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COMMENTARY ON SCOLIOSIS
Scoliosis is a curvature of
the spinal column. Many cases involve little or no pain, and they
result in only a mild deformity, which may not even be visible to
the untrained eye. However, severe cases can involve a substantial
deformity, and they may seriously endanger the individual's overall
health because of direct pressure on vital organs such as the lungs
and heart.
Modern Medical, Osteopathic and Chiropractic
Explanations of Scoliosis
While the term scoliosis
is specifically defined as any lateral (sideward) deviation from straight
spinal alignment, the term is most commonly used to refer to severe
cases of spinal curvature, which substantially unbalance the trunk
and the body as a whole. The classic picture of a scoliosis sufferer
includes a humped back, with major imbalances between the muscles
on the right and left sides of the trunk. It should also be noted
that the curvature of scoliosis does not occur just in the left-right
plane, but also from back to front. In some cases the most serious
aspect of the curvature is the rotational twisting of the spinal column
toward the front of the body, in which the organs of the chest and/or
abdomen may be affected.
The cases of scoliosis which cause
doctors greatest concern are those which begin in childhood, before
the spinal bones have fully formed and hardened. If a curvature begins
at this time, and progresses (worsens) unchecked, structural changes
can be permanent and deforming. Therefore, while medical doctors,
osteopaths and chiropractors may at times differ from each other (and
among themselves) as to what therapy is best, all agree that progression
of the curve must be well-monitored to assure that the situation is
not worsening. They also agree that cases which continue to worsen
despite treatment may require the use of braces or, in the most extreme
cases, surgery.
Scoliosis is not among the better understood
medical conditions. Most cases are considered "idiopathic," which
means that the cause is unknown. This does not mean that health practitioners
are totally in the dark - it means that although some treatments are
effective, the deeper causes of the condition remain unclear.
Among the causes of non-idiopathic
scoliosis are:
1. Congenital spine deformity
- where the spinal bones are deformed at birth;
2. Muscle Disorders - where severe
muscle imbalances are caused by damage to the nerves that supply them,
as in cerebral palsy and other conditions;
3. Trauma - where the fracture
of a vertebra or deep scarring in muscles (as in burn victims)
has caused the curvature to form.
In evaluating spinal curvature, it is
important to determine whether structural factors elsewhere in the body
may be causing the spine to curve as a compensation. For example, if
one leg is shorter than the other, this creates a situation where the
spine must form a scoliosis in order to create overall equilibrium in
the body. Usually this involves the formation of one curve in the lower
back and another in the upper back. In such cases, it is of great value
to place a lift in the shoe on the short leg side, so that the body
will not need to compensate for the leg inequality by forming the spinal
curvature. Similarly, if there is
a pelvic tilt causing the body to form a compensatory curvature, then
chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation of the pelvic area is needed
to create the necessary, balanced foundation.
Research has shown that in growing children
and adolescents the degree of pressure on the different parts of the
epiphyseal plate (the surface where bone growth takes place) determines
the pace of bone growth. If pressure on all parts of the growth plate
is relatively equal and balanced, the bone of the vertebral body will
grow symmetrically. If pressure is unequal, the bone will likely become
malformed. A malformed spinal bone anywhere in the spine can force the
rest of the bones to compensate and form a curvature.
Therefore, in cases of juvenile scoliosis,
any measures which serve to equalize the pressure on the various parts
of the growth plate will lessen the likelihood of severe permanent curvature.
This can include structural aids such as lifts and braces, where appropriate,
as well as spinal adjustments and manipulations. Electrical stimulation
of muscles at the side of the trunk has also been shown to decrease
scoliosis in some cases, but only when applied on a consistent basis
for a period of months.
The Cayce Readings' Approach to Scoliosis
The scoliosis Circulating File includes readings
given for both children and adults. They make it clear that it is far
better to deal with the condition early rather than waiting until permanent
changes have occurred.
The treatments recommended in the readings
place strong emphasis on the value of spinal manipulation and massage.
