Bone health and scoliosis

Posted by goncomichigan1 @goncomichigan1, Jan 28 11:14am

I’m interested in how to manage the pain from scoliosis and how it affects other joints in the body. I cannot control the pain. I have been taking Tylenol with a boost from Aleve once in a while. It’s becoming more and more intolerable with no relief I’m told. The pain is in my lower back, hip, and knee(left side knee and hip). The pain is starting to radiate into the left groin area as well. I can only walk very short distances with rest in between I walk everyday trying not to give into it. I’m afraid I’ll end up in a wheelchair

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The Schroth method is helpful, but not a panacea. I have moderate scoliosis on top of osteoporosis & osteopenia and continue to have chronic pain. PT Sessions took place about every 6 weeks over the course of a year with daily home exercises (mine take about 15 minutes/day).

The treatments facilitate a better grasp of my actual posture and positioning in space, which leads to improved posture. But the damage is already done, and it will be a lfelong battle to stave off further progression of the curvature. Why healthcare professionals don’t intervene earlier to prevent this decline is so regrettable.

My Schroth PT has told me to seek a spinal pain specialist before continuing with further PT, as she has no magic bullet for me….😔

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@thisnthat

The Schroth method is helpful, but not a panacea. I have moderate scoliosis on top of osteoporosis & osteopenia and continue to have chronic pain. PT Sessions took place about every 6 weeks over the course of a year with daily home exercises (mine take about 15 minutes/day).

The treatments facilitate a better grasp of my actual posture and positioning in space, which leads to improved posture. But the damage is already done, and it will be a lfelong battle to stave off further progression of the curvature. Why healthcare professionals don’t intervene earlier to prevent this decline is so regrettable.

My Schroth PT has told me to seek a spinal pain specialist before continuing with further PT, as she has no magic bullet for me….😔

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Good to know. It’s frustrating as you mention, that there has been no good treatment or program for deterring it when first diagnosed. I read the response from the person who had surgery and found such relief. We just keep our ears turned to what others have experienced. We are all different and may respond or not accordingly. I guess thinking positively and praying about it seems to be the best options. No giving up even though it feels like that’s the only option. I’m sure it is not

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@teb

Also wanted to mention CBD cream as a topical for reducing pain and helping with sleep.

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Very helpful!!

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@thisnthat

The Schroth method is helpful, but not a panacea. I have moderate scoliosis on top of osteoporosis & osteopenia and continue to have chronic pain. PT Sessions took place about every 6 weeks over the course of a year with daily home exercises (mine take about 15 minutes/day).

The treatments facilitate a better grasp of my actual posture and positioning in space, which leads to improved posture. But the damage is already done, and it will be a lfelong battle to stave off further progression of the curvature. Why healthcare professionals don’t intervene earlier to prevent this decline is so regrettable.

My Schroth PT has told me to seek a spinal pain specialist before continuing with further PT, as she has no magic bullet for me….😔

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Yes, I am in the same position. I am wondering also how does the other organs in the body are effected by the curvature. You would think that doctors would recommend a CAT scan to see how the other organs in the body reacting? I am going to request it when I see my primary. I know my body functions differently. I requested a CAT scan previously from a male primary I had a couple of years ago, and he did not think it is necessary. I want to know. Our medical health insurance is horrid where I live, Pima County, AZ.

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@teb

If you can find a certified Schroth Method physical therapist in your area, that might be helpful. The method is specific to scoliosis. Practitioners are hard to find though and most often, they do not accept insurance so they are expensive. But you don't need to see them regularly, just enough appts for you to learn the exercises to practice on your own. You're supposed to do the exercises daily for about 30 minutes to have positive results. It won't eliminate your scoliosis but the goal is to elongate, reduce the curve or at the very least, forestall progression. The exercises are not muscle-building exercises, just lengthening exercises along with using the breath to expand.

