Scoliosis and Osteoporosis

Did you know Osteoporosis is a risk factor for Scoliosis Progression? Typical Scoliosis braces hold the spine out of gravity and have a negative effect on bone density. Bone Density testing is a safe and reliable way to determine if bone density is a risk factor. In the event Osteoporosis, Osteopenia, or low bone density are confirmed, scoliosis bracing can exacerbate your condition. This is one reason scoliosis braces can be ineffective. It’s important to improve your bone density over time, and to use a brace designed to increase the effects of gravity.

Studies have shown that weight bearing exercise can help. The only problem is when you have scoliosis, you don’t bear weight evenly on the spine.
Fortunately the Work of Katarina Schroth introduced us to body poses that do make weight bearing activity effective. Through the use of asymmetric postural loading, Schroth exercises are effective at targeting bone density where it counts.

Other effective means of improving Bone density include whole body vibration. Vibration causes a cellular reaction of the bone building cells called Osteoblasts. These cells are in constant competition with the bone dissolving cells called Osteoclasts. When Osteoclasts are more active than Osteoblasts, the bone becomes less dense. The hormones of our body influence these cells profoundly, consequently these hormones should be checked and encouraged towards normal ranges. In fact, in the case of Estrogen and Testosterone, also known as the sex hormones, directly activate the Osteoblasts, and can be so important in maintaining proper bone density. As we age and the levels of sex hormones decline, thus our bone density is at risk. When bone density declines slightly it’s called Osteopenia. As Osteopenia worsens, it can become osteoporosis.