In the US, five to seven million people are inflicted by scoliosis. Over half a million annual doctor visits are for the evaluation and treatment of this disease. While it can begin at any age, this crippling disease commonly develops in adolescents between the ages of 10 and 15, with girls being affected more than boys. In 90 percent of scoliosis cases, scoliotic curves are not severe and do not require active treatment. Chiropractic care has been shown to help with alleviating scoliosis symptoms.
Chiropractic Treatment for Scoliosis
There are four steps involved in the treatment of scoliosis through chiropractic therapy:
- X-rays – This is used to diagnose the disease and determine the severity of the case.
- Chiropractic Adjustments – Adjustments are made to help in providing motion to joints that may be fixated through light impulses.
- Posture Changes – Chiropractors educate scoliosis patients about the importance of making changes to posture and using proper posture throughout their day.
- Heel Lifts – If it is required, chiropractors recommend heel lifts to correct imbalances in leg length and reduce the pressure that is put on the spine.
Chiropractic care is a form of treatment that is known to be highly effective in the treatment of acute, short term pain. Scoliosis patients who use chiropractic treatment should also be referred to a neurosurgeon or a spinal orthopedist if there is an increase in their curves.
When it is coupled with muscular rehabilitation techniques, chiropractic adjustments may help in preventing the progression of scoliosis. This disease can be treated without dangerous surgeries or the use of restrictive braces. These braces affect your entire life. Just walking to the kitchen is a chore and getting in and out of the shower can be an ordeal. If you can avoid this scenario you will usually always be better off.
In many case studies, it has been found that participants have seen a decrease of 10 to 30 percent in scoliosis curvatures.
Early Effective Scoliosis Management
The misalignment of the vertebrae associated with scoliosis tends to get worse as a patient grows older. Degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease within the spine develops and becomes worse due to the abnormal curvature. This means that it is important to make sure that the patient gets effective management of the condition at the earliest stage possible.
Chiropractic care is known to be highly effective in a number of conditions including headaches, ADHD, high blood pressure, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, ear infections, etc. For scoliosis, this form of therapy can help in alleviating the pain and prevent the condition from progressing. A chiropractor who performs structural analysis is the best person to consult if you or a loved suffers from scoliosis.
