A Harrington rod for scoliosis is instrumentation used in spinal fusion; it's attached to the spine with the goal of holding it in a straighter position so its vertebrae can't become more tilted over time. Harrington rods implanted are permanent, and if one fails or malfunctions in some way, there is no reversing the procedure. Surgical intervention for scoliosis...
If the spine becomes excessively straight, this is contrary to its natural curved design. It's the spine's healthy curves that keep it flexible, strong, and able to handle stress from impact and movement. The position and alignment of the spine affects body position and posture, so one of the main effects of straight-back syndrome is postural deviation. The...
As scoliosis was first described and documented in the ancient world, the medical community has had many years to observe how it progresses, what triggers it to do so, and how the condition responds to treatment. Swimming can’t treat scoliosis, and while recreational swimming can offer some therapeutic benefits, certain aspects of swimming, and/or swimming...
No two cases of scoliosis are the same, which is why treatment plans need to be 100-percent shaped around a patient’s individual condition characteristics. When scoliosis is diagnosed, classifying conditions further based on specific patient and condition variables is part of the process, and different curvature types and locations are important. As a...
There are a number of spinal conditions that cause the development of unhealthy curves, but structural spinal conditions involve abnormalities within the spine itself, and this involves its vertebrae (bones). Continue reading to learn why scoliosis can’t simply correct itself, along with what progression means. As a progressive structural spinal condition, the...
For people recently diagnosed with scoliosis, they have a lot of questions, one of which is how best to treat the condition. Reversing scoliosis means reducing the size of the unnatural spinal curve as this is addressing the condition’s underlying structural nature. The two main scoliosis treatment approaches offer a surgical, or non-surgical response. For those...
Bone spurs make affected bones larger than normal, and the excess space used by the bony overgrowth is taken from somewhere. If a bone spur forms on the spine, it can cause issues related to nerve compression, and where along the spine a bone spur is located will determine its effects. Continue reading to learn what effects are associated with bone spurs in the...
When it comes to maintaining optimal spinal health, the spine’s natural and healthy curves need to be in place. Kyphosis refers to the spine’s outward curve at the thoracic section, and if this curve becomes excessive, it can cause a roundback appearance. Kyphosis involves the development of an excessive spinal curvature of the thoracic spine; treatment needs...
There is a natural amount of spinal degeneration that typically accompanies aging, but certain conditions and/or injuries can make those changes more severe and/or occur at faster rates. The spine can develop a number of conditions/issues such as spondylosis and spondylolysis, and while these two terms sound similar, they are not; continue reading to understand the...
There are only three instances in life where one is not subject to gravity: in the womb, in water, and in space. Inversion tables simulate an anti-gravitational effect by holding the body upside down, opening up the space within the spine, taking pressure off of it, its individual structures, and its surrounding muscles and nerves. By holding the body upside down,...
The spine along with the spinal cord and the nerves exiting between the spinal bones perform many essential functions: facilitating brain-body communication, allowing us to stand upright, practice healthy posture, and move flexibly. When the spinal nerves are exposed to uneven pressure, becoming irritated and/or damaged, they have less space to function within, and...
Maintaining a healthy range of cervical lordosis is important. Each spinal section has a role to play in maintaining overall spinal health and function; the cervical spine has the added responsibility of supporting the head and acting as the bridge between the brain and the rest of the body. Continue reading to learn more about the cervical spine’s natural/healthy...