Scoliosis in Adults:
Degenerative and Idiopathic Causes & Treatments

Idiopathic scoliosis, which means an abnormal curvature with an unknown cause, peaks in adolescence while kids are growing. The condition can advance rapidly in your teen and pre-teen years. It's a myth that scoliosis doesn't progress in your adult years. Scoliosis progression is milder after your spine is developed — one to three degrees a year — yet that progression can add up over a couple of decades. All too often, this pattern leads to invasive treatment options like surgery for scoliosis or spinal fusion in an effort to find pain relief.

If you don't have adolescent scoliosis, you may still be one of many adult scoliosis patients suffering from degenerative or de novo scoliosis. A 2005 study published in the U.S. National Library of Medicine says 68 percent of people older than 60 show signs of degenerative scoliosis. These results are startling because the medical community previously thought about 30 percent of adults experience degenerative scoliosis. Even 30 percent is much higher than the 3-5 percent of adolescents who get the condition. Get tips for living your best life with scoliosis

Most doctors only consider scoliosis as a spinal deformity. Unfortunately, many adults living with scoliosis experience many symptoms of adult scoliosis related to the condition.

• Chronic back pain
• Shortness of breath
• Limited range of motion
• Fatigue
• Depression
• Poor self/body image
• Leg pain

Some adult patients with scoliosis have known since their original diagnosis as teenagers. But, it comes as a shock to many adults in their late 50's or 60's to learn they have a spine curvature. Options for adult scoliosis are often limited. Many degenerative scoliosis cases are discovered during routine check x-rays or the result of a back pain diagnosis.

There is no "fountain of youth", but there are tips and tricks you can use to live your best life with scoliosis.

• Maintain good scoliosis bone health
• Keep your hormones balanced
• Get ahead of your "scoliosis genes"
• Stay active and focus on core strength

Declining bone density is a major factor in adult scoliosis. It's essential that you find out why your bone density is decreasing if you have scoliosis. Menopause can lead to bone mineral loss which causes the spine to deteriorate rapidly. Bone density loss isn't only a women's issue, though. It may start earlier in women because of menopause, but studies show that by age 70, you lose bone density at the same rate regardless of gender. Millions of men have osteoporosis. 

This loss of bone density combined with poor postural habits creates scoliosis curvature.  Often in areas of more compression. Maintaining good bone density is directly related to keeping good hormone balance. You may also need nutrient therapies to maintain healthy bone density levels.  

As we age, bone density decreases. This is particularly noticeable in scoliosis patients. It can lead to further progression of scoliosis, which can result in chronic pain and decreased mobility. 

Scoli Strong Bone Formula works to build up lost bone matrix and strengthen the bone. It is a vital part of a comprehensive treatment approach to scoliosis correction. Some patients even use this product before spinal surgeries to help ensure a proper bone graft.

• Note, aging stomachs produce less stomach acid. This condition, called hypochlorhydria, prevents the absorption of many needed bone density nutrients.  Vitamin C on a daily basis is also recommended to increase absorption.
  

Every doctor in the world recommends adults remain active as they grow older.  This is also true of adults living with scoliosis.  Low impact activities that improve core stability through physical therapy are most ideal. Thousands of older adults with scoliosis have found using the ScoliSMART Activity Suit does both! The activity suit for scoliosis uses the normal walking motion to create a de-rotation effect on the scoliosis curvature. Adults with scoliosis find pain relief by wearing the ScoliSMART Activity Suit as little as 20 minutes per day while on a daily stroll.  If you are walking, it is working!

Don’t know where to start?  Take our FREE “ScoliQuiz.”  (No x-ray required)

ScoliSMART Clinics is committed to treating the WHOLE scoliosis condition, not only the curve. Genetic & clinical testing with targeted nutrient therapies, expert in-office treatment programs, and the world’s only ScoliSMART Activity Suit provides patients of all ages with the most comprehensive, most effective, and least invasive treatment options available worldwide.