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 Project POD: Protect Our Dancers
By Gary Deutchman, MD
How
dance teachers can help screen students for scoliosis
Scoliosis,
an abnormal curvature of the spine, can be distressing to
young dancers, for whom line and unrestricted movement are
essential. As with many disease processes, early detection is
key to a successful treatment outcome. With that in mind, the
Scoliosis Care Foundation (SCF) has launched a nationwide
program to increase awareness of scoliosis in the dance
population. On January 6, 2006, the nonprofit organization
announced an initiative to “Protect Our Dancers,” an effort
that includes educating dance professionals on how to
recognize the early signs of scoliosis.
Scoliosis,
a progressive disorder, begins in adolescence and can
eventually affect heart and lung function, as well as
permanently deform the spine and ribs. Research studies
published in major orthopedic medical journals, such as
SPINE and The New England Journal of Medicine, have
identified dancers (along with certain types of gymnasts) as
being at increased risk of developing scoliosis. This may be
due to the fact that these young people often have a low
percentage of body fat, abnormal or delayed menstrual cycles,
and extreme physical training regimens—all of which are most
commonly seen in those affected by scoliosis.
Acting on
this information, SCF is calling on national dance educator
associations to teach their members how to identify dancers
who may be in the early stages of scoliosis. National Dance
Week, a subsidiary educational program of United Dance
Merchants of America that is dedicated to the advancement of
dance education and concerned with the impact of dance on our
culture, has partnered with SCF to offer a three-hour
certification workshop in identifying the early postural
changes typical of scoliosis. The foundation’s director,
William Lockom, believes that dance educators are well
positioned to identify postural defects because of the amount
of time they spend with their students and their critical
assessments of bodies and how they move. Dance instructors are
often quick to notice the asymmetrical movement and
misalignment that characterizes scoliosis.
It is well
accepted in orthopedic and rehabilitative medicine that early
detection can lead to improved outcomes without the need for
surgery. New procedures, including early-detection diagnostics
and dynamic bracing systems, allow physicians to intervene
much sooner in the disease process, thereby reducing the
chance that a curvature will become large and deforming.
Thirty percent of those that do progress, unfortunately,
require open-back surgery.
What to
look for
Scoliosis
causes a deformation of the trunk called “rib humping,” which
is most visible when the person bends forward at the waist.
One side of the ribcage (typically the right) or lower back
(typically the left) will be noticeably prominent. Other
characteristics to look for are limited range of motion in one
direction; for example, movement may be restricted in lateral
bending or extension to the right. Other common postural
disturbances include a low shoulder and/or a high hip on
opposite sides; these signs often occur simultaneously,
although only one may appear early on. These postural changes
may be transient, but if they are persistent, a referral to a
scoliosis care provider is appropriate.
Treatment
New
scoliosis treatments include a dynamic flexible brace that
makes early intervention more feasible and tolerable. The
newer braces allow for full range of movement and are part of
a comprehensive care program that includes movement retraining
and physiotherapy. Young people no longer have to discontinue
their participation in athletics or the arts; in fact, they
are encouraged to engage in physical activities, including
dance, as part of the rehabilitation process.
To find out
more about how you can become a certified scoliosis screener
or if you have a student who is interested in new treatment
options, contact the Scoliosis Care Foundation at
www.scoliosiscare.org or 800-281-5010, or visit
www.nationaldanceweek.org.
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