While poor posture, caused by tech neck or heavy backpacks, may not directly lead to a scoliosis diagnosis, being proactive about your child’s spine health is important to avoid fatigue and muscle pain.
“When we walk, our head and neck should be centered over our hips. With poor posture comes less efficient movement, meaning fatigue may set in earlier,” said Medical Director of Children’s Scoliosis and Spine Program Dr. Dennis Devito. “If you walk or sit bent over, not only are you more likely to tire sooner, but you may develop muscle pain as well.”
Flexibility and core strength are good indicators of a normally developing spine, but if your child is experiencing pain or stiffness, look for signs of scoliosis to determine whether it’s time to seek further testing.
There are six common signs of scoliosis to look for in your child:
- Uneven shoulders and shoulder blades
- Unequal distance between the arms and body when standing
- Uneven hips
- Ribs that are prominent or stick out in one area
- Muscles that are prominent in the lower back or that bulge on one side
- Uneven skin folds at the waist
If you think your child may have scoliosis, talk to your child’s pediatrician and ask about getting a scoliosis screening. Early detection is important. While most kids with scoliosis will not have harmful long-term effects, some cases do result in serious problems later in life if not treated.
Treatment for scoliosis ranges from simply monitoring your child’s spine to wearing a back brace or even corrective surgery in severe cases.
To learn more about scoliosis, visit www.choa.org/spine.
Insight above provided by Dr. Dennis Devito, Medical Director of the Scoliosis and Spine Program at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Disclaimer: This content is general information and is not specific medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns about the health of a child. In case of an urgent concern or emergency, call 911.