Each of the spine’s main sections has its own unique curvature type, and while these curvature types have a healthy range, when a curvature degree falls beyond a normal range, becoming excessive, problems can occur. Formerly known as dowager’s hump, hyperkyphosis involves the spine’s natural backward-bending curve becoming excessive, which can cause a roundback...
The overall health of the spine depends on the health of its individual structures, like its intervertebral discs. In order for the spine to maintain its natural curves, alignment, and flexibility, the discs have to be functioning optimally. When a disc is bulging, it can affect the spine, its nerves within, and its surroundings. A healthy spine consists of...
There are different scoliosis brace options available, and it’s important to understand the difference between traditional bracing and corrective bracing. The former only addresses the condition as 2-dimensional, which is problematic, because scoliosis is a complex 3-dimensional spinal condition; corrective bracing addresses it as such so can help work towards...
There is more than one way to treat scoliosis, and different treatment approaches offer patients different types of results. The way in which a scoliotic spine is treated shapes its overall health, strength, and function in the future, which is why the type of treatment chosen can have far-reaching effects. As a progressive condition, the nature of scoliosis is to...
The spine helps us to stand upright, practice healthy posture, bend, lift, twist, and the spinal cord partners with the brain to form the central nervous system (CNS). If the spine’s vertebrae are aligned as they should be, its healthy curves are in place, but if a condition like spondylolisthesis develops, the position of a vertebra is disrupted, making it...
Although scoliosis is a spinal condition, its effects can be felt throughout the body. Not only does the spine facilitate healthy posture, the ability to stand upright, and engage in a wide range of flexible motions, it also works with the brain to form the central nervous system (CNS). If scoliosis is severe and/or is left untreated, it can progress to the point of...
In a healthy spine, when viewed from the side, its vertebrae are stacked on top of one another in a neutral and straight alignment, and this allows the spine to maintain its natural and healthy curves, which facilitates its optimal health, strength, and function. There are many spinal conditions a person can be diagnosed with, and one that adult patients hear...
When patients ask how to straighten their spines naturally, this can mean different things to different people. Ranging from DIY home-treatment to holistic methods, most questions involve whether nonoperative treatment is an option. When it comes to scoliosis, there are two main treatment approaches, each offering patients a different potential outcome; continue...
Regardless of patient age, as a progressive condition, being proactive with treatment is key. When it comes to how patient age factors into treatment, we’re talking about different progressive rates, whether or not pain management is needed, and how stable the spine is. With wide-ranging severity levels and multiple condition types, scoliosis can be a complex...
Functional scoliosis is considered a temporary condition with a temporary cause, such as poor posture, or a body irregularity. Patients with functional scoliosis can change their unnatural spinal curvature by changing the position of their body, which is why functional scoliosis isn’t complex to treat. Continue reading to learn about the differences between...
In Episode 34, host Heather Rotunda and Dr. J Hartley discuss scoliosis exercises, what you should do and avoid. Throughout the episode, you'll hear: The difference between proactive and traditional treatment Why scoliosis specific exercises are beneficial The similarities and differences between CLEAR...
The spine’s healthy curves help it function optimally, and there are a number of spinal conditions that involve a loss of one or more of those healthy curves. The term kyphosis can refer both to the thoracic spine’s healthy outward curve, and when that curve-type becomes excessive and problematic. Also known as roundback, because of its visual effects,...