21 replies to this topic

[benok]

how do you manage to seat up erect on the wheelchair. I just had my checkup today and the doctor noticed that I already developed mild scoliosis. what will aid me to seat properly and strengthen my trunks...

any body developed scoliosis already?

[ems]

I'm 11 yrs post an I have a slight curve, I dont really think Its something that can be helped as the muscles arent supporting the back.

[Avocado Baby]

 ems, on Oct 30 2008, 09:13 AM, said:

I'm 11 yrs post an I have a slight curve, I dont really think Its something that can be helped as the muscles arent supporting the back.

No, unfortunately, I think ems is right. I'm 27 with Spina Bifida and have kyphoscoliosis. I don't know how it works in the Phllipines but I have an appointment next Friday with an Occuptional Theapist and physio experts to see if there's anything they can give me to hep my posture. I had to push for me and practically refer myself but it was worth it. I don't know if you could try that.

By the way, I belong to a great Scoliosis Support forum www.scoliosis-support.org I don't know whether you're allowed to give other sites out on here so if you're not I'M SORRY!! I'm not suggested you leave Apparelyzed! It rocks!!

Good luck!

[benok]

hi ems and pink,
It is difficult for me to be conscious to "seat straight" all the time. I find myself naturally slouching that presents the mild curve.

I also have the back cushion to rest my spine when I seat at the wheelchair but my body naturally slouches...

[drzonko]

I try to prevent this by doing a wheelchair puch-up and catching the back of my pants on the backrest as I come down. It usually catches and pushes my hips forward. It makes you sit SUPERLY (not a word) proper and drops my BP a bit. Eventually the BP goes back up and actually makes my back feel better '(although my back cushion gets stretched downward). I am 12 years post and do not have any back issues.

c6 but function like a para and have full feeling

[mikeC5/6]

I am 10 months in and was just told I am developing a curve!

[E-DOG]

Try to stay conscious of your posture when ever you're in your chair (no.1)
There are exercizes you can do, in the chair, to help this problem.
Get a big rubberband from a terapist (theraband) tie it somewhere and pull on it. A therapist will show you how
as I can't explain it here (no. 2)

[Stickman]

I have a curve also at the bottom of my spine, kinda curves to the right so that when i stand, my left leg seems longer than the right.

[nomis]

I'm a long time in a chair and a few years back I got warned that my posture was a potential danger. The more effort you put in now the less trouble you'll bring on yourself later.

Check out that you've got the right cushion that's giving you the right support to sit with a reasonably straight back. If you can do it, get a rigid back on your chair such as a Jayor a Jetstream Pro. At first, you'll feel like tipping forward but you soon adapt.

Like E-dog says, stay aware of your posture and make sure you're sitting upright. It's a pain to begin with but it soon becomes easier and no longer a pain

With a rigid back, I now sit much better than I used to but I still have a tendency to slump so have to keep straightening up. Also, when I can I roll onto my front and maybe do a few press-ups on a daily basis - I'm not as regular as I used to be but it's helped my posture and flexibility long-term.

Edited by nomis, 31 October 2008 - 06:01 AM.

[Webwych]

I agree with Nomis - a rigid back is a must. I only discovered recently that 'sling' backs and seats are the worst thing in the world for scoliosis.

I am getting a high rigid back and a cushion with a rigid bottom, but also my seat is going to be tilted back as I have a tendency to fall forward so the theory is gravity will do it's job and push my pelvis right into the back of the seat. The depth of your seat is also important - if it's too shallow you'll have a tendency to fall forward.

[megatrig]

20 years down the road no problems! As regards curvature of the spine!

I sit in a very bucketed chair to give me balance and allow me to push and basically "function" rather than sit not moving but in "the perfect posture" !!!!

A consultant looked at me and said " oh yes these light weight chairs cause all the problems"

I hhave bad spasdm and problems with hip and rib rubbing caused by an operation!! Nothing to do with a chair that means I can do things!

I just couldn't believe his lack of understanding of life in the real world in a wheelchair

Scarily he is a highly regarded rehab consultant too

Oh my ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[E-DOG]

As explained by a Doc at the VA. A para with a high injury, myself and nomis T-4/T5 for example, will naturally develope
a "C" or reverse question mark posture because the lack of back and stomach muscles causes us to compensate for center of gravity, or stability. This makes it exra hard to retain proper posture as we would be going against our body's natural desire to keep itself upright and balanced.
E

[benok]

I started feeling some neck strain probably brought about the same problem of slouching.

[Irenec]

 megatrig, on Oct 31 2008, 02:51 PM, said:

20 years down the road no problems! As regards curvature of the spine!

I sit in a very bucketed chair to give me balance and allow me to push and basically "function" rather than sit not moving but in "the perfect posture" !!!!

A consultant looked at me and said " oh yes these light weight chairs cause all the problems"

I hhave bad spasdm and problems with hip and rib rubbing caused by an operation!! Nothing to do with a chair that means I can do things!

