DOH: Early detection needed for scoliosis treatment

In observance of the Scoliosis Awareness Month, the Department of Health (DOH) underscored the need for early detection and intervention to treat the sideways curve of the spine before it gets worse.

Scoliosis is a condition where the spine has an abnormal S-shaped or C-shaped curve. It usually affects children aged 10 and older, and often does not show symptoms.

The DOH thus advised the public to immediately consult the nearest healthcare provider if one notices uneven shoulders, waist, and other prominent body parts that sometimes result in discomfort like back pain.

“Sa pamamagitan ng maagang pag-konsulta at screening, pati na rin ang regular na ehersisyo at balanced diet sa tulong ng Pinggang Pinoy, maiiwasan na magkaroon ng malalang sakit,” the agency said.

(Through early consultation and screening, topped with regular exercise and balanced diet with the help of Pinggang Pinoy, severe conditions could be avoided.)

Pinggang Pinoy is a food guide recommended by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology. It recommends having one-fourth of your plate for Go food, another one-fourth for Grow food, and half of your plate for Glow food.

Philippine Orthopedic Center-Spine Surgery Unit medical specialist Dr. Franklin Dizon III said that scoliosis can lead to severe, disabling deformity when left undiagnosed and untreated.

“The actual cause of idiopathic scoliosis is still a mystery and proves to be a problem in terms of prevention,” he said in a Kapihan forum hosted by DOH.

“However, early detection, screening, and treatment significantly improve outcomes. Early intervention can help scoliosis patients live full and active lives, often avoiding the need for surgery to address this painful condition,” he added. —Giselle Ombay/KG, GMA Integrated News