Scoliosis is a disorder that causes an abnormal curvature of the spine or backbone greater then 10 degrees as shown on an Xray. A curve that is seen from the side in which the spine is bent forward is known as Kyphosis. This is what causes a person to look like they have terrible posture, even when they’re trying not to. Some call this having a “hunchback.” This is often accompanied by stiffness of the back and muscle fatigue.
Another form of Scoliosis is known as lordosis. This is where the spine is bent backward when looked at from the side.
In most cases, Scoliosis is idiopathic, which means the cause is unknown.
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
The reason I chose to Scoliosis for my project is because I am affected by it but don't know very much about it. I was personally diagnosed with Scoliosis in a junior high physical assessment, but nothing was done to correct it. About a decade later a Chiropractor at a health seminar diagnosed me as having Scoliosis with a Forward pelvic tilt. I have tried to improve by staying active and was on a yoga regimen for a little while. Thankfully my condition has not gotten out of hand but I do feel it a challenge to stand at perfect posture for long periods of time and can tend to look like I'm slouching even when I am not.
Etiology
It is a mystery why some people develop scoliosis and some do not. For instance, I have a twin brother who never developed this problem. I sometimes wonder if it was the result of working out with weights incorrectly or perhaps a random sports injury of my youth. According to the National Scoliosis Foundation, there is no known cause of most human spine deformities. There has, however, been research done on certain hormones, like melatonin on the effect of Scoliosis. It has been noted that on research of certain animals, when the pineal gland has been removed scoliosis has been produced. This is very interesting to me because the pineal gland produces melatonin, which is linked to all sorts of things from our circadian rhythms and sleep patterns. Could there be a link between scoliosis and insomnia? Indeed, sleep does seem to be a recurring problem with people that suffer from this disorder, including yours truly.
Signs and Symptoms of Scoliosis
Besides unknown, or "Idiopathic" Scoliosis, which is the most common form, there is also Congenital, Neuromuscular, Postural, and Syndromic.
Congenital Scoliosis just basically means that a person inherited the genes from one of their parents, and were born with it. It is caused by an abnormality of one or more vertebrae when they fail to form properly. This can be seen directly on the X Ray or in the operating room.
Neruormuscular Scoliosis is usually a symptom of another disease which is usually more serious, such as Cerebal Palsey.
Syndromic Scoliosis is more rare and affects people with Marfan's syndrome, which is a genetic disorder of the connective tissue, or Achondoplasia, a syndrome that involves disorder of the bone growth, which is often linked to dwarfism.
Postural Scoliosis is also known as "hysterical Scoliosis" is often the result of a patient trying to recover from pain and so a patient tilts to relieve it. This is a form of the disorder that is temporary and curable. Usually when the pain subsides the Postural Scoliosis dissapears, and is never discernible via XRAy.
Remedies
A doctor in New Zealand by the name of Hans Rudolf Weiss has written about ways of managing and prevention of scoliosis through his physiotherapy rehabilitation program, which I intend to impliment on myself. In terms of prevention, he recommends that children and younger teens do squats, preferably what is known as the "Asian Toilet Squat." He presumes that this could cut down on Scoliosis 7 fold. This is an exercise that performs "pelvic leveling." Odd but true, the countries such as China and Japan, where people have to squat very low for the toilet, there is 7 times lower cases of scoliosis.
It has also been proven that The Alexander Technique has been effective for improving, yet not fully curing scoliosis. Hopefully in conjunction with with medical care, the Alexander Technique gives patients tools to manage and increase the length and balance of postural methods. This in turn relieves compression on discs, nerves and joints throughout the body. Think of a muscle like a rubber band, which can change it’s length and tension. While muscles can habitually shorten and pull asymmetrically on the skeleton, it is possible to educate the muscles to lengthen and thus reduce those pulls on the body. With partial fusion, there is still movement in other areas of the spine, and maximum lengthening can help reduce pain and improve alignment. With a total fusion, the concepts of good use can reduce tension which can cause pain - and increase ease of movement through other joints in the body.


List of Resources
Pilates-pro.com
Getbodysmart.com
Mayoclinic.com
Easyvigour.net.nz

The Progression of Idiopathic Scoliosis under the influence of a Physiotherapy Rehabilitation Program
By Hans Rudolf Weiss

Healthcentral.com

Orthop.washington.edu

Introduction to the three dimensional Scoliosis treatement according to Schroth by Christa Lehnert-Schroth