Questions and Answers / facts

Scoliosis affects about 2-3% of the population worldwide. In the United States, it affects approximately about 6-9 million people.

Source:

 https://www.aans.org/en/Patients/Neurosurgical-Conditions-and-Treatments/Scoliosis#:~:text=Incidence%20and%20Prevalence,occurring%20equally%20among%20both%20genders.

Women are 8 times more likely to get scoliosis than men, however all people can get it. You are also more susceptible to get scoliosis if someone in your family has it. 

Sources: 

https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/scoliosis#:~:text=Anyone%20can%20get%20scoliosis.,brother%2C%20or%20sister%20has%20it.

https://www.aans.org/en/Patients/Neurosurgical-Conditions-and-Treatments/Scoliosis#:~:text=Incidence%20and%20Prevalence,occurring%20equally%20among%20both%20genders.

Three main categories that doctors classify scoliosis into are: adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (which I have), neuromuscular scoliosis, and congenital scoliosis. However there are many other types and reasons that people get this. For example, hereditary scoliosis is another reason why people get it; because a family member had it and they have the same genes.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is a very common form of scoliosis,  there is no known cause for why it happens, and it occurs in children usually around the ages of 10-18. One in four children is affected by this disease.

Neuromuscular scoliosis can be caused by many reasons having to due with the brain and muscles not working together properly. This type of scoliosis is likely to  occur in adulthood.

Congenital scoliosis is very rare, as it only affects one in ten thousand newborns. It results from abnormalities of the spine, while the baby is still in the womb.

Sources:

https://www.treatingscoliosis.com/blog/scoliosis-types-differences/

https://www.neurosurg.org/articles/different-types-of-scoliosis-and-causes

If you are having pain in your back, some ways to find out that you have scoliosis are: 

Going to your doctor and having them check your back with a scoliometer frequently (which is a tool used for measuring the elevation of different parts of your back), 

Getting an x-ray to tell you and your doctors the state of your spine.

There are many more ways to figure out if you have scoliosis, but these are just a few. If you or someone you know has been having back pain for no apparent reason, please go to a doctor to see what is wrong. Scoliosis can be very serious if not treated right away,

Sources:

https://www.webmd.com/back-pain/do-i-have-scioliosis

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/scoliosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20350716#:~:text=Most%20cases%20of%20scoliosis%20are,the%20lungs%20to%20function%20properly.

You can get a back brace, and wear it for a certain amount of time each day. If you are a child with scoliosis, doctors usually advise wearing it until you stop growing. If you get an x-ray, they can tell by looking at the space between your growth plates. If you don't want to put up with a brace, you can get a surgery. There are many different kinds performed by many great doctors. 

Some ways to help strengthen your spine are doing exercise for your core, in order to strengthen muscles around your spine to keep it in check. Some types of beneficial exercise are yoga and pilates. If you have scoliosis and can take up these types of exercise, I highly recommend doing so. Swimming is also very good for your back, as it strengthens your muscles and there is no gravity pulling on your spine.

Sources:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/scoliosis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350721#:~:text=Wearing%20a%20brace%20won't,to%20conform%20to%20the%20body.

https://www.healthline.com/health/scoliosis/exercises-at-home#:~:text=Mild%20scoliosis%20is%20often%20managed,pain%20level%20and%20increase%20flexibility.

https://dynamictouchmassage.com/news/swimming-and-scoliosis-a-natural-treatment-approach/#:~:text=Swimming%20is%20a%20beneficial%20and,known%20exercises%20to%20start%20from.