Non-Surgical Approach to Scoliosis
Scoliosis is from the ancient Greek, ‘Skoliosis’, which means “a bending”.
It is the medical diagnosis given to the curvature of the spine, usually into an “S” or a “C” shaped curvature. Medically the cause is unknown, although it is associated with other conditions, such as cerebral palsy, neurofibromatosis and muscle spasms. There is also a genetic risk factor for those with other affected family members.
I discuss some of the potential factors that may be occurring from the position of the Mind-Body Detective in my BLOG ON SCOLIOSIS. In my work, these are the main factors to address when we are looking for the 'root cause' in terms of the mind-body connection, and are keys to unlocking the disease process in the body.
This is where I can help you, or your child, in addressing scoliosis with a non-surgical approach!
The Mind-Body Detective Approach
In some, the curvature of the spine may be minimal, and may actually stabilise. In others, the degree of curvature can become more severe (measured by the two degrees of flexion measured as a deviation from the straight spinal column), and be ‘unstable’, progressively becoming worse over time.
Again, reasons for the variation in the presentation of scoliosis and its development is unknown in allopathic medicine. However, I suspect that scoliosis which stabilises 'randomly' might actually be the physical result of the individual child/person finding deep, long-term resolutions to the issues that might originally have caused the biological response.
Therefore, those individuals who continue to find themselves in difficult to resolve emotional, or psychological situations, are less likely to resolve their conflicts. The result being that the spinal deviation, due to the weakness of the spine, might remain constant throughout the growing period of the bones (typically through adolescence). In Meta Health, we consider this weakness of the muscular-skeletal system is a result of ongoing 'stress', as perceived by that individual through that particualr body system!
The only allopathic treatments that are available for Scoliosis, are physical interventions - such as ‘bracing’ or surgery, with the treatment provided depending upon the severity and stability of the condition for each individual.
Bracing uses an external structure to support the spine during growth, whereas surgery is the internal application of stabilising metal rods which are drilled into the spine itself (see image below: before and after surgical intervention).
Often, surgery will be avoided for as long as possible, unless the curvature becomes extremely severe.
Surgery is also unlikely to be the preferred solution as a child, and therefore their bones are still 'growing'.
Apart from the ongoing observations of how the scoliosis is developing, there can seem to be little else that an individual, a child, or a family can do to help or support the issue.
However, when we adopt a Meta Health Mind-Body Detective approach - we find that there are possible solutions to the stresses that the individual is experiencing. And suddenly, it becomes possible to engage in changes that can support the Mind-Body Health of the child/individual.
I will work with a young person, 1-to-1 to get to the root of their issue.
I will also incorporate parent and family sessions
to enable a complete set of resources and support for everyone involved.
It is important to remember that everybody has a different experience and stress for their disease.
It is also important to recognise that a child's health can very much affect the dynamics of a whole family, and can make huge impacts on the parents.
Supporting Parents & other Family Members
When my son was diagnosed with Scoliosis, I really wanted him to avoid Surgery, as much as possible.
However, he was a teenager, who had his own thoughts and beliefs (which were different to mine) and he wanted very much to go down the route of allopathic solutions - and chose surgery as his main preference of treatment.
His choice for the treatment of his own body was particularly difficult for me. Emotionally I was worried about his choice, I also had some conflicts around whether I should enforce my beliefs as his parent (and therefore over-ride his personal preferences and beliefs), or whether I should honour and respect those, supporting his choices in a positive and whole-hearted way.
As a mother, who had nearly died through a very 'simple' hospital procedure only ten years earlier, my fears were great. But I had to actively work on facing my own fears and releasing them, and embracing new thoughts and beliefs that would both empower and support my son in his personal choices.
Therefore, sometimes, the Mind-Body "work" that needs to be addressed is on the other members of the family - and not necessarily ONLY on the child / individual experiencing Scoliosis! There may be fears and beliefs harboured by other people - and they can be having a direct effect, not only on the child / individual with scoliosis, but upon the whole family! It also goes without saying, that these types of fears and worries, will also be having a detrimental affect upon the parent (or person having those thoughts and feelings).
As a Meta Health Master Practitioner, I know that there are many people who are looking for alternative ways to address their physical and emotional issues. I have observed that Meta Health is a wonderful way to do that - using it both personally and in my professional practice!
What can we do?
If we can begin the 'mind-body detective' work with the young person/ individual affected with scoliosis early on in the development of the spinal curvature - hopefully, with a consistent approach and through building the awareness that meta health can bring to the individual (and the whole family, if appropriate) we can potentially identify and change the 'stresses' which are manifesting the spinal curvature. (See my upcoming blog on Scoliosis - to be published soon on the Mind Body Detective Blog)
I can support you in identifying the emotional triggers, fears and concerns within members of the whole family.
Together, we can identify potential stress areas that make changes on an individual, or a family dynamics level.
We can explore different ways to incorporate everyones needs and beliefs in a way which identifies, hears and honours the needs of everyone in the family.
We can build a set of 'go to' tools that will provide real-time solutions to emotional stresses and triggers - building personal strength and increasing emotional resilience.
If you would like to discuss how I can help you further, please do reach out and contact me!