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DESCRIPTION:
Scheuermann’s disease, also know as adolescent kyphosis, is a condition related to the curvature of the spine. While the normal curvature of the thoracic, or upper, spine is between 20 and 50 degrees, a curvature of more than 50 degrees constitutes Scheuermann’s disease. During its onset, most often in early to mid-adolescence and most often among boys, the child's posture will change. As the disease progresses, the curve in the back may become exaggerated and the child will look as if he is slouching or is very round shouldered.
How does Scheuermann’s disease develop?
The cause of Scheuermann's disease is unknown, but is thought to be due to a growth abnormality of the vertebrae, in which the growth plate in the front of the vertebrae stops growing while the posterior part of the growth plate continues to grow. Some attribute the disease to trauma to the growing spine or hormonal and nutritional deficiencies. It is also influenced by spinal stability, which in turn is affected by ligament weakness and/or laxity. The spacing between the vertebrae is also affected. Individuals who do not have this condition have relatively uniform and rectangular-shaped spaces between their vertebrae. Individuals with Scheuermann’s disease, on the other hand, have spaces that become wedge-shaped. Scheuermann's disease usually lasts for six months to three years. Once the child stops growing, the spine reverts to its normal shape with normal spacing between the vertebrae. Any long-term effects are usually minimal, and if they do occur, are usually helped with exercises.
What are the symptoms of Scheuermann’s disease?
A child's rounded or hunched over posture is usually the first noted symptom of Scheuermann’s disease. Other symptoms may include an inflexible back deformity, intermittent aching back pain, increased low back pain and tight hamstrings. If the round back deformity is severe, individuals are more likely to experience discomfort or pain along with the deformity as they age.
Conventional medical treatments may help relieve the symptoms of Scheuermann’s disease, but they do not address the root of the problem. By strengthening structural weaknesses in the body, as natural medicine treatments like Prolotherapy do, Scheuermann’s disease may be alleviated permanently.
Discover why we believe that natural medicine treatments are the best way to treat Scheuermann’s disease.
Learn about the treatments for
Scheuermann's Disease
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