Scoliosis and Chronic back pain

Yoga, Pilates, steam heat, water aerobics. Or just walking, if you can. I have been taking hydrocodone for two weeks after a dental procedure, and may be taking it for a total of three weeks. I have not noticed any change in my limited, manageable, mild scoliosis (less than 10 percent) while on this potentially addicting pain killer, even though I have been unable to resume exercise. Three months before that, I was prescribed Percocet, a more addictive medication, for almost four weeks, following repair of a muscle ripped during weight lifting -- arthroscopic surgery, that has a typically long and painful recovery. For my back, 25 years ago, I tried acupuncture, with PT, and more recently observed dry needling while in PT for my shoulder surgery. The acupuncture gave me a physical high, for about 24 hours, and I would recommend it for a sense of well being prior to a once in a lifetime event, like a wedding. However, the administration of this treatment by a highly qualified DO, a second generation MD, invariably left me with one or two slightly infected sites that would clear up, after a few days -- but still, I wondered if this potential for infection was really worth the temporary gain in mobility. I think that acupuncture and dry needling would have helped me when my back was in spasm following three births without anesthesia -- did n't plan it that way -- but that's what happened according to my OB who was trying to keep me lightly medicated, but nothing was effective at the time of birth. What I do remember is that my back remained in spasm for a few days after the birth. My mother said later that she also experienced back labor and I am curious whether anyone who has scoliosis also experienced back labor -- back labor is a wave of contractions that you feel not only in your stomach, but also in your back. Sometimes they are simultaneous, other times they preceded or follow the other contraction.

In April I had THR. No pain now which is good but have been having severe back pain because of scoliosis. My degrees are 62. I am 64. Was diagnosed at the age of ten. No surgery was ever performed because doctors said there was an 85% chance of paralysis. Ten years ago was examined again same results. I was going every year for check ups but for some unknown reason stopped. I have been told by my surgeon who performed my hip surgery pain is from my hip having to get used to my body. He doesn't want me doing anything about my back till April 2017. I decided to go to a chiropractor and try to see if I get relief from the pain. I would walk for 10 minutes and have to sit because of the pain. Now things are getting better. I can walk farther and when I do have pain I sit for a few minutes and it goes away. He has given me exercises to do too. I was seeing him 2 times a week went to once a week now he is going to try every two weeks. I do go for Swedish massage once a month. Have been doing that for ten years. Up until the last few times it helped but have a new therapist and it seems to make it worse. Don't know why. My daughter suggested I try REIKI had two treatments and felt better after. Funny thing they really don't touch you but create an energy. She actually told me exactly what was wrong. Also in the beginning she was experiencing pain on her right side and asked me if I had pain there. Told her about my hip. Told me I had a lot of issues with anxiety. After having been down 8 months with severe hip pain plus I was taking care of my mom with dementia and had to make the decision to put her in a nursing home. Guess that would do it. Before I was taking pain meds every 6 hours now if I do feel any pain it's usually at bedtime when I have been most active during the day. Hoping that will go away in time too.

My mother has severe scoliosis. She Has had the stimulator and says it hasn’t seemed to help. If you don’t mind me asking what are your daily activities like? She has a hard time doing much at all. She spends the majority of her days laying in bed. I feel horrible for her and would love to be able to share someone’s else’s story with her.

My mother has severe scoliosis as well. Would you mind sharing what your daily activities consist of? She is basically bedridden and I would love to be able to share someone else’s story with her. Possibly give her hope!

I had scoliosis since l was a child. The doctors use to tell me l have curvature of the spine. l would laugh and say everyone has that so what else is new. And l would get the shots in my back every year. Then finally those weren't helping anymore. So l really didn't want to get back surgery because l use to work in the hospital and the doctors would always say you would have to get it again. And sometimes they didn't even want to do that surgery because it didn't help sometimes made things worst because it was near your spine. So l did my research and then l went to the orthopedic hospital and there doctors are trained and specializes in bones, joints and so forth. When l saw my orthopedic they are wise they will tell you what is wrong and show you your films. And he went over the procedure but he didn't advise either way. That's just because if something went wrong or it didn't work l made that decision. Well l am 4yrs out and everything is okay. l walk all the time my husband and daughter tell me to slow down. And sometimes if l am in a soft bed or l just overdone it like l do sometimes it will bother me but for the most part it doesn't . Like people say they know when the weather is going to be bad there back or knees hurt. Mines don't only if l very exhausted will my back hurt. So my doctor did great matter fact l didn't remember what l did after surgery. My friend said she came to visit me and l asked her did l say anything bad. Well she said no but who knows what l said. But l love to get out and work in my garden and also do things l enjoy. Just got back from vacation and ate lots of great food. Came home washed clothes and stacked dishes and now going to eat take my med and relax. And l even grew an inch after surgery that because of the rod in my back. And when l saw my therapist he said you are looking good you are not sagging. Praise God for All Blessing.

That’s amazing! I am so glad you had such good results. My mother didn’t think surgery was an option and now it’s too late for her. Thanks for sharing your encouraging story!

Your post is from 2016 and I'm curious as to how you are doing in 2019?

Thanks for asking. I'm happy to say that I'm still doing okay although the latest Xrays showed a slight worsening of the S curve. Since my last posting, I've also tried the Schroth Method, http://www.schrothmethod.com, which is based on a lot of stretching with ladders and belts and deep breathing. I think this kind of therapy may work for younger patients whose bones are more malleable. In my case, however, the therapy didn't bring about any permanent change to my bone structure. I did learn some technics for countering the imbalance in my posture caused by the scoliosis which was helpful. I am still diligent about doing core exercises almost daily which is key to any back problems. Other than exercise, I have not resorted to opiods nor epidurals.

Help I am from Vancouver BC I just joined, I have scoliosisi that was 3 months rapid, meaning it is so advanced I am stilll in scjhock, its so ugly, I am 57 I should be enjoying my golden yrs. sseems I am crying in pain, my left leg is shorter, my left hip sticks wayoutt. ,no one knows what to do. I need help, I want to get better and be Normal again.....in anguish

i am 83, and mine was caused by polio. i suspect that a lot of scoliosis in the past that was diagnosed as idiopathic was from undiagnosed polio in girls.