Scoliosis is a medical condition characterized by an abnormal “S-shaped” or “C-shaped” curvature of the spine. Often diagnosed in prepubescent children and teens, scoliosis is a severe condition that can affect the livelihood of many, leading into adulthood. While traditional treatments frequently require surgery or bracing, chiropractic care offers a holistic and non-invasive spinal correction and management approach.
Many cases of scoliosis are mild, requiring only a few adjustments or spinal decompression therapies from chiropractors. However, if not treated promptly, scoliosis can worsen and affect bodily functions. Here, we will look at the effects of scoliosis and some of the ways chiropractors correct and manage spinal abnormalities.
Understanding the Effects of Scoliosis
While scoliosis can develop at any age, it is most common during adolescence. As adolescent teens experience puberty, their spines change due to growth and development. Cases of scoliosis are typically mild, requiring minimal treatment. However, severe cases can often be disabling, reducing the amount of space in the chest and inhibiting proper lung function.
The exact cause of most cases of scoliosis remains unknown. However, research suggests that genetic factors, muscle imbalances, and neurological disorders may play a role in its development. While mild scoliosis often goes unnoticed, particularly in children and adolescents, it can progress over time, leading to chronic pain, muscle imbalances, and other complications.
Symptoms of Scoliosis
Consulting with a healthcare professional and getting a proper diagnosis for scoliosis is crucial to developing a robust care plan for chiropractic treatment. While many instances of scoliosis remain mild, moderate to severe scoliosis can cause physical and aesthetic complications. Symptoms of moderate to severe scoliosis may include:
- Uneven shoulders
- Uneven waist
- One hip higher than the other
- Unilateral rib cage
- One-sided shoulder blade protrusion
Scoliosis can lead to extreme back pain and breathing problems if left untreated. As spinal curvature affects the body’s musculoskeletal structure, the rib cage may press against the lungs, making breathing difficult.
Seeking Chiropractic Care for Scoliosis
Nearly 3 million people in the U.S. visit chiropractors annually to receive treatment for scoliosis. By addressing the first initial signs of spinal curvature, chiropractors can get ahead by adjusting for spinal misalignments and muscle imbalances before they become debilitating issues. These adjustments can alleviate pain, improve posture, and slow down the overall progression of scoliosis.
Chiropractors utilize various techniques to bring alignment back to the spine and spinal column. A few ways chiropractors treat scoliosis include:
Chiropractic Adjustments: Chiropractors use gentle, precise adjustments to restore proper alignment to the spine. This process is often gradual, requiring a series of smaller adjustments over time to promote long-term spinal health and alignment. Adjustments are the first step in restoring proper spinal alignment, correcting postural issues, and alleviating back pain.
Manual Therapy: Manual therapy uses hands-on techniques such as massage, soft tissue manipulation, and joint mobilization. These techniques release tension, allow blood flow to affected areas, and promote relaxation.
Therapeutic Exercises: Chiropractors can assist with and implement specific exercises into your chiropractic care plan to strengthen the muscle supporting the spine. These exercises improve stability over time and reduce the progression of the curvature. When combined with stretching exercises, therapeutic exercises can be used as a pain management strategy for patients with scoliosis.
The Benefits of Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care offers a non-invasive and holistic approach to managing scoliosis and its associated symptoms. If treated early on, chiropractors can help to slow the progression of scoliosis, minimizing the need for risky surgical procedures or spinal fusions. By treating and addressing spinal misalignments and muscle imbalances, chiropractors can assist with pain alleviation and posture correction, ultimately enhancing the body’s overall spinal and nerve functions.
With pain management and early prevention tactics at the forefront, chiropractic care serves as a drug-free, non-invasive method of healing and therapy. While chiropractic care cannot entirely correct or reverse spinal curvature, it can significantly improve the quality of life for individuals suffering from the effects of scoliosis and promote long-term function and health.
When Should You Seek Care for Scoliosis?
Early intervention and treatment are paramount when it comes to treating scoliosis. As scoliosis develops in young teens or adolescents, taking the right steps toward corrective therapy and rehabilitation ensures they do not experience worsening complications later in life. Before seeking care for scoliosis, consult with your primary care provider and a licensed chiropractor to get insights on what treatments are suitable for your stage of scoliosis.
If you have already been diagnosed with scoliosis, monitor your symptoms over time and take the necessary steps to prevent complications. If you are experiencing pain, muscle stiffness, postural changes, or breathing difficulties, visiting a licensed chiropractor can help you find the right strategies to manage your condition.
Realign Your Spine With Governor’s Park Chiropractic
Chiropractic care unlocks many possibilities for those experiencing the effects of scoliosis. By addressing the underlying causes of spinal misalignments and developing new and tailored solutions to manage pain, Governor’s Park Chiropractic helps patients return to their daily activities pain-free. Our chiropractors offer full-service chiropractic treatment and a personalized approach to meet every patient’s needs. Governor’s Park Chiropractic can help you get realigned for long-term spinal health if you consider chiropractic care for scoliosis management.
We aim to help you achieve and maintain optimal health as comfortably and efficiently as possible. Schedule an appointment with us for any of our three locations in Denver, Wheat Ridge, or Lone Tree by visiting our website or calling (720) 743-3915.
Governor's Park Chiropractic is the Colorado chiropractor team dedicated to helping individuals get out of pain and achieve better health. Offering a range of services and treatment options to meet the specific needs of each patient.