Scoliosis Poster / Brochure

This education poster teaches about a common condition called scoliosis that is often misunderstood. It can be transformed into a brochure, and used in a doctor’s waiting room. The target audience are teenagers as scoliosis typically develops during this age range. I was inspired to create this educational poster as several people in my life, including myself, have this condition.

Poster size: 20×63 in. Text included after poster.

Poster Text:

1. What is scoliosis?

Scoliosis is a lateral (toward the side) curvature in the normally straight vertical line of the spine. When viewed from the side, the spine should show a mild roundness in the upper back and shows a degree of swayback (inward curvature) in the lower back. When a person with a normal spine is viewed from the front or back, the spine appears to be straight. When a person with scoliosis is viewed from the front or back, the spine appears to be curved.

2. Who has it?

People of all ages can have scoliosis. The most common type is idiopathic scoliosis in children age 10 to 12 and in their early teens. This is the time when children are growing fast. Girls are more likely than boys to have this type of scoliosis. This may progress during growth spurt years, but usually will not progress during adulthood.

3. Why is this important?

6 to 9 million people in the United States have scoliosis. The condition, which causes abnormal curving in the spine, is often mistaken for common back pain. If not treated early, scoliosis can cause lifelong pain, decreased mobility and even decreased organ function.

Personal experiences with scoliosis:

“We’re not just making excuses for not being able to do things.”

— Alisha Marusa

“I hate being told, ‘Stand up straight’ or ‘Don’t slouch.’ I can’t help it. It will progress for the worse with time. I also hate that my whole right side is different. I always feel so self conscious.”

— Ella Clolèry

“When I outwardly express any pain, that means it’s already at the point that I can already hardly bear it.”

— Hannah Hippensteel

“People don’t realize just how much scoliosis affects daily life for those who live with it. No one sees it for what it is: a disability. There are times when I have to stop working or driving to calm my body and the spasms and I cry out in pain before I can continue.”

— Jaclyn Christine

4. What causes this?

There are many types and causes of scoliosis, including:

• Congenital scoliosis. Caused by a bone abnormality present at birth.
• Neuromuscular scoliosis. A result of abnormal muscles or nerves.
• Degenerative scoliosis. This may result from traumatic (from an injury or illness) bone collapse, previous major back surgery, or osteoporosis (thinning of the bones).
• Idiopathic scoliosis. The most common type of scoliosis, idiopathic scoliosis, has no specific identifiable cause. There is strong evidence that idiopathic scoliosis is inherited.

5. Do I have it?

Most scoliosis curves are initially detected on school screening exams, by a child’s pediatrician or family doctor, or by a parent. Some clues that a child may have scoliosis include uneven shoulders, a prominent shoulder blade, uneven waist, or leaning to one side. The diagnosis of scoliosis and the determination of the type of scoliosis are then made by a careful bone exam and an X-ray to evaluate the magnitude of the curve.

6. Brace yourself.

Bracing is the usual treatment choice for adolescents who have a spinal curve between 25 degrees to 40 degrees. The purpose of bracing is to halt progression of the curve. It may provide a temporary correction, but usually the curve will assume its original magnitude when bracing is eliminated.

7. Scary Surgery

Those who have curves beyond 40 to 50 degrees are often considered for scoliosis surgery. The goal is to make sure the curve does not get worse, but surgery does not perfectly straighten the spine. Scoliosis surgery usually involves joining the vertebrae together permanently — called spinal fusion.

In young children, another technique that does not involve fusion may be used because fusion stops growth of the fused part of the spine. In this case, a brace must be worn after surgery.

8. Time to Exercise!

Step Down and One Arm Reach

1. With whichever leg appears longer when you lay on your back, step on to a small box or step.
2. Lower the opposite leg down to the floor as you bend into the knee.
3. As you descend, raise the arm on the same side as the lowered leg up as high as possible. For example, if the left foot is lowering to the floor, raise the left arm.
4. Perform two to three sets of five to 10 reps on this side only. Do not perform the exercise on the other side.

Cat Stretch

1. Position yourself on the floor on your hands and knees.
2. Pull your belly in and round your spine, lower back, shoulders, and neck, letting your head drop.

9. Practice Chiropractice

Not only do they work hard to reduce the symptoms caused by altered spinal mechanics, chiropractors do their best to reduce the curve angle. Large studies on the effects of chiropractic for scoliosis have not yet been conducted, but numerous case reports show chiropractic adjustments can significantly reduce the angle of the scoliosis curve.

10. What’s being done?

Researches are looking for the cause of idiopathic scoliosis. They have studied genetics, growth, and changes in the spine, muscles, and nerves. They are studying how different treatments can help straighten the spine or keep curves from getting worse. They are also studying the long-term effects of surgery and of untreated scoliosis.

Many people struggle with scoliosis every day. It is not a disease but a condition. The experience of having scoliosis is different for each individual. Having scoliosis may mean having more difficulty with everyday tasks, but that only means we need to be stronger.