Scoliosis

Vitamin D Deficiency and Scoliosis

2014-12-03T23:10:00.001+08:00

In this young age, I have diagnosed with osteoporosis. It might sound ridiculous, but this happened to me. I didn't really take the free report I got during my early twenty in a roadshow seriously. But I was aware that my bone density is in low range, and the promoter for the certain milk product told me that it was in the category - osteoporosis. Actually much lower compare to my mum!

Just recently, my scoliosis curve increased after getting another x-ray, the curve worsen. It increased and reached approximated 65 degree. Wow! From original 45 degree and it is now 65 degree, it is totally worsen by 20 degree. Within 20 years the curve worsen 1 degree per year, this is also means that the whole efforts I put in previously was worthless. It was quite depressed and I was advice to undergone surgery during April. The surgery doctor advise is the chances for the degree worsen is obvious, if I reach another 20 years then my curve might reach 85 degree later. This will be dangerous age if I decide to perform operation. I am lost...

I performed another medical checkup provided by my company, the result T-score showed -2.5 to -3.0 indicates osteoporosis of lumbar vertebrae and osteopaenia of the left and right femoral neck. I took this report and showed to my spine surgical doctor whether am I suitable to undergone surgery. He advice me it is better for me to look for another doctor for the bone density check up.

I performed few tests to check for the reasons of osteopaenia, the tests performed are iPTH, TSH, Vitamin D and Urine Creatininie. Finally, the report shown deficiency in vitamin D which affected my absorption for calcium. I was advice to take Vitamin D and calcium nutrition for few months and come back for the check up later.

The second round of my checkup shown improvement in the vitamin D and Calcium intake. I am glad that the result is positive... the whole nutrition course might take one year for observation. I think this is why the whole efforts I put in is not sustainable due to the weak bone I have. Therefore, for those who have the same osteopaenia or osteoporosis problem, kindly get doctor advice for further check up for the reason behind.

Simple Exercises that can Correct Your Scoliosis!

2014-05-31T13:46:00.001+08:00

Normally when the scoliosis curve is more than 40 or 50 degree, Doctor will advice us to go for operation, implant metal to fuse the vertebrae to correct the deformity.

Recently I read an article from China Press newspaper, the Chiropractor mentioned that when a person curve is 50 degrees when standing, but only 20 degrees curve when he/she lays down, operation is not needed. The main reason is his/her bone is lack of strength. Exercise can help in this situation. Only those who has hard bone is advice to go for Chiropractic treatment or adjustment.

There are at least 25 types of scoliosis curve. Try to understand your own scoliosis type first before decided for operation. May be you just need a frequent exercise! The following is two simple exercises you can perform to strengthen your back.

1) Arm Swinging Exercises

It is an easy and simple exercise that you can practice everywhere and anytime without restriction, no equipment needed and you just need to swing your arm and bend down you knee after every 5 times. It has a lots of other benefits also and it is part of the Qi Gong exercise too. Try to practice it everyday and swing your arm for around 200~300 times. Why I recommended this exercise because it is idea to workup your muscles both side. Consistency is a MUST!

2) Lajin Stretch 拉经

La 拉 means to stretch, Jin 经 means a Chinese medical term similar to tendons and ligaments. The following is the steps for Lajin I usually practiced:

You can use two chairs and place them near the wall as showed in the picture below.
Lay down your back, put your arm straight beside your ear and keep flat on the chair. Coordinate your breathing and stretch your arm as much as possible.
Place the right leg up against the wall, while the left leg bends down as much as possible to touch the ground. If can't touch the ground at the beginning, use books to support your left leg.
Press your buttock against the wall and keep the raised leg flat against the wall.
Avoid legs moving outward. Move the inner thighs closer together to increase intensity.
Maintain this position for 10-40 minutes, and then switch your legs.

It might be difficult to have straight leg at the beginning. Practice it daily and stretch your jin just like yoga stretching exercises. For more details, you can read Paida and Lajin Self-Healing by Master Xiao.

