You can develop scoliosis at any age. Often, you receive your diagnosis in childhood or your teen years, but you may not realize that you have this condition until adulthood. Scoliosis causes abnormal curvature of the spine and progresses, or worsens, over time. Symptoms of neck and back pain and inflammation often accompany spinal curvature.
The team at Total Spine Institute, led by Dr. Andrew Fox and Dr. Ryan Mattie, provides comprehensive care for scoliosis patients. In addition to visiting our Sherman Oaks and Calabasas, California offices for check-ups and treatments, we recommend you keep treating your scoliosis at home.
These five lifestyle habits can improve the quality of life for scoliosis patients, reducing inflammatory symptoms and even helping to slow the progression of spinal curvature. While there isn’t a cure for scoliosis, your approach to managing your condition significantly impacts your health and quality of life.
Mild to moderate scoliosis often benefits from targeted stretches and exercises. The right exercise and stretching plan, followed regularly at home, can relieve pain and slow scoliosis progression. Ask your provider at Total Spine Institute if low-impact exercises and stretches, such as the yoga poses upward and downward dog, could be good for your spine.
The Schroth exercise program is specific to scoliosis treatment and relief. This series of postural exercises are asymmetric, and focus on retraining your body to maintain straight posture while going about your daily life activities.
Regularly using Schroth exercises at home can help you address scoliosis-related posture problems. This treatment can also provide pain and symptom relief and improved self-image.
Scoliosis puts you at risk for increased inflammation in your spine, which can worsen your pain symptoms. To reduce the overall levels of inflammation in your body, try switching to an anti-inflammatory diet.
Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, beans, and lentils. Avoid processed meats and opt for unprocessed fresh chicken, salmon, or tuna instead.
Your body handles the ongoing stresses of scoliosis best when you maintain consistent daily habits and routines. Find the lifestyle that works best for your scoliosis, and then do your best to stick to it as much as possible.
Trying to do too much and then backsliding into less healthy habits may be worse for your health overall. Find an achievable lifestyle that you can maintain successfully over time.
Living with a chronic condition gets exhausting pretty quickly. It may be tempting to just give up on managing your health, including going to doctor’s appointments.
But, when you partner with experts in spinal medicine for regular scoliosis check-ups, you know you’re getting the best possible care for your fragile spine. Your provider at Total Spine Institute helps you balance at-home and in-office treatments, keeping your condition managed and your scoliosis progression minimal.
To learn more about all of the treatments available to manage scoliosis and slow the progression of abnormal spinal curvature, contact Total Spine Institute today. Schedule your initial consultation appointment online, or call now to book.
