Things to know this Scoliosis Awareness Month

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – June is known as Scoliosis Awareness Month. This disease affects around 7 million people nationwide.

Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine. There are three different variations, including, idiopathic scoliosis, congenital scoliosis and neuromuscular scoliosis.

This disease can develop in infancy or early childhood. However, 10- to 19-year-olds are the most affected. Scoliosis can slowly progress over time. Increased curvature can move from one to two degrees every three to four decades.

Females are eight times more to be diagnosed with Scoliosis. The disease can develop from arthritis or degeneration with the spine.

Even though there is not a cure, medical professional say there are steps you can take.

Dr. Joshua Meier, orthopedic surgeon with Norton’s Children Hospital, recommends a “forward bend test.” The test is just “basically bending forward to look for rotation curvature.” He encourages others to preform this test at home. However, Meier says an X-ray is the “best way to actually check” for scoliosis.

Symptoms of scoliosis include:

• Uneven shoulders or waist
• Entire body leans to one side
• Head is not directly above pelvis

The last two decades have seen major advancements with scoliosis. Classifications, treatments and surgical improvements have allowed for spinal corrections.