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 Expert
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Location: ohio-in my own little world with pretty ponies :) | I was diagnosed with it when I was about 10 when my mom noticed my spine was curved while I was in a bathing suit. Ever since then I have gotten x rays about once a year and go to the chiro extremely frequently. My spine hasn't changed much in the last few years since I stopped growing but I am in more pain than ever. Even with going to the chiro. I don't go as often because we have crappy insurance and it's expensive. Those of you that have it or know someone that does...does anyone have any ideas on ways to ease the pain? There are some days it's unbearable at times. I haven't been to the doctor yet but my doctors haven't been concerned and tell me I need the chiro. |
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 Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
Location: In The Snow, AZ | My brother has scoliosis. He is 22 now. And although it gives him problems from time to time, an Inversion table has helped him tremendously. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 563
Location: Small Town Iowa | My youngest daughter has scoliosis. It's very mild, and what I did for her was took her to a corrective chiropractor. They took x-rays to see what the curve really looked like and how it was affecting the rest of her skeletal structure. And then she started going to the chiro 3x's a week for a month and then we slowly backed down to be going once a month, but we can't miss any months or else she ends up in pain again. Hers wasn't severe enough to seek surgery, and her insurance doesn't cover chiro visits so it was all out of pocket expense. But if you explain your situation to the Dr. then maybe they can cut you a discount on some of your adjustments. For us it's only $25 a visit so to me it's well worth it to keep her out of pain, and maintain a healthy spine for the rest of her life. Good luck |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1182
Location: Do I hear Banjos? | Well...I was diagnosed when I was getting a Girl Scout camp physical when I was about 11. My curvature was severe enough that despite Chiro and wearing a brace for 14 hours a day (from the time I got home from school till the morning...I learned to sleep in the darn thing to avoid wearing it at school...sigh)...I ended up having the surgery. What I can tell you is that before surgery the Chiro truly helped. But what helped even more to me was the massage table I was put on before the chiro visit each time. It was one with the vibrating rollers that moved opposite each other up and down...almost stretching out the spine. Perhaps like the inversion table someone else mentioned.
I had the surgery after I finished most of the growth I'd have at age 17. Before surgery I had a lot of pain off and on. After things healed from the surgery...I have been careful to work out and keep my core strong...but I have never looked back! I ride and do everything anyone else can do (except maybe some yoga moves...with fused vertebrae and rods in place...that's a no go). And...I have great posture!
But...if surgery isn't absolutely necessary...I'd avoid it of course. Best advice I have for avoiding pain is to do core strengthening exercises and flexibility exercises daily. The routine I do takes maybe 10 minutes. I do it no matter what. Having a strong core really helps. And get a regular massage or massage table if you can.
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 999
Location: Sunny So Cal | My friend has it and what he does is core strengthening and takes THE Inflammation Relief. |
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 Member
Posts: 12
Location: Oklahoma | I was diagnosed with it as a child, but it wasn't severe enough to warrant the brace. I do have chronic back pain that is only alleviated with a chiro and massage visit. My 11yr old daughter has been recently diagnosed with it also, unfortunately they have braced her for 18 hours per day. She's adjusting to it and learning to sleep in it. My biggest fear is I make her wear the brace thru her entire adolescence and she still needs surgery. Such a difficult decision whether to brace or not. As far as pain she does get back pain and the chiro seems to help her. I would love to try an inversion table though! |
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Expert
Posts: 2276
Location: ohio-in my own little world with pretty ponies :) | It stinks! The older I get the worse the pain is. They wanted me to have surgery but at the time I wasn't hurting and didn't see a reason. There are some days I want to walk in there and tell them to do it lol. At the chiro they told me that my spine is weak and that's a lot of the reasons I'm hurting. I have stretches to do but they don't do much anymore. I always get a lot of therapy while I'm there and the little sticky things they put where I'm hurting and then it pulsates?(don't know the proper name for this device) helps me a lot. I saw one somewhere I can buy for $199 and I'm really considering purchasing that which would help take some of the pain away and not have to go to the chiro for it. Is that a good price for something like that? |
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  Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | lexyy12 - 2014-03-17 1:04 PM It stinks! The older I get the worse the pain is. They wanted me to have surgery but at the time I wasn't hurting and didn't see a reason. There are some days I want to walk in there and tell them to do it lol. At the chiro they told me that my spine is weak and that's a lot of the reasons I'm hurting. I have stretches to do but they don't do much anymore. I always get a lot of therapy while I'm there and the little sticky things they put where I'm hurting and then it pulsates?(don't know the proper name for this device) helps me a lot. I saw one somewhere I can buy for $199 and I'm really considering purchasing that which would help take some of the pain away and not have to go to the chiro for it. Is that a good price for something like that?
its a TENS unit and yes its a good price.. but make sure you get a good one. which can cost 300 or up. |
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Expert
Posts: 2276
Location: ohio-in my own little world with pretty ponies :) | I tested it and it seemed just like the ones that are always used on me. Looked the same and all. It's from a company that was at the deer & turkey expo. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1118
Location: The South | Girl I totally understand! I was diagnosed in 7th or 8th grade at one of the school screenings. My mom took me to a doctor that wanted to do surgery and he said I shouldn't ride horses with the condition my back was in. I told my mom I didn't want to go back to that dr lol.
Sometimes I wish I would've had the surgery, but my chiropractor said he's seen a lot of problems caused by the surgery so who knows. One of my sorority sisters in college had rods in her back and I was jealous of her posture!
As far as what helps the pain, I take Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) when muscle spasms are a problem and it seems to help a little. It's on the $4 list at most places if you ever want to try it. I think I've gotten the most relief from getting deep tissue massages, it hurts like heck but it seems to loosen up my knots. I got an inversion table from Academy Sports so maybe it will help too. Seeing all the posts about core strength makes sense, I should break out my Pilates tapes and get rid of my winter fluff.
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 Hot Dispatcher
Posts: 10185
Location: Utah | I would suggest accupuncture, magnets and a tens unit. Those things combined with chiropractor can make a huge difference.
I forgot to mention the latest thing I have found that helps, it is called the melt method. It makes me feel as good as a massage but can be done at home any time I need it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1Fu-m-MxKE
Edited by kanchazer 2014-03-17 9:28 PM
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Expert
Posts: 2276
Location: ohio-in my own little world with pretty ponies :) | Those of you that have it did it effect pregnancy? I'm not planning to have a baby for a while but at the same time I'm thinking that it might when I do. I have a curve in my hip area and my pelvis is rotated some. Also, my spine is weak and also painful...so how did it effect your pregnancy? |
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Blessed 
Location: Here | Personally. i think you need to go to a good doctor. They will be able to answer most of these questions the best.  |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1053
Location: Arizona | I was diagnosed at 12 and started seeing my chiro 3x a week. His daughter rode too so between the common interest in horses and my frequent visits, we became family friends. He ALWAYS harped on me about exercising and I always figured my barn chores were enough. When I got engaged at 28, I decided to get a gym membership to get fit for my wedding. Low and behold my back quit hurting. I haven't quit working out since. If I take a break from the gym for whatever reason, I can feel it in my back within a week. I tweek it about once a year and have to go see him for an adjustment but that's about it. I know it sounds too simple to be true but I swear by it. I'm 36 now and have had two kids. I worked out through both pregnancies. It wasn't easy, but I guarantee its what helped me through it without horrible back pain. On a side note, scoliosis makes it really hard to sit a saddle correctly. I have to work really hard to think about sitting straight and using my stirrup weight correctly in my barrel turns. |
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