Living with pain can be frustrating as much as it can reduce your ability to move around and do the activities you enjoy. Back pain is one of the primary symptoms experienced by some people living with adult scoliosis. Chiropractic care is among the treatments available for alleviating back pain caused by this condition that affects the spine. Our chiropractor at Integrative Chiropractic Health & Wellness uses natural, drug-free chiropractic techniques and therapies to help realign the spine and improve scoliosis symptoms.
What is Adult Scoliosis?
Adult scoliosis, also known as degenerative scoliosis, is identified as an irregular C or S-shaped curvature in the spine that is detected in adulthood. The irregular curve may have existed in childhood but somehow went undetected. Some of the causes of scoliosis in adulthood are typically linked to degeneration or changes in the structure of the spine. The lumbar or lower back portion of the spine is most vulnerable to degeneration due to overuse and aging, but the cervical (neck) or thoracic (upper back) spine could also be affected.
What Causes Adult Scoliosis?
Although wear and tear on the spine is the main cause of this condition, other causes include:
- Bone deformity
- Traumatic spine injury
- Osteoporosis
- Spinal surgery
These injuries or conditions can result in compression of the spinal nerves or nerve roots or cause intervertebral discs to bulge or herniate. This may then result in back pain and other symptoms.
Common Scoliosis Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms may vary from person to person depending on the severity of the curve. Also, scoliosis in adults is not always accompanied by back pain. If it does occur, you may experience mild, moderate, or severe pain which may be acute or chronic. Other signs and symptoms are:
- Uneven shoulders
- Uneven pelvis or hips
- Loss of height
- Problems with balance
- Leg pain due to nerve compression
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness
- Humps or protrusions on the affected area of the spine
Chiropractic Treatments for Adult Scoliosis
Chiropractic care for scoliosis is available if you want to avoid traditional treatment that involves over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription drugs. Treatment by a chiropractor usually includes one or a combination of these gentle, non-invasive techniques and therapies aimed at providing holistic healing. However, chiropractic adjustment of the spine also known as spinal adjustment is the core technique used.
Spinal Adjustment
This chiropractic technique involves the use of direct force from hand thrusts or small instruments designed to manipulate the joints, bones, and soft tissue of the spine. It can effectively restore misaligned vertebrae, take any pressure off the spinal discs and nerves causing pain, and improve other symptoms such as numbness and tingling. Spinal adjustments also help to reduce irritation or inflammation, improve blood circulation and nutrients to the spine, and improve range of motion.
The Scoliosis Chair
The scoliosis chair provides another effective way to correct the spinal misalignment seen in patients with adult scoliosis. This specially designed chair works through the use of low-force traction to de-rotate the spine, reduce the severity of the curve, and promote spine health.
Other techniques and therapies
- VIBE Vibration Therapy: Uses repetitive vibration to mobilize the soft tissue in the musculoskeletal system, increase blood flow to the spine, and improve joint flexibility.
- Posture Correction: Helps maintain the spinal adjustment results and slow degeneration or repeated curving of the spine.
- Acupuncture: A Chinese natural medicinal therapy that relieves pain by inserting ultra-fine needles into the acupoints of the body.
Last, but not least, other traction therapies may be used to help heal damaged discs and injured or irritated soft tissue. They include vibration traction, flexion distraction, and the Wobble chair. These methods also help relieve muscle tension and strengthen the back. It is important to bear in mind that each individual scoliosis condition is unique. Therefore, your treatment plan will be customized to suit your needs. Furthermore, several adjustment sessions may be required over a period of time to optimize the results. In some cases, regular visits to the chiropractor can help you achieve maximum back pain relief.
Benefits of Scoliosis Treatment by a Chiropractor
In addition to relieving or eliminating back pain naturally by adjusting the spine, the integrative chiropractic methods also provide the following benefits:
- Improve nervous system functions
- Improve posture and balance
- Promote overall wellness
- Can reduce the risk of surgery
Make an appointment to see our chiropractor in Hoover, AL
It is important to treat scoliosis early before the curve in the spine gets worse or affect vital organs in the body. If you live in Hoover, AL, or surrounding communities and prefer alternative treatment for scoliosis back pain, you are welcome to visit Integrative Chiropractic Health & Wellness. Our chiropractor will do a comprehensive physical and medical evaluation to determine if chiropractic care is right for you. Call our Hoover clinic at 205-637-1363 to book an appointment today.
