Diagnosed With Scoliosis? Here’s What to Do Now

If you’ve just gotten diagnosed with scoliosis, you’re probably feeling a lot of strong emotions. You might feel scared, frustrated, overwhelmed, or even angry. All of those feelings are normal and valid.

But once the shock starts to wear off, you’ll probably start wondering what you’re supposed to do now. Do you need immediate spinal fusion surgery? Should you stop all exercise and physical activities? How are you supposed to protect your spine?

Treating scoliosis can be a complicated process, but you don’t have to do everything right away. Right now, it’s best to focus on the immediate next steps. What are they? Here’s what you need to know.

Step 1: Don’t panic

It’s normal to feel frightened and worry about how scoliosis is going to affect your life. But take some time to process your feelings and encourage yourself.

Scoliosis doesn’t always mean spinal fusion or other types of surgery. There are many conservative treatments, including special exercises and physical therapy, that can be very effective. It’s often best to start there and see how those treatments go. 

You’ve probably got time before you need to decide whether more aggressive treatment is necessary. After all, your curve has likely been undiagnosed for several years, and it hasn’t stopped you from living your life. Now that you know it’s there, you can start finding ways to support your spine and improve your alignment to slow the progression of your condition.

Step 2: Get your medical documents

Your doctor probably took X-rays when they diagnosed you, and it’s important to get a copy of them to share with other healthcare professionals, like a physical therapist or surgeon. If there are other medical reports in your file related to your spine, get copies of those along with your X-rays.

Having your X-rays allows you to learn about your curve. You can see its shape, and your doctor may have also included information about its severity. Scoliosis curves are placed into three categories:

• Mild: curves that are less than 30 degrees

• Moderate: curves that are between 30 degrees and 50 degrees

• Severe: curves that are over 50 degrees

Mild and moderate curves are usually easier to live with and less likely to progress, especially if they’re in the thoracic spine.

Step 3: Make an appointment with an orthopedist

Working with an orthopedist is generally a good idea, especially if you can find someone who has experience with scoliosis patients. A good place to start looking is SRS.org.

They can help you understand your curve better and create a treatment plan. A reputable orthopedist should also be able to refer you to a rehabilitation specialist. 

Step 4: Start working with a physical therapist

It’s a common misconception movement and exercise are dangerous for people with scoliosis. The opposite is actually true — the right exercise program can help you build strength, improve your posture, and stop your curve from progressing. 

The key to exercising with scoliosis is to find someone who understands the condition and can show you how to work out safely without hurting your spine. A physical therapist is a good choice, especially if you can find one who specializes in scoliosis.

Take small steps to manage your scoliosis

If you’ve just gotten diagnosed with scoliosis, it’s normal to feel worried and to wonder what’s next. But really, it’s best to try to avoid panicking and instead start looking for people who specialize in scoliosis, such as an orthopedist and physical therapist.

Here at Strength & Spine, we help people to understand and manage scoliosis. Follow us here, on Instagram, and on YouTube for educational resources and practical tips on caring for your curve.