If you happened to have missed the last three weeks of Posts, I mentioned that June is National Scoliosis Month. Sponsored by the National Scoliosis Foundation, a Patient-led Nonprofit Organization, Dedicated to: “Helping Children, Parents, Adults, and Health-Care Providers to Understand the Complexities of Spinal Deformities such as Scoliosis.”
The First Part, Which You can Read HERE, Defined What Scoliosis is. The Second Part, Which You can Read HERE, Discussed What the Symptoms of Scoliosis are, The Third Part, Which You can Read HERE, Discussed What You Can Do About Your Scoliosis, Followed by This Final Fourth Part, That Will Discuss What the Treatment Options for Scoliosis are.
What are the Treatment Options for Scoliosis?
Treatment Options of idiopathic Scoliosis are based on these 4 things:
- When the curve starts to develop (see Part One: What is Scoliosis? the 3 Categories of idiopathic Scoliosis).
- The degree of the curve when measured on Spinal X-rays (see Part Two: What are the Symptoms of Scoliosis?).
- The likelihood it will get worse.
- How quickly it is progressing (if it is getting worse).
For Examples, with Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (the most common form of scoliosis), if You or Your Child’s curve is small when it is first diagnosed, it can be observed and followed with routine X-rays and measurements. If You or Your Child’s curve stays below 25 degrees, no other treatment is necessary. However, if You or Your Child’s curve is between 25-40 degrees, a brace may be recommended (which is not designed to correct the curve, but can be used to help slow or stop the curve from getting worse). If You or Your Child’s curve is greater than 40 degrees, then surgery may be indicated. With Juvenile idiopathic scoliosis (which has the highest risk for getting worse of all of the idiopathic types of scoliosis), bracing can be tried early if You or Your Child’s curve is not very severe. The goal is to prevent You or Your Child’s curve from getting worse until You or Your Child stops growing. Since the curve starts early, and has a lot of time left to grow, there is a higher chance for needing more aggressive treatment or surgery. Infantile idiopathic scoliosis will improve without any treatment in most cases. X-rays can be obtained and measurements compared on future visits to determine if Your Child’s curve is getting worse. Bracing is not normally effective in these cases.
I mentioned in Part Two: What are the Symptoms of Scoliosis, That Scoliosis is typically Not associated with Back Pain. However, in cases with Back Pain, the symptoms can be lessened with Chiropractic Adjustments, Physical Therapy, Massage, Yoga, and the Exercises I listed in Part Three: What Can You Do About Your Scoliosis?, These Exercises will Help Strengthen the Muscles of Your Back. None of these Therapies or Exercises, However, are a Cure for Scoliosis and will Not be able to Correct the Abnormal Curve.
If the curve stays below 40 degrees after You or Your Child is Finished Growing, it is not likely to get worse later in life. However, if You or Your Child’s curve is greater than 40 degrees, it is likely to continue to get worse by 1-2 degrees each year for the rest of Your life. If this is not prevented, You or Your Child will eventually be at risk for heart or lung problems.
If You have degenerative (adult) scoliosis you will often have complaints of back and leg pain. This is related to the arthritis in the back and possible compression of the nerve roots that lead to the legs. Non-operative treatment including: Chiropractic Adjustments, Physical Therapy, and Exercises can help relieve Your symptoms in most cases.
I mentioned above and in Part Two: What are the Symptoms of Scoliosis, That Scoliosis is typically Not associated with Back Pain. So, You are probably wondering that, “If my child has No Pain and Chiropractic Can Not Correct the Curve Why should they get Adjusted?”
Because, Misalignments of Your Child’s Spine and the other Joints of Their Body Can Cause Nerve irritation and since the Nervous System is the Organizer, Controller, and Coordinator of All The Body’s Processes and All The Other Systems, including: the Circulatory, Respiratory, Digestive, Reproductive, Hormonal, Muscle and Skeletal Systems, they all Depend upon the Nervous System to Work Properly. Therefore, the Most Direct Method of Returning to a Balanced, Relaxed, and Healthy State, Should Be Directed toward Balancing the Nervous System and this is Exactly What Chiropractic Care Does!
Chiropractic Adjustments Correct the Misalignments Your Spine and the other Joints of Your Body, Reduces Spinal Nerve irritation, improves Circulation, and Releases Muscle Tension, All of Which Helps Your Body Return to a Balanced, Relaxed, and Healthy State.
That is Why A Healthy, Balanced Spine is a Key Factor to a Happier Healthier Lifestyle.
Chiropractic Care is Based on the Idea That, Given the Opportunity, the Mind and Body Can Heal itself. If You Would Like More information on this see: General spinal check-ups, Supportive, Maintenance and Wellness care.
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