Did you know that roughly three percent of individuals under the age of 18 have scoliosis? While the condition can be caused by genetic skeletal and nervous system disorders, it most often has no [known] cause. The good news is that if it is caught early, it can be treated to minimize the degree of curvature. If you need treatment for spinal curvatures, our scoliosis doctor provides accurate diagnosis and non-invasive treatment options.
What Is Scoliosis?
Scoliosis is characterized by a side to side curvature of the spinal column. It most often occurs in children just before puberty, and most cases of scoliosis have no known cause. However, it has been known to be caused by muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy and certain birth defects related to the spine. In general, scoliosis is classified into two categories[: ] structural and nonstructural. Structural scoliosis is characterized by a side to side curvature that also includes a rotation of the spinal column. Nonstructural scoliosis is not characterized by a rotation of the spine. Instead, there is simply a side to side curvature.
Types of Scoliosis
Types of scoliosis of the spine include Adolescent, Degenerative, and Neuromuscular.
Adolescent or Idiopathic
Most diagnosed cases of scoliosis are idiopathic, meaning [that the cause is unknown.] [T]hey occur during childhood or the individual was born with a curved spine. It is believed that genetics may play a role in the development of the condition, but precise causes are typically never determined.
Degenerative
Degenerative scoliosis most commonly occurs in older adults. It occurs when the joints in the spine start to deteriorate due to advanced age. Individuals with degenerative scoliosis may feel stiffness or ache in their lower backs, back pain that feels like electric shocks or jolts and leg pain that is characterized as sudden or sharp.
Neuromuscular
Neuromuscular scoliosis often develops in individuals with chronic conditions, including muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy, and cannot walk due to their condition. Neuromuscular scoliosis may also be referred to as myopathic scoliosis.
Scoliosis Treatments
Scoliosis treatments depend on the severity of the spinal curve and can include braces or casting. Back braces are most often used in children to help the bones of the spine grow straight. However, any curve that existed prior to the implementation of the brace remains, and braces are not effective for individuals who have stopped growing. For this reason, it is recommended that children get tested often for signs of scoliosis. A cast is typically used on infants to help their spines grow straight and revert back into its normal position.
Chiropractic Care for Scoliosis Treatment
Chiropractic care is also a good option for those who have scoliosis. It can help alleviate pain and discomfort caused by the condition, and it does not interfere with other scoliosis treatments [because] it does not involve the use of invasive procedures or drug therapies.
Common scoliosis treatments include:
- Lifestyle Advice to Relieve Pain – Ways to move, rest, and sleep that will minimize back pain related to spinal curvature.
- Chiropractic Adjustments – Manual or instrument adjustments to help maximize the range of motion of the spinal joints and correct any subluxations.
- Strengthening Exercises – Specifically targeted exercises to help build and maintain strength in the back muscles so that they are better able to support the spine.
Why We’re The Best Scoliosis Doctor In Santa Clara
Our scoliosis doctor can diagnose your or your child’s spinal curvature and recommend treatments. It all starts with a thorough physical examination that checks for a side to side curvature, unevenly hanging clothes and uneven hips and/or shoulders. we’ll also ask if the individual has experienced chronic back pain or frequent muscle spasms. Once a scoliosis diagnosis has been made, our chiropractor will develop a custom scoliosis treatment plan that may include back and core exercises to increase muscle strength, back braces, and lifestyle advice to help lower pain levels.
Our scoliosis doctor may also recommend chiropractic adjustments, which are short, swift thrusts to the spinal column to help ensure the vertebrae in the spine are in their correct locations. Chiropractic adjustments that we perform for scoliosis of the spine include manual and instrument adjustments and KST chiropractic, which is extremely beneficial for spinal curvatures because the technique involves [balancing muscle tightness on both sides of the spine so that the muscles pull the vertebrae back into proper alignment. This is then verified with X-rays during care.
To learn more about chiropractic care for scoliosis and to schedule an initial consultation, give us a call at (408) 985-8118.
