Treating Scoliosis with Chiropractic Care

Treating Scoliosis with Chiropractic Care

Many people who are unaware of the benefits of chiropractic care, have the mistaken notion that back pain is the only condition treated by chiropractors. On the contrary, there are actually several different health conditions which can be significantly improved by skilled chiropractic care. A great many individuals suffering from migraines, neck and muscle pains, sciatica, scoliosis, and joint inflammation have been helped tremendously by receiving appropriate treatment from a chiropractor. Here is how chiropractic care can offer tremendous benefits to someone suffering from scoliosis, and can actually help improve their condition.

What is scoliosis?

Scoliosis is a fairly common curvature of the spine which pushes the spine in a sideways direction, and it shows up most frequently in children and teenagers. The most common time for scoliosis to develop is during the growth spurt associated with the onset of puberty. Most cases of scoliosis are relatively mild and don't carry severe symptoms. However, it's also possible that children can develop spinal deformities that will increase in severity as they mature, with spinal curvature steadily worsening. A severe case of scoliosis can be not only painful, but can actually be debilitating. In the most severe cases of scoliosis, surgery may be necessary to reposition the spine to its normal configuration.

Treating scoliosis

It's true that the only known method for straightening out a spine bothered by scoliosis is actual surgery, and this is generally only advised for patients who have spinal curvature exceeding 50°. All other methods for treating scoliosis will have the aim of preventing the curvature from becoming worse, and for helping to manage the symptoms associated with it.

The chiropractic approach to scoliosis treatment is holistic in nature, meaning that it aims to encourage the body to heal itself by restoring proper alignment to the spine. A chiropractor treating scoliosis will develop a drug-free, non-invasive treatment plan which addresses a number of symptoms associated with scoliosis.

Even though a chiropractor will not be able to completely straighten out the spine of a person afflicted by scoliosis, it's true that a number of studies have demonstrated some considerable benefits imparted by chiropractic care:

spinal curvature – the degree of spinal curvature has been shown to be considerably improved by regular chiropractic treatment

pain reduction – with the improvement in spinal curvature, many patients feel far less pain because their spine is closer to being in normal position

disability rating – skilled chiropractic care can significantly lower the disability rating experienced by many patients, and allow them to perform normal daily tasks again.

In most cases, chiropractic care will involve a combination of spinal adjustments and flexion exercises, which cause the thinned out areas of discs to become stretched and elongated. This kind of treatment can improve range of motion considerably, as well as the patient's flexibility, thereby relieving a great deal of the pain they previously felt. Along with that improved flexibility and range of motion, the patient can then move about much more freely, and can perform the stretching exercises recommended by their doctor to support the spine.

About The Author

Dr. Eric Brown is a Salt Lake City Chiropractor and owner of Thrive Family Chiropractic In South Dakota.  The Chiropractic clinic specializes in back and neck pain treatment, spine biomechanics, Child and Family Chiropractic, and personal injury and wellness.


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