My 14 year old daughter has a slouch to her posture. They thought the muscles in front were stronger than the muscles in her back and were going to have her to exercises and physical therapy. She just had x-rays last month and they said she has 12 degree scoliosis. They usually don't worry unless it is 15 degrees or higher. However, the pediatrician said with her age it can progress for the next couple of years so we should take her to the scoliosis clinic at Primary Children's Hospital. I called and she can't be seen until September 23rd.
Do any of you have any advice or experience with scoliosis? Do you have a doctor or clinic that you have dealt with? The pediatrician said they may put her in a brace to help pull her shoulders back and straighten her out. I would like to help her now because she is starting high school and is self conscious already. I am trying to find something to help her now, instead of waiting until her appointment. Or if I can get her in somewhere sooner.
Thanks for your help and advice.
All I know is, one of my girlfriends had it and wore a back brace to correct it... she only had to wear it at home (not at school), and she did much better after she wore the brace! I'd say go for it. Better to do it now, than later!
It's worth seeing a specialist, I think.
In the meantime, you could find a very, very reputable chiropractor. It seems like a talented professional is hard to come by in the chiropractic field, but worth their weight in gold. Also, yes, yoga, posture, and carrying balanced weight may help. Deep massage therapy may help with pain, and help her release the muscular tension in her body allowing her more even movement. Oh, and lap swimming.
I would suggest having her see the specialist at the children's hospital.
My sister wore a brace, and still ended up needing the surgery (removed vertebra, metal bar fused to her lower lumbar). For her, both were terribly traumatic and not effective (enough)...but her situation was sort of the horror story/perfect storm, and I don't think is a universal experience...at all.
Good luck. This was a tough one for my family.
My MIL hadsa very similar situation and yes, she did wear a back brace in high school, but she sings the praises of yoga for her "curve" as she calls it.
You could get her involved in a yoga class at the Y or another studio. I would not rely on video tapes as there is nothing quite the same as acutal instruction until you h ave been doing it for a few years.
Also, is there anyway the PT could still help with her muscle strength??
My neice had surgery for that back in April at Vanderbilt hospital.
It has worked wonders for her and she has bounced back so well. I do believe attitude has a lot to do with recovery from the surgery.
My brother and SIL went crazy trying to determine what to do, how to do, etc and now they are all very glad they went through with the surgery.
No personal experience other than my neice. I know TX (Dallas area) has several places that specialize in it as well.
Yes, it was around that time that I also wore a brace. I had to wear it all day except for showering. Even though I hated it -- it buckled in the back -- which meant I couldn't undo it....unlike a friend of mine who was constantly adjusting hers. I had to go to a specialist for it and they made it custom for me. When I grew out of it I had to do a strict regimen of exercises after school.
