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Scoliosis is defined by an abnormal curvature of the spine. When looking at the spine from the front or back, it should be straight. When looking from the side, it should have a natural curvature from the top to the bottom to help maintain balance when standing. Any variation of this is considered scoliosis, including any twisting of the spine as well. Most people who are diagnosed with scoliosis have idiopathic scoliosis, which means there is no known or specific cause of the curvature. Most cases of idiopathic scoliosis are diagnosed in adolescence, between the ages of 10 and 14, and girls are eight times more likely to develop it than boys.
Scoliosis is a progressive disorder, meaning that it will get worse over time. While minor scoliosis is not seen as a huge issue among medical doctors, chiropractors understand the long-term troubles of having a misaligned spine and how that can negatively impact the nervous system. Whether your or a child has been diagnosed with scoliosis or not, the key should be to prevent it from occurring or worsening. You can do this by getting under regular chiropractic care with a neurologically-based chiropractor who aims to keep your spine aligned and as healthy as possible.
Technically, scoliosis cannot be “cured,” but chiropractors can absolutely improve the condition and reduce the curvature of the spine. And they can do it with non-invasive measures that are pain-free and drug-free! Chiropractors can help you manage scoliosis and keep it from worsening, and they can help your nervous system improve in its function and efficiency.
Most traditional methods of “fixing” scoliosis are not beneficial in the long term. A back brace may stop a child from undergoing surgery, but it can cause more problems in the spine later on. Spinal fusion surgery can reduce spinal flexibility and increase pain in the future, in addition to causing other issues throughout the body. It should be avoided at all costs, and instead, anyone with scoliosis should seek out chiropractic care as the primary method of correcting the issue.
Since scoliosis is all about abnormal curvature of the spine, it only makes sense that a spinal expert would be the best person to treat it. Chiropractors aim to bring about proper alignment to the spine and help the muscles on either side achieve balance. When they adjust your spine regularly, they are helping to retrain your muscles to find that balance so that your spine can maintain alignment for longer periods of time. This helps not only minimize pain and discomfort associated with scoliosis, but also helps the entire body function better overall.
When the spine is misaligned, whether from scoliosis or minor subluxations, the vertebrae can put pressure on the nearby nerves, affecting the function of various bodily systems. Scoliosis can bring about reproductive problems, digestion issues, respiratory and breathing problems, and chronic back pain.
If you or someone you love has scoliosis, contact Dr. Cary Gentry at Waypoint Chiropractic. He and his team serve the Bozeman area with high-quality chiropractic care that aims to improve the health, wellness, and function of the entire person.
Byun, S., Han, S. “The Effect of Chiropractic Techniques on the Cobb Angle in Idiopathic Scoliosis Arising in Adolescence.” Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 2016 Apr; 28(4): 1106-1110. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4868195/.
Morningstar, M. “Outcomes for Adult Scoliosis Patients Receiving Chiropractic Rehabilitation: A 24-Month Retrospective Analysis.” Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 2011 Sep; 10(3): 179-184. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3259989/.
