Scoliosis is a structural curve in the spine that is greater than 10 degrees. The spine will form a C or an S shape from side to side, rather than the spine's natural curve from forward to back. Scoliosis usually begins in puberty when the body is experiencing a growth spurt. This is called idiopathic scoliosis because it occurs from an unknown cause. When adults develop scoliosis, it is usually connected with a specific occurrence such as a car crash or slip and fall. Adult scoliosis can cause arthritis and degeneration of skeletal strength and flexibility from an undiagnosed case of subluxations made worse by aging.
Scoliosis affects approximately three percent of the US population. Ninety percent of those affected do not have a case severe enough to warrant surgery – but that doesn't mean they don't experience some pain and discomfort from the disease, especially as they age.
Check your family! Signs and symptoms of scoliosis may include:
- Uneven shoulders
- One shoulder blade that appears more prominent than the other
- Uneven waist
- One hip higher than the other
- What chiropractic care can’t do for scoliosis
Surgery is only considered for extreme, ongoing pain. For patients where the curvature is so pronounced that balance is difficult, or other quality of life considerations.
Non-operative treatment, including chiropractic care, a regular exercise program, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, is the standard of care. None of these are a cure for scoliosis. But, they are a way to effectively reduce symptoms. When scoliosis is diagnosed early, these interventions generally offer a good prognosis.
What chiropractic care can do for scoliosis
While there is also no apparent cure for scoliosis, there are ways to provide relief and improve the quality of life for scoliosis sufferers. Chiropractic practitioners are trained to identify scoliosis and recommend care that can help relieve or reduce scoliosis pain.
Chiropractic care is a treatment for scoliosis offering a safe, non-invasive, and non-addictive alternative to prescription medications or over-the-counter pain medications (OTCs), commonly prescribed to manage the pain and discomfort associated with alignment problems of the spine and nervous system.
A regular chiropractic treatment plan for scoliosis can improve the quality of life for scoliosis sufferers by:
- Improving range of motion
- Reducing pain and discomfort
- Decreasing inflammation
- Improving quality of life such as sleep, work, focus and energy
If you suffer from scoliosis, chiropractic care can help you get relief from your symptoms, including restoring a more normal posture without surgery or other medical devices. Most importantly, chiropractic care can help you to avoid unnecessary pain medications such as highly addictive narcotics that are commonly prescribed such as opioids.