Scoliosis is a condition that causes an abnormal curve in the spine and usually develops in children during puberty. It affects about three per cent of the population, and when treated early – sometimes with a scoliosis brace or exercises for scoliosis – it can be completely corrected and won’t affect a person’s day-to-day life long term.
Of course, any condition that occurs in children is concerning for parents. As chiropractors, we can help provide relief for common symptoms of scoliosis, like back pain, poor posture and reduced range of movement. We provide non-invasive solutions to help improve a curve in the spine caused by scoliosis.
Our work diagnoses and treats diseases of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems, using non-invasive, natural therapies. We use our hands and other tools to support a straight spine, provide relief from scoliosis pain and improve range of movement.
What is scoliosis?
A healthy spine naturally has three curves; at the top, middle and bottom of the spine creating an ‘S’ shape when you look at the spine from side-on. When you look at a healthy spine from behind, it will look straight. When you look at someone’s spine with scoliosis their spine curves sideways. It will also twist, causing one side of a person’s body to be more prominent than the other; their ribs might stick out or their shoulders will appear uneven.
Scoliosis usually develops in the later stages of puberty and it is not known exactly what causes it. It is thought that sometimes scoliosis is caused by a disease like osteoarthritis or muscle spasms, but more often than not the cause is unknown.
What are the symptoms?
Scoliosis symptoms vary greatly. Some people with scoliosis have no symptoms and need no treatment at all. Most children’s scoliosis symptoms start mild and may get worse as the child grows.
Some of the most common visible symptoms of scoliosis are:
- A lean to a child’s posture
- Ribs that stick out
- Protruding shoulder blades
- Poor posture overall
- Tilted shoulder blades and a raised hip
Physical symptoms of scoliosis include:
- Back pain
- Muscle spasms
- Reduced mobility
If left untreated, scoliosis can lead to constant back pain, issues with the heart and lungs caused by deformed ribs and breathing difficulties.
What are common treatment options?
Scoliosis occurs most commonly in children approaching puberty and treatment depends on the severity of the curve. If your child has mild scoliosis, then the best-suggested approach is to regularly monitor the curve to see if it’s getting worse. Scoliosis is more likely to get worse for girls than boys.
Scoliosis brace
A scoliosis brace helps to straighten the spine. It’s worn around the torso like a jacket, and runs down to the hips from under the arms. There are lots of different types of braces, and your healthcare professional will guide you as to what is best for your child’s circumstances.
Braces are most effective during adolescence, as a child’s bones are still growing and the brace will help to straighten the curve in the spine. Once a child’s bones have stopped growing then it is unlikely that the curve will deteriorate, and equally it becomes harder to straighten the curve.
Surgery
If your child’s scoliosis is severe rather than mild scoliosis, surgery might be necessary. There are different types of surgery depending on the age of your child and the type of scoliosis they have. Your doctor will be able to advise the best treatment option for your child needs.
Chiropractic care
Studies show that chiropractic care reduces the pain of people with scoliosis. So can a chiropractor help with scoliosis? Yes, we can. Here’s how.
How can chiropractic care help with symptoms and relief?
A chiropractor for scoliosis provides non-invasive, whole-person treatment options for scoliosis.
Chiropractic care can provide relief from some of the most common symptoms of scoliosis, like:
- Visiting a chiropractor for scoliosis can provide relief from back pain: a chiropractor for scoliosis will provide relief from the pain associated with scoliosis through gentle, soft tissue massage, muscle relaxation and targeted manual adjustments. We may also provide you with exercises for scoliosis, which will target back pain and help you find some relief.
- A scoliosis chiropractor can adjust poor posture: chiropractic care uses manual manipulations and spinal adjustments to help realign the bones and joints in your entire body, particularly the spine, improving your posture.
- A chiropractor can improve your range of movement: scoliosis can often reduce an individual’s range of movement, and make it difficult to live a full and healthy life. Chiropractic care helps to reduce muscle tension and improve range of motion. Studies show a significant increase in the range of motion after a visit to the chiropractor.
At Gateway to Wellness, our chiropractic care offers relief from common scoliosis symptoms through natural and effective therapies. Ultimately, our whole-body treatment approach will ensure that the joints and bones in your spine are straight and aligned and bring you relief from some of the most common scoliosis symptoms.
If you or someone you know has scoliosis, contact us today to see how chiropractic care may be able to provide some relief to you and your family.
