‘Why is my back pain not improving or keeps coming back?’ You could have a functional scoliosis…
(part 1 in a series of 5)
WHAT IS IT?
– A functional scoliosis is a set of curves in your spine that appears to occur from repetitive movements. Not the serious type of scoliosis – you don’t need surgery, but it’s likely that certain muscles in your torso are stronger than others, causing your pelvis to rotate which creates a compensatory scoliosis in the spine. In my experience, it’s very common and can occur in people of all ages, even teenagers. It can vary from quite subtle, which is why it can be easily missed, all the way to quite noticeable. EVERY chronic low back pain patient who presents to me has some degree of functional scoliosis – but the GOOD news is, that it is CORRECTABLE!
– Take off your top and look in the mirror or, better still, get someone to take a photo of you from the back and see if you appear symmetrical: Is your waist angle on the right sharper than the left or your right hip more prominent? Is your left shoulder blade rounded forwards more and your right shoulder blade sitting higher? Does your left bra strap often slip off your shoulder or have you noticed that your head is often tilted to one side in photos? Then YOU could have a functional scoliosis.
I’ve never heard of a functional scoliosis and there is virtually no information on the internet – how did you come to recognise this presentation?
– The photo that you see heading this post is of MY back – I have a functional scoliosis! I assumed that my recurrent low back and left thigh pain were due to a longer right leg – something that I had been repeatedly told by paramedical professionals. But I noticed around 15 years ago, that the degree of scoliosis would vary – sometimes it was more noticeable, then less so, which did not fit with the ‘longer right leg’ theory. Based on my clinical knowledge and professional experience during my over 30 year career, I was able to analyse my condition. Thinking outside the box, I developed a NEW and INNOVATIVE self-management approach that was SIMPLE, MANAGEABLE and EFFECTIVE. At the same time, I was noticing an identical asymmetrical appearance occurring more and more frequently in my patients. When I then started applying the same management approach to my patients, even those that had had CHRONIC LOW BACK PAIN for years, started achieving SIGNIFICANT relief. I knew that I was on to something very encouraging and continued to refine my approach…
NEXT TIME: HOW DOES A FUNCTIONAL SCOLIOSIS DEVELOP AND LEAD TO PAIN? (part 2 in a series of 5 )
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