On the onset, I want to clarify that I probably have a very mild case of Scoliosis. A normal person will have a S shape curve while I have a zigzag shape or abnormal lateral curvature on my spine. I have been exhibiting symptoms of Scoliosis since I was a child but Scoliosis was masqueraded as poor posture, vanity and uneven leg lengths.
I have started to experience pain in my right knee about two months ago. I cannot do lunges so no warrior pose, I cannot put weight on my right knee cap so no camel pose. It was timeout from yoga and I have not returned to yoga class since then. My GP had advised to rest and to apply ice to reduce the internal swelling on my knee. After three weeks, the pain went away but my bones have the tendency to make cracking sounds and loudly too. I figured I needed to consult a good doctor with background in sports medicine. The doctor has diagnosed me with Scoliosis. I was advised to strengthened my inner thigh muscle of my right leg and to wear orthotics insole for my right foot since one leg is 1/4 inches shorter than the other.
I went to my podiatrist this afternoon to request for a new pair of orthotics insoles with the right side 1/4 inches higher. My last pair was custom made 8 years ago and it is time to get a new pair. When I was lying down on my back, my right leg is shorter. When I sit upright, my left leg is shorter. Doc does not think that it is a good idea to add the extra height to the right insole. My leg lengths is highly dependent on my posture. Scoliosis, you complicate things!
After the human gait analysis, Doc observed that my calves are very tense and suggested stretching them daily. ( Sigh! Besides stretching my arms in the morning, I need to stretch my calves too. I suspect it will take longer to get ready in the morning as I age. Friends, don't bother to plan meet ups in the morning during my golden years) He gave me a small piece of plastic insole to add height to my existing insoles to evaluate if the additional elevation is even necessary. I will check in with him in a week or so.
As a child, I was told to stand properly because I appeared to be standing with one shoulder higher than the other. My friends thought that I was being silly. Also, it didn't help that I was very skinny then and my collar bones stuck out like a cloth hanger with a cloth peg on each side. My skinny structure just made the uneven shoulders more apparent to observers. It did not bother me at all as I just went on with my life. Scoliosis aka uneven shoulders was like an imaginary friend that others noticed from time to time.
I was told by my mum and her apprentices that cutting my hair can be quite a challenge. The comments were always the same—"it is difficult to give you a symmetrical line for your bangs or hair length". Alas, they all caved in despite well intention to give me a nice haircut. It was not because I fidget while getting my haircut. Finally, the truth has surfaced. Scoliosis, you are the cause of the optical illusions suffered by many hairdressers that cut my hair and you deprived me from getting symmetrical bangs!
I have a light bulb moment. I finally realized after all these year why there is always a noticeable asymmetry at the waist line. I can never get skirts or pants to sit straight or should I say aligned with my waistline. The issue wasn't with the skirts nor the pants but Scoliosis. Sigh....
Alright, enough whining from me. I will learn to live in harmony with Scoliosis.
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