Scoliosis Treatment in Hiram, GA

Chiropractic Care for Scoliosis

Helping You Understand the Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments Affiliated with Scoliosis

What Is Scoliosis?

The classic sign of scoliosis is an unnatural C- or S-shaped curve of the spine. The definition of the disorder is a spinal curve of more than 10 degrees. Some patients are born with scoliosis. While some develop it much later in life, it appears in most children between the ages of 8 and 10. Scoliosis without a known cause is called idiopathic.

This disorder can affect a patient’s health. Scoliosis can cause pain, reduced lung function, limited activity, or heart function problems, although some children may not show symptoms. Adult patients often cite back pain as an early symptom. Over time, wear and tear on the joints and bones of the spine cause discs to begin to tilt and to eventually curve. Other signs include leg weakness, pain, numbness, or the appearance of a bump in the lower back. Some individuals develop bone spurs.

Our doctors are trained and experienced in caring for patients with scoliosis. Chiropractic care for scoliosis differs from each patient depending on your specific medical needs. Your chiropractor will work with you to create a treatment plan that is right for you and meets all of your needs. Call us today for more information about chiropractic care for scoliosis.

Causes

Some cases of scoliosis are caused by other conditions such as muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy. However, the primary cause(s) of scoliosis are unknown at this time. Thankfully, treatment options for Scoliosis have been created.

Symptoms

Common symptoms/signs may include:

• Shoulders of different heights
• Failure of arms to extend straight down while standing
• Appearance of one hip as higher than or dissimilar to the other one

Treatment

Our chiropractors will give you a scoliosis treatment plan created just for you to meet all of your needs. Spinal manipulation and prescribed exercises may help relief for those who are suffering from scoliosis.

Advanced Spine Treatment for Scoliosis

If chiropractic adjustments are not accomplishing the best results, we offer the state-of-the-art spinal decompression therapy. Spinal decompression is a computer guided therapy that will gently manipulate the spine and surrounding areas to relieve pressure and pain. This is a highly effective alternative to spinal fusion therapy.

What Can I Do At Home for Scoliosis?

Scoliosis pain can be managed at home using some of the following remedies:

• Sleeping on an adjustable latex/cool-gel mattress
• Performing special stretches designed to help relieve scoliosis pain
• Use of over-the-counter pain relievers

Chiropractic Care Can Help You With Your Scoliosis

A deformity of the spine, Scoliosis, can cause the shoulder blades to be positioned unevenly and appear to be higher or lower than average. Several different factors can cause Scoliosis, but the primary cause is the imbalance of the pelvis and spine.

Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine. To best understand what Scoliosis is, think of a yardstick. Now, bend it to the side. This creates an “S” shape. As a result, people with Scoliosis have an S-curve or irregular curve of their spine. The angle can be to the left or right and severe enough to cause problems with breathing and balance.

Who Has Scoliosis?

This medical condition in which the spine has a sideways curve affects about 3 million people in the US. More women than men seem to have Scoliosis as well. Treatment may begin with physical therapy and exercises.

Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine called “swayback” or “sideways spine.” Even though it can affect people of all ages, it is most common in girls and boys between the ages of 10-15. 

Scoliosis is one of the most common medical conditions affecting adolescents. However, it can also be seen in adolescents with other spinal deformities, including kyphosis, Lordosis, and Scheuermann’s Kyphosis.

As your children get older, you can see your Chiropractor once or twice a year for regular checkups. Your kids’ Chiropractor can also help you find an orthopedic surgeon who can perform surgery if needed to treat the curve progression. 

It’s essential to make sure your kids are wearing the proper back brace for their Scoliosis if one has been prescribed and getting regular checkups from their Chiropractor every six months. 

Exercise is still good for you even if you have Scoliosis! But some activities can cause more damage than good. Take time to discuss your options with a doctor. Ask them what exercises to do or avoid due to your condition.

What Causes Scoliosis?

Scoliosis can be present at birth (congenital) because of the abnormal placement and development of the spine during pregnancy. Scoliosis can also become evident due to improper posture or uneven pressure on the spine because of obesity or muscle weakness. It can even develop during the adult years due to chronic degenerative disc disease, arthritis, and pelvic dysfunction, such as unequal leg length or one leg being shorter than the other.

Scoliosis is a condition that distorts the spine, causing the spine to have an “S” or “C” shape. The cause of Scoliosis is unknown. It can be present at birth or result from a motor vehicle accident, sports injury, or another traumatic event that twists the body. Treatment can be complex, but your local Hiram, GA Cornerstone chiropractor, can help you minimize its effects.

