According to the Greek definition: It is a "crooked or twisted" spine. There are many forms of scoliosis but this book is written in reference to idiopathic rotatory scoliosis. This form of scoliosis is the most prevalent (85%) that effect society. Modern day medical literature tells us that scoliosis is carried on the X chromosome, thereby comes the term genetic predisposition. This means that mother can give it to both daughter and son and that dad can only give it to the daughter. This explains why girls are effected 9 to 1 over boys. The disease is known to skip a generation or two before showing up.

Scoliosis is believed to effect as much as 4% of the population. Scoliosis is referred to by many as the "silent epidemic".

We know that the spinal curvature rapidly develops between the ages of 11 and 15. The idea that scoliosis stopping at age 18 (skeletal maturity) is not true. Modern research shows progression of spinal curvature continues even into adult hood, just at a slower rate.

The modern day approach has always been to wait and watch as the curve progressed until it reached 38-40 degrees and then do surgery.

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