SCOLIOSIS ALERT!! HOW GOOD OF A JOB DO THE SCHOOLS DO?? Scoliosis is defined as an abnormal curvature of the spine, usually a sideways curvature. Most people think about children, especially girls, when they think of scoliosis, because it is so important to detect and treat it early, but it also affects adults. It tends to become rapidly worse between the ages of 11-15 and during pregnancy. Until recently a curvature was not considered a scoliosis unless it was more than 35 degrees, but new research shows it can be starting with as little as 10 degrees of curvature and that is not likely to be picked up on a routine school screening. WHAT CAN YOU DO? One of the first signs that parents can look for is when one of the youngster’s shoulders appears to be higher that the other, or when their clothes don’t hang straight. Try lining up a yardstick to the top of the ears, the top of the shoulders, and the top of the hips, or you can just place your hands there and look to see if one side is higher, then have them bend over and touch the floor while you look for differences in their ribs from side to side. Also check the heels of their shoes for more wear on one side of the heel than the other, and look for one pant leg or skirt hem to seem longer than the other. It could be the start of something serious. In the early stages the child may complain of tiredness in the lower back when sitting or standing, which may worsen to backaches and pain. I have seen it in late stages compressing the heart, lungs, organs, and spinal nerves. There is currently no medication to treat scoliosis or prevent its’ onset, and the usual medical treatment is to wait until it is so bad that surgery is performed. Scoliosis is often hereditary. The father can pass it only to the girls, and the mother can pass it to the boys or the girls. Their ligaments are 2 ½ times more flexible than normal and are more prone to strains and sprains. It is very important for them to eat breakfast, and to be on a high protein/low carbohydrate diet with low sugar intake. Doctors of Chiropractic are trained to detect and correct these abnormal curvatures without surgery using gentle adjustments and therapy. Spinal curvature or scoliosis is comparable to a sprig of a small tree that has been accidentally bent, but not broken. The small tree may continue to grow but will grow crooked UNLESS OR UNTIL we gently straighten it before it matures. Like a small tree, physical treatment is an absolute necessity. The first and most important step in treating scoliosis of a child’s spine is to stop it from getting worse as soon as possible. All children should have an annual back check-up by a spinal specialist. If you are concerned about scoliosis, call us now and ask for our Special Websute offer of just $17.00 for an examination including X-Rays. Our kids are our most important possessions! Call Dr. Moon today. 925-682-8400. For more information see www.scoliosis.com.