Curves of Life
A curved waist on one side – an almost straight line on the other. The hairstylist always straightens his head, but he keeps unconsciously tilting to one side. When somersaulting, the body turns in a certain direction as if by itself. Anyone familiar with these little idiosyncrasies from everyday life might suspect a common cause: scoliosis – a lateral curvature of the spine that is far more than just a postural abnormality.
Around 2-3% of the general population have idiopathic scoliosis. If you extrapolate this to the global population, over 200 million people are affected. It occurs worldwide and the cause is unknown. But what if the bacteria, our microbiome, played a major role in it? But let’s look at the basics first.
What exactly is scoliosis?
Scoliosis is a complex deformity of the spine that not only causes a lateral curvature (frontal plane), but also a twisting of the vertebral bodies (axial plane). In some cases, it is also accompanied by an increased forward or backward curvature – whether in the form of a hunchback (kyphosis) or a hollow back (lordosis). Depending on the cause, a distinction is made between idiopathic scoliosis, the origin of which is unknown, congenital malformations or secondary forms, which can develop as a result of other diseases or after surgery – such as kidney removal.
Scoliosis occurs particularly frequently during the growth phase, but its effects are very individual. It is not the degree alone that determines how severely someone is affected: a person with a curvature of 100 degrees can live largely pain-free, while someone with a curvature of only 30 degrees suffers from severe discomfort. Every scoliosis is unique – and its treatment always requires a holistic view of the entire body.
How do I find out if I have scoliosis?
In fact, there are some typical signs that can give the first indications of scoliosis. But before you panic: Not every deviation automatically means a problem. Without symptoms, scoliosis is initially considered a harmless twisting of the spine – because a completely straight spine is the exception rather than the rule.
You may have already noticed an asymmetry – be it in the lumbar spine, where one hip appears more prominent than the other, or in the shoulder area, where one side sits lower. If you want to be on the safe side, you can carry out the Adam forward bend test together with a trusted person:
1. stand upright – feet together, knees straight, arms hanging loosely at your sides.
2. slowly bend forward – your upper body should be parallel to the floor and your arms should hang down in a relaxed position.
3. have your back observed – is any asymmetry visible? Does one side bulge out more in the rib or lumbar region?
These abnormalities are caused by the twisting of the vertebral bodies – regardless of the lateral curvature. If you notice such signs, it is worth visiting an orthopaedic specialist to have your spine examined more closely.
For a precise diagnosis, an X-ray is usually taken to determine the Cobb angle – however, this involves a certain amount of radiation. A 4D spine measurement offers a radiation-free alternative here and enables a three-dimensional representation of the spine; however, the scoliosis angle cannot be measured using this method.
In addition to scoliosis, there are – as mentioned above – other spinal misalignments that are often accompanied by discomfort. Hyperkyphosis (increased hunchback) can cause severe pain; here the 4D measurement even offers an angle calculation. A pronounced lordosis (hollow back) can also be treated. The important thing is: pain is not necessary. If you have complaints, don’t hesitate to get support.
What effects can scoliosis have?
The effects of scoliosis are extremely individual and depend heavily on the general state of health. While some sufferers hardly feel any restrictions, others can struggle with back pain, tension and restricted movement. An uneven load on the joints can even lead to osteoarthritis in the long term. In severe cases, the internal organs can also become affected: A severe curvature can restrict lung capacity or put a strain on the heart, as the rib cage is asymmetrically shaped in some scolioses.
If you are still in the growth phase and have been diagnosed with moderate scoliosis (20-40° Cobb angle), you may be prescribed a corset. This is not only physically demanding, but also mentally challenging. Especially during puberty, a phase in which your own body image is often critically scrutinized, a corset can be a burden on your self-confidence. It is always a question of weighing up whether it is worth achieving a potentially unpredictable improvement and taking the risk of being confronted with completely new challenges.
It is difficult to say how much a corset will help. It also depends on how much sport and physiotherapy the young person does on the side and whether they can strengthen their muscles. The same applies here: listen to yourself and your body. Listen to several perspectives – no one can say 100% what is right or wrong. Weigh up the facts, find out about the negative and positive aspects and find the solution that suits you best.
A corset is generally no longer an option for adults, as growth is complete. Other treatment options are used here.
Therapy options for scoliosis
Katharina Sch roth therapy is a special form of physiotherapy for the treatment of scoliosis and was developed by Katharina Schroth, who herself suffered from scoliosis. Its basic principle is based on two central pillars:
1. the three-dimensional correction
Scoliosis affects not only the lateral curvature, but also the rotation of the vertebrae and changes in posture. Together with a physiotherapist – and later on your own – you consciously correct and untwist your body and perform various exercises in this optimized posture.
2. the specific breathing technique
Each exercise is linked to a specific breathing technique. The spine can be actively influenced and corrected by consciously breathing into the “compressed” areas, such as the so-called lumbar valley in the case of a curvature in the lumbar spine.
This may sound unusual at first – how is it possible to breathe into certain areas of the body? But give it a try: Consciously concentrate on one area of your body, such as your chest, and try to breathe specifically there. Can you feel yourself straightening up? Why shouldn’t this also work in other areas of the body? For example, if you have a twist in the left lumbar region and consciously breathe into the right side (the lumbar valley), you are actively moving your spine.
This therapy requires not only consistent practice, but also a fundamental understanding of one’s own posture and movement patterns. It is important to know what you are doing, why you are doing it and how to do it correctly. Without this understanding, it will be difficult to put it into practice. That’s why it’s worth visiting a specialized physiotherapist or a Katharina Schroth Clinic. In many cases, it is possible to undergo rehabilitation for scoliosis.
It is essential to think yourself into the therapy and visualize your own spine – it is flexible and can be influenced. Even if you are already fully grown, improvements are always possible. Don’t despair under any circumstances: People with scoliosis who actively work on their posture often have fewer complaints than people without scoliosis who neglect their back health.
In addition to therapy, sport also plays a decisive role. Orthopaedists often have different opinions on this, but the basic rule is: exercise is important. Of course, you should listen to your body – if a sport causes pain, it is not ideal. However, if an activity is possible without pain, there is no reason not to do it – a crooked spine is no reason not to exercise.
What if … bacteria were responsible for scoliosis?
The origin of idiopathic scoliosis is unknown. Some studies show a familial clustering, which suggests a genetic component. However, this has not yet been proven. And this is exactly where the microbiome comes into play. What if the microbiome was responsible? Could scoliosis then be prevented or even corrected?
We will deal with this question in the next article. (JTS)
Sources and further reading
Weiss HR. The method of Katharina Schroth – history, principles and current development. Scoliosis. 2011 Aug 30;6:17. doi: 10.1186/1748-7161-6-17. PMID: 21878114; PMCID: PMC3180431.
