Scoliosis causes the spine to curve to the side and occurs most often in kids just before they hit puberty. Sometimes scoliosis can repair itself over time and other times surgery or a brace is required. If your child was just diagnosed with scoliosis, he may need to change of his lifestyle habits to reduce pain and prevent the condition from progressing. Here are five helpful tips for coping scoliosis:
Tell Your Child Not to Sleep On His Stomach
Your child might enjoy sleeping on his stomach, but he should avoid sleeping this way right now. If he sleeps on his stomach, he can cause the spine to get flatter, worsening the condition. Encourage your child to sleep on his back instead to prevent further problems with his spine.
Avoid Sports
Until scoliosis is completely resolved, it's a wise idea for your child to avoid playing sports. High-contact sports, like football, can be especially dangerous for someone with scoliosis. If your child plays football, he risks spine and other traumatic injuries that can worsen the scoliosis.
Make Sure Your Child's Backpack is Not Too Heavy
Carrying a heavy backpack can compress your child's spine even more, so make sure his backpack is as light as possible. If it is feasible, ask his teachers if they can give your child a separate set of books he can keep at home, so he can avoid carrying them every day in a backpack.
Encourage Your Child to Move Frequently
While it is not good for your child to do anything too strenuous, he should still move around as often as possible throughout the day. If he sits for too long, it stress out the spine. Encourage your child to go for a walk outdoors a few time a day.
Buy Your Child a Good Mattress
If your child has scoliosis, it is even more important for him to sleep on a quality mattress. If his mattress is too soft, it can negatively affect his spine. Look for a mattress that is firm and fits your child's body just right.
Dealing with scoliosis will be difficult for your child at times, but it can be managed. It is important to take your child to the doctor as soon as he shows symptoms of scoliosis. The earlier it gets treated, the better. A doctor, such as C D Denison, will examine your child's spine and determine the appropriate treatment for it.
