Scoliosis

Scoliosis is the lateral curvature of the spine, and it often occurs when you are a child or adolescent. Scoliosis affects 2-3% of the population, and about 90% of scoliosis patients have a curvature of the spine that is not severe enough to require surgery but is extremely painful due to its impact on the anatomy of their body. Some develop disc or joint issues on the spine that wear out with age. 

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Symptoms of Scoliosis

• Curved back

• Uneven shoulders or hips

• One shoulder blade that looks bigger

• Ribs that stick out 

• Low back pain

• Stiffness of the Back

• Numbness in your legs

• Pinched nerves

• Fatigue

• Muscle strain

• Difficulty breathing due to spinal curve

• Chronic back pain

• Muscle spasms

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Types of Scoliosis

• Idiopathic scoliosis: This type of scoliosis has no known cause for a curved spine.

 

• Congenital scoliosis: This type of scoliosis begins when a baby’s back develops after birth, and the tiny bones in the back, called vertebrae, cause the curved spine. The vertebrae can be incomplete or not divide properly, so the spine can curve back and forth between the two sides of the spinal cord. In milder cases, scoliosis is not easily detected by a person or their family, but in children, it is especially important to detect it early when some forms are progressing.

 

• Neuromuscular scoliosis: This is caused by a combination of two diseases: muscle issues and spinal cord injury. The disease damages muscles, so they do not properly support the spine.

 

• Degenerative scoliosis: This type of scoliosis is common in adults and occurs in the lower back. The discs and joints of the spine gradually wear out through the years.

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Severe scoliosis can be debilitating; severe curvatures of the spine can impair the function of the lungs, narrow the space between the breasts and cause chest pain. Increasing curvature of the spine can cause breathing difficulties and reduced lung capacity, as well as pain in the neck, back, legs, arms, and feet.

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Causes

Scoliosis occurs in about one in 10,000 adults and about two in five children, and the spinal malformation gets worse as the child grows. The cause is largely unknown but can be caused by a variety of factors, such as a combination of genetics, and physical activity. Most scoliosis is mild, but some can cause severe pain and even death, especially in older adults. 80% of scoliosis patients do not have an identifiable cause, but some types of scoliosis can be caused by known genetic factors such as neuromuscular conditions, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, congenital disabilities, spinal injuries, tumors, and other genetic conditions.

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What Can Chiropractors Do?

Chiropractors do an excellent job of helping patients with scoliosis and spinal cord injuries rehab their spine. They can help reduce or relieve pain and can also develop an exercise program to strengthen your spinal joints. Many adults with scoliosis find that chiropractors can relieve their pain by reducing the strain on their joints and strengthening their bodies. A chiropractor will perform a full physical examination on all new patients to detect scoliosis and recommend treatments that can help to alleviate or reduce the pain. 

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Why See a Chiropractor?

Chiropractors have access to a wide range of medical information about the disease and how to treat it. They have deep knowledge and understanding of various medical conditions, musculoskeletal issues, and other disorders. They can help new patients identify scoliosis and advise treatments to help alleviate pain and better manage your pain and symptoms. Visit Natural Chiropractic Care to learn more treatments for scoliosis and learn how you can benefit from chiropractic care.