Here's some info on the method:
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/scoliosis/schroth-method-for-scoliosis

Here is a list of practitioners across the country:
https://schrothptsintheus.com/

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Thank you for the link. I was fortunate enough to find two practitioners with an hour of where I live. I have an appointment with one of them next week. I’m optimistic. Thanks again

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@1956slk

Yes, I am in the same position. I am wondering also how does the other organs in the body are effected by the curvature. You would think that doctors would recommend a CAT scan to see how the other organs in the body reacting? I am going to request it when I see my primary. I know my body functions differently. I requested a CAT scan previously from a male primary I had a couple of years ago, and he did not think it is necessary. I want to know. Our medical health insurance is horrid where I live, Pima County, AZ.

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My sister was totally crippled with this disease. She was so bent over she had to sleep with a pregnancy pillow and medication to get sleep. Her organs were squeezed and she developed a hernia which they couldn’t operate on because of the congestion. She was only 68 when she passed. I would recommend getting a look to stay ahead of it my sis was a heavy smoker and they said it played a role in determining whether or not she could have the surgery. We all react differently but I would say we should do whatever we can to get relief. Don’t give up!

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I am almost 60 y/o. I found out I have a moderate curve (that has since gotten a little worse) about 15 years ago when I went to a chiropractor for headaches. Every time I've mentioned it to a doctor it's been waved off. Granted, I have never seen a doctor specifically BECAUSE of my scoliosis, but all the same it seems to be regarded as a malady that is accepted and not addressed. It's not referenced as a cause or relation to my chronic back pain, which is located where thoracic meets lumbar. I've also got new ongoing lumbar pain, going on six months. Could this really be due to my scoliosis? I realize this sounds naive; it's just never been offered as a reason for any pain. I have "mild" spinal osteoporosis and seem to be constantly told I need to strengthen my core. I seem to have always had a weak back. Can someone explain the cause/effect relationship of scoliosis to back pain, especially in the context of osteoporosis or muscle weakness? Much appreciated!

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@goncomichigan1

My sister was totally crippled with this disease. She was so bent over she had to sleep with a pregnancy pillow and medication to get sleep. Her organs were squeezed and she developed a hernia which they couldn’t operate on because of the congestion. She was only 68 when she passed. I would recommend getting a look to stay ahead of it my sis was a heavy smoker and they said it played a role in determining whether or not she could have the surgery. We all react differently but I would say we should do whatever we can to get relief. Don’t give up!

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Sorry for the loss of your sister. How bad was your sister's scoliosis, and when did she develop? You would think the doctors today would monitor a person with scoliosis more carefully. The doctor I see thinks nothing of it. Maybe they don't even read my medical history, which is most likely the case. Smoker? They blame everything on smoking. But they legalize vaping which has many chemicals, pot smoking, and those prescription drugs on the market with so many side effects that scare you to death. Not saying that smoking is good, but when a person smokes they blame any ailment they have a cigarette?? Health Insurances just allow so many procedures and does not consider the individual. We are all different and react different, and the procedure for one person may not be good for another.

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@1956slk

Yes, I am in the same position. I am wondering also how does the other organs in the body are effected by the curvature. You would think that doctors would recommend a CAT scan to see how the other organs in the body reacting? I am going to request it when I see my primary. I know my body functions differently. I requested a CAT scan previously from a male primary I had a couple of years ago, and he did not think it is necessary. I want to know. Our medical health insurance is horrid where I live, Pima County, AZ.

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1956slk, scoliosis must be one of the most misunderstood and undertreated afflictions today. It contributes to degenerative disk disease and osteoporosis (I have both), and adds to cardiac stress and dysfunction. So scoliosis may increase the chances of developing hyperlipidemia, atrial fibrillation and valve disease (check, check, and check!) — among other heart ailments. Not to mention the vast array of effects on other systems, e.g., pulmonary, digestive, neuromuscular, etc.

You are right to be concerned. 😦

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Thanks for your reply. I have been concerned for 3 years since I had an old fracture that doctors decided to do Kyroplasty which was wrong being my age and that the fracture was an old one and this procedure does not help old fractures. This Pima Pain Management group, I am convinced did the procedure for profit, and I had no doctor follow ups after the procedure. This woman came out for my appointment, after the procedure, and just suggested an epidural or chiropractor? I did not want either, I told this woman I wanted to see a doctor. This woman's response was "I can't help you then?" It was a scary experience. This pain management group got a big amount of money from my Medicare insurance too. Scary doctors in Pima County, AZ.

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