Scoliosis

Here are some pictures... Anyone know how many degrees this might be? How much it will progress if it does at all?





http://im g181.imageshack.us/img181/457/08760162pn9. jpg

http://i mg147.imageshack.us/img147/5866/08760161fe 3.jpg

To follow up, you might want to ask your doctor yourself. I do believe that scolosis is progressive, but I'm not sure to what extent. Are you willing to try muscular physical therapy to work on strengthening the muscles on the opposite side of the curve?

I've had scoliosis for almost ten years now, about a 30 degree curve.
The progression of scoliosis, according to my docs (of which I've had a few) depends very much on age. If you've not reached any sort of growth spurt yet, you're more likely to have your curve progress (though at 4 degrees, it won't be much! that's a really normal curvature).
If you have grown, and your bones are pretty much mature, the chances of your curve progressing noticably are slim. Check with your doc to see what he says. He may want to watch it for a couple years to see what happens, but don't get too worried. At 4 degrees, that's all they'll do.

Hey, you should probably ask your doctor yourself. But however I'll tell you what I know out of having a slight scoliosis myself. By looking at your pictures it seems like your curve is towards the lower end of your spine, specially the sacral region. Like katie has said, I think the scoliosis condition would generally progress fast during your growing years. So if you are already past your prime growing years, you probably would have lesser to worry.

My scoliotic pains increase when I lift weights and I've been told that this could prove harmful to me, so I only lift heavy weights only when absolutely inevitable. Other that that, you could make sure that your back muscles don't become weak. After a good amount of research on the net, I am now planning to consult an osteopath. I believe that should help me keep the curve from progressing. You could also consider osteopathy or perhaps yoga. But whichever practice you choose, please do make sure you talk to a physician in the chosen field first.

Lastly, I believe 4 degrees is not a major thing to worry about. At the same time, please be informed that you should not be completely negligent about it. All the best.

Thank you for all of your replies, I will definitely keep an eye on it. I'll try to keep you guys updated as much as possible. It's nice to have a second opinion on things.

Thanks again,
ww09

Your scoliosis is very minor at this time. in order to ensure that the progression is minimal, you need to be sure to get plenty of good exercise, maintain a healthy weight and a strong back. You should try to do stretching and exercise which stretches the concave side of the curve, and strengthens the convex side.

4 degrees is minor. My doctor told me I had about 10 degrees in my lumbar (lower and considered most important column of the spine), and that was the cut off to when it starts to get dangerous. He then showed me this picture of what can occur to people who have spinal problems past 10 degrees, where they surgically removed/or lock up the vertebrae with metal plates. He then told me that daily activities could become quite painful after that because of lack of flexibility in the spine. So I was scared to death and did my very best to maintain my posture. You should check yours as well if you are so concerned, things such as carrying heavy book bags at one side (constantly) can also contribute to spine and posture problems. As these people said as well, strong muscles can also make up for weakness in bones.