Scoliosis and Chiropractic Care

Some of the symptoms that scoliosis besides postural deformities are:

• Pain (Chronic)
• Breathing problems
• Digestive Issues
• Self Esteem Challenges
• Difficulty with coordination / sports
• Difficulty finding a comfortable position when mobile or sleeping

What Causes Scoliosis?

Congenital: A scoliosis as a result of birth, cerebral palsy, or spina bifida

Accident/Trauma: A scoliosis as a result of injury

Degenerative: Bone collapse in the spine can lead to bone thinning, disc degeneration, and ultimately can cause fusion of the bones resulting in a deformed spine or scoliosis.

Idiopathic: Unknown cause. In fact 80% of cases are unknown but it is thought that scoliosis can be hereditary.

How Does Chiropractic Address Scoliosis?

Radiographs aka X-rays are taken to determine that degree of curve and to help be as specific as possible when delivering a chiropractic adjustment. It is crucial that specificity and precision is held at a high standard because this is how a scoliosis can be properly addressed. Dr. Higgins prides herself on providing specific chiropractic care to address scoliosis and the highest level of spinal care.

After x-rays are taken and analyzed. Specific chiropractic adjustments are used to start moving the spine into its proper position. Rehabilitative exercises to address muscle imbalance are also recommended. Lastly, orthotics for the spine are prescribed as needed to be proactive with care outside of the office and to facilitate spinal molding. This is similar to braces, a retainer, and crooked teeth.

You Have Scoliosis, Now What?

You have options, you can choose to brace your spine, go to physical therapy, do nothing, or go to a chiropractor. Bracing and physical therapy can be short term as far as restoring proper alignment because if the bones are not manipulated and motion is restored to the spinal joints, then the spine can go back to the scoliosis curves (abnormal curvature).

You can do rehabilitative exercises which are great to address muscle and postural distortions, however, the goal of chiropractic is so much more than just moving bones or correcting spinal curvature, or helping decrease scoliosis. The goal of the chiropractic adjustment is to take pressure off of the spinal nerves.

Commonly, people with scoliosis have breathing or digestive problems. This can happen when there is pinching of the nerves coming out from the spine going into the lungs, stomach, or intestines. Therefore, the goal of the chiropractic adjustment when it comes to scoliosis is to help restore proper motion of the spine, address the spinal curvatures, help to decrease the scoliosis angles / curves, and to take pressure off of the nerves going to the various organs in the body.