Scoliosis
Scoliosis is an abnormal lateral (side-to-side) curvature of the spine with rotation
(twisting) of the vertebrae within the curve. It may develop in children, most often
during their teenage years and in older patients who have arthritis. There are different
types of scoliosis. Most of them are painless deformities, but the one that is associated
with back pain is sciatic scoliosis.
Sciatic scoliosis
Sciatic scoliosis is a temporary deformity produced by the protective action of
muscles in cases of sciatica. It is nothing but a muscle spasm which causes a deviation of
the spine to one side which in this condition is in the lumbar region. The underlying
cause in most cases is a prolapsed intervertebral disc impinging upon a lumbar or sacral
nerve.
The abnormal posture is assumed involuntarily in an attempt to reduce as far as
possible the painful pressure upon the nerve. The onset is usually sudden. X-rays can
distinguish this from other congenital forms of scoliosis since unlike other forms of
scoliosis the curvature is not associated with rotation of the vertebrae. Once the
condition causing sciatic pain is treated, the muscle recovers and the scoliosis
disappears. There is NO NEED to treat the scoliosis with braces, corsets or
surgery.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease that gradually weakens bones and causes them to become
porous, brittle and fragile. Left untreated, osteoporosis can progress painlessly until a
bone breaks.