenosis/

@sauwoon8, how long have you been doing the PT? Have you noticed a difference?
@detzler, have you tried PT? Has your doctor offered any recommendations beyond narcotics?

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Lyme's disease? Relationship to scoliosis? I have been diagnosed twice, and caught it early on with the bullseye rash -- that disappears in 48 hours, so a nice payback use of my cell phone when I spotted the rash over a weekend. Please respond about relationship, anyone?

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rareeby | @rareeby | Oct 30, 2016
In reply to @detzler "Thanks to all who replied. I neglected (or failed to realize) to state that I am..." + (show)
@detzler

Thanks to all who replied. I neglected (or failed to realize) to state that I am in a wheelchair due to many chronic illnesses. Therefore, most exercise is not possible. I have been in and out of physical therapy for the last 6 years. The best PT for me was water therapy. Unfortunately my insurance will not pay for this anymore.

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Hi -- my local public pool has a pool with a ramp inside the pool that provides wheelchair accessibility -- and a fun place for families with babies and toddlers to play before/during/after swim lessons. A free membership is offered to anyone who volunteers 4 hours a month to support the front desk.

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rareeby | @rareeby | Oct 30, 2016
In reply to @disgusted "Most folks i know with the problem either learn to live with it or get relief..." + (show)
@disgusted

Most folks i know with the problem either learn to live with it or get relief from a chiropractor.

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But if you can find a doctor of osteopathy (DO) -- a DO has a medical degree, and in several states are eligible to sit for the medical exams. Fees for both may be covered by your insurance, and the co-pay may be similar, but the medical knowledge underlying the treatment is far different when being treated by a DO than a chiropractor. I live in a state that permits DOs to become licensed MDs and for muscular-skeletal issues, if I can find an M.D., D.O. -- that is my first choice. My father, a physiologist, was skeptical until he taught Physiology in a School of Osteopathy in Des Moines, Iowa. After meeting and teaching the students, he well understood the difference between a chiropractor and a DO, and became a proponent of manipulation as a therapy. The difference between a chiropractor and a DO, is like the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist, note that I say like -- not the same as. One is a doctor, the other is a medical technical specialist. Provided of course, that the DO has passed your state's medical boards.

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rareeby | @rareeby | Oct 30, 2016
In reply to @mieke "The cause of scoliosis Hi everyone, I'm curious what the real cause of idiopathic scoliosis is...." + (show)
@mieke

The cause of scoliosis

Hi everyone,
I'm curious what the real cause of idiopathic scoliosis is. I found and intriguing series of 5 posts from a nurse who thinks that glutenintolerance (triggering an auto immune reaction against the bones) is one of the root causes.
Later in life, I found out that I do have gluten sensitivity (not coeliaki): http://celiacnurse.com/part-1-of-5-part-series-is-there-an-association-between-scoliosis-and-a-gluten-intolerance/. And I do have an other auto immune disease (Hashimoto's) that also has a connection with gluten sensitivity.

A medium (paranormal health worker) in Holland told me she found that a virus was the cause and that you can extinguish it with the vibrations of one of the elements, in the case of scoliosis the element erbium (frequency therapy).

Orthopedic doctors still have no clue what causes ídiopathic scolios ('idiopathic' litteraly means: we have no clue how it arises).

Do you have any other theories about how scoliosis arises? or any thoughts on the above?

Greets, Mieke

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The mother of an adult who had the metal implants at age 16 in the mid 1980's was held to a pregnancy weight gain of 15 pounds, perhaps give her petite frame. Her child and husband are over 6 '; did her fetus lack sufficient nutrients because of her restricted caloric intake? She did not lose her teeth, however, so her nutrition may have been adequate for bone growth, and the scoliosis a genetic trait that was inevitable.

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