Scoliosis is a condition that forces the spine to twist and curve to the side. Typically, the abnormal spinal curvature puts an unnecessary strain on the back and can pull the rib-cage from its normal position. Many people with scoliosis will complain of discomfort and back pain and even gets worse with time as the curvature progresses.
The level of pain patients experience with scoliosis varies from one person to another, mainly depending on their age and the severity of the condition. Scoliosis pain may manifest itself in other areas of the body other than the back. If you’ve been struggling with scoliosis pain, you are probably wondering if there are more friendly pain relief methods other than pain killers that you can depend on to improve your quality of life.
Exercises and stretches
The right scoliosis exercises practiced with the right intensity and frequency can help make scoliosis bearable. Experts recommend focusing on the lower back if you are diagnosed with lumbar scoliosis, while those who have thoracic scoliosis should exercise the shoulder muscles. Exercises and stretches strengthen core muscles to limit the progression of the spinal curvature. These exercises also help you maintain a healthy weight to prevent burdening the spine. Stretches such as cat-camel, leg raises, and pelvic tilts improve mobility and reduce pain effectively. You may also start yoga and swimming sessions to improve your general physicality.
Back braces
Back braces epitomize a corset that’s wrapped around an individual’s back to curb the progression of scoliosis by eliminating motion in the back. Back braces aren’t effective for every individual. These tools are best recommended for children and teenagers whose bones are still growing. If your doctor recommends back braces for degenerative scoliosis, it’s solely to alleviate back pain rather than stop scoliosis progression.
Chiropractic care
Chiropractic care has proven to be an excellent way to relieve pain and discomfort triggered by scoliosis. Chiropractors offer scoliosis remedies that are non-invasive, safe, and natural alternatives to medications. Your chiropractor should realign your spine and joints through certain spinal adjustment techniques to offset strain and reduce pain. Spinal manipulation also improves mobility and enhances the health of your spine and nervous system.
Moreover, your chiropractor will monitor your spine’s condition and advise accordingly on what exercises and stretches to best practice to reduce pain. Your chiropractor may also guide you on the best nutritional programs to maintain a healthy weight and manage scoliosis symptoms.
Heat and cold therapy
The use of hot pads and ice packs on your body’s affected areas is a simple home remedy that offers pain relief. Place a hot pad wrapped in a towel on the painful site and dab it for about twenty minutes. You should feel some relief. Heat soothes pain and encourages blood flow to the affected area. If the pain persists, consider switching to cold therapy that entails placing an ice pack covered in a towel on the affected area for about twenty minutes. Cold has proven to reduce inflammation effectively. A combination of heat and cold therapy with other remedies such as stretches and exercises will effectively relieve back pain.
Massage
Your physiotherapist or masseuse will exert controlled and gentle pressure using their hands to realign joints and the spine. The massage should offload the burden on your spine to offer pain relief. If you choose this method, you’ll need several sessions and even a combination of remedies for the best results.
Counseling
Scoliosis-related pain can be contained through emotional approaches. People will often ignore the kind of emotional distress and stress, resulting in accepting to live with scoliosis. Dealing with the physical changes and pain that comes with scoliosis is a pain on its own. Thankfully, counseling may be helpful. Cognitive-behavioral therapy will equip you with skills to help you cope with the changes and even deal with the physical pain that comes with scoliosis. Your therapist will also guide you best on how to deal with pain in the absence of other remedies such as medication, chiropractic care, or massage.
As a last resort, your doctor might recommend surgery. Surgical intervention is best recommended when all other treatments fail to offer pain relief, and when the curve keeps getting worse.
If you’ve been looking to alleviate pain from scoliosis without taking painkillers, we have the right solution for you. Call us today at 205-637-1363 to speak to one of our top specialists and let us help you live a pain-free life.
