According to American Chiropractic Research, forms of scoliosis affect 7 to 8 million of the USA population. If you have scoliosis or know someone suffering from it, you can understand how hard life can become.
Most individuals have less than 20 degrees of spine curvature, which we can easily treat with careful chiropractic care. Don’t know if you can trust a chiropractor to fix your scoliosis? We get that, but keep reading and you will understand how to find the right Chiropractor to address your specific issue.
Let’s be upfront. You can stop the progression of scoliosis by getting the right chiropractic care. The keyword here is “progression.”
Now, let’s get into the article and discuss everything you need to know about scoliosis and how a chiropractor treats scoliosis.
What is Scoliosis?
Scoliosis is a condition where a spine curves unnaturally; with the typical observation being S or C-shaped curves. It can occur at any age, but we see the most cases just before puberty, especially during growth spurts. This potential deformity is more common in girls than in boys and occurs between 10-16.
A healthy spine appears completely vertical, whereas, with scoliosis, the spine appears curved and severely uneven. This abnormal spinal curvature can occur at any point, putting unwanted stress in the spinal column. The unnatural position of the vertebrae strains your joints, tendons, and muscles.
It also increases the risk of degenerative diseases, which later affect the vital organs of people with scoliosis.
What Are The Signs and Symptoms of Scoliosis?
The symptoms of scoliosis may differ depending on the age group and severity. Following are some of the common symptoms associated with scoliosis:
- Uneven shoulders, waist, or buttocks
- Leg pain and difference in leg length
- Back, joint, or shoulder pain
- Head appears slightly off-center
- Weakness in the spine
- Muscle spasms
- Difficulty breathing
- In severe cases of scoliosis in infants, the risk of heart and lung impairment significantly increases.
What is The Cause of Scoliosis?
According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), about 80% of scoliosis is idiopathic. However, other causes may include spinal disc injury, osteoporosis, or because of hereditary conditions.
What Are the Types of Scoliosis?
We divide scoliosis into two primary categories:
- Structural scoliosis: In this type of scoliosis, the spine‘s structure deforms because of spinal rotation or curves.
- Non-structural scoliosis: In this type, the spine‘s structure remains intact; however, it comprises temporary curves that are fixable. It occurs mostly due to muscle spasms, unequal leg length, or inflammation.
Structural scoliosis is further subdivided into:
- Idiopathic scoliosis: Mostly, scoliosis is idiopathic (Without known cause), and it can get worse with age. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is among the most common type of scoliosis.
- Degenerative or adult scoliosis: Osteoporosis, traumatic accidents that cause bone injury, bone deformation, and spinal surgery can cause secondary scoliosis.
- Neuromuscular or myopathic scoliosis: The abnormal muscle or nerve formation due to muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, and other neuromuscular conditions cause this type of scoliosis.
- Congenital scoliosis: Congenital scoliosis (present at birth) is rare but occurs when spine development is abnormal during fetus growth.
What is the Main Cause of Scoliosis Pain?
In a normal spine, the vertebrae are stacked in a defined manner on top of each other, with a disc of cartilage present in between to provide cushioning. However, in scoliosis, the vertebrae move or tilt to one side, thus affecting the anatomy of the spine. This lateral spine curve causes the vertebrae to rub against each other and causes scoliosis pain.
Does Scoliosis Affect Other Body Organs?
Scoliosis negatively affects the entire skeletal system, brain, and central nervous system. It also affects the body’s normal hormone level, and deplete’s nutritional resources, digestive system, and other major organs, including the heart and lungs.
Does Scoliosis Worsen With Age?
Yes, scoliosis is a progressive condition, so it will get worse with time, especially if left untreated. As scoliosis worsens, it will lead to severe health consequences, including diminished lung and heart capacity, physical disability, and even painful menstruation.
According to a study, about 40% of adult scoliosis worsened with time. There is no specific way to predict the rate of progression; however, adolescents entering puberty have a higher risk of rapid progression.
Is Scoliosis Curable?
Scoliosis is a treatable condition but not curable. Just like chronic health conditions, we can manage scoliosis with chiropractic treatment. You can significantly minimize postural issues with the right chiropractic care and treatment.
How to Diagnose Scoliosis?
A doctor examines the patient‘s spine, ribs, hips, and shoulders to diagnose scoliosis. By using an inclinometer or scoliometer, the doctor will determine the degree of the scoliosis curve. If the curve angle is greater than 10 degrees, then it is a positive diagnosis. A curve greater than 25 to 30 degrees is significant, whereas a curve exceeding 45 to 50 degrees is severe.
If a medical professional diagnoses scoliosis, they will perform imaging scans such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRI scans to assess the curve‘s direction, shape, and extent.
