Mary Rae Floresca | Negosentro.com
What is Scoliosis? Can it be cured? In observance of the Scoliosis Awareness Month this June, let us review the facts about Scoliosis before this month ends.
Scoliosis Association UK (SAUK) started the international scoliosis awareness day last June 29,2013. They aim to strengthen public awareness on Scoliosis and to bring together those who are affected by the condition. In the article from Sunstar Newspaper Davao last June 20, “Amanda Glenda Kiamko of the Scoliosis Association of the Philippines said during the I-Speak Conference last Thursday that based on the recent data, there are about three million Filipinos who are suffering from scoliosis and Asia has the highest recorded cases of 15 million because of lack of awareness on the disease.”
Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine. The following causes are:
- Congenital scoliosis– bone abnormality at birth.
- Degenerative scoliosis- result from severe an injury or illness that caused the bone to collapse or undergone a major back surgery.
- Neuromuscular scoliosis- “It is caused by disorders of the brain, spinal cord, and muscular system. The Nerves and muscles are unable to maintain appropriate balance / alignment of the spine and trunk.” – Scoliosis Research Society
- Idiopathic scoliosis- The most common type of scoliosis. “It develops in childhood and is categorized based on the age of onset of the scoliosis.”
“Majority of the kids from 10-15 years old are more prone because that’s the growth spurt. That is the puberty period that is why we are pushing for early detection for early correction and intervention,” Kiamko added in the said newspaper. That’s why most private schools conduct free Scoliosis screening for this age group. It is best to detect if a person has Scoliosis, at a n early stage, he may undergo Physical Therapy, proper exercises that mobilize the spine. The cost depends on the condition of the patient.
A lot of people with Scoliosis have been sharing their experiences on social media, including the hashtag; #ScoliosisAwarenessMonth, you may read stories of real patients who struggles from Scoliosis. There are many moving stories that has captured a lot of netizens, inspiring stories that encouraged people to do check-ups as well.
Here’s a final statement of one patient who underwent a major surgery, “And to others who are reading this, I hope that whenever you meet a person with Scoliosis, never look at them like they’re different. Do not pity them because what they need is your support and encouragement. It’s time for Scoliosis awareness,” Amicah Frances Antonio said in one of her Facebook posts with the hashtag, #ScoliosisAwarenessMonth.
(Source: UCLA Health)
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