Keeping Your Child Safe From The Hump Of Scheuermann's Disease
Imagining your child with a debilitating condition, such as a hump back, is heart-breaking. However, it's possible that your child may be affected by back condition called Scheuermann's Disease that will slowly create a hump and an uncomfortable level of back pain. Thankfully it's possible for you and your chiropractor to protect them from this condition.
The Age Of Development
Scheuermann's Disease or kyphosis is a disease caused by wedge-shaped bones in your child's spinal vertebrae. This shape causes the back to curve as it grows, creating a hump or a curved back. It generally starts to develop after the child reaches 10 years of age.
If you're worried about your child developing this condition, you should make sure to get their back checked by a chiropractor regularly. You should also get them checked for scoliosis, as this often occurs with this disease.
The Seriousness Of This Condition
Scheuermann's Disease is not the kind of problem that puts your child's life at risk. However, unchecked progression can cause your child to develop a noticeable hump that will only get larger as they age. Getting rid of this hump or minimizing it's severity is possible if you catch it early and watch for the following symptoms:
- Regular muscle stiffness in the affected area
- Sharp pain that increases during physical activities
- Spasms or cramps
- Lack of balance
- Decreased flexibility
- Redness on the skin of the back
In more serious cases of Scheuermann's Disease, it's possible that the lungs may be compressed. However, even unchecked cases of Scheuermann's rarely reach that kind of severe level.
Chiropractic Treatment Is Possible
Scheuermann's is a degenerative conditioning, meaning that it will get worse as your child grows. As a result, it's necessary to start treatment of this condition as soon as possible. A skilled chiropractor will go through a three-stage treatment process that will help slow its spread:
- Pain relief by utilizing ice, massage, and muscle release techniques
- Adjusting the spine afflicted by Scheuermann's (the thoracic area) to help restore a full range of motion
- Performing core exercises and stretches to help maintain the function of the affected spinal area and keep the condition from regressing
By following this treatment plan, you can help decrease the severity of this disease and help your child live a normal life. While this condition never truly goes away, it can be managed over a lifetime to avoid a serious hump and damaging back pain. And by getting your child started young on these treatments, you can help them get into the habit of regularly attending the chiropractor, such as Gerleman Chiropractic Office, and getting the adjustments they need to be happy and healthy.