Scoliosis (curvature of the spine) can affect patients in a variety of different ways and appear in a number of different locations, including the upper and lower back. Cervical scoliosis is one such variant – this term refers to an abnormal curvature of the spine in the neck region.
Typically, cervical scoliosis occurs as part of a larger spinal curvature, but in rare cases, scoliosis can be isolated to the neck alone.
Causes of cervical scoliosis
As cervical scoliosis is a relatively rare condition, efforts to discover causes and treatments are still relatively young. It is understood that, in the case of early onset cervical scoliosis, the curvature tends to form naturally at any time from infancy through to adolescence. Adult forms of cervical scoliosis, however, are more likely to stem from a spinal injury or spinal deterioration.
Cervical scoliosis can also develop as a result of another medical condition, such as:
Cervical scoliosis does tend to cause more pain in patients than other forms of scoliosis. This may be due to a variety of factors, such as an imbalance of weight, cervical nerve roots becoming compressed between vertebrae, and an increased risk of further neck injury.
Treatments for cervical scoliosis
Fortunately, there are a variety of different treatments for cervical scoliosis that can help to relieve the pain. The best treatment method depends on the prognosis, the patient’s age, and the type and severity of the curvature. Treatment methods include:
- Bracing – This is typically used for early onset cervical scoliosis, as it may halt the progression of the curvature until the patient is old enough to undergo surgery.
- Physical Therapy – This method entails creating an exercise routine to help improve and stretch the muscles in the neck area. This is usually used in milder cases of cervical scoliosis, but can be effective in more severe cases too.
- Pain Management – Non-surgical forms of pain management include nerve blocks, epidural steroid injections, and radiofrequency nerve ablation.
How we can help
We at the Scoliosis SOS Clinic are specialists in the field of spinal curvature issues. We work to help patients suffering from scoliosis and similar spinal conditions to resolve and improve their condition through non-surgical methods. The path to improving your condition starts with an initial consultation, where you will be evaluated by a specialist consultant who will be able to confirm the degree of your scoliosis and your prognosis.
After this, we will recommend the best treatment programme for your condition – this will provide you with your own customised exercise routine to promote the correction of an asymmetric posture, decrease pain, and maintain improvements going forward.
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