Did a routine school exam reveal your child has scoliosis? Scoliosis is a relatively common condition. Interestingly, children ages 10 through 15 are the group affected most often by scoliosis. However, now that your child has been diagnosed, a chiropractor understands how concerned you must be.
What is Scoliosis?
Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine. Scoliosis is a spinal curvature to one side, so it may affect either the left or right side of the spine. It can affect any part of the spine, from the cervical to the sacral spine. However, the most common areas of curvature are at the level of the lower back and the chest.
Indeed, it often appears in children and more often in females. In many cases, treatment is not necessary, as the curve may correct itself as the growth process continues. However, based on the age of the youngster and the degree of curvature, a combination of physical therapy and bracing is often recommended.
A small number of patients who develop scoliosis may require surgery. Complications of scoliosis include
- A bulge on one side of the spine
- Chronic pain
- Respiratory deficiencies
- Decreased exercise capacity
In around 80% of scoliosis cases, the cause isn’t known. This is called idiopathic scoliosis and it may have heredity as a contributing factor.
Around 2 to 3 percent of the population has scoliosis. While it is more common in girls and children, a growing number of adults have a scoliosis diagnosis. This may stem from trauma to the spine, followed by years of neglecting to care for it. Congenital scoliosis occurs before the birth of an infant. These deformities often arise from vertebrae that are abnormally fused together or are only partially formed.
How is Scoliosis Treated?
Among children, the “wait and see” approach is usually the first line of conventional treatment. However, if scoliosis progresses beyond a 45° to 50° curve, surgical fusion may be the best recommendation traditional medicine can offer. This is a significant and invasive surgery that involves implanting steel rods, screws, and hooks and screws to straighten the spine. Then, these are covered with bone fragments, fusing the metal rods to the spine.
Again, this is major surgery and it carries significant risks. Complications from this surgical procedure include:
- Neurological compromise or damage
- Infection
- Chronic back pain
- Collapsed lung
Some patients have even reported broken rods, prompting further surgical procedures.
Can Chiropractic Care Help Scoliosis?
Recent studies demonstrate that chiropractic care holds great promise for helping scoliosis. Repeated chiropractic spinal adjustments can help change the spinal structures and function and work to straighten it. X-rays often reveal dramatic changes after chiropractic treatment. Many cases show a substantial reduction in the amount of curvature.
More and more people are seeking alternatives to conventional medical treatment. The reason for this is that natural solutions, such as chiropractic care are less risky, less invasive, drug-free, and often produce results that are better or just as good or better. If you or a loved one have scoliosis, please consider a visit to a clinic with a chiropractor in Gaithersburg, MD. They can create a strategy to introduce them to the safe and effective benefits of chiropractic care.
Thanks to AmeriWell Clinics for their insight into chiropractic care and scoliosis.