Scoliosis

[EllieNielsen]

It hurts!! SO MUCH! My chiropractor diagnosed me after xrays and some tests. The suggested treatment is pretty intensive and my insurance doesn't cover it and I can't afford to go. So I told my doctor that I'm in constant pain, that I wake up from pain, but he said that it's not a problem since I'm an adult and that it doesn't cause pain. But he gave me some codeine..typical of my doctor. I'm not that much of a hypochondriac to make up this much pain!! I was wondering if anyone had some tips to help that I can do at home? Thank you for listening :]

[Lottie]

My friend has this same issue! The consultants/doctors keep telling her that scoliosis doesn't cause pain. Maybe the curve in the spine doesn't but the surrounding muscles/nerves that it pushes on do.

I really feel for you. My friend tried heat therapy and also physio therapy to try and ease the pain. She also tried acupuncture- it didn't help her but it has helped other people I know.

I hope you get some proper relief soon! x

[becklynn]

I have the same problem with my scoliosis. Whenever my back starts to really hurt, I try to stretch my back. It seems to help a little. And my back tends to hurt when I am sitting, standing, or laying in one place for a while so I like to get up and move around when my back starts hurting. I don't know if this will help with you but I seems to work for me.

[Sincerely Yours ♥]

I have scoliosis. I see a chiropractor every other week, as I have been for the last 5 years. My back has straightened more & it's a lot less painful. Of course, he said he caught it while I was young, so it was easier to fix. My parents started going a few years ago as well, & even though their backs will not improve as much, it helps with the pain. You should stick with the chiropractor, even if it means spending some money. It's definitely worth the results.

[FallenxFromxGrace]

Hi there,

I have moderate to severe scoliosis, I have since I was really little. I have chronic migraines and lumbar back pain due to the compensation my body takes for the curve. It does cause pain, without question. Most definitely see a chiropractor, mine is the only reason I'm not in a back brace as we speak. Also, for an at home remedy, if you don't like your pain medication, try literally using heat. My mother has a heated pad I use to put on pain, and it works like a charm for me. Usually, it dulls the pain enough that I can sleep through the night, or for any length of time.

I really hope this helps, I know how painful it all is. If you ever need anything, feel free to PM me.

Good luck!
Nicky.

[ronymajani]

http://www.iscoliosis.com/
This is a website that has a lot of info on Scoliosis and you can ask questions on your condition and to be honest your situation is depressing to hear and I think that you should borrow money from your friends or family to do the surgery and pay them back slowly by taking some money out of your paycheck and saving it cause friends will wait a long time for you to pay back and will be more understanding, but I'm sorry I can''t help you more than that. Hope this helps.
Sincerely RNY.M the new teenhelp.org unemployed mentor.

[Briana]

Hey, I had a 70 degree curve on top and about 50 on bottom. My curve had stopped growing after puberty, which is when its meant to stop since girls are usually done growing around then. But, mine increased bad to where my back pain was uncontrollable. I had a double spinal fusion when I was 17, and now have two metal rods on my spine. I seriously suggest you find a new doctor. Because your curve could be getting worse. Back pain is associated with the curve increasing. Surgery is probably your best option. Taking the pain pills, will help the pain temporary but wont stop it. I never went to a chiro, but had back braces my whole life leading up to surgery. Now that my spine is corrected, even though I don't bend and still have a 15 degree curve, I don't get the back pain anymore.

What degree is your curve at? Depending on your degree, if its below 55 degrees, they wont do surgery on it. So, your second best options are braces. There are several different types of braces. A night time one, which bends your back in the opposite direction. A 23 hour brace which holds you in place and prevents you from increasing. The last type of brace, has a neck ring that holds your spine into place.

I wrote an article for scoliosis for TeenHelp's Avatar last year: http://www.teenhelp.org/avatar_files/2010/June2010.pdf

Like I said, you need to find a new doctor.

[EllieNielsen]

Thank you very much everyone! I bought one of those pillows you can heat or freeze, and it helps a bit. I have a special pillow thats supposed to help your neck but I still wake up EVERY night and I still hurt from sleeping. I'm not sleeping in a bad position because I asked my partner if I sleep funny. He says I just sleep on my back :S

Thank you Briana! I really hope you are doing better. You are so brave to have had the surgery! I saw this awesome new brace they have which looks like a bunch of bands wrapped around your torso, it can be worn discreetly and everything. The problem is my doctor. He said that it won't get worse since I stopped growing and it's not a problem after 18 since I stopped growing. But it makes no sense! I started getting the pain at 19. and it's worse now than ever and I'm 21! The chiropractor didn't inform me of the degree. He just took an xray and showed me and it was in an S shape, and my neck curve has gone so it's straight. It was gross when he showed me I felt sick. I always just thought I was crazy unhealthy and fat. Thank you very much for the article and websites! I will check them out now.

I really want a new doctor There's a serious shortage in my area though and it's a crazy list. He's no help at all in my mental disability either... like terrible! and I'm addicted to the codeine now.. It doesn't even stop the pain.

Again, thank you all so much for your time!! I really appreciate it! I'm glad that I'm right in thinking it's a serious problem, my doc shrugged it off...ugh! I think it's time to go to a specialist :P Thank you!! I hope all of you feel better and keep kicking scoliosis butt!!

[Briana]

I still suggest you look around for a new doctor, even look in difference cities, because you seem so much like me and how my pain stopped and started back up suddenly when I was 17. You definitely need to find out what your curvature is. Also, look into getting a brace and what not, just do more research. If bad scoliosis goes on un treated your back muscles could cause you more pain because they are trying to pull your spine in one direction when your spine wants to go a different way.