October 2022

Nutrition and your spine

Scoliosis is like a seed. It sometimes lies dormant for a person’s entire life and no one ever knows but, occasionally, without provocation, this little genetic error can develop into a full-blown failure of the spine to be able to hold its alignment. Science still does not have any answers, but they are getting closer.

Some conditions still elude researchers, but evidence is increasing on how important nutrition is to our growth and whether the scoliosis gene ends up being expressed.

Although poor nutrition doesn’t cause idiopathic scoliosis, recent studies have determined that in those individuals who carry the scoliosis genes, specific nutritional imbalances can impact how the brain and muscles talk to one another and thereby affect whether a curve develops or progresses.

The brain sends and receives signals from the muscles through chemicals that control the flow of communication. These are called neurotransmitters. When a child’s brain chemicals or hormones are out of balance, these messages can become delayed, blocked or accelerated. This can lead to the inability for the brain to realize when the child’s spine is out of alignment and therefore send no messages to correct it. Studies have linked certain hormone deficiencies with scoliosis progression including:

Serotonin, Melatonin, Calmodulin, Leptin or/and Growth hormones

By correcting these imbalances, the pathways of communication can be improved between the brain and muscles. Hopefully, by improving a child’s nutritional supplementation in conjunction with proper exercises and postures, their scoliosis can be arrested and alignment restored.

Nutrition that can often be missing for children that are at risk for scoliosis are rich in certain amino acids or enzymes. Doctors also recommend avoiding foods that cause inflammation or deprive bones and muscles of essential nutrients.

Healthy foods to include:

– Vitamin D3

– Fresh fruits, vegetables and organic meats

Foods to avoid:

– Pork

– Alcohol

– White flour

– Soda (both regular and diet)

– All soy products and corn syrup

– Coffee and tea (herbal teas are fine)

– Sugar, artificial sweeteners (consider Stevia instead) and chocolate (small amounts of dark chocolate are allowed)

– Salt (unless it’s sea salt in moderate amounts) and greasy or fried foods

– Packaged lunch meats, MSG and other nutritional depleted additives

Good nutrition and proper exercise can have a big impact on scoliosis treatment. Successful, long-term healing will be determined by the brain and body’s ability to provide the spinal muscles with the proper nutrition it needs to support the muscles. Good neurotransmitter levels allow patients to make progress without depleting their system. The Schroth Method in conjunction with good nutritional support can better guide patients in their healing journey. For more information, call ScolioAustin to set up your free initial consultation. Let us help you take the worry and unknown out of your child’s diagnosis.