A child’s teen years are filled with great change, and it’s normal for them to feel self-conscious of these changes, even when their friends endure many of the same events. When scoliosis adds a non-standard dimension to adolescent changes, the blow to a teen’s self-esteem can be substantial.
The first diagnosis of scoliosis often comes during the teen years. Most cases are mild, and they may not require any treatment. The biggest concern may be how the condition makes you feel about yourself and your body.
Sanjay Khurana, MD, specializes in scoliosis treatment. Even mild cases require monitoring to prevent advancement of spinal curvature. When you’re self-conscious about having scoliosis, a key priority may be stopping the condition from getting worse.
That’s perhaps the first step toward boosting your esteem about the state of your spine. Understanding your condition and how you feel about it can help you to accept yourself and your life with scoliosis.
Simply put, scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine that can be mild or major. You may not develop other symptoms, or it could cause secondary problems with your health. Most cases of scoliosis are idiopathic, meaning the cause isn’t known. Sometimes, it’s a symptom of things like cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy, or it may result from a birth defect, previous surgery, or injury to the spine.
The primary symptoms of scoliosis usually present as lack of symmetry in your body, which includes characteristics like:
You may have no other symptoms related to these curvatures, but it’s common to have back pain problems, especially if your condition is untreated. Severe scoliosis can interfere with normal breathing.
There’s no guarantee that having scoliosis will be a problem for your body image. In fact, studies show that as many as 40% of adolescents diagnosed with spinal curvature weren’t bothered by the condition or its diagnosis.
Many aspects of self-esteem are choices that you make about yourself. Keeping some key points in mind can help you maintain a positive mindset about your body image and the impact the scoliosis has on you.
Think of an actor, athlete or musician you admire and imagine a favorite photograph of them. Chances are, they aren’t standing or sitting with perfect posture, straight shoulders and hips, eyes forward, and chin up. In fact, they’re most likely doing anything except being in a neutral pose. Life is about movement. Recognize that your body has its own flow and makes you unique.
Wear the clothes you want to wear, and be confident with yourself. Everyone has hang ups about their bodies, and they’re likely spending far less time thinking about how you look than they are dealing with their own esteem issues. It might not be easy to do some things because of the mechanics of your body, but talk with Dr. Khurana about what’s possible. Your capabilities might surprise you.
Ultimately, we need the acceptance and approval of only one person — and that’s ourselves. It doesn’t matter what others think, and you have no way of really knowing another’s mind. Your life will have plenty of positive and negative events, and it’s often up to you to determine which. Scoliosis may be one of those events. You can manage it. It’s your choice.
Partnering with a medical professional who can help you with your journey is a great way to build knowledge and keep your esteem in control. Contact Dr. Khurana’s office by phone or online to arrange your consultation today.
