Scoliosis is an extremely common ailment, experienced by millions of Americans. The condition can cause a range of symptoms from mild to severe, but even in mild cases, it can impact your quality of life. So what options do you have for treatment?
While physical therapy and primary care physicians are popular and effective options, more and more are also turning to chiropractic treatment for scoliosis. But can a chiropractor help with scoliosis?
Let’s take a closer look at scoliosis and its causes and symptoms. Then we’ll answer the question, “Does chiropractic help scoliosis?”
What Is Scoliosis?
Scoliosis occurs when your spine develops an unnatural curvature.
Normally, the spine has three gentle back to front curves and forms a gentle S curve as seen from the side. But, in those with scoliosis, there is also at least one lateral (side to side) curve of more than 10 degrees.
This causes the spine to also form a C or S shape when viewed from the back or front. In many people with scoliosis, the hips, waist, and/or shoulders will be uneven as a result.
Scoliosis is often first detected in childhood or adolescence, and if left untreated, will develop into adult scoliosis. In other cases, scoliosis can develop as an adult. Untreated scoliosis can cause issues with balance, reduce height, and cause a variety of health problems.
Varieties of Scoliosis
There are several different types of scoliosis:
- Degenerative scoliosis is scoliosis caused by traumatic injury, spinal injury, osteoporosis, or bone deformities.
- Neuromuscular scoliosis is typically found in those with spina bifida or cerebral palsy, caused by abnormal nerve and muscle development.
- Congenital scoliosis is largely genetic, and is caused by abnormal bone development before birth.
- Idiopathic scoliosis is scoliosis which appears suddenly without any clear cause. It is the most common form, and may have a hereditary component.
Whatever the type of scoliosis, it can cause severe back pain. In addition to pain in your spinal column, the pain can spread out to surrounding areas due to unnatural stretching of muscles and tendons.
Can A Chiropractor Fix Scoliosis?
If you’re wondering, can a chiropractor fix scoliosis? The answer is, not exactly.
The only way to 100% reverse scoliosis is via surgery. But, the good news is that in the vast majority of cases, surgery isn’t necessary. So, they can’t fix it, but can a chiropractor help scoliosis? Yes, absolutely.
Scoliosis chiropractic treatment involves a number of treatment methods designed to relieve scoliosis pain and prevent further worsening of your spinal curvature. This will help you manage your symptoms and enjoy a better quality of life. Even better, chiropractic treatments are non invasive and drug free.
Chiropractic Scoliosis Treatments
Two of the most common treatments are spinal adjustment and flexion distraction.
Spinal adjustment involves short, quick force applied to the joints of the spine to move them back into place. This releases pressure on nerves, increases range of motion, and reduces stress on muscles affected by scoliosis.
Flexion distraction is a therapy which is designed to reverse compression of the discs in your spine by stretching. It works by having you lie down on a special table sometimes called a Hill table. The table then moves your upper body slowly and rhythmically up and down.
This movement stretches out the spine gently and effectively, decreasing the compression of your vertebrae. In doing so, it can greatly relieve the pain caused by scoliosis, which can cause the spine to compress.
Scoliosis is best treated when young to have the most effective treatment. Because of this, you might wonder, can chiropractic help scoliosis in adults? Thankfully, the answer is yes.
While scoliosis treatment is most effective in young bodies that are still developing, you can still find effective scoliosis relief as an adult. For the best results, you’ll want to get regular treatments from your chiropractor.
Get Treatment Today
If you’re living with scoliosis pain, the time is now to seek treatment. As the best chiropractor Colorado Springs, CO has to offer, we’re dedicated to helping our patients find relief. Life without scoliosis pain is possible, and we’re here to help.