CURVES AHEAD: NAVIGATING LIFE WITH SCOLIOSIS
Do you remember when you were in elementary school and had to do screenings for scoliosis? Scoliosis is a common condition found in adolescents between the ages of 10 to 15. In this week’s blog, we are going to talk about scoliosis and give a brief synopsis on how chiropractic can help.
What is Scoliosis?
Before we dive into scoliosis, let’s briefly discuss the two different spinal curvatures.
- Lordosis- A lordotic curvature is a natural inward curve found in the cervical and lumbar spine. It helps the body absorb shock and maintain posture.
- Kyphosis- A kyphotic curvature is a natural outward curve found in the thoracic spine. This curve allows us to stand upright and helps maintain posture and balance.
- When these two spinal curves lose their curve, it is called “hypo”. When the curves are exaggerated, it is called “hyper”. Both conditions negatively impact the spine, cause pain, and apply stress and interference to the spinal cord and nerves.
Scoliosis is a different type of spinal curve that causes the spine to curve sideways. The cause of scoliosis is undetermined, but researchers believe that it could be hereditary. Neuromuscular conditions such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida or muscular dystrophy can cause scoliosis. Scoliosis most often begins in adolescent years, but adults can get it too.
Most cases of scoliosis are mild, but there are severe cases that require further treatment. When a child is diagnosed with scoliosis, the best precaution is to take x-rays often to see the progression of the curve. Most scoliotic curvatures occur on the right side. A left scoliotic curvature is far more dangerous because of heart orientation.
Many children are put in a brace to slow/stop the progression of the curve. The purpose of the brace is to prevent the spine from bending any further. Scoliotic bracing has been studied and argued by many. Some studies show that they are quite effective, and others show little effectiveness, discomfort, and worsening of the spine.
Initial diagnosis often occurs without pain; only noticeable changes in posture and the spinal curve may be present. If a scoliosis worsens over time, it can cause back pain, muscle tightness and nerve interference.
In severe cases, scoliosis can cause difficulty breathing, organ damage, nerve damage or spinal fluid leakage. In severe cases, patients may need to undergo spinal fusion surgery and implant metal braces to hold the spine in place. When this procedure is performed, the patient has permanent loss in range of motion.
What Can Chiropractors Do to Help?
People ask if scoliosis can be reversed. Scoliosis is not a curable condition; however, maintenance and curve reduction can be done. Doing specific core strengthening and stretching protocol helps strengthen the spinal stabilizer muscles and reduces muscle tension. Massage is another great therapy to help reduce muscle tension.
How about routine chiropractic treatment? Patients ask us frequently if chiropractic can treat scoliosis. We help adolescents with scoliosis, and those later in life who have suffered with it. In early stages of scoliosis, we can most certainly prevent the spinal curve from worsening. With each treatment, our goal is to remove nerve interference which further reduces inflammation and muscle tension. This is also a great opportunity to teach adolescents proper biomechanical and ergonomical structure.
For those who have progressive scoliotic curvatures later in life, chiropractic care can be a great benefit too. People ask if their curve will ever return to normal. The answer is no, but slight positive curvature changes can be noted. The overall goal chiropractors try to achieve isn’t curvature changes but rather, pain reduction, nervous system equilibrium and teach patients to accustom to what they have and live a completely normal life.
At our office, we see individuals with scoliosis of all ages. Over the years, we have seen mild scoliosis cases, and we have seen severe cases. Regardless, each patient goes through a vigorous treatment program to remove nerve interference and maintain body homeostasis.
If you have any questions about scoliosis, please call us at (724) 547-3377 and check out our website at www.laurelmountainchiro.com for more content.
Yours In Health,
Brian M. Steinert, DC
Larry E. Wilkins, DC