Scoliosis – 6 Daily Habits to reduce the Scoliosis Pain
By Nmami Agarwal 19-Jun 2021 Reading Time: 6 Mins
Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature in the spine which occurs during growth, just before puberty. This condition is common in adolescents. The main cause behind the development of scoliosis is unknown and doctors are still trying to understand it better. This disorder is more common in girls as compared to boys and is usually diagnosed at a young age. Nutritional deficiency and bad lifestyle habits can also trigger the progression of scoliosis. Consuming a healthy and well-balanced diet rich in nutrients can significantly reduce the development of scoliosis. Here we bring you 6 daily habits that you can inculcate in your routine to decrease scoliosis pain.
- Add in stretches: Scoliosis pain can be managed by adding some daily stretching to your routine. Yoga stretches are effective in reducing the pain, helps in improving spinal health and ease out the other distressing symptoms of scoliosis. You can ask your chiropractor for the yoga poses or you can also start with some basic stretches like forward bend, cat-cow pose, downward-facing dog, mountain pose, bridge pose and many more.
- Fuel your joints: the tight and stiff muscles during scoliosis can cause more pain and distress and therefore fuelling your joints and keeping them warm is extremely important. You can give a warm compress to your muscles with a heat pack to combat this. Also, add omega 3s rich foods to your diet to grease your muscles and to make them less stiff. You can add nuts like walnuts, almonds and natural sources of healthy fats like avocados, olive oil, coconut oil and salmon in your diet to get great quantities of omega 3 fatty acids.
- Incorporate anti-inflammatory foods: Inflammation contributes to the progression of scoliosis. Avoiding junk and fried food, sweets, and soft drinks are necessary. Fruits and green leafy vegetables contain heart-healthy nutrients and also have anti-inflammatory properties and adding 2 servings of fresh fruits and 3 servings of veggies proves beneficial for managing scoliosis as they are full of fibre and vitamins. Add apples, oranges, berries, peaches, pears, and papaya to your diet. You can add fruits to yoghurt and eat it as a healthy snack. Incorporate green leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach, cauliflower, avocado, green peas, and broccoli to provide your body with the right nutrients.
- Supplement your diet with Vitamin D+ calcium: Bone health is compromised due to scoliosis. Strengthening your bones, therefore, becomes a priority for scoliosis patients. Getting the right amount of calcium and free from saturated fats is important. Consumption of vitamin D improves the absorption of calcium in the body. Eggs, fish, and cereal are good sources of vitamin D.
- Modify your sleeping mattress: Resting and sleeping on a firm mattress can help in managing back pain. If you are experiencing morning pain and stiffness in your spine, then try tweaking your mattress. You can also support your lower back by placing small pillows underneath. Experiment with your sleeping position and choose what’s best for you!
- Massage therapy is a must: Massages help in relaxing the tense muscles and ease out the pain. Massage therapy from a certified trainer helps in treating the accurate muscles of your spine that are creating problems. As per the experts, “massage called tapotement uses a special percussive device to help the masseuse deliver an effective treatment for your condition.”
Footnote
Make sure to change your dietary pattern and involve yourself in a healthy and well-balanced diet to ease out the symptoms of scoliosis and to recover faster. Drink more water and lower down your alcohol consumption. Add anti-inflammatory foods to your diet and abide by the above written daily habits for effective results.