Medical experts do not categorize scoliosis as a disease but rather a condition describing an abnormal curvature of the spine. Typically, the spine should be straight when viewed from the back. If the curve occurs in the middle part of the spine, it is termed as thoracic spine scoliosis.
Thoracic scoliosis could pull the rib cage out of position or put pressure on adjacent muscles, triggering pain and discomfort. Without invention, the condition may continue to deteriorate provoking more pain and discomfort. While there isn’t any apparent cure to scoliosis, treatment methods mainly involve seeking ways to deal with pain. Here are some verified pain relief methods that could manage your thoracic scoliosis condition.
Pain relief medication
Your doctor may prescribe over the counter drugs such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and acetaminophen whenever you feel pain around your middle back. Although the medication relieves pain, it is a short-term solution. Your doctor may recommend coupling medication with other remedies such as chiropractic care, physical therapy, and certain thoracic scoliosis modified exercises. If the medicines do not work effectively, talk to your doctor for a stronger prescription. He or she may refer you to a specialized pain clinic for better pain relief prescription drugs.
Chiropractic manipulation
Chiropractic care is a specified treatment that targets the spine, joints, and adjacent muscles. Your doctor of chiropractic will conduct spinal adjustments and manipulations to re-position the spine and adjacent tissues, relieving pressure, and strain. A significant number of patients suffering from thoracic scoliosis benefit immensely from chiropractic care. The chiropractor may also advise best on the right exercises and stretches for your condition depending on your test results and improvement. He or she may also suggest dietary guidelines to help keep your weight at recommended levels so as not to put unnecessary strain to your spine.
Thoracic scoliosis specialized exercises
Rest can indeed help in dealing with discomfort and pain. However, too much inactivity could be detrimental to your mobility and flexibility. Talk to a physiotherapist about your scoliosis condition and let them help you find the right stretches and exercises. Exercising will help reduce pain as well as maintain a healthy weight, which will reduce the pressure on your back.
Corticosteroid injections
In some cases, scoliosis can get too severe to a point where the discomfort extends to the nerves, around the spine and down to the toes. The discomfort may manifest itself in the form of numbness, tingling sensation, or excruciating pain. Pain relief medications may not solve these extreme cases, but your doctor may recommend steroid injections to the affected area. The effect should offer you comfort and alleviate the pain for a substantial amount of time. It is, however, not a permanent solution as the effects wear off after a few weeks or months.
Counseling
Talking to a therapist for counseling sessions won’t relieve pain directly, no doubt. However, your therapist could help you find ways to cope with the amount of pain you feel through cognitive behavioral therapy. It may help you overcome certain beliefs and habits that could be contributing to your pain. Your therapist will also formulate personalized techniques to help you deal with the pain once they get a better understanding of your condition, its triggers, and your personality.
Surgery Surgical intervention usually is the last resort when all other treatment options fail to deal with discomfort and pain. Your doctor may recommend surgery if:
- Your thoracic spine curvature continues getting worse despite intervention.
- The pain and discomfort become unbearable, and other remedies haven’t helped.
- When the spinal nerves get too irritated from compression.
When it comes to a point where no other remedies other than surgical intervention can sort out your pain crisis, your doctor will schedule you for surgery. The surgery aims at correcting the backbone and reducing the severity of the curve. It may include spinal fusion where two or more vertebrae are fused to make the spine more compact and stronger. Laminectomy involves removing one of the bones in the vertebrae to relieve pressure on the nerve. Discectomy entails on eradicating one of the gel-like discs that sit in between vertebrae to alleviate strain on a nerve. In most cases, a combination of these surgical approaches will be put into use.
If you have been suffering in silence from pain and discomfort due to thoracic scoliosis, talk to us today. Our experts are dedicated to listening to your troubles and finding a solution. We are the help you need today for an improved quality of life. Call us today at 205-637-1363.
