X-RAYS OR NO XRAY FOR SCOLIOSIS

Here is a spine with and without scoliosis.

Images are found from the author of blog "To Striaghten The Tree"

The typical spine has space between each vertebrae. X-rays help us define the mobility of the spine. As a spine ages the space between each vertebrae decreases. In a scoliosis spine the edges of the vertebrae begin to contact each other and start changing the shape of the vertebrae.

We call this change in shape wedging, based upon the wedge shape appearance the vertebrae forms into. Without disc space the vertebrae begin to naturally fuse. This makes movements that go opposite the curve painful and risky because it can cause fractures.

If left untreated, as someone ages the degree of scoliosis increases because the curve consistently sits on to one side. As the space between vertebra decrease more and more bone until bone contact occurs and the wedging increases.

Schroth Certified Therapists are trained to assess X-rays to evaluate the potential for mobility exercises and stability exercises to work for a scoliosis spine. It is important to see full body

x-rays to assure we know the extent of disc degeneration in the spine.

X-rays do expose the body to radiation however there are machines that now use 1/10 of the radiation once used before.

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