pain becoming unbearable

[ddeaves]

I was told I had slight scoliosis about 12 yrs ago, when a chiropractor was treating me for back pain, I recently had more xrays done for my chronic back pain and the results say I have 1. reversal of usual cervical curve of lateral view, and 2. Abrupt levo-convex curve involving the upper thoracic spine.
Is this part of the Scoliosis, and is this why I'm so painful? My reg. MD could not really explain it and referred me to physical therapy. What should I be doing for this? Physical therapy never helped in the past, but it has been a while since I went now. I just don't want to waste my time.

[LindaRacine]

Yes, the "levo-convex curve involving the upper thoracic spine" describes scoliosis, and could be the source of your pain (if your pain is in your upper back). Physical therapy can help, but you need to find a good therapist who specializes in the spine. You might also try to get a referral to a good scolisis specialist in your area. You can find a list of specialists here:

http://www.srs.org/directory/directory.asp

I've never heard of anyone's curve described as abrupt, so I'm not sure what that means in terms of scoliosis.

Regards,
Linda

[Curvy Corky]

Hello -

I don't know specifically what that prognosis means. Sounds like very technical medical terms. But I do know this from experience with trying to find the solution to my own pain for the past 3 years....

If you have scoliosis and you are having back pain, please don't waste your time with your normal MD. I did this at first when my pain started and my MD didn't even think that my scoliosis could be the problem. Needless to say I spent the last 3 years of my life in serious pain searching for answers. My doc put me through physical therapy too and on all sorts of meds. Meds don't heal a back problem!

Finally I decided to go to the Texas Back Institute which is a facilty that specializes in the spine, and scoliosis is one of their top specialties. Anyway I am so glad I did. They initially set me up with a doctor who tried a conservative approach to manage my pain. It helped a little but I wound up this January having surgery to correct my scoliosis. I'm glad I did it. My old pain is gone! I'm still recoverying and still in pain from surgery but I know I'm getting better each day.

As someone who's known about my scoliosis for over 15 years and just started having problems later in life... I would highly suggest you find a good orthopedic surgeon who specilizes in scoliosis. Not that physical therapy can't help you, but it sounds like it hasn't in the past.

I just wouldn't waste my time with any doctor who isn't a specialist in scoliosis. I know the term orthopedic surgeon sounds a bit scary, but really my doctors were very conservative at first and we tried all sorts of treatments before we decided surgery was necessary. But the whole time I felt confident that we were on the right path because I went to them. If I had continued to just see my normal MD or even the other orthopedic surgeons I consulted I'd still be in a ton of pain today and much worse off. This forum is a great place for you to get some info. I'm not sure where you live but you might ask about doctors in your area who specialize in scoliosis treatment on here.

If you have any questions or want to talk please feel free to contact me or post on the forum. So many people here have helped me through my hard time. Good luck with finding answers, believe me I know how hard it is to get them.

[The Professor]

If you have scoliosis and you are having back pain, please don't waste your time with your normal MD.

I'd agree with you here, a normal MD will be unable to help. Most of them don't understand scoliosis well, and still subscribe to the same old tripe published years ago, through a very poorly controlled study, that scoliosis does not cause pain. Just ask most people around here, that study is basically B.S.

The description you gave sounds like a typical scoliosis. Where is your pain located? Remember, the pain doesn't always occur exactly where the curve is. It can occur elsewhere, where compensatory muscles are being strained. Many other patients complain of pain or numbness in the groin, buttocks, and legs due to pinched nerves.

The pain will usually be episodic; you'll have a flare-up, then it will get somewhat better over time. Some will be worse than others. I just recently found out my back pain episodes were due to scoliosis, because I did not know I had it until a couple of months ago. Try to figure out what your pain triggers are. Mine seem to be bending over forward, and certain types of chairs and seats. There is even one place now (I will not mention the name) where I refuse to sit down because their chairs hurt my back so badly.

Most scoliosis patients aren't helped all that much by chiropractors, but I've found that it's been the only thing that alleviated most of the pain, at least to the point where I can function again. And if a chiropractor tells you he/she can "cure" scoliosis, run. A reputable one will admit they can't cure scoliosis, but they can help alleviate some of the pinched nerves and/or muscle tension that may be causing pain.

Massage also helps some patients. Again, try to find one that specializes in scoliosis, although they are hard to find.

Hope some of this helps.

[thatrobyn]

Iyengar Yoga

Hey there.

I was also in a terrific amount of pain. I have an S curve which is 57 degrees in the thoracic and in the lumbar spine. Isn't that funny? Somehow my scoliosis is symmetrical. Talk about irony.

Anyhow - because of my lifestyle, active job and really strong desire to avoid surgery at all costs, I have been doing very intensive Iyengar yoga. I am working with a highly trained teacher in theraputic Iyengar yoga and I attend a studio that has all the equipment and props needed to modify yoga poses for someone with our spinal issues. I highly recommend it. My pain has subsided a great deal. As have my breathing difficulties due to compression in the area of my left lung. Not completely, though - I certainly have good days and bad days, but it hasn't been as dibilitating as it was. I've only been at it 5-6 weeks, but have already seen a marked improvement in comfort.

Now, this isn't for everyone. It's definitely intense and it takes a lot of time and energy, but I can tell you it is helping me and I do have faith that this is the right choice for me. Who knows what will happen in the future, but for now, I think I am doing the correct thing. I do have a surgeon/specialist that I do check in with and things are looking good at the moment. I recommend this option if you're looking for an alternative to surgery or simply something to ease pain before surgery. Elise Browning Miller has a great article in Yoga Journal magazine this month which shows many of the poses I do at home.

Whatever choice you make, I wish you the best. This forum is a great place for support and information.

Take care,
Robyn
("S" curve - 57 degrees lumbar and thoracic. No surgery as of 2006)

[Regina Brown]

pain becoming unbearable

Hello to all!
I have been reading your posts about your scoliosis pain becoming unbearable and I sure can relate to what you are saying. I would like to try some of the things that you all were suggesting but the problem for me is that I live in a small area where not much of this is offered or either if it is they don't specialize in scolisios. I have tried the PT too at times and while I was taking it it helped quiet a bit but when I stopped and tried to do normal thing's again,the pain came back. The therapist didn't specialize in scoliosis either.
I have often wondered about trying a chiropractor and see what type of relief I may experience but I have been hesitant that they may injure me or something while trying. Also,on the massages to try,what type of massage would be best for scoliosis? I have thought about the hot stone type but haven't checked into it yet. I am at present taking Trigger Point Injection therapy and have been trying this for quiet awhile now and it helps for a period but OUCH on it sometimes too.LOL A rheumatologist is giving me the treatments now and he is very adamant that I take the treatments for only every few months! I guess it is because of the steriods he gives me. I am just trying to get some info on what I may try other than these trigger point therapies for a change! Anyone ever taken or tried them for your pain? this really IS the place to come for info in dealing with our scoliosis problems! Thanks everyone.