Which doctor should I see for my scoliosis?

August 3, 2013 8:04 AM

I have a slight curvature in my spine however, it seriously put my whole body out of alignment. I discovered my body was misaligned upon looking in a reverse mirrored image of myself when trying on a bathing suit as a 15 year old. I'm much older now, but since the problem was never treated, my skeletal structure is the same, if not worse. This presents a problem in my field of work as a performer. I'm a busty woman with slender hips and because of my bust, its more pronounced. A view of my left side from a third degree angle looks amazing. Looks feminine and tall. However, the view from the right on a third degree angle looks boyish and collapsed. I see pictures of myself performing and it makes me cringe when angles of my right side are taken. My structure look deformed and I feel is limiting my opportunities to go further in my industry. I'm having a hard time deciding which doctor to see since I don't have health insurance. I would really love to correct this problem but I don't know where to start. Please help!
posted by InterestedInKnowing to Health & Fitness (5 answers total)

Well, you need to find out whether it's functional or structural scoliosis. A GP should be able to make that determination for you. Once you have that information, you can determine what are the appropriate next steps to take.
posted by windykites at 8:12 AM on August 3, 2013

Pilates and/or Alexander Technique really help with posture and alignment issues.
posted by Ideefixe at 8:49 AM on August 3, 2013

I'm not sure what options you're considering, but university hospitals typically have "spine clinics" staffed by orthopedic doctors. Orthopedists and neurosurgeons are the two types of specialists who deal with spine issues.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 9:07 AM on August 3, 2013

Best answer: A medical specialist ( M.D.) that is often overlooked is a physiatrist ( note, this is not a misspelling of psychiatrist). These are physicians who specialize in physical and rehabilitation medicine. They provide non surgical treatment and management of skeletal, muscular and neurological problems. The nice thing about a referral to a physiatrist is that it does not make a difference whether it is a functional/muscular/skeletal problem. Good Luck in your pursuit of a solution
posted by rmhsinc at 9:22 AM on August 3, 2013 [1 favorite]

You may want to look into securing health insurance before getting a formal diagnosis. If surgery is recommended for your condition it may cost tens of thousands of dollars and you'll obviously want that to be a covered expense.

Seconding a physiatrist.
posted by PorcineWithMe at 10:01 AM on August 3, 2013