20 Sep How Does a Chiropractor Help to Treat Scoliosis?
The spine is a wondrous structure that enables our bodies to be active and productive. Sometimes, though, the spine curves away from its normal shape and can reduce the quality of life. This condition is known as scoliosis, and it affects about three percent of people. It’s one of the conditions we commonly see, diagnose, and treat at Eastern Oklahoma Chiropractic.
What Causes Scoliosis?
If you have scoliosis, your spine, rather than being straight, becomes abnormally curved in an ‘S’ or ‘C’ shape.
Scoliosis is most often diagnosed in children and adolescents. As a child grows, the curve may become worse. Fortunately, most cases of scoliosis are mild, needing minimal treatment, and affect girls and boys equally. However, girls are more likely than boys to suffer from more rare, severe types of progressive scoliosis that lead to health problems.
Scoliosis is usually considered idiopathic, meaning that there’s no known cause. Other causes include:
- Birth defects impacting the spine
- Spinal infections or injuries
- Neuromuscular disorders like muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy
- Previous surgeries
Adults Can Develop Scoliosis, Too
Although most cases are discovered between ages 10 and 15, sometimes people aren’t diagnosed until adulthood.
More commonly, adults develop a type called degenerative scoliosis. Normal wear and tear, arthritis and osteoporosis can cause joints and spinal discs to degenerate, making the spine weaker. This causes it to move out of normal alignment. Adults often suffer more mobility problems and discomfort from scoliosis than younger people.
Common Symptoms of Scoliosis
Getting early treatment is important. Many schools screen children for scoliosis, and often the signs are visible to others. Parents should check their children for irregularities such as:
- A hip that’s higher than the other
- A protruding shoulder blade
- Shoulders or rib cage that look uneven
- A waist that looks lopsided
- A crooked spine that can be seen when the affected person bends forward
A spinal curve that becomes severe can cause serious health problems, such as pain, limited mobility, and breathing problems from reduced lung capacity. Treatments for advanced scoliosis include braces and sometimes surgery. However, even mild cases need to be monitored to keep track of changes in the curve as the child grows.
Chiropractic Care as Part of Your Scoliosis Treatment Plan
Adults and children with scoliosis, whether mild or severe, benefit from chiropractic treatments as part of their care program.
As an expert in spinal care, your chiropractor diagnoses scoliosis and provides therapies that complement your other medical care in important ways. They’ll advise you on the best ways to move, and provide exercises to strengthen joints. Chiropractic treatments help to improve mobility, core strength, nervous system function, and posture, as well as relieve muscle tension and pain.
Chiropractic care for scoliosis has the advantage of being drug-free and noninvasive as it helps you or your child to relieve symptoms and move forward with a healthy life.
Contact Our Broken Arrow Office to Schedule Your Free Consultation
For safe, natural help to build a healthy spine and body, give Eastern Oklahoma Chiropractic a call today at 918-940-4630.