Something goes bump in the night. Is it scoliosis? Its name sounds pretty scary, but it isn’t. Scoliosis simply means that your spine is curving sideways. It affects children, teenagers, and adults.
Scoliosis appears in a few different ways, and finding the right care begins with Dr. John Livingston. He will remove any spooky thoughts you may have, explain the cause of your symptoms, and then proceed with your care. No Halloween witchcraft involved.
1. Idiopathic Scoliosis: The Mysterious Guest
Let’s begin with the scoliosis that is most common among children and teenagers. The word “idiopathic” sounds bewitched, but it simply means the cause is unknown, like a masked guest at a Halloween party. It’s here and no one knows where it came from.
The clues can be subtle. It could be that one shoulder is sitting higher than the other, your hips seem to be uneven, or your clothing is hanging differently from one side to the other. In some cases you experience back discomfort or muscle tightness. Unfortunately, these symptoms aren’t always easy to spot, especially when they’re under a Halloween costume.
Dr. Livingston will begin with a thorough examination – no witches’ brew of one size fits all.
2. Congenital Scoliosis: Present From the Start
Congenital scoliosis starts in the womb when parts of the spine don’t form as they should. With some children, the curve appears quite early. At other times it’s hidden, like a tiny ghost, then becomes apparent as the child grows.
A sign of congenital scoliosis is a tilted waist, or just leaning toward the side. If you have spotted one of these symptoms, don’t panic. Dr. Livingston can quickly assess what is going on and will explain the next steps to take.
3. Neuromuscular Scoliosis: When Muscles Need Support
Neuromuscular scoliosis stems from conditions that affect your nerves or muscles. This includes cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy. When your muscles don’t support your spine evenly, it could begin to curve. No skeleton, Halloween or not, can stand tall if it doesn’t have the right support.
Symptoms include muscle weakness, problems in being able to sit upright, balance issues, and pain.
These challenges aren’t mysterious, but they can cast a mysterious shadow on everyday activities. Integrated Health Associates will focus on the proper care to make movement safer and more comfortable.
Dr. Livingston is exceptional because he doesn’t just look at the patient’s symptoms. He looks at the whole person, including the curve lurking in your not-so-mysterious x-ray. He will then identify a safe treatment. No spooky guesswork involved.
4. Degenerative Scoliosis: An Unwelcome Visitor
Degenerative scoliosis affects adults when the spinal discs and joints begin changing with aging. It is an unwelcome Halloween guest that creeps in gradually.
The symptoms usually include pain in the lower back, numbness, stiffness, tingling, and sometimes a pain traveling into the legs.
Dr. Livingston begins with an evaluation of how these changes are affecting your movement. Then he will design a personalized care plan for you. There’s no Halloween magic involved. We simply want to reduce your discomfort, improve your mobility, and make everyday activities a little less frightening.
Don’t Let Scoliosis Haunt Your Routine
Here at Integrated Health Associates, we take the time to understand your health history, your symptoms, and your goals before recommending your care. There are no tricks, no mystery potions, and no Halloween cookie-cutter plans.
If back pain, uneven posture, or limited movement has been haunting your routine, schedule an evaluation with Dr. Livingston.
Don’t let your back pain be the scariest thing this Halloween. Instead, give yourself a treat of a more comfortable way to move by calling Integrated Health Associates at 440-528-0005 ext. 1.
Happy Halloween!