Non-surgical Scoliosis Treatment

B A C K  P A I N  AND  P A I N  IN  S C O L I O S I S   

A reduction of movement in the spine can cause the spinal joints to "lock up". This lack of mobility has the potential to affect the movement of the nerves and tissues around spine. Our daily activities mostly involve us moving our spines in one main direction, which over time can cause repetitive strains to the muscles and tissues. The discs between the vertebrae act as shock absorbers and are affected by movement. As we bend forward or backwards the disc is easily pushed around. The uneven pressure throughout the disc can send warning messages to the brain which are equated as pain. By correcting posture and movement patterns the disc pressure remains more evenly distributed and the risk of bulging or slipping is minimized. Pain is a warning sign that things need to change. 

Back pain should be investigated promptly to exclude inflammatory processes, such as discitis, and the occasional primary bone neoplasm, such as an osteoid osteoma.

Low back pain which affects nearly every one of us at some stage of our active adult life often starts without warning and for no obvious reason. 

Common causes of back pain

• Spondylolisthesis - is characterized by a forward subluxation of the involved vertebra. Because of the orientation of the facet joints, the spondylolytic vertebra displaces anteriorly in relation to the vertebra directly below. Sign and symptoms associated with spondylolisthesis are centralized low back pain, muscle spasm and a straightening of the lordotic curve.
• Facet syndrome - refers to an inflammation (spondylitis) of the facet joint and its surrounding capsule. Facet syndrome can result from acute trauma or chronic repetitive insult. Extension overload of the facet joint, particularly when combined with rotation, can compress and irritate the joint. Consequently, patients with scoliosis are more susceptible than others to facet joint pain and dysfunction. Inflammation of the facet joint may also irritate the nearby nerve root as it exits through the intervertebral foramen. Sign and symptoms include considerable pain, paraspinal muscle spasm and tenderness upon palpation and movement of the facet joint.
• SI joint dysfunction - low back pain can be referred from a sprain or dysfunction of the sacroiliac (SI) joint. Sign and symptoms associated with sacroiliac sprains include pain, swelling and tenderness over the affected joint and ligaments. Pain may be localized to the involved area, but may also be felt as a deep ache or radiating pain into buttock and thigh.
• Osteoporosis - is a disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to fracture due to a loss of calcium and other mineral components. This condition is often called the "silent disease" because bone loss may occur without symptoms.
• Osteoarthritis - arthritis is a term most people recognize but different mechanisms cause the painful and disabling joint pain. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease and the result of "wear and tear". Such wear and tear in the spine is part of the aging process and is often an incidental finding. 
• Sitting for prolonged periods - most people sitting for prolonged periods will adopt a poor posture. Sitting in a bad position causes the muscles that support the low back become tired and relaxed. This results in the slouched sitting posture. This position will cause overstretching of ligaments. Once the slouched sitting posture has become a habit and is maintained most of the time, it may also cause distortion of the discs contained in the vertebral joints. Once this occurs movements as well as positions will produce pain. Sedentary lifestyles contributes to a loss of lumbar lordosis and loss of lumbar lordosis correlates with the incidence of chronic low back pain. 
• Lifting objects with the back rounded has been found to raise the pressure in the discs to a much higher level than that existing when the weight is held with the body upright and the lordosis present. If you use an incorrect lifting technique while lifting heavy objects, you may cause damage and of course sudden severe pain. In order to minimize the risks involved in lifting you should always use the correct lifting technique.

Types of pain

1. Acute pain - occurs as a result of injury to the body and generally disappears when the physical injury heals. Acute pain is linked to tissue injury. 

2. Chronic pain - lasts beyond the normal healing period - usually at least 3 months. There may be no signs on x-rays or scans to indicate the source of the pain since some pain may be generated by tissue injury. Depression is common with chronic pain. 

3. Neuropathic chronic pain - is a type of pain that is caused by injury to a nerve. Patients describe the pain as having tingling, numbness or burning sensation. Neuropathic pain is difficult to treat.

Symptoms: 

• painful itching
• strange sensation
• extreme sensitivity to normal touch and temperature
• burning
• electric - like sensation
• painful numbness
• pins and needles

4. Non-neuropathic chronic pain - this type of pain is not caused by injury to the nerve. The most common types include: 

• low back pain - pain in the lower back from muscles, ligaments, tendons, arthritis or damaged discs
• osteoarthritis - arthritis resulting from wear and tear of the joints and with normal aging
• rheumatoid arthritis - an autoimmune disorder resulting in pain, stiffness and inflammation of the joint 

Symptoms:

• gnawing
• pounding

Consultations are by appointment only.

Joanna Slup scoliosis expert

2A Prebend Street,

Islington, N1 8PT

Phone: +44 77 1999 7920

Email:

appointment@schrothmethod.co.uk