There are several physical signs that may indicate the presence of scoliosis. Because most cases of scoliosis affect the mid-to-upper back (called the thoracic spine), uneven shoulder levels is a common sign. Look in the mirror with your shirt off, relax your arms, and see if your shoulders are uneven.  "Humping" of shoulders blades (one that sticks out more) is also common with thoracic scoliosis. Bend over at the waist with your shirt off and ask a friend or family member to see if one shoulder blade sticks up more. Your ribs may also be distorted due to scoliosis, which can cause your shoulder blades to become distorted as well. Keep in mind that uneven shoulders are also common in certain types of athletes who use primarily one arm all the time, such as tennis players and baseball pitchers. In addition to uneven shoulders, watch for other signs of asymmetry in your body, such as your head being a little off center from your torso or pelvis. Both thoracic and lumbar (lower back) scoliosis causes a crooked posture that can often be seen in how the head is positioned over the rest of the body.  Due to input from the visual center of your brain, your head will normally be completely level, so if it looks like you're leaning to one side or crooked, the problem likely exists in your body (typically your spine). Stand away from the mirror and have a friend or family member take a picture of you in a bathing suit. Look at the picture for any signs of leaning or asymmetry in relation to your head. Scoliosis in the lower thoracic or lumbar regions of the spine invariably affect the balance and symmetry of your pelvis. One side will be raised and look unusually high, which makes your waist uneven. Stand in front of a mirror with just pants or shorts on. Position your hands above your waist on the sides of your hip bones (iliac crests) and see if they are uneven.  Although a crooked upper back with uneven shoulders can often be hidden with clothing, an uneven pelvis/hips is often obvious to onlookers, who might bring your attention to it. An uneven waistline affects how pants sit on your hips, which affects the relative leg lengths of the pants. Thus, people with scoliosis often notice that one pant leg is shorter than the other. Some people even notice that one leg looks longer than the other. Although skin changes don't happen in every case of scoliosis, some people experience skin changes early on in life and then develop scoliosis later on. If the appearance or texture of your skin overlying your spine develops dimples, hairy patches, rough spots and/or color abnormalities, these may be signs of dysraphism, or abnormal development of the spinal cord and nervous system. However, these skin changes usually happen early in life and lead to scoliosis at a young age.  Ask your spouse or friend to examine the skin of your back closely under good light. Have them take a high resolution picture and look at or show it to a dermatologist for a professional opinion. Other causes of similar skin changes on the back can include inflammatory arthritis, an underlying infection, skin cancer from too much sun and hormonal changes. Most people who develop idiopathic scoliosis, which means from unknown cause, don't feel much or any pain associated from the condition. However, between 20-25% of people with idiopathic scoliosis do feel pain, which is often described as a constant ache throughout the day punctuated by bouts of sharp pain with vigorous movements.  Upper or lower back pain that doesn't get better or fade away within a week should be looked at by a health professional. If you also have any of the above-mentioned signs, then scoliosis is a possibility. Manual therapy (chiropractic, physiotherapy, massage) does not make a significant long-term impact on back pain caused by scoliosis. Adult scoliosis caused by degenerative arthritis, tumors, spinal trauma and/or muscular diseases have a much greater incidence of pain compared to idiopathic scoliosis that starts during adolescence.

Summary: Look for uneven shoulders. Watch for a head that's not centered. Assess the symmetry of your hips / pelvis. Consider your history of skin changes. Be alert to constant (chronic) spinal pain.


While bleach is a common laundry-whitening agent, it can react with certain kinds of fabrics and create a yellowish discoloration. It is especially important to avoid using bleach on wrinkle-resistant cotton, polyester, or polyester blends. Instead of trying to brighten up your white shirts with chlorine-based bleach, add 1 cup (about .25 liters) of lemon juice to your wash along with your regular detergent. Wash only white clothes with lemon juice, as it can cause colors to fade. If your white shirts are coming out of the wash with yellow or orange stains or discoloration, iron in your water may be the culprit. Get a home water-hardness testing kit at your local home supply store, or contact a certified water testing lab in your area and find out how to get a sample of your water tested for iron. If you live in the US, visit the EPA’s water lab network website to find an accredited lab in your area: https://www.epa.gov/waterlabnetwork. Iron stains are very difficult to remove from clothing, so the best way to protect your white shirts is to treat your water.  If your tests indicate that your water is high in iron, you may need to install a home water filter or water softening system designed to treat iron-rich water.  If you are not comfortable installing your own water filter or softener, contact a professional plumber. Someone at a certified water testing lab in your area may be able to advise you on the best type of filtration system for your home.

Summary: Minimize your use of bleach. Use lemon juice as a bleach alternative. Check for iron in your water supply. Install a water filtration system if there is iron in your water.


The midnight mass commemorates the birth of Jesus. La Misa del Gallo means “The Rooster Mass” since it is believed the birth of Jesus was first announced by a rooster’s crow. Listen to the boys’ choir perform during the candlelit service. While the mass is held countrywide, the most impressive service is in Montserrat, 60 kilometres (37 mi) outside of Barcelona. The main Christmas meal is usually eaten very late, just before the midnight mass. A common traditional Spanish entree is turkey stuffed with truffles, but coastal regions such as Galicia serve seafood as their main dish. Celebrate with a large dinner. Finish your meal with traditional desserts, like turrónes (candy with almonds and honey), polvorones (almond and cinnamon shortbreads), and Roscón de Reyes (a fruitcake in the shape of a ring). A common saying on Christmas Eve is “esta noche es Nochebuena, y no es noche de dormir,” which translates to “This is the Good Night, therefore it is not meant for sleep.” Many families will sing and dance in the streets and party most of the night, or they will sing carols around the tree at home.
Summary: Attend La Misa del Gallo if you’re religious. Have a feast late in the evening. Sing carols and dance around the Christmas tree.