Photo source: http://relativehumanity.tieus.com/web/cm/stool01.htm

Scoliosis is a Genetic Condition?

2014-03-16T21:31:00.001+08:00

I happened to read through the "Setting Scoliosis Straight Handbook" published in Scoliosis Research Society (SRS). "What causes scoliosis….carrying a heavy backpack, not drinking enough milk, poor posture? No, scoliosis isn't caused by anything that you did or didn't do. It is a genetic condition." I am quite surprised to read these sentences due to many doctors and publication mentioned that the cause of scoliosis is unknown. Therefore, I decided to do further reading regarding this statement and share with you all. Hope we can learn more on scoliosis matter.

According to News Medical, "a defect in the gene -- known as CHD7 -- leads to the C- and S-shaped curves that characterize scoliosis."

What is CHD7? CHD7 stand for Chromodomain helicase DNA binding protein 7 gene. The CHD7 gene provides instructions for making a protein called chromodomain helicase DNA binding protein 7 and it is critical in many basic functions in the cell. Mutations in CHD7 might cause CHARGE syndrome (coloboma, heart defect, atresia choanae).

In this research, "they found that patients with scoliosis very often had a defect in the gene's non-coding region, meaning that the error did not disrupt production of the CHD7 protein. The researchers speculate that this particular mutation alters the binding of a molecule that controls whether the gene is turned on. In this case, they think the gene is turned off more often than it should be, which reduces the amount of CHD7 protein produced."

It is a bit to technical for me to digest. I hope those who read this article can share and explain more details to us. Thanks.

Reference:
News Medical, 2007, "Scoliosis Gene Found" http://www.news-medical.net/news/2007/06/26/26897.aspx

Do You Have A Longer Left Leg or Right Leg?

2012-12-08T18:00:00.000+08:00

The normal or abnormal position of your pelvis will determine your back bone is either straight or curve. Besides, it will also reflected in your shorten or longer leg either side. For example, people with longer left leg usually their left pelvis is higher and the right side is lower, and vise versa.

According to a statistic studies, people with longer left leg tends to have digestion problem, urinary system and reproductive system related diseases. In contrary, people with longer right leg usually have respiratory and cardiovascular system related problems. This is mainly due to the various spine curvature will oppressed the internal organs and nervous system in the body.

Therefore, it is easy to predict a person health condition by just observing his or her pelvis condition. Hence, which categories do you belong to? Longer left leg or longer right leg?

A Summary Table: Longer Left Leg and Right Leg Related Disease

Reference

Translated from 许美陆，健康养骨力，人类智库

Best Foods for Calcium

2012-11-29T13:01:00.001+08:00

Nearly all literature review indicated that low bone mineral density (BMD) was a generalized phenomenon in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), and 20-38% associated with osteoporosis. "But the causes of osteoporosis or osteopenia in AIS remain undetermined" (Xin et. al., 2008).

Based on the concept of Chinese medicine studies, we need a balance diet in order to take care our bone. The best way will be maintained a vegetarian life style because animal foods belongs to acid foods, and the functions of calcium in our bone is to buffer the excess acid to keep the pH of the blood slightly alkaline. The more acidic food we consumes, the more calcium we need to used to keep our pH alkaline.

Hence, what are the best foods for calcium? I have translated the chart I derived from a Taiwanese author as followings:

Source: 欧阳英，生机食疗DIY大全, Taiwan

Some of the foods might looks alien for you, but we used to have it in our Chinese dishes or herbs.

References

Xin FL, Hai L, Zu DL & Li YD 2008, "Low bone mineral status in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis", Eur Spine J, 17:1431–1440

欧阳英，生机食疗DIY大全, Taiwan

Liver and Gallbladder Flush Method

2012-11-26T18:12:00.002+08:00

Yesterday I have performed another round of liver and gallbladder flush after knowing that the possibility to get recover of my adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Although I felt unwell during the cleansing but if it can help me to recover, why not give it a try! At the end if it can not help to resolve my scoliosis problem, it still can improve my health and vitality.