Note: For successful scoliosis treatment, we must diagnose as early as possible.
Chiropractic Treatment for Scoliosis
Here are the three major ways a scoliosis chiropractor helps treat scoliosis.
Manual Adjustments
Chiropractors understand how to work with spine twists and use safe manual adjustment and spinal manipulation to relieve the pressure and stress on muscles and the nervous system. They try to maintain the realignment of the spine that will promote healing.
Massage Therapy For Scoliosis
Chiropractic professionals use massage therapy as it helps the body to readjust. Relieving the stretched and tightened muscles relaxes the mind and overcomes the chronic condition.
A lifestyle that promotes wellness
Chiropractors emphasize improving lifestyle through physical therapy, stretches, and other exercises. These physical activities strengthen the core, restore mobility, and are the best solution for pain treatment.
The Goal of Chiropractic Scoliosis Treatment
The goal of chiropractic care is to stop the progression of scoliosis. Physical therapy lets the body heal naturally and restore its alignment. It prevents the spine curvature from worsening and improves the quality of life. So, if you are looking for a natural and non-invasive way of treating scoliosis, then chiropractic medicine is the best option.
Can Chiropractic Care Help Scoliosis?
Chiropractic care is the most efficient method for scoliosis treatment. It is safe, non-invasive, and a great alternative to prescription and over-the-counter medicines for pain management.
Multiple case studies have proved that scoliosis treatment chiropractic is effective.
Researchers conducted a study to determine the impact of chiropractic scoliosis treatment on patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. For this purpose, they selected 60 patients, and they reported their results under SOSORT Consensus Guidelines. The radiographic images showed that 51.7% of patients achieved curve correction, whereas 38.3% achieved stabilization through chiropractic care.
Is Chiropractic or Physical Therapy Better For Scoliosis?
Scoliosis physical therapy will boost joint mobility and spinal health and strengthen your body for better management of scoliosis symptoms. Not all scoliosis patients require surgery for herniated discs; some can recover through chiropractic care. Here are some Benefits of scoliosis chiropractic care:
– Significant reduction in discomfort and pain
– Improved mobility and flexibility
– Reduction in inflammation
– Increase in everyday activities and improved lifestyle
How Does a Chiropractor Fix Scoliosis?
Doctors of chiropractic have the expertise and the right knowledge to treat musculoskeletal disorders. They focus on maximizing your well-being using no drugs or spinal fusion surgery.
Scoliosis chiropractors deliver a gentle therapy for specific spinal adjustments, joint restrictions, or misalignments, which will improve the overall function of the joints and nervous system. They prescribe rehabilitative postural exercises along with chiropractic adjustments to stabilize the spine muscles and remove pressure from the nervous system.
Can a Scoliosis Chiropractor Straighten Your Spine?
Yes, chiropractors can help in realigning your spine. They can significantly improve the spine curvature, lower back pain, and disability in the scoliosis patient over the long term. A chiropractic adjustment involves the application of high velocity and low amplitude thrust to the misaligned vertebrae.
Chiropractic treatment is a slow process and may take a few weeks to straighten up the back, depending upon severity. When you get help from a chiropractor, they will treat the underlying cause of scoliosis, and you will notice tremendous improvements.
How Often Should You See a Chiropractor For Scoliosis?
The frequency of visiting a chiropractor depends directly upon the severity of symptoms. For some patients, monthly sessions are enough, while for others, weekly chiropractic care is required.
To get the maximum benefit out of chiropractic treatment, it is important that you do your part and do the exercises suggested by the chiropractor.
Your Local Chiropractor in Ventura and Oxnard, California
Whether you have a minor bend or a noticeable curvature in your spine, look for a qualified chiropractor with scoliosis near me. Always look for a doctor with credentials in chiropractic biophysics; otherwise, your scoliosis symptoms will worsen.
The chiropractor specializing in scoliosis will use the right physical therapy to reverse the body’s compensations. A qualified chiropractor starts by performing a complete health history to identify the possible contributing factors of scoliosis.
Are you looking for a chiropractic care clinic for scoliosis? Dr. Osland is an expert in chiropractic biophysics and will perform a thorough spine assessment and give them the best recommendations for scoliosis treatment. Book your appointment with the best chiropractor in Oxnard, California, to get a tailored scoliosis treatment plan.
Reference:
- Morningstar, M. W., Dovorany, B., Stitzel, C. J., & Siddiqui, A. (2017). Chiropractic Rehabilitation for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: End-of-growth and Skeletal Maturity Results. Clinics and Practice, 7(1), 911. https://doi.org/10.4081/cp.2017.911
