Receiving any type of diagnosis can be difficult if you don’t know how to cope with it or understand how it impacts your body. It is important to understand how a health condition, such as scoliosis, affects your day-to-day life.
Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine that typically occurs after puberty and develops gradually. It is possible for it to go undetected since it develops slowly and is sometimes unnoticeable. A chiropractic assessment is important for early detection. Symptoms of scoliosis include:
- Uneven shoulders
- One prominent shoulder blade
- An uneven waist
- Uneven hips
Scoliosis by no means has to be a debilitating diagnosis. While under chiropractic supervision, many people with scoliosis may live active and healthy lives.
Following the proper treatment given to you by your chiropractor can have you on your way to accomplishing your goals.
Doctors are not 100% sure of the cause of scoliosis but there are a few things that put patients at higher risk. Some of the causes include genetic defects that influence how your bones develop, neuromuscular conditions, or injuries and infections.
Risk factors that can contribute to the development of Scoliosis are:
- Age: Adolescents going through puberty are more likely to develop scoliosis
- Sex: The curvature is more likely to affect girls as compared to boys
- Genetics: It may be familial (in the family), but has not been 100% proven to be the direct cause
There are seven types of scoliosis, with idiopathic scoliosis being the most common form. Scoliosis is generally associated with children, but adults can have it, too. This typically happens when scoliosis is not detected during childhood or the disease progresses aggressively. Spine Universe states that most cases of scoliosis—more than 80%, in fact—are idiopathic, meaning they don’t have a known cause.
Congenital Scoliosis is a rare form of scoliosis and it only affects newborns that develop spinal abnormalities in the womb. This form of scoliosis is typically diagnosed sooner because of its early onset. Some symptoms specific to Congenital Scoliosis are uneven shoulders and waistline, protruding ribs on one side and leaning body stature.
Infantile Idiopathic Scoliosis occurs is diagnosed in children ages 0-3. Any scoliosis diagnosed before the age of 10 may be considered early on-set by your specialist. When it is diagnosed in the earlier developmental stages, because the spin is still growing, spinal malformations can result in a problem with rib and lung development.
Idiopathic Scoliosis is developed in children and adolescents. A variety of factors can cause this such as hormonal imbalances or asymmetrical growth. Once the spine has an abnormal curvature it can worsen scoliosis with age. Symptoms are exhibited in the form of uneven shoulders, uneven ribs, or a distorted torso.
Degenerative Scoliosis is caused by a sideways curve in the spine and the degeneration of joints and disk tissue with age. It is most commonly found in the lower back. Studies show that over 60% of the population has some form of degenerative scoliosis because of the inevitable degenerative process.
Neuromuscular Scoliosis is a specific type of scoliosis that develops as a side effect of neuromuscular diseases. It can be the result of brain, spinal cord, or muscular system disorders.
Syndrome Scoliosis, as indicated by the name, is a symptom of a specific syndrome and can manifest differently as a result.
If a patient is diagnosed with scoliosis, with proper chiropractic care and treatment, they can live a healthy, active life. Chiropractic care may consist of spine adjustments, to promote optimal spine alignment and joint motion. The chiropractor may use physical modalities to promote healthy muscles, tendons and ligaments. Proper exercises, stretches and posture are also imperative in the treatment regimen.
There are other, more invasive treatment options that may be appropriate pending a proper chiropractic diagnosis:
- Bracing: This helps to fix the spinal curvature without move forward with back surgery.
- Scoliosis Surgery: Bracing typically is used prior to this, however, if the bracing is not able to circumvent the curvature enough, spinal surgery is the last option.
Receiving a scoliosis diagnosis can be confusing and overwhelming, especially for children. Scoliosis can be difficult. Learning how it impacts the overall functionality of your body is a great step toward healing and finding a treatment plan unique to you. A chiropractor can tailor your treatments specifically for you and to get you functioning at your greatest capacity. Working closely with your chiropractor and following a carefully constructed treatment plan can help to optimize your life.
At Auburn Chiropractic Associates we work to create an individualized treatment plan that works best for you and your lifestyle. We want to get you back to the best version of you! If you or anyone you know is showing signs or symptoms of scoliosis call us at (334) 826-2225