When life throws you a curve - scoliosis
From about the fourth grade on up to 10th grade, most of us can remember having undergone a scoliosis screening at school. It usually consisted of taking time out at the beginning of gym period and having to do a touch-the-toes movement, called the Adam's Forward Bend Test, while a coach looked at your back before declaring you were fine. No big deal, right? Mostly yes, since only a small percentage of the population is actually afflicted with scoliosis, but many people who actually have scoliosis in one form or another may not even know until it progresses to a severe state.
We all have natural, normal curves that make up the forward and back "S" shape in our spines that act as shock absorbers for daily impacts our bodies take. Scoliosis, however, is an abnormal lateral curve in the spine. These lateral curves are measured in degrees off vertical; a curve greater than 10 degrees is classified as scoliosis.
Scoliosis checks occur in our schools between the ages of 10 and 16 because this is when our bodies do the most growing and changing. The puberty hormones cause laxity in the tendons, ligaments and muscles to allow for growth. This loosening of our structure can cause a major role in the occurrence, or worsening, of a lateral curve in our spines. It can be compounded by physical sports, incorrect posture, repetitive weight bearing or subluxations in the spine.
No, this does not mean that from fourth grade to 10th grade children should refrain from physical activities; our bodies are made for movement, but an awareness of our structure is essential and easy to check. You can do your own Adam's Forward Bend Test at home on your child or anyone else. Simply stand in front of them, and have them bend forward with straight knees to touch their toes. Look for uneven pelvis or shoulders, which can also be assessed in a standing position, or a "humped" ribcage. These can indicate a lateral curvature in the spine. You can also visit a chiropractor who can do a spinal evaluation to check for subluxations or other indicators of scoliosis and work with you to develop a treatment plan.
You can find more information on our website at www.CDAHealth.com, call us at (208) 667-7434 or visit us at our office at 370 E. Kathleen Ave., Suite 600, Coeur d'Alene. We look forward to helping you and your family!
*>10 degree lateral curve = scoliosis
*Adam's Forward Bend Test - self check: uneven pelvis/shoulders, "humped" ribcage
Another major contributing factor in the development or worsening of scoliosis is timing. Changes in hormonal levels can effect scoliosis. The time of life when hormonal changes are significant enough to contribute to scoliotic changes is puberty, and also for females during pregnancy. During puberty hormones cause the tendons, ligaments and muscles to become less rigid and more flexible to allow for growth. Also during pregnancy the hormones have the same effect to allow the body to stretch to accommodate the developing baby.
http://icpa4kids.org/Chiropractic-Research/scoliosis-and-subluxation.html
***in "backpack" article, bring back scoliosis reference