Most commonly, scoliosis develops in children during adolescence, but adults can also develop the condition later in life. Because of the potential for this late onset and how common diagnoses are, it’s essential to know the warning signs you’re developing scoliosis.
Being aware of your condition early can allow you to you mitigate the effects and seek help before the condition develops any further. It can be hard to notice these symptoms yourself; take some time to observe yourself in the mirror for some of these signs.
Change In Posture
One of the first things you may notice is that your posture shifts; this results from the spine curving, forcing your body to hold itself differently. The changes can be very subtle, but there are several ways to determine if your posture is off kilter. These include:
Unevenness of shoulders
One hip appearing higher than the other
One leg appearing shorter than the other
A tilted eyeline
Lack of symmetry in posture
A curving of the spine brings with it these physical changes, altering the look and form of the body. Take the time to observe yourself and make a note of any inconsistencies in terms of limb length and symmetrical differences.
Clothes Don’t Fit Comfortably
Aside from the physical changes of the body, scoliosis can also affect the way clothes fit in subtle ways. Take some older clothes to see if they fit to the length of your arms and legs.
If you notice that one shirt sleeve doesn’t cover the entire length of the arm or one pants leg seems to be longer than the other, it can mean a spinal shift. Don’t write off ill-fitting clothes as simply sizing out of them or shrinkage in the wash; pay close attention to the proportions.
Backaches and Tired Muscles
People often associate backaches with scoliosis, but the onset of back pain doesn’t typically appear immediately. The curve of the spine can be subtle at first, not resulting in any noticeable pain at all, but the spine can curve out of shape to the point that it becomes debilitating.
Along with stress on the spine, the muscles surrounding it also deal with increased pressure. Because the body rests abnormally, it places tension on certain muscles of the back, causing them to overwork, eventually leading to chronic pain.
Treat Your Scoliosis
The severity of scoliosis can vary from mild to severe, and the condition typically gets worse as time goes on. You can mitigate this with proper scoliosis exercising equipment and techniques, improving posture, and halting the development of the condition. Be aware of the early warning signs of scoliosis and consult with your doctor about the most optimal care plan to deal with your condition.
Comments