The spinal column is composed of tiny bones called vertebrae that are piled on top of one another to create the back’s natural curves. A flat and slippery substance called intervertebral discs is formed between the vertebrae; they act as shock absorbers and allow your back to flex or bend. The ligaments and muscles that connect the vertebrae enable movement while supporting and stabilising the spine and upper body. These vertebrae line up together and form a spinal canal that holds the nerve roots responsible for carrying information between the brain and muscles.
Your spine is vulnerable to many conditions, and scoliosis is one of the most common conditions that primarily affects children and adolescents. Scoliosis conditions alter the shape of the spine; instead of running straight down from the middle of the back, it forms a sideways curve that looks like a “C” or “S” letter. The scoliosis condition affects both boys and girls equally, but girls are more likely to develop progressively more severe scoliotic curves that require treatment. Scoliosis is not a disease that spreads from one person to another. You had no control over its occurrence. You may develop it anywhere from the top of your neck to the lower back down the spine.
Scoliosis Neck Pain
Adults with spine problems commonly complain of back pain and neck pain. Scoliosis is one of the spine problems that can cause neck pain. Different areas of the body can be affected by scoliosis, and patients can experience pain differently. As stated earlier, every case is unique, as there are several factors that can affect the quality of life of a patient with the scoliosis condition: age of the patient, severity of the condition, type of the condition, and location of the curve.
If the scoliosis condition affects the cervical spine, it is called cervical scoliosis and this form of deformity is extremely rare and neck pain is one of the symptoms. In many cases, scoliosis neck pain is accompanied by a loss of cervical spine motion.
All your body’s systems that run through the spine are connected and managed by the central nervous system, which is responsible for sensations such as pain, numbness, and tingling. As a result, scoliosis can affect these nerves wherever there is significant sudden angular deformity or association with kyphosis.
The effects of scoliosis become more complicated as the condition grows since it affects muscles and ligaments, affecting nerve functions. Due to the effects on the nerves and other body parts, severe cases of scoliosis lead to neurological disorders along with functional problems like respiratory and digestive issues.
Scoliosis refers to a three-dimensional shift in the spine, and it can cause pain in the neck even if it occurs in the thoracic or lumbar spine. It is more common for thoracic curves to cause neck pain than lumbar curves. The more severe the scoliosis is, the more complicated the symptoms become. Patients may suffer a reduction in flexibility or range of motion, which is one of the most prominent signs of severe scoliosis.
The nerves of the cervical spine can be affected by scoliosis, and when it affects them, it can cause various symptoms like numbness in your shoulders, upper limbs, and lower limbs associated with radiating pain in the fingers.
The scoliosis condition alters the natural curve of the spine in humans which often leads to other conditions such as military neck, straight neck, or cervical kyphosis. Additionally, this might result in chronic headaches that originate in the cervical spine as a result of stress and contracted muscles.
So indeed, scoliosis can cause a variety of problems in the upper region of the body associated with the neck, head, shoulders, and arms. In most cases, when people go for treatment, they mostly get treatment for the symptoms rather than the underlying cause. Patients frequently receive treatment to manage pain and alleviate other symptoms but do not receive care for the misalignment caused by the scoliosis condition and loss of the natural curve in their neck.
If the root cause is not treated, the condition and its symptoms will become worse, and patients won’t get the desired treatment outcomes.
Dr. Surya Prakash, Senior Spine Surgeon in Hyderabad, with more than two decades of experience in treating various spinal problems, treats the root cause of the pain and takes proactive measures to correct misalignments or loss of spinal curvature due to scoliosis. His method of treatment is unique and provides patients with long-lasting relief by preventing the progression or deterioration of the condition and other complications that may occur over time.
Book an appointment with the doctor to know more about your spinal problems so that you can get proper treatment in time.
