Scoliosis is a condition that affects 2 to 3% of the population. A person with scoliosis has a C- or S-shaped curve in the spine. The cause is most of the time unknown and can affect people of any age. The most common sides of scoliosis are a visibly curved spine, uneven shoulders, and the ribs sticking out on one side. If it is left untreated it can lead to complications such as low back pain, spine or nerve damage, and even breathing problems if the rib cage press against the lungs.
Chiropractors are professionals who have intense knowledge of the human body and a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions including scoliosis, here are some ways how they can provide relief to a patient with scoliosis.
How Chiropractors Can Help With Scoliosis
Chiropractors can provide a scoliosis treatment that doesn't involve drugs and it is non-invasive, therefore patients won't develop a prescription or over-the-counter medication addiction, as it happens with many patients who take medication to manage pain. This means that chiropractic care is safe for all ages. Diagnosis On your first visit, the professional will perform a physical exam that won't take much longer than one minute to look for signs of uneven posture or pathological curvatures in your spine. If necessary, he or she will refer you out for diagnostic imaging such as MRI or x-ray.
Once the professional has already determined if you are suffering from scoliosis, he or she will talk to you about the treatment options and the monitoring of the condition. Treatment The main goal of a chiropractor in terms of scoliosis treatment is to maximize mobility and help to reduce the abnormal curvatures of the spine. Some of the treatment options are chiropractic adjustment, corrective bracing, and exercises.
The chiropractic adjustment is a procedure in which the chiropractors use their hands or a small instrument to reduce joint restrictions or misalignments in the spine, the procedure is also known as spinal manipulation because it is able to improve the spinal motion and the body's physical function. It will reduce inflammation and increase joint mobility. The external weighting system created by Pettibon works by slowing stretching the spinal extensor muscles, it causes active reflex adaptations which are going to reduce the abnormal curvatures of the spine.
Another option is the corrective bracing for scoliosis which is designed to correct scoliosis while the person is wearing the brace, it has a super corrective effect and can achieve drastic curve reductions, shoulder levels as well as improvements to rib humping in most cases. Monitoring The chiropractor can monitor your progress and identify if the condition is getting worse. This is important mostly for children and teens whose bodies are still growing because it can prevent major complications. More than the Spine The chiropractor isn't only capable of treating the spine, but can also help with related conditions to scoliosis such as hip pain, and improve the support function of joint. The trained specialist will minimize your pain, reduce inflammation, and improve your quality of life.