I have tried two cleansing methods before, one is based on Andreas Moritz method and another method was when I attended a workshop conducted by a Taiwanese's Chinese Doctor Ho Yung Ching. The difference is the products being used in liver and gallbladder flush. But both methods are also effective to flux out the gallstones.

Health kits from Ho's method

For Ho's method, we were given a kits which including nectar enzyme, cleansing enzyme, enzyme, bee pollen and spirulina tablet. For Moritz's method, I prepared 7 litters of organic apple juices and epsom salt (magnesium sulfate). Both methods are using 100% extra virgin olive oil and cool-pressed plus lemon juice, the difference is the capacity.

For my personal experience, Ho's method is low with side effect but more expensive, whereas, Moritz's method had to be caution with few things in mind. First, you need to brush your teeth or rinse it with baking soda after drinking apple juices and epsom salt drink to prevent your teeth got damage by the apple juice's acid.

The epsom salt is with side effect, you have to use it with caution when you are in medical condition such as diabetes and kidney disease. And it is advise by the Moritz to do colon cleansing before and after liver and gallbladder flush. I found it difficult to perform colon hydrotherapy, therefore I substituted it with drinking Kinohimitsu J'pan D'Tox Tea before and after to clean the "mucoid plaque" (some old, gluey, harden wastes in your colon and intestine).

Relations of Liver & Gallbladder Flush with Scoliosis

2012-11-23T13:06:00.001+08:00

You might be wondering what is the relationship between liver & gallbladder flush with scoliosis? Isn't it liver & gallbladder flush related to detoxify? How come it related with scoliosis? You will be surprised to find out their relationship.

At first, I also can't related these two things together. I have done one time of liver & gallbladder flush this year but I do not know how it can help with my scoliosis. I happened to brought and read Andreas Moritz's book on "The Amazing Liver & Gallbladder Flush". In his book, Moritz told us that he suffered from few sickness and one of its are scoliosis. According to him, every time he performed liver and gallbladder flush, his scoliosis got improved and better after 12 times flush.

I was really surprise and eager to know more! And I would like to find out what is the rationale behind? The book is a bit technical, I only can explain what I understand, the rest you can read and understand yourself. But I believe it will be an alternative methods which it can help us.

According Moritz, "good bone health results from the sustained balance between the functions of osteoblast and osteoblast cells. Osteoblast functions as bone-forming cells, whereas osteoclasts are responsible for resorption of bone to maintain optimum shape".


My gallstones for the first flush

Gallstones in the liver will disturbed the bone cells to receive enough nourishment and thus slower the supply production of new bone tissue by osteoblasts. Osteoporosis happened because the growth of new bone cells can not keep pace with the depleted of old cells. Besides, "Rickets and Osteomalacia are diseases that affect the calcification process of bones, where the bones become soft, especially those of the lower limbs, which become bowed by the weight of the body".

Beside, bile is an important element in calcium absorption. Even though you have consumed plenty of calcium in food or through food supplements, the shortage of bile make it unable to absorb calcium effectively. And gallstones in the liver will disturbed bile to work effectively. I am not sure is that most of the scoliosis patients also suffered from low bone density? I not sure others, but I am the one.

If this theory established, then I can understand why the sustainability of my scoliosis treatment is low and will easily back to square. For health purpose, I will try this method and go through this cleansing persistently and will let you know the effect later.

Introduction of Schroth Method

2012-11-19T12:26:00.002+08:00

Schroth method is said to be an effective treatment for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Numerous studies indicated the efficacy of this approach especially in improving the respiratory function, decreased in Cobb angle, pain reduction and cosmetic improvement.

The result of studies done by Weiss and friends was as follows (Fusco et al, 2011):

From the result above, we can observe that not every case was successfully. There have unchanged cases and worsened Cobb degrees. No details are being describe on the worsened case, therefore, I have no idea how many degrees it got worsened.

Schroth method was introduced by Katharina Schroth in 1920. The original concept of the programme was designed for patients with large curvatures exceeding 70° or 80°, especially main thoracic curves. From durations of three months, the inpatient programme was then shortening to six weeks. Whereas, for small and moderate curves, the latest development of ‘New Power Schroth’ as part of the Scoliologic™‘Best Practice’ programme are said to cater to these needs .

