Each year, thousands of children will be diagnosed with scoliosis. For those who already have it, they are well aware of the frustrating symptoms that it so routinely causes. However, if you have a child who has just been diagnosed, or suspect that your child may have scoliosis, then there are a few warning signs that you can look for.

Many people rarely take the time to think about their internal structures and appreciate everything they do for us. Your spine is an elegant and strong structure. If you look at a spine from the side, you will see that it looks like an elongated S shape, with the lower back curving inward slightly and the upper back bowing in an outward direction. However, if you look at a spine from behind, it should be a perfectly straight line starting from the tailbone all the way back up to the base of the neck. Scoliosis causes that straight line to become uneven.

When the spine begins to curve as a result of scoliosis, there are several things that begin to happen. The shoulders can become uneven, which is noticeable to the naked eye. Either one of the shoulder blades could appear to be more prominent than the other one. The waist can become uneven. One of the hips could be higher than the other side. If you notice any of these signs in your child, you should have your child examined by your family doctor.

If scoliosis is left undiagnosed, or if it is a severe case, the curve can become worse to the point in which there is rotating or twisting of the spine in addition to the original curvature. This can end up causing your child’s ribs to stick out further on one side of their body. It can also cause severe back pain and even difficulty breathing. Unfortunately, emotional distress can be added to the list of problems that scoliosis causes. Children, and especially preteens, are well aware of how they look not only to themselves, but to their peers. Anything that makes them different, such as uneven shoulders or hips, or walking to one side can cause stress. Luckily, there are several treatments available that can lessen their pain.

What is Scoliosis? ¦ Scoliosis Prevention ¦ Scoliosis Treatment