About Scoliosis
Scoliosis (curvature of the spine) affects from two to five percent of the population and usually begins between ages 10 and 12 years. Because it causes no symptoms in its early stages, it is often not obvious to the child who has it. However, because it can cause serious complications if it is allowed to progress or increase, it should be detected early when treatment is the least difficult and the most successful. All children 8 to 12 years old should be examined for scoliosis.
What Causes Scoliosis?
At present, the exact cause of scoliosis is not known. It appears to occur when a child begins to grow quickly in height and the body's balance or straightening mechanism develops too slowly. At this critical time during growth, the spinal balancing or straightening mechanisms just seem to be overwhelmed in some children.
Treatment Options
The treatment of scoliosis has involved a "wait and see" policy because few early treatment options have been available. In the later stages, spinal bracing and surgery are the two most common medical treatments. Chiropractic treatment, however, offers a good alternative in the earlier stages of scoliosis when the disorder is most correctable. Many cases can be stabilized, avoiding the need for bracing or surgery.
Our Treatment Approach
We have successfully treated many cases of scoliosis and helped patients to avoid progressive worsening of the curvature. We provide gentle, painless manipulation to restore proper neurological joint communication combined with “Russian” electrical stimulation to reduce the curvature. We also prescribe a specific exercise protocol to enhance balance and posture and correct the neurological dysfunction that is contributing to this abnormality.
What To Look For To Detect Scoliosis
Indications that scoliosis may be developing are uneven heights of the shoulders, unevenness of the back surface from side to side, or unevenness of the ribs in the front or on the side. All children should have a periodic screening examination for scoliosis, particularly if any of the above indications are observed.
Adult Scoliosis
Adult scoliosis presents a unique problem. Perhaps the most common difficulty adults face with scoliosis is that of back pain. It is both extremely common and difficult to treat in adults. Chiropractic manipulation has been shown to be one of the most effective treatments for pain associated with spinal problems such as scoliosis. It may offer ongoing relief for the disabling pain that can occur in adults with this common problem.
What To Do!
Early detection and treatment of scoliosis is the best way to control this problem, preventing the need for more drastic treatments in many cases. If you already have been diagnosed with scoliosis there are still plenty of good options available to help.