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Originally Posted On: https://watersidechiropractic.com/2023/08/what-are-the-benefits-of-visiting-a-scoliosis-chiropractor/

 

Did you know that scoliosis affects at least six million people in the United States?

This condition affects up to three percent of the United States, and yet it’s rarely heard of. People have no idea what scoliosis is or how to treat it.

That’s why we’re here.

In this article, we’ll tell you all about scoliosis and how it’s diagnosed. We’ll also tell you about various treatments for scoliosis, from braces or surgery to seeing a scoliosis chiropractor. These treatments, especially the last, have a wide range of benefits.

If you’re ready to learn how you can treat scoliosis, all you need to do is keep reading.

What Is Scoliosis?

Scoliosis is a medical condition where the spine curves sideways. It is typically diagnosed in teenagers. Although scoliosis is co-morbid with conditions such as cerebral palsy, there is no known cause of the most common type of scoliosis.

Scoliosis is mild in most cases. However, the curve of the spine can worsen as children grow older. Children who have mild scoliosis need to be carefully monitored through X-rays and exams to make sure the condition doesn’t get worse.

Scoliosis is most often identified through uneven body proportions. You can also recognize scoliosis by a visible bump on one side of the back when a person bends forward.

In the most severe cases, scoliosis can lead to trouble breathing. This is because the curve of the spine causes your ribcage to press against your lungs, making it hard for them to function.

Many children who have scoliosis grow up to experience chronic back pain. This is especially true if the scoliosis was severe enough to require treatment.

How Is Scoliosis Diagnosed?

If you suspect scoliosis, a routine screening test will first be completed. During this exam, a doctor will first have the patient stand and then bend at the waist. This allows the doctor to look for differences in the spine and ribcage.

At the same time, the doctor might perform a neurological exam. During this exam, they will look for muscle weakness, numbness, and test your reflexes.

If the patient fails the screening test, the doctor will call for plain X-rays. The X-rays can confirm the presence of scoliosis and how severe the curve of the spine is.

If a scoliosis diagnosis is confirmed, the patient will need to have routine X-rays over the years to determine if the condition is getting worse. To lower the risk of radiation exposure, your doctor might suggest different imaging tests.

These can range from MRIs to ultrasounds. However, ultrasounds can be less precise than an X-ray. MRIs will only be used if your doctor suspects the scoliosis has an underlying cause.

Treatment for Scoliosis

In many cases, mild scoliosis doesn’t require any treatment. As long as scoliosis doesn’t get worse, children with the condition will grow into healthy adults.

If scoliosis is severe enough to require treatment, then there are a few options a patient can choose from.

One of the mild treatments for scoliosis is simply providing a child with a back brace. This brace won’t cure scoliosis, but it helps prevent scoliosis from becoming worse.

The longer a child wears their brace, the more their scoliosis will improve. Doctors generally recommend thirteen to sixteen hours a day. Don’t worry, these braces are designed to allow a child to go about their day without any discomfort or interruption.

If the case of scoliosis is especially severe, then your child may require surgery. There are different types of surgery to choose from, all of which will help straighten the child’s spine.

Can Scoliosis Chiropractors Help?

Another treatment that can and should be considered is chiropractic treatment for scoliosis. Even if your child’s scoliosis is considered minor, they can benefit immensely from seeing a scoliosis chiropractor.

Chiropractors focus on helping the body through the nervous and muscular systems. They use several different forms of chiropractic care to encourage healing in the body. All of these forms of care are non-invasive.

A chiropractor can work with your body to bring your spine into the correct alignment. You may need multiple alignment sessions for the best results.

If you have minor scoliosis or are an adult who had minor scoliosis as a child, this may be a treatment for you. A good chiropractor will work with you to successfully lower your pain to more manageable levels.

Benefits of Seeing a Chiropractor

There are many benefits to visiting a chiropractor, even if you haven’t been diagnosed with scoliosis. If you have a scoliosis diagnosis, however, a chiropractor will be able to greatly improve your life.

A study in 2016 revealed that chiropractic treatment can help improve scoliosis.

The adjustments that chiropractors make lessen the severity of the curve of a patient’s spine. This took eight weeks of treatment. However, notable improvements to the curvature of the spine were seen after four weeks of treatment.

In addition to helping scoliosis itself, chiropractic treatment can help improve the side effects of scoliosis. Chiropractic treatment is especially useful for easing chronic back and neck pain.

The American College of Physicians recommends that people with back pain receive chiropractic care first. If that fails, there are several other methods to use before turning to medication.

Spinal manipulation has been linked to moderate improvements in back pain. The benefits of treatment can last up to six weeks!

Finding a Scoliosis Chiropractor

When finding a scoliosis chiropractor, you should first look for recommendations from friends and family. The odds are good that someone you know has needed a chiropractor before. They can point you to a chiropractor who can best help you.

In addition, you know your friends and family. This means that you’ll be able to tell whether they’re exaggerating the experience they had and take it with a grain of salt.

Don’t use friends and family as your only resource. Once you have a few recommendations, you can look at testimonials.

Make sure to read reviews both on and off the chiropractor’s website. This will allow you to receive a non-biased view of their skills.

When choosing a chiropractor, you should also make sure you look at the treatments they provide. Some chiropractors may not offer the services you need. Choose one that you’re confident can give you the level of care you require.

What to Expect From a Scoliosis Chiropractor

When receiving chiropractic care, there are a few things you should remember. Namely, you won’t see improvement all at once. You won’t just magically get better.

Your treatment will typically happen in three phases. It will also be split up over a long series of sessions. This is to make sure you heal fully and without issues.

The first phase of treatment is pain relief. If you are in pain, that’s the most urgent problem to solve. You’ll need sessions for up to twelve weeks, with two or three sessions per week.

The second phase of treatment is corrective care. During this phase, you will need to come in for treatment four to eight times a month. Treatment lasts from six months to two years, depending on the severity of your problem.

The final phase of treatment is maintaining your wellness. Once your condition is better, you’ll need to come in for periodic appointments to avoid future problems. You typically only need these quick treatments one to four times a month.

Risks of Seeing a Chiropractor

Although chiropractic care is incredibly helpful, it comes with risks.

Someone who isn’t educated in chiropractic care can severely injure you when trying to give you an adjustment.

They may compress the nerves in your lower spine. They also might give you a herniated disk or make one worse. In a worst-case scenario, they might even cause a stroke while manipulating your neck.

As long as you see a licensed, educated chiropractor, you’ll be safe from these risks.

In addition, do not seek chiropractic treatment if you have severe osteoporosis. You should also avoid treatment if you have spine cancer or are at increased risk of strokes.

Request an Appointment

Now that you’ve learned how a scoliosis chiropractor can benefit you, are you ready to make an appointment with one? If so, look no further.

Waterside Chiropractic + Medical has several locations you can choose from. We’re devoted to providing you with the level of care you deserve. We’re also eager to make sure we can help relieve your pain.

So don’t wait-request an appointment with us! All you need to do is fill out the attached form and we’