Source: Weiss

“The three-dimensional (3D) scoliosis treatment is based on the principles of kinesthetic and sensorimotor, and its goals are to facilitate correction of the asymmetric trunk and posture” (Hennes & Turnbull). The emphasis of Schroth method is on specific postural correction, correction of breathing patterns to correct the collapsed areas of the trunk and correction of postural perception in diary activities maintaining. Mirror monitoring plays an important role in the original Schroth programme, it allows patients to aware of their posture and synchronizing the corrective movement with the visual input.

At the beginning of the treatment, patients will be assessed by physicians using Schroth classification where individual exercise program will be assigned later. Patients will then exercise for 6 to 8 hours a day including individual and group exercise. Massage and psychological counseling is provided, as needed.

Source: Weiss

References:

C Fusco, MD, F Zaina, MD, S Atanasio, PT, M Romano, PT, A Negrini, PT, and S Negrini, MD, 2011, Physical exercises in the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: An updated systematic review, Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 27(1):80–114, Informa Healthcare USA, Inc.

Hennes A & Turnbull D, Rehabilitation in patients with spinal deformities: A description of the Schroth method.

Weiss HR, The method of Katharina Schroth - history, principles and current development, Scoliosis 2011, 6:17, http://www.scoliosisjournal.com/content/6/1/17

Borysov M & Borysov A, 2012, Scoliosis short-term rehabilitation (SSTR) according to ‘Best Practice’ standards - are the results repeatable? http://www.scoliosisjournal.com/content/7/1/1

Things to Avoid When You Have Scoliosis

2012-11-14T16:03:00.000+08:00

It was advised by my Chinese treatment doctor that there are some activities or things we should avoid doing to prevent our scoliosis become worsen. The following advise is as follows:

Wearing high-heels

This is the number one killer for us! Sorry, gals! Although it was sad to hear that, but do you know that wearing high heel shoes can put our posture imbalance. This is the first thing we should avoid to prevent our scoliosis become worsen. I myself had stopped wearing high heels for more than three years when I started my scoliosis treatment.

Cross your legs

Most people like to cross their legs when they sit, where they will lay one of their leg above another. It looks sexier and effeminate. But crossing the legs will cause your hips' alignment running and put pressure to your spine. Other risks link to leg crossing including blood flow poorer, varicose veins formation, and back pain incurred. Although I find it uncomfortable not to crossed my legs, but I overcome it by crossing my feet rather than leg which my doctor told me is ok.

Soft bed and sofa

It is advise to change your soft bed mattress and sofa now if you have scoliosis and back problem. If possible, get yourself to sleep in a wooden bed is the best choice! Why? The hard mattress or bed will keep your center of gravity fixed and your posture will be in a balance state when you sleep. This will also benefit your internal organ to work effectively after a day rest.

Soda drink

I was advised to stop drinking soda in my whole life. Everyone knows soda drink is bad for health and there are many health issues related to it. And the most important reason for scoliosis person to stop it because it is link to osteoporosis.

Animal's Milk

Isn't it milk good for our bone and help to prevent osteoporosis? Yes, but not for animal's milk. The shocking news is drinking animal’s milk does not prevent osteoporosis, in fact it can lead to osteoporosis. For details you can visit my previous write up for the dark side of cow's milk article.

Lifting heavy objects with single hand

I believe everyone know this. Lifting heavy objects with single hand will cause your posture asymmetry. If possible, ask someone help for the heavy objects. If not, the proper way to lift heavy objects is to bend your knees with back straight and lift the object with both hands.

Mind over body

2012-11-07T11:40:00.004+08:00

If you still remember the story of “The Prince and the Statue”, the prince with crooked back once called a most skillful sculptor to make him a straight back's statue of himself. The statue was put at the secret garden where the prince gazed it every morning, every noon and every evening.

