Question
Can a mild curvature in the spine cause chronic pain for an adult, especially while sitting (pressure on the spinal cord)? I have had several tests done (MRI's, bone scans, ultrasounds, CT scans, bloodwork) for right sided pain, and I am wondering if it may be because of the very mild curvature of my spine. I'm noticing muscle spasms throughout my back, a pulling sensation on my left ribcage at time, and right sided pain. My 10th rib on my right side seems to be "longer" than the other, or perhaps pushed in a tiny bit. The curvature is less than 20 degrees I think. Just curious if any mild curvature of the spine can cause a lot of pain, especially while sitting down (I feel so much pressure on my spine, and it radiates around to my right side) and standing for long periods of time, and the pain worsens with activity. I did have an MRI of my T spine and xrays too, which showed a mild curvature, but the doctors seem to think it's so mild it wouldn't produce any pain for me. Is it correct to think this way? Could one leg longer than the other, or bad posture contribute to a spinal curve? I look forward to your answers, thank you so much!

Answer
Dear Kristy,

It's not the curvature the causes the pain, but the muscular actions that cause the curvature.  Muscles, themselves, get sore and sometimes trap nerves.

The answer is to improve your control of those muscles to the point of being able to relax them, followed by some movement training.

Muscles are controlled by the brain.  Control is learned.  You can retrain your control of those muscles.

I recommend you find a practitioner in the field of somatic education.  A few sessions should be sufficient for you.  The list is found at somatics.com/practitioners.htm.

Articles about the procedure are found at somatics.com/page4.htm.

All of the symptoms you described can be caused by tight muscles.  I'm recommending what I specifically believe to be the most direct approach for you to get relief.

with regard,
Lawrence Gold