In a new study out in the European Spine Journal, researchers observed a significant decrease in the maximum oxygen intake in teenage girls with scoliosis curvatures between 25 and 40 degrees. Girls with a curvature including more than 9 vertebra in the curvature and those girls with a double curve scoliosis also demonstrated a significantly decreased maximal oxygen intake.

This study is very important for a couple of reasons. First, it highlights the importance of physicians needing to treat more than just the scoliosis curvature. In moderate cases like these, it is necessary to help rehabilitate normal breathing function in these patients. Second, this evidence suggests that breathing function is significantly affected by scoliosis curvatures much smaller than previously believed by Western physicians.

 

Source:  Eur Spine J. 2011 Nov 22. [Epub ahead of print]

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Dr. Morningstar
Dr. Morningstar graduated in 2002 from Palmer College in Davenport. He then moved to Grand Blanc, MI and opened his first clinic, the Grand Blanc Spine Center. A year later, he opened his second clinic, the Anchor Bay Spine Center, in New Baltimore, MI. Both of these clinics have now become the Natural Wellness & Pain Relief Centers of Michigan, one of the first multidisciplinary clinics offering comprehensive chiropractic, traditional medicine, pain management, acupuncture, anti-aging medicine, and functional medicine services in Michigan. There he serves as the Director of Chiropractic Services. Dr. Morningstar provides comprehensive chiropractic rehabilitation and functional medicine strategies for complex spine and neurological disorders such as Scoliosis, ADHD, and Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
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