Months and years passed, the rumors of the prince's back no longer crooked was spread throughout the country. The rumors came to the prince and he smile, in fact his back had become straight like the statue. It might be a novel and you will say that it wouldn't happen in real world.

But there are many cases that miracle seems to happen in the world. If you have the chance to watch or read "The Secret", you will remember the story of "Morris Goodman", he was paralyzed from neck down after plane crashed. But with strong mind that he believe he could walk again, daily visualization and physical therapy, he was able to walk out from the hospital.

The same go to us, not only we need to undergo physical therapy. But to have a strong MIND is most important for us, and whether do you believe that your back will become straight one day? How strong is your believe? How passion are you towards this? Can you visualize it?

I have observed that I have difficulty to imagine a straight back bone whenever after I watched my figure in the mirror. I tried to eliminate the image of my scoliosis, but it was depth inside my mind. The image is strong and vivid. My emotion go up and down, once I felt merry and passion on my back became more straighten after the treatment, on the other hands, the feeling sunk when you looked at the mirror a few days after.

It is a long fighting journey to be embarked, and I understand. If I can overcome my emotion, this will be the gift for me.

Pendulum dowsing for scoliosis

2012-10-09T12:13:00.000+08:00

Flash back to year 2008, I remember when I attended a neuro linguistic programme (NLP), timeline therapy and hypnotherapy practitioner certificate programme. In one of the session, the master teaches us the art of pendulum dowsing. It is a tactic used to communicate with your subconscious mind, some even said that it will also help us to uncover information thought to be forgotten or unknown. But in our programme, this tactic is mainly used in health and beauty purpose.

According to our master, when we are born, our subconscious mind has a perfect health blueprint, by dowsing with pendulum, we asked our subconscious mind to restore our health according to our perfect health blueprint. I choose my scoliosis matters as the topic and practiced it along with my partners.

A crystal pendulum that I brought online

First, we have a pendulum chart and our DIY pendulum . Then we followed the script to practice.The script looks something like this:

"Sometimes unconscious minds like to give me a signal for "yes" like this. ("Yes" repeat in your mind, and the pendulum will begins moving up and down on the chart along the horizontal line labeled). Now, let's ask the unconscious mind to give you a signal of "No".

1. Do you know what to do to solve the "scoliosis" problem?
2. Is it possible?

3. Is it OK?
4. "Ok, go ahead and solve the problem. Give me a signal for "yes" when you know you have permission.
5. How quickly will you start and finish? ...

I was having trouble getting the pendulum to respond and later the pendulum started to response to our label of "Not Sure". We tried few round but my pendulum refused to say "Yes". At last, my master had to put in more words to convince my subconscious mind the possibility for recovery.

It was a hard process, the same go to our believe system. Ask yourself, do you believe you can recover one day and have a beautiful and straight structure? Going through treatment and exercise is a long process and required our determination. Sometime, I feel doubts and in another second when I see some result I am confident. No matters what, all of us must fight!

Isogai Dynamic Therapy

2012-09-18T15:08:00.000+08:00

I had heard of Isogai therapy from my best friend's father for quite some time, but do not have a chance to explore it further. The only method I known from my friend's father is to tied up my legs whenever possible and especially during sleep. Although it is a simple method, but it required a lot of self-discipline. If you are preserved enough, it will be the simple, good and cheapest method.

Just used three stripes to tied up your leg, it can help to align your unbalance hip and running ligaments

I was eager to practice this method for the beginning, but fail to preserve it at last. But whenever I can remember this method, I will do it. It do provide me a good feeling whenever I done the practice. There are advertisement in newspaper by promoting the Isogai therapy in Malaysia, but most of it are selling the stripes and some products. I didn't spend money on the stripes, rather I DIY for myself by using cloth.

For more details, you can read the book written by Kimiyoshi Isogai and Yoshihito Isogai (1982), Isogai Dynamic Therapy {A Method for Controlling the Health on a Lifelong Basis}

Scoliosis self check

2012-09-12T13:06:00.000+08:00

If I can discover my scoliosis in my early age that will be better for my recovery. If I can practice yoga earlier, that will be great. If I can meet my current Chinese sifu, that will be ... Sometimes, we always have regretted why we cannot be earlier. The problem I believe lied in our knowledge. Therefore, today I wish to share with you the self check on scoliosis. Hope you can recognise the symptoms and start you treatment or rectification earlier.

