8 Things You Didn't Know About Scoliosis

June is #ScoliosisAwarenessMonth. Here are some facts about scoliosis that you probably don't know, but really should!

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Scoliosis may sound like a lovely little village in rural Italy, but it is, in fact, a spinal condition that affects roughly 3% of the population. Usually diagnosed between the ages of 10 and 15, scoliosis is what we call it when there's an excessive sideways curve in your spine. Read on to find out more!

1) Got it from the Greeks!

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The word 'scoliosis' dates back to Ancient Greece. It comes from the word 'skoliosis' – literally meaning ‘a bending’. The term was first used by big-time Greek medical legend Hippocrates. Cool, huh?

2) Scoliosis stardom

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If you have been diagnosed with scoliosis you're in pretty good company; Elizabeth Taylor, Kurt Cobain, and Usain Bolt are just a few examples of celebs who had/have scoliosis. While 3% may sound like a low proportion of the population, in medical terms, that actually makes scoliosis fairly common.

3) We're still learning about scoliosis

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The Scoliosis SOS Clinic say that "in approximately 80% of cases, scoliosis is idiopathic" – which basically means that the cause is unknown. Unlike some other spinal conditions, scoliosis doesn't tend to develop solely because of external stress or damage to the back.

4) Scoliosis can run in families...

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While the exact cause of scoliosis usually isn't clear, we do know that there is significant evidence to suggest that this curvature of the spine can run in families. OrthoInfo reports that "approximately 30% of patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis have a family history of the condition".

5) Most of the time, surgery is not required

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Generally speaking, surgery is not required to treat scoliosis; as Britain's National Health Service states, "most adults with scoliosis won't need spinal surgery". Bracing is the most common treatment method when the patient is still growing, and there are specialist clinics that offer non-surgical treatment courses (using stretches and exercises to combat the symptoms of scoliosis).

6) Scoliosis can affect animals, too!

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It's not just humans who can develop scoliosis, oh no. Our animal friends have also been found to develop the same 'S' or 'C' shaped curve in their spine. We told you that heavy rucksack wasn't to blame.

7) Scoliosis doesn't have to impact activity

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Perhaps this is unsurprising since, as mentioned above, Usain Bolt famously has scoliosis, but having a curved spine doesn't need to prevent exercise and activity. Scoliosis SOS recommend preventing back pain through working on "strength and flexibility all the way through your kinetic chain".

8) Everybody is different

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Each individual will experience scoliosis in a unique and individual way. The variables - such as the degree of the curvature, the patient's age, and the symptoms experienced - will all have an impact on that individual person.