A Guide to Scoliosis

July 14th, 2021

Normal curves in the human spine are from front to back but those which present sideways are called SCOLIOSIS. Although you may associate the condition with teenagers, it can affect adults too. An estimated 7 million people in the United States have scoliosis, according to the National Scoliosis Foundation.

Scoliosis Symptoms

From front to back the bony vertebrae that make up your spine normally form a straight line from the bottom of your back to the top of your neck. If you have scoliosis, your spine curves to one side forming an "S" or "C" shape. There may be a second curve in another region of your spine to compensate.

Scoliosis symptoms vary depending on the degree of curvature and may include: pain in the back, neck, shoulders, hips, or ribs with postural un-evening of the hips, shoulders, shoulder blades, or waist with or without muscle spasms. If the curvature progresses, the vertebrae may begin to press on nerves and organs, causing difficulty breathing, heart issues, or constipation. Limited mobility and physical deformity may also occur.

Scoliosis in Children

Scoliosis usually becomes apparent during growth spurts in the pre-teen and teenage years. Fortunately, most children who develop scoliosis only have mild curvatures and may never need treatment. It's not always possible to determine the cause of scoliosis; unknown causes are called “idiopathic” a medical term meaning “unknown”. A scoliosis diagnosis can be a surprise to both parents and children. The condition is often detected during annual wellness exams or scoliosis screenings at school. The condition may be more likely to occur after an injury that affects the spine or if your child has muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy. Your child's doctor usually will recommend treatment unless the curve progresses beyond 30 degrees.

If your child has been diagnosed with scoliosis, their spine will be X-rayed periodically. One or more conservative treatments may be needed if the curvature continues to progress.

Physical therapy exercises strengthen the muscles that support the back and improve flexibility.

Wearing a back brace while your child is still growing can stop the curvature from growing worse in some cases. Braces are worn under clothing for up to 23 hours per day, depending on the type.

Scoliosis in Adults

Scoliosis that begins during childhood can continue to affect you during adulthood. You may experience minor worsening of your curvature as you grow older, which can trigger or worsen back pain, stiffness, and muscle cramps. Numbness in the legs may be a problem if a nerve becomes compressed.

You might develop scoliosis for the first time as an adult if the discs that cushion your spine begin to break down or you develop arthritis or spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis occurs when the canal that protects your spinal cord becomes narrow enough to cause compression. Adult scoliosis can cause pain or numbness as well as weakness in your back and legs. Some treatment options include chiropractic, physical therapy, and short-term use of braces.

How Chiropractic Treatment Can Help

Chiropractic treatment may help ease scoliosis-related pain in both children and adults. When vertebrae become misaligned, they can press on nerves, causing pain. Muscle tension and spasms may also occur if your spine isn't properly aligned. Regular chiropractic treatments improve spinal alignment and may also decrease inflammation, improve nerve function, and increase flexibility and range of motion.

Twenty-eight adult scoliosis patients saw improvements in disability, pain, and Cobb angle in a study that appeared in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine in 2011. Cobb angle is used to determine the degree of side-to-side curvature. The patients completed a six month exercise-based chiropractic program that began after the clinical part of their treatment was over.

Chiropractic treatment offers a simple, natural way to help you manage your scoliosis symptoms.

Sources:

National Scoliosis Foundation: Information and Support National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: Scoliosis in Children and Teens

Mayo Clinic: Scoliosis Journal of Chiropractic Medicine: Outcomes for Adult Scoliosis Patients Receiving Chiropractic Rehabilitation: a 24-month Retrospective Analysis, 9/11.