1. Eyelid
If you noticed my eyelid, my left eye is single-edged eyelid and my right eye tend to be double-edged eyelid. In normal human body, we are symmetric, that means our left and right should be balance. Hence, this is my first sign that indicated my unbalance structure.

2. Feet

In normal circumstance, when you lie down, your feet center line angle should be 60 degree left and right (picture 1). Picture 2 and 3 indicated either front or back displacement.

3. Leg shaped
You can notice that sometimes people tend to have "O" shaped leg and "X" shaped leg, this is another signal you can notice yourself.

This is the basic signals that I like to share, but there are more signals. I hope this can help.

Improvement

2012-09-12T12:12:00.000+08:00


Photo taken 2 weeks after yoga class

It took me months I didn't update my blog and sorry to say that I am not a good blogger. The photo I posted was taken 2 weeks after I practiced yoga. I am happy to see the improvement and currently I still undergone my scoliosis treatment at the Chinese sifu's place.

On last Monday when I went for my treatment, the Chinese sifu mentioned that my improvement was great but the only part I need to workout more is my muscle part. I need to build up my left body muscle in order to lower the right body. It was great news for me which I have spend almost 3 years for the treatment!

He do mentioned that swimming is the best exercise to workout the muscle. I do practiced swimming previously as being told, but unfortunately I stop cause it was hard to find a swimming pool near my area and I am afraid of water also.

Yoga for Scoliosis

2012-05-20T11:46:00.001+08:00

I have stopped my scoliosis treatment for more than half years, one reason is due to busy handling my part-time study and another reason is I am afraid to go through the painful treatment experience. Although my body started to immune with pain when the “sifu” push my bone, but if I can choose, I will try not to undergone the treatment.

For the one and half year’s treatment, I can proudly say that it does have improvement and when I thought this is the time I can stop the treatment process. Thing started to change. The sustainability is had to preserve. Look at my picture below:

I noticed that my right side body’s muscle is stronger and my left side muscle’s is weaker. The consequences, there is a concave shape at the left side of my body. I can feel that my right side body’s muscle keep pulling and this is where I need to strengthen my muscle at my left side before continuing back on my scoliosis treatment.

Therefore I decided to take a yoga class and I have started it for 2 weeks. I can see the improvement in my muscle for the stretching activities. The following picture showed the improvement for the 2 weeks hard work:

I will be going to finish my study soon and then I will started to take time to research on the scoliosis issues. I have to improve my scoliosis and help others to improve theirs as well.

How Wai Tan Kung helps me?

2010-11-12T11:51:00.000+08:00

I have reached 30 year-old and it is normally hard for me to undergo the traditional Chinese Treatment to fix and push my bone back to normal shape. But luckily I have been practicing Wai Tan Kung when I was 25 year-old.

How Wai Tan Kung helps me? A lot of my friends said this is an old men exercise which including my husband who felt shame to join the senior citizen group for the first time. But after a few months, he can see his improvement in his health and then he is more hardworking than me for joining the class. Ha ha...

When we have a "S" shape bone, I noticed that our breath is usually shorter than normally people. I always have difficulty to breath deeper like the flow is not smooth. One way Wai Tan Kung helps me is by activating my "Hsien Tien Chi" (inner enegry) so that it can improve my blood circulation and recharge my impulse.

At first I join Wai Tan Kung is because all my family has been participate and I was the last one to join the troop. My elder brother is the first who practiced it and followed by my parents and second brother. But all my brothers have stopped and my parent is the consistent one who still practice it until now. I am a bite better than my brothers, although I have stop for few years, but I am back beginning this year with my husband.

Wai Tan Kung make my muscle more relax and it make the push and fix process more easily happened. This is mean less pain and suffer I go through. There are a lot of benefits link to Wai Tan Kung, it is said to be able to enhance the functions of internal organs, improve blood circulation, increase stamina, improve balance, enabling one to prolong a healthy and happy life (Chang, 1986).

