It’s National Scoliosis Awareness Month and it’s time to take a closer look at this common medical condition. It is important to make sure those diagnosed with scoliosis are properly informed about any conditions they may have, particularly for young people whose bodies are still growing and developing. Proper diagnosis is an important first step in managing scoliosis, but there is much more that can be done to decrease the impact of living with scoliosis on one’s daily life. By taking time this month to focus on scoliosis awareness, we can help raise public understanding and support those who live with it every day.
With awareness comes understanding of diagnosis early on and proper treatments for those suffering from scoliosis. When you are standing up straight, your spine has a natural curvature to it. It is made up of three segments that each form a natural curve. These curves are important for balance and posture as we go through our daily motions of life. Scoliosis is a spinal deformity that can form a sideways curvature of the spine. Having scoliosis can affect one’s appearance and posture. It is most often diagnosed in adolescents and can worsen with age. An acute form of scoliosis isn’t harmful, with many adults living with it without even knowing they have it. A more severe form of scoliosis can be very painful and disabling. While most people can keep scoliosis at bay through exercise, others may have to go into surgery depending on how severe it is.
Scoliosis is one of the most common conditions that often goes undiagnosed and untreated. It affects over four percent of the entire population with at least seven million people having scoliosis. Since the curve in your spine gets worse due to age, over half the senior population has it. With all these people going undiagnosed, it is more important than ever to use this month to raise awareness because it can help avoid potential back problems in the future. The goal of the National Scoliosis Awareness Month campaign is to highlight the growing need for public education, early detection, and awareness about scoliosis. Every school should do a scoliosis screening and stress the importance of it to the parents. And if parents doubt these screenings or find any symptoms relating to scoliosis, they should contact a spine specialist as soon as possible for appropriate treatment. This can improve the number of people suffering from spine distortions by getting the proper treatment they deserve.
We should all work together to spread the word of National Scoliosis Awareness Month to increase public education and awareness about the condition. Everyone should be aware of the signs and symptoms of scoliosis to detect it early. Schools have an important part to play in terms of performing evaluation and stressing the importance to parents. Therefore, let’s spread the word about National Scoliosis Awareness Month – encourage our families and friends to participate too!
For more information on National Scoliosis Awareness Month, click here.
Article written by William Graves.