Depending on the specific case, manipulation is to be done by a chiropractor,
osteopath or neuropath. (Neuropathy was an early twentieth century hands-on
treatment method which involved tracing by hand the paths of the major
nerves of the body). Cayce sometimes advises manual adjustments at particular
levels of the spine (generally referring to these as "corrections");
while in other instances, he calls for more general relaxing forms of
manipulation and massage.
The spinal levels in need of adjustment vary
according the individual case, but there is a recurrent focus on the
lower back (the coccyx, sacral and lumbar areas). If these readings
are representative of scoliosis cases, one might conclude from the readings
that, at least from a structural point of view, imbalances in the lower
back are crucial in the development of scoliosis. However, manual treatments
called for in the readings are by no means limited to the lower back.
Frequently, there are recommendations to adjust areas in the middle
and upper back (dorsal spine) and the neck. In addition, Cayce often
notes the need to "coordinate" the function of the lower spine with
areas higher up the column.
It is significant that in discussing the use
of osteopathic or chiropractic manipulation for many of the patients
with scoliosis, the readings advise an extended series of treatments,
recognizing that the desired structural shifts could occur only gradually.
There are, for example, treatment plans involving 2-4 visits per week
for periods of six weeks at a time. In some cases, more than one of
these six week periods is necessary. Patience and persistence are required
in cases such as these.
Massage therapy also plays a key role in these
readings, often in combination with chiropractic or osteopathic treatment.
Several different massage oil mixtures are recommended, each formulated
to meet the needs of the individual for whom the reading was given.
Among these are:
- Olive oil and grain alcohol
- Olive oil and myrrh
- Peanut oil
- Mutton tallow with spirits of turpentine and spirits of camphor
- Gasoline with oils of cedar, mustard and sassafras
- Cocoa butter, which followed glycothymoline packs applied to the
spine
Other treatment methods recommended in certain
cases are:
- Low-power electrical stimulation with the Wet Cell Appliance and
the Radioactive Appliance. Unlike most conventional forms of electrical
stimulation, the purpose of these appliances relates to balancing
the body's overall energetic field, rather than strengthening specific
muscles.
- Exercise - stretching exercises done with caution and moderation
- Laxatives - senna, syrup of figs, Castoria.
- Bed rest
- Wearing a support belt for lifting
- Electrical stimulation with the Violet Ray
- Manual manipulation of the pelvic organs to counteract the formation
of adhesions, which could lead to spinal curvature.
- Hot vapor baths
- Spinal surgery (as an option in one case)
One of the most interesting readings on scoliosis
is 4529-1, in which Edgar Cayce elaborates on the process whereby scoliosis
develops. Since the modern medical professions still consider this process
to be idiopathic (cause unknown), the Cayce theory may offer fruitful
ideas for later research, in addition to offering avenues of treatment
not currently in use.
In 4529-1, the readings attribute the origin
of the condition first to poor eliminations, and soon thereafter to
unbalanced nerve impulses in the lower back. A reflex arc is set up
between the organs of elimination and detoxification (kidney, liver
and bowel) and the lower spine. This is called a viscero-somatic reflex.
This nerve reflex in turn causes muscular contractions in the
legs and elsewhere, which eventually lead to the curvature in the lower
back.
This is consistent with the basic theories
of osteopathy and chiropractic, which place strong emphasis on the interplay
between the spine and the internal organs. It offers a reminder to both
doctor and patient that the cause of structural curvature may involve
more than just imbalances in the structure itself. Diet and eliminations
are also worth considering. Since a healthy diet and normal eliminations
are widely recognized as good for the health of every body, this approach
should do no harm, and may have beneficial effects beyond the initial
presenting condition of the spinal curvature.
[NOTE: The above commentary was written by Daniel Redwood, D.C. and
is included in the Circulating File for Scoliosis.]
Note: The above information is not intended for self-diagnosis
or self-treatment. Please consult a qualified health care professional
for assistance in applying the information contained in the Cayce Health
Database. |
From the Edgar Cayce Health Database