Therefore, it is strongly recommended young people also join this kind of exercise and enjoy the benefits from younger age.

Scoliosis Surgery: Think carefully

2010-07-30T23:03:00.001+08:00

I always wanted to do something with my scoliosis. But don’t know what actions can be taken except going for surgery. How much does it is cost? I have surveyed and it is cost around $100,000. That’s huge amount of money, I don’t think I can pay it.

Before you decide on surgery, it is advisable to consider all information you get carefully, evaluate them, search for any others alternatives and pick the best decision you can. It is not a joke; it is something related to your life. Therefore, you need to be as caution as possible.

I have been told by a lady that she was regretted to undergo operation to replace her hip with metal which advise by a medical doctor. Now she suffered more pain after the surgery compare previously . She really can feel it when raining days come. She told me that the doctor is unethical; they will push patients for operation although it is not necessary.

There always some dangers of surgery especially doing operation at your spine. I went through some video on the scoliosis surgery, it’s really scared me… thinking of all the pain you need to go through after the surgery (I really give big respect for those who went through).

What’s Wrong with Cow’s Milk?

2010-07-29T23:44:00.000+08:00

We always come across advertisements asking us to drink more cows’ milk to prevent osteoporosis and to protect our bone strength. The facts and figures provided as follows are scary. In US, 10 million individuals suffer from osteoporosis; 18 million have low bone mass; 1150 people are dying every month in UK as a result of hip fractures (National Osteoporosis Society); Malaysian women consume less than 50% of their required calcium needs. (research conducted by UPM and University of Otago, New Zealand).

From young age I am aware of the important of calcium and for that reason I usually consumed more cow’s milk compare to my peer will do. But one things make me curious is why my bone mineral density (BMD) is lower compare to my mum when we went for a free bone mineral density test provided by one of the famous daily milk product?

What’s wrong here? At the age of 23, I accidentally come to a workshop provided a nutrition MLM company. They give me shocking news that by drinking cow’s milk does not prevent osteoporosis, in fact cow’s milk can lead to osteoporosis. According to Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (2005) that “the level of dairy product consumption in the United States is among the highest in the world, and yet osteoporosis and fracture rates are also among the highest”.

Why? Scientists have known that diets that are high in protein cause calcium to be lost through the urine. The fact is cow’s milk is high in protein; it contains 3 times protein much higher than human milk.

All those marketing gimmick have mislead us on the important of drinking cow’s milk. Why can’t they tell us the truth? It is sad to see more and more teenage nowadays are having scoliosis problems compare to previous. Can we do something to fix this?

If you want to know more dark side of milk, you can read "What They Don't Tell You about Milk" published by Consumers Association of Penang".

Law of Attraction

2010-07-28T19:54:00.000+08:00

One of my pictures I put down in my dream board on year 2008 was to have a straight and beautiful back bone (I have pasted it at my study desk's wall). You asked me how I can achieve this dream. I can say I really have no idea. The only things I do are just putting it in my dream list and started to believe I can achieve it one day. I guess this is what calls the law of attraction and I always believe on the power of subconscious mind. This is the secret.

Law of attraction really exists; I have tested it in my area of life. The best proof is I have attracted my husband which I want. How? Very easy… all I do is just list down the feeling I want from my Mr. Right and imagined the happy moments. I still remember I imaged a scenario vividly on what I wanted from my Mr. Right after I broke up with my ex-boyfriend. I want a family man, he will kiss on my forehead every morning before he went for his work (This really happened now after I married on 2009), listen to my words, always care for me… Amazing! Is really happened!

Current I am now undergoing a Chinese traditional scoliosis treatment – bone-setting treatment (Tuina). Before that I have try some other methods like exercise, pendulum, body shaper top garment and physiotherapy (went for the first diagnose, but don't really started it). Thanks to God and thanks to power of attraction.

Good News or Bad News?