I just couldn't believe his lack of understanding of life in the real world in a wheelchair

Scarily he is a highly regarded rehab consultant too

Oh my ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

hi
Could you please discribe your chair to me.What do you mean by bucketed position?
Which chair and back do you have?
Which make of cushions do you have ?
The physio wants my husband to tilt back more in his chair and look for a new seating system.
At the moment he has a Quicky chair with a hard invacare back (uniback 10).
He uses condom drainage, and knows that if he tilts back this will affect his drainning, and cause more problems.










Irene

Edited by Irenec, 02 November 2008 - 08:45 AM.

[mikeC5/6]

Hey benok I was feeling some neck strain too and a massage therapist worked it out vin one session.. had some serious knots.

[Scooby Gimp]

I was injured at age 22. I am 50 this year and I experience dysthesia from scoliosis but only because I have a left brachial plexus stretch and the right side of my upper body, and my right arm has all the muscles. I have a nice spinal curve to the right after 28 years in the chair so I am conscious to always try to lower my weak left shoulder to keep as straight as possible. More important is laying on your belly or standing to keep your hip flexors stretched. All you can do is minimize the deformities that come with time. Rehab is a daily deal--as is living, loving and learning.

In trust of reason,

The Scoob

[benok]

 Scooby Gimp, on Jan 10 2009, 10:18 PM, said:

More important is laying on your belly or standing to keep your hip flexors stretched. All you can do is minimize the deformities that come with time. Rehab is a daily deal--as is living, loving and learning.

In trust of reason,

The Scoob

Hi scoob,
very timely advise, I was taught at rehab some stretching exercises to counter the "minor" scoliosis I have now. I like the advise you gave about laying on one's belly.

As much as I am able to that, I cannot do it for a long time without being conscious of my colostomy bag. Anyway, I like doing that laying on the belly especially before sleeping at night.

[Webwych]

 benok, on Jan 11 2009, 01:01 PM, said:

I like the advise you gave about laying on one's belly.

Me too! 'but....I have to sleep 10 hours, it's good for my scoliosis!'

Cheers Scooby!

[1heart4u]

I developed scoliosis early, about 6 months post. My PT put wedges under the cushion cover to counter the curve. Then I had my hardware removed and it got worse. My left rib sits on my left pelvic bone. My PT increased the wedges on the right side, so the right hip comes up and the left hip goes down. I am right handed, I lean to the right to do everything, which stretches my right side, which allows the right hip to drop down, the left hip comes up as I sit back up to the left. The muscles are contracted on the left side which has pulled the spine to the left. After visiting Craig Hospital for my 2 year eval, they have told me that "it is what it is" and only surgery/hardware will correct it. The chiropracters say that regular visits will correct the problem The PT says the adjustments in my chair and cushion will help correct the problem.
I guess it depends on who you choose to listen to.
I think being aware of your posture and your movements may help the condition from getting worse.
Good luck to you finding what works best for you

[Webwych]

 1heart4u, on Jan 11 2009, 07:12 PM, said:

I developed scoliosis early, about 6 months post. My PT put wedges under the cushion cover to counter the curve. Then I had my hardware removed and it got worse. My left rib sits on my left pelvic bone. My PT increased the wedges on the right side, so the right hip comes up and the left hip goes down. I am right handed, I lean to the right to do everything, which stretches my right side, which allows the right hip to drop down, the left hip comes up as I sit back up to the left. The muscles are contracted on the left side which has pulled the spine to the left. After visiting Craig Hospital for my 2 year eval, they have told me that "it is what it is" and only surgery/hardware will correct it. The chiropracters say that regular visits will correct the problem The PT says the adjustments in my chair and cushion will help correct the problem.
I guess it depends on who you choose to listen to.
I think being aware of your posture and your movements may help the condition from getting worse.
Good luck to you finding what works best for you

Heart, can you try the chiropractor in conjunction with adjustments to your chair? I would stay away from surgery if you can.

Has anyone suggested or let you try a J2 deep contour cushion? I was experiencing the same effects of scoliosis as you with the rib cage on my right side touching my pelvis. I have had this cushion along with an Axxis back and a slight tilt on my seat for 3 months now and so far it's working out really well for me, so that's something you might want to try.

Gaina

[booklvr45]

 drzonko, on Oct 31 2008, 02:14 AM, said:

I try to prevent this by doing a wheelchair puch-up and catching the back of my pants on the backrest as I come down. It usually catches and pushes my hips forward. It makes you sit SUPERLY (not a word) proper and drops my BP a bit. Eventually the BP goes back up and actually makes my back feel better '(although my back cushion gets stretched downward). I am 12 years post and do not have any back issues.

c6 but function like a para and have full feeling

What therapies, etc. have you used to retain/regain use of your upper body? My mother is a C5-6 quad and has no movement or feeling at all below the sternum, and limited use of her arms. Her hands are completely frozen into fists. She is in constant pain. "Because of her age" (69) drs don't seem interested in continuing therapy or addressing her pain or other medical issues. But 69 is young in my family - Gram is 92 with sisters who are past 100. Mom may have many years left and I want her to be as healthy as possible. Any advice would be appreciated.

[benok]

Hi book, at the moment do manual exercises by moving her arms and extending it. In this way, it does not further athrophy. The best is still to see a physiatrist for consultation.