Scoliosis occurs due to an abnormal curve in the spine. It most commonly develops as a person goes through puberty. This condition affects how the spine forms. Different people might have different degrees of scoliosis, and the symptoms can vary widely. For those who experience serious pain related to the condition, there’s a common question: Can chiropractic help scoliosis?
Sometimes scoliosis is caused by an underlying condition, like muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy. But sometimes it occurs by itself without any known connection to underlying causes.
If your scoliosis doesn’t cause any symptoms, you might not need to change anything. But the symptoms of scoliosis can become worse over time, leading to serious pain. When a person is diagnosed with scoliosis, they should make sure that their condition isn’t getting worse.
Chiropractic care can help with scoliosis to an extent. It works best when paired with the recommendations of your doctor. There is no way for a chiropractor to “fix” a curve in the spine, so don’t expect your spine to be straightened out. But chiropractic adjustments can assist with posture and help keep the spine in alignment.
Many people with scoliosis choose to work with a chiropractor and use a brace to support their back during the day. The brace relieves some of the muscle strain caused by the curve, and the chiropractic adjustments keep the spine as aligned as it can be.
With the right treatment plan, many scoliosis patients have reported that their pain has been significantly reduced or even eliminated.
The misalignment of the spine leads to strain on muscles throughout the torso. You might experience pain in your shoulders, hips, neck, and back. Chiropractors take a holistic approach to pain. If the pain in one muscle is being caused by a misalignment somewhere else, they will address the source of the issue.
Chiropractic adjustments decrease some of the extra strain on your muscles. They can also help to increase blood flow, improving circulation so that your damaged muscles can heal.
Because scoliosis is an ongoing condition, the best chiropractic care is ongoing. Instead of doing one adjustment, people tend to have regular adjustments for maximum benefits.
What to Expect from Chiropractic Scoliosis Treatment
You will benefit most from having ongoing appointments. With that said, it is common for scoliosis patients to report feeling relief with just a single treatment.
There are a few phases of care.
The first is your initial evaluation. This is when you will sit down with your chiropractor and talk about your needs. They will also do a physical exam to evaluate the location and extent of the curvature in the spine. You might do range-of-motion exercises as well.
If you’ve had imaging done or received a diagnosis from another medical professional, you might bring this to your appointment. Your chiropractor will also take a full history of your health.
The two of you will decide on the goals of your treatment. Then you will create a plan to reach those goals. Treatment plans will include details like:
- What kind of treatment you are receiving
- Frequency of appointments and adjustments
- At-home exercises to do between appointments
As you progress, your chiropractor will refer to the plan to make sure things are progressing as needed.
The treatment phase is the longest and most crucial one. Treatment will vary depending on the severity of your symptoms and your overall goals.
You might have several adjustments per week for the first part of treatment. This allows your spine to get used to being in new positions. In addition, your chiropractor might give you physical therapy exercises to pursue at home.
As time goes on, you may need fewer adjustments per week. This is something to discuss when your symptoms start to ease.
Maintenance is the phase that comes after active treatment. This occurs when your symptoms have subsided enough that you no longer feel the need for such intensive care. Your chiropractor might suggest that you meet occasionally on a schedule for future adjustments.
You might also decide to schedule appointments as-needed. Instead of coming in at regular intervals, you’ll just call when you feel that your symptoms have started up again.
The goal here is to make sure your spine stays aligned properly. At the same time, it leaves you free to pursue other interests with your time.
To get started on a chiropractic treatment plan for your scoliosis, call us at 205-637-1363.
