What is Scoliosis?
Scoliosis (spinal deformity) is a condition in which the spine curves abnormally to the left or right (lateral curvature) or exhibits excessive forward or backward curvature, resulting in the loss of the spine’s natural alignment.
Causes of Scoliosis
Early Walking in Children
Many cases of scoliosis in children stem from adults encouraging standing or walking at an excessively early age.
Flat Feet
Flat feet can cause the bones in a child’s lower leg to rotate during walking or running, leading to misalignment of the knee joints, which may result in pain, inflammation, or even knee joint degeneration.
Poor Posture
Approximately 85% of patients at school age are at risk of scoliosis due to carrying heavy backpacks, causing shoulder misalignment, or sitting at non-standard desks and chairs, leading to poor posture over extended periods.
Musculoskeletal Disorders
Conditions affecting muscles, nerves, or malnutrition can lead to abnormal spinal development.
Signs of Scoliosis
Scoliosis is characterized by excessive curvature of the spine beyond normal physiological limits in the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar regions, or lateral curvature to the right or left. Patients with scoliosis often exhibit the following symptoms:
» Misaligned vertebral spinous processes.
» Uneven shoulder heights, with one side lower than the other.
» Abnormal protrusion of the scapula.
» Unequal distances from the acromion to the scapula on each side.
» Asymmetrical waist triangles formed between the torso and arms.
» Spinal torsion causing rib protrusion or lumbar asymmetry.
» In cases of kyphosis, the back appears rounded, shoulders are low, the abdomen protrudes, and the head tilts forward. In cases of lordosis, the upper torso leans slightly backward, and the abdomen sags.
Complications of Scoliosis
Pain radiating along the spine, extending to the legs and thighs.
Leg pain, numbness, or muscle weakness.
Bowel or bladder dysfunction.
Non-Medicated Treatment
At Nguyen Tung Orthopedic Clinic Vung Tau, our Graston Technique effectively releases tight muscle areas. This method is far more efficient than other treatments for muscle strain, often providing noticeable relief after just one session.
