If you have
scoliosis (sideways curvature of the spine), it can impact your life in all manner of different ways. Common symptoms of this condition include compromised breathing, reduced mobility / flexibility, and muscle imbalances, as well as more visual signs such as uneven shoulders or hips.
In addition to the above symptoms, many scoliosis sufferers also endure varying degrees of back pain. But does this mean that your own back pain could be a sign that you too have a curved spine?
Scoliosis isn’t always painful
First of all, it’s important to understand that not all scoliosis sufferers experience back pain as a result of their condition. Some scoliotics suffer severe and debilitating pain every day, while others report no back pain whatsoever. Some people have to take maximum-strength painkillers to cope with their scoliosis, while others get by on a lighter dose and others don’t need any medication at all.
You might assume that the level of pain you feel depends on the severity of your spinal curvature, but there’s no evidence to support this – we have seen people with relatively mild curves go through absolute agony, and we have met patients with extremely pronounced scoliosis who experience practically zero pain as a result of this.
So now that we’ve established that scoliosis doesn’t necessarily equal back pain, let’s take a look at that equation in reverse: is back pain a strong indicator that you may be suffering from scoliosis?
In a word: no.
Back pain alone is not a reliable symptom of scoliosis
The problem is that back pain can arise due to any number of factors besides scoliosis. You might have a different
curvature of the spine (such as hyperkyphosis), or you might have some other problem entirely – you may have injured yourself lifting heavy objects incorrectly, or perhaps you have poor posture and it’s beginning to take its toll.
Instead of jumping to the conclusion that you have scoliosis simply because you are experiencing persistent back pain, look for these other, more reliable signs of a spinal curvature:
- Shoulders sitting at different heights
- Body leaning to one side
- One shoulder blade protruding more prominently than the other
- Uneven hips, waist, rib cage and/or legs
Whether or not they are accompanied by back pain, these symptoms are far more likely to point to scoliosis than back pain and back pain alone.
However, here at Scoliosis SOS, we treat a variety of patients with a range of different conditions, not just those with scoliosis. We use our specialised ScolioGold therapy to address a multitude of back and spinal conditions, thereby improving each patient’s quality of life and well-being.
Whether you suffer from scoliosis or just general back pain caused by poor posture, it’s a good idea to seek treatment right away, as your condition may progress further if left unchecked. Contact Scoliosis SOS today to arrange a consultation at our clinic in London and find out how we can help eliminate any muscular pain you are currently experiencing.