2010-07-28T19:39:00.000+08:00

I really don’t take it seriously about scoliosis because doctor has set my mind at rest. But one things upset me was if my parent noticed it earlier, maybe I got the chance to improve and I can wear tight cloth and sleeveless garment. I even afraid to let guys found out that I have such an ugly shape. What happened if they know after getting married, will they dislike me? I have no confident with my appearance and always try to hide my weakness with wide and loose T-shirt.

I was actively playing badminton with my right hand (my right hand is super stronger than my left hand), drink a lot of cow milk to prevent osteoporosis (later I found out drinking cow milk can lead to osteoporosis faster!), sitting with crossed leg often (not encourage), sleep at soft and bad quality mattress, carried heavy things with incorrect posture, wearing high heels and drink carbonated drink. These are the things we should avoid when we have scoliosis.

Until I reached 24, I attended an interview and recruited as one of the bank employee. Before I was formally recruited, I was required to undergo a body check up. I went to the clinic for the entire test and the doctor noticed my scoliosis. She seems very surprised on it and told me that my lung on left side is smaller compare to my right lung; she even told me that my degree of curvature will get worse especially when I have osteoporosis. Then it will threatens the vital organs, especially the lungs and heart.

I told her the report I obtained from the orthopedics doctor previously, there were nothing serious. But the doctor asked me to go and get the support letter from the orthopedics doctor. I was worried on what the doctor told me. In these 9 years, I have notice that my degree of curvature getting worse, mainly I have a lower bone mineral density (BMD) compare to my mum. Another word I have tendency in osteoporosis. What’s happened if I reach menopause stage? These are the questions I afraid of.

45 Degree Curve

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I really don’t know the reason. When I browse on internet regarding the cause of scoliosis, normally the answer I got will be unknown, such case called idiopathic scoliosis. I just remember when I was 15 year-old. My grandmother (now my grandmother had passed away) noticed the abnormal curve with my spine when we visited her. She asked my mum to take me for X-rays. How can I not noticing about my own problem? I really can’t remember. May be it is because I was inferiority, felt myself not beautiful, more masculinity, and seldom wear tight cloth. When I observed myself in the mirror, the front posture is still “presentable”, the back shape is like a big “S” shape where the right muscle coming up and left muscle hiding up.

This picture was taken after I undergone 3 treatments

Finally I got my X-rays done and advised from the orthopedics (bone) doctor in hospital. The doctor told me that the degree of my curvature was 45 degree. He asked me whether I have any difficulty to breath, pain related to scoliosis. I said no. He told me that the cause is inborn, which I might have it when I was infant, but it is unnoticeable. Any treatments to improve the condition? The answer I got from the specialist was to undergo surgery to correct my spine. But it was not advisable, luckily he said that, if not I will probably go for operation. He also told me that I am too old to wear bracing to correct my bone. All I need to do is exercise. I asked him whether the curve will get worse. He said no. This is the advice I got from the orthopedics doctor which was contradicted with one of doctor and sometimes I do feel my curvature got worse due to I have low bone density.

Why I am writing this blog?

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I am currently 30 year-old and undergo scoliosis treatment. Actually scoliosis didn’t cause me any big issues where I don’t feel any chest or back pain, breathing difficulty as others may feel. Haha! I think the biggest problem is I cannot wear bikini. Just joking… But once a while, I felt difficult to breathe when I was sitting too long or playing badminton using my right hand (my muscle is over active in right hand). Other than that I am a normal person. What is scoliosis? Scoliosis three-dimensional deformity of the spine and rib cage and the layman meaning will be it is a medical condition in which a person’s spine is curve from side to side.

This blog is not for me to share with you from medical point of views. It is more on my real experiences which I gone through on my scoliosis treatment. I hope others can contribute their experiences too and at least provide some alternative scoliosis treatment methods others than surgery which I really do not want unless it is really serious. I have spent 15 years sourcing and continue sourcing now. I have found few alternative methods and I felt comfortable about it. I can say I am lucky and thanks to God. I hope this will help others to discover your own treatment method and ways to improve your condition.