You may be familiar with the term scoliosis, but you may not know exactly what it means. Your "everyday" back pain that you think is common may actually be something more serious. Luckily, there are subtle warning signs that you have scoliosis and should see a doctor.
According to Medical News Today, some scoliosis causes include neuromuscular conditions, leg length, and poor posture. There are also additional visible scoliosis signs regarding your spine itself. According to the Scoliosis Research Society, people with scoliosis have a spine resembling the shape of an "S" or a "C" rather than a straight line.
However, there's no need to stress too much over a possible diagnosis. In an interview with Health Essentials, spine surgeon Dr. Douglas Orr said that many people with scoliosis can manage their symptoms well without surgery.
And although you may be frightened of the diagnosis of this condition, it's fairly common, so you're not alone in coping with it. To calm your nerves ever more so, according to Virginia Spine Institute, there's approximately 7,000,000 million people in the United States who have scoliosis.
There are plenty of tips for you to follow if you are concerned that you have a back condition. Here are some subtle warning signs that you have scoliosis.
1
You Have Uneven Shoulders
According to Mayo Clinic, symptoms of scoliosis include having uneven shoulders. If you're concerned that your shoulders may be off balance, you may decide to consult a friend or family member for confirmation before heading to your doctor.
2
Your Clothes Hang Awkwardly
According to Spine-Health, if your clothes fit awkwardly or unevenly, it may be an early sign of scoliosis. If it's a quick fix of a blouse, let it be. But if you notice a trend, it may be time to seek a diagnosis.
3
Your Body Tilts More To One Side
According to Treating Scoliosis, pay attention to your posture to see if your body tilts more to one side when evaluating if you have a back condition. The site noted that this tilt, along with other visible symptoms could be the early stages of mild idiopathic scoliosis.
4
You Notice A Rib Prominence
According to Spine Universe, a rib prominence may be apparent in adults who have scoliosis. Whether it's just your posture, or something more serious, it's safer to get checked by your doctor.
5
You Experience Back Pain
According to chiropractic Dr. Josh Axe's website, up to 90 percent of scoliosis patients report feeling pain. Whether you have scoliosis or not, reporting consistent back pain to your doctor is imperative.
6
You See A Visible Spine Curve
According to RX List, if you or someone notices your spine is curved, you may have scoliosis. The site further noted that a spine curvature can be a mild change, and that your friends or family may notice the curvature first.
7
You Experience Shortness Of Breath
According to Spine Center, people with scoliosis may experience shortness of breath due to the effect on lung function. Spine Center noted that both adult idiopathic scoliosis and adult degenerative scoliosis develop over a period of time.
