Scoliosis, also known as curved spine, refers to a medical condition that causes spinal curvature towards the side. The sideward curvature of the spine that affects around nine million people in the U.S. may not be a life-threatening condition. But it can cause severe pain, leading to reduced mobility and affect the quality of your life. And while there is no cure for this condition, chiropractic care can play an integral role in managing the symptoms and improving the quality of life.
Let’s take a closer look at what this condition is all about.
Symptoms of Scoliosis
In most cases of scoliosis, the patient may experience the following signs and symptoms.
- Uneven shoulder and/or uneven waist,
- Prominent appearance of one shoulder blade,
- Protruding of one side of the rib cage,
- Some patients may also experience the rotation or twisting of the spine.
What Causes Scoliosis?
In most cases of scoliosis, there is no known cause of the condition. However, some of the potential risk factors that can increase the likelihood of developing the condition include the following.
- Neuromuscular conditions such as muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy,
- Connective tissue disorders,
- Birth defects that lead to the development of the spine,
- History of prior surgery on the chest wall in early childhood,
- Injuries, trauma, and infection of the spine.
Moreover, the condition can affect both genders, but women have a much higher risk of developing the disease compared to men. Furthermore, scoliosis can run in families.
Other Types of Curvature Disorders of the Spine
While scoliosis is a common spine curvature disorder, it is not the only one. There are other types of spinal curvature disorders, which include the following.
Lordosis
Curvature of the spine in the lower back.
Kyphosis
A spine curvature disorder that leads to a spine curve in the upper back.
Can the Condition Improve?
Without treatment, the condition does not improve on its own. However, younger children may grow out of this problem if the condition is diagnosed early and adequate treatment is provided.
Scoliosis and Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care is a branch of alternative medicine that focuses on a holistic approach to diagnosing and treating conditions, particularly the ones related to joints and the spinal cord. When it comes to treating scoliosis, chiropractic care alone may not be enough to reduce structural deformity. However, it can play an essential role in managing the symptoms and improving the overall quality of life. But let’s not forget that chiropractic care is only effective when you work with experienced chiropractors.
At Advanced Physical Medicine, we offer state-of-the-art services to address complex medical conditions such as scoliosis. Contact us now to find out more about our services.