Scoliosis is a medical condition where a person’s spine has a sideways or lateral curvature. The curvature usually occurs in a lateral ‘S’ or ‘C’ shaped curving. Scoliosis in children occurs in early childhood often due to genetics, but can also happen in adulthood. Scoliosis in adults occurs due to spine or joint surgeries, uneven pelvic position, and knee or foot distortions.
Scoliosis is hereditary. There is a 30% chance of you contracting scoliosis if someone in your family has it.
If you want to know how to check for scoliosis, the following are the symptoms and side effects of scoliosis:
The following signs can help you identify and catch the onset of scoliosis early on:
A doctor will diagnosis scoliosis through a physical examination. An X-ray may be required to confirm the condition. Although there is no cure for scoliosis, the standard of living can be improved, and the effects of scoliosis can be minimized through exercise and other remedial methods. If you’re wondering how to fix scoliosis naturally, we have 17 remedies for you.
This particular exercise serves to help muscles that are unable to contract because of the tilt caused by scoliosis and is one of the best back exercises for scoliosis. If you’re wondering how to cure scoliosis, this exercise is an effective way.
2-3 sets of 5-10 repetitions each
This exercise helps anyone with scoliosis lower back pain. The upward and downward dog is a great stretch for scoliosis.
2-3 sets of 10-15 repetitions every day.
The Cat-Camel pose helps stretch and relax the muscles in your back along with the spine, helping gently ease out the scoliosis curve. If you’re wondering how to correct scoliosis, this yoga pose is a good start.
2 sets of 10 repetitions every day.
[ Read: Yoga for Scoliosis: 5 Simple Asanas to Straighten Your Back ]
Kale is a leafy green that is packed with nutrients like Vitamin A, Manganese, Calcium, and other minerals that help strengthen bone mass. People with scoliosis have a higher chance of developing weak bones and need a good amount of calcium to strengthen them, and Kale is a great source of calcium.
Cook kale with vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts which belong to the same family and increase the potency of the nutrients provided by each.
3 to 4 cups of kale per week is a good amount.
Scoliosis sometimes leads to inflammation of the muscles, tissues or bones in the spine leading to pain and discomfort. Ginger contains anti-inflammatory compounds that help reduce swelling giving relief from pain.
You can add ginger to your daily food while cooking, or drink water steeped in ginger once a day.
Maximum of 3 to 4 grams of ginger extract per day. The following contains 1 gram on Ginger:
Alfalfa is a plant and contains high amounts of Vitamin K, which helps improve bone density and also strengthens the connection between bone cells. This helps people with scoliosis develop stronger bones over time, allowing them to implement exercise to correct spinal curvature.
You can add dried alfalfa leaves to tea, or consume freshly sprouted alfalfa, after lightly steaming it, directly or in a salad.
5 – 10 g of the dried alfalfa taken 3 times a day.
Turmeric has been used as a medicinal herb for ages because of it’s anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and antioxidant properties. Curcumin in turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties that help relieve pain that arises due to nerve impingement caused by scoliosis.
Add turmeric when cooking food (as per taste) or mix a teaspoon in milk and drink it.
You need about 500 – 1,000 milligrams of curcuminoids per day for its anti-inflammatory properties. There are about 200 milligrams of curcumin in one teaspoon of fresh or ground turmeric.
The anti-inflammatory properties of thyme make it highly beneficial in treating scoliosis. It contains important minerals and vitamins like Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Folate, Calcium, Iron and Manganese.
You can sprinkle fresh thyme leaves on your cooked food: eggs, poultry, meat, seafood, salads, etc.
You can also add thyme leaves to tea and drink it.
As much as needed for the food serving, or depending on the amount of tea.
Oregano essential oil contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help relieve pain caused by scoliosis. It helps the muscles and nerves surrounding the spine relax.
Dilute equal parts of oregano essential oil with a carrier oil like coconut oil or jojoba oil and massage the back across the spine.
Quantity of oil depends on how much is needed to cover the area. Use the mixture for a massage 1-2 times a day.
The essential oil of peppermint and thyme contains anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties. People with scoliosis can benefit from applying the essential oil of peppermint and thyme to the back as it eliminates that gradual buildup of pathogens and helps prevent the buildup of microbes.
Dilute equal parts of peppermint and thyme essential oil with a carrier oil like coconut oil or jojoba oil and massage the back across the spine.
Quantity of oil depends on how much is needed to cover the area. Use the mixture for a massage 1-2 times a day.
Scoliosis is caused by a breakdown in communication between the brain and the muscles. Omega-3 fatty acids help improve brain function by building grey matter, and this plays a vital role in retraining the brain to correct posture.
You can get omega-fish oil by eating fish (mackerel, herring, tuna, salmon, cod liver, whale blubber, and seal blubber), or through over the counter supplements.
Up to 3,000 mg of fish oil daily is considered safe for adults.
Magnesium, along with other health benefits, has anti-inflammatory properties that help ease swelling and reduces pain caused by scoliosis.
You can get magnesium from foods such as:
Or you can get magnesium through supplements.
The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for magnesium for adults is 310–420 mg.
Vitamin D is an important vitamin that helps the body absorb calcium, which is needed for stronger bones. For people suffering from scoliosis, vitamin D and calcium are crucial.
You can get vitamin D from foods such as:
Or you can get vitamin D through supplements.
The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for vitamin D is 25–100 micrograms per day.
Certain yoga poses especially help stretch and relax the muscles in the back and slowly corrects the curvature of the spine caused by scoliosis. One such yoga exercise is the Bird-Dog Pose that works out the back and abdominal muscles.
1 set of 15 repetitions per arm/leg pair every day.
Why use?
Pilates involves low-impact flexibility and muscular movements for strength and endurance. Its primary emphasis is on proper postural alignment, core strength and muscle balance, all of which are important in reducing the impact of scoliosis. One pilates exercise that helps straighten out the spine is the Side Bend
1 set of 10 repetitions per side every day.
Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine needles into specific areas of the body. It is believed that acupuncture improves blood flow to areas where the needles are being inserted. This may help people with scoliosis by improving muscle strength around the spine.
Visit a trained and certified acupuncturist.
How much to use?
As recommended by the acupuncturist.
People with scoliosis can feel stress and tightening of muscles in the back, that can be relieved through massage. While scoliosis massage cannot cure or correct spinal curvature, it can provide relief from pain.
Visit a trained masseuse and explain your condition. It will help if you carry your x-rays and other test results.
As recommended by the masseuse.
If you’re wondering how to get rid of scoliosis, unfortunately, there is no permanent cure, but the standard of living can be considerably improved through exercise, diet and external stimulation like massages. Identifying the onset of scoliosis is important in catching the problem early.
If you suffer from scoliosis, try and avoid the following movements to prevent damage or increased aggravation of the condition:
With the remedies mentioned in this article, you should be able to reduce the pain and stress caused by scoliosis, and over time, you can improve the spinal curvature and return your posture close to normal.
No, there is no permanent cure for scoliosis. Treatment involves reducing the side effects and symptoms of scoliosis to improve the standard of living and to restore normal activity.
Scoliosis is hereditary and is passed down from parents to children. In adults, it can be caused due to spine surgeries and increased stress.
Taking care of your posture, regular exercise, a healthy diet, and avoiding severe stress to the back are ways to prevent scoliosis.
It depends on the severity of scoliosis. Usually, the pain caused is due to the pressure on the spinal discs. If the curvature is more, it could lead to pain.