What is Scoliosis?

Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine. While this may sound uncommon, scoliosis affects nearly 3 percent of the population, totalling at over 7 million people. For those 7 million, quality of life can be diminished, and participating in activities or sports can be limited due to pain, reduced respiratory function or diminished self-esteem.

Most scoliosis cases occur during the growth spurt just prior to puberty causing potential deformities. Other causes can include cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy. To date, doctors do not know what causes scoliosis, although it appears to involve hereditary factors. While there is also no clear cure, there may be ways to provide relief and improve quality of life for scoliosis patients.

How Can Chiropractic Care Help Those with Scoliosis?

Chiropractic care can be a great way to manage and relieve pain and discomfort caused by scoliosis. Routine chiropractic care provides patients with scoliosis treatment that’s a safe, non-invasive, non-addictive alternative to prescription medications or over-the-counter pain medications (OTCs), which are commonly prescribed to patients to help them manage their pain.

Chiropractors deliver a gentle, non-invasive, non-addictive therapy, known as a chiropractic adjustment. Chiropractic adjustments reduce joint restrictions or misalignments in the spine and other joints in the body in an effort to reduce inflammation and improve function of both the affected joint and nervous system. By increasing joint mobility and improving your nervous system function and spinal health, your body has the ability to better manage symptoms caused by scoliosis.

Below are some of the health benefits chiropractic care and chiropractic adjustments can provide to scoliosis patients:

• Reduced pain and discomfort
• Decreased inflammation
• Improved range of motion
• Improved flexibility
• Increased activity and lifestyle

To see if chiropractic care is right for your condition, the chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic will perform a consultation, examination and if necessary, refer you out for diagnostic imaging such as x-ray or MRI. Based on the findings of our chiropractic exam and consultation, your doctor of chiropractic may elect to co-treat your scoliosis with other healthcare professionals including massage therapists, physical therapists or other primary care physicians.