Although the causes of Scoliosis are still unknown, there are many theories. The spinal curve can be classified as one of five Cobb angles:

• 10-20 degrees: Mild
• 20-40 degrees: Moderate
• 40-60 degrees: Severe
• 50-60 degrees: Very Severe
• 60 degrees or worse: Extremely Severe

How Can You Be Sure You Have Scoliosis?

One of the most important things to consider when seeking scoliosis treatment is making sure you’ve got the condition right. It’s essential to understand what Scoliosis is and if you really have it. 

Because there are so many different types of spinal problems, it’s best to make sure you are diagnosed correctly. This is especially important for Scoliosis since it is a type of spinal curvature that can sometimes go undetected by your regular physician. Hiram, GA chiropractors at Cornerstone Chiropractic, can perform x-rays and examine your spine to determine if you have Scoliosis.

Scoliosis creates a “C” or “S” shaped curve on the x-ray. It’s a side view of the spine. In some cases, even some spine specialists may not see a scoliosis curve on an x-ray. In those cases, the diagnosis will be based on the patient’s history and physical exam.

In most cases of Scoliosis, the curve is slight and may not cause pain for many years. However, in very rare cases, people that have a severe curve may require surgery.

The best way to accurately test for Scoliosis is by an X-ray. X-rays are the gold standard because they provide a two-dimensional image of the spine and body. The pictures can be printed and reviewed by a doctor in order to determine any curvature of the spine. In addition, doctors can determine when treatment should begin for Scoliosis based on accurate measurements taken from the x-ray images.

If you experience pain, numbness, or weakness in your extremities, then you may have Scoliosis, but it is still best to visit with your Chiropractor or physician. If you are experiencing back pain, treat it as soon as possible, as failing to do so can lead to further damage.

If you do have Scoliosis, there is good news because the treatment plan may consist of chiropractic care, exercise, bracing, or a combination of treatments. Contact your doctor today to discuss your condition and how we can help you.

How Can a Chiropractor Treat a Patient With Scoliosis?

A chiropractor may treat Scoliosis by utilizing various treatment methods, such as spinal adjustments and exercises.

Scoliosis, plain and simple, is a medical condition in which the spine deviates to the side, and curvature in the spine is more than 10 degrees in either direction.

Scoliosis is commonly found in teenagers, but it can happen in adults too. This curvature of the spine can often be seen, especially in the side view of the spine. The curvature may be worse on one side than the other. As the spine is curved, it can cause back pain. In addition, the pain might spread to other parts of the body, like the neck or arms. The leg may also feel weak.

Chiropractors specialize in diagnosing and treating neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction. Conditions treated by chiropractors include but are not limited to: back pain, neck pain, headaches, TMJ disorders, stress, and whiplash. 

If a patient has a question about Scoliosis, this diagnosis is based on a variety of factors. Included are things like how long the symptoms have been present, when they began, additional problems, the severity of the symptoms, and if there were any previous efforts to correct these symptoms.

In the case of a scoliosis condition, a chiropractor will use various techniques to correct the problem. These techniques may include traditional spinal adjustment, a high-velocity low amplitude thrust delivered to a joint specifically designed with anatomic placement to affect the desired outcome. In addition or some cases as an alternative, techniques such as Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM, which includes Graston Technique), Dry Needling and Active Release Therapy may be effective.

No matter what your Cobb angle, there is hope for Scoliosis treatment. At Cornerstone Chiropractic in Hiram, GA, we utilize a non-surgical treatment called Spinal Decompression Therapy. The Spinal Decompression Unit uses a multi-axis distraction system to decompress the spine and reduce spinal pressure, which helps bring relief to back pain. 

What are Treatment Options for People with Scoliosis?

The Chiropractors at Cornerstone Chiropractic in Hiram, GA, can discuss treatment options for the management of Scoliosis with you. Depending on the actual degree of curvature of the spine, this can be uncomfortable, cause numbness and pain, or even be debilitating. Scoliosis or curvature of the spine can occur when one side of the vertebral column is curled excessively concerning the other. Additionally, this condition can be either an acute or chronic condition.

It can affect people of any age, from school-aged children to adults. However, it primarily affects the torso and can interfere with breathing, digestion, movement, and other essential functions.

Treatment Options for Scoliosis at Cornerstone Chiropractic

At Cornerstone Chiropractic in Hiram, GA, we take a different approach to dealing with Scoliosis. Our doctors see Scoliosis as primarily a spinal dysfunction, meaning that there is not just one thing happening to create the discomfort you may be feeling. Instead, many factors go into making the wide range of symptoms that come with this condition. 

Treatment type varies depending on the patient’s age, symptoms, and severity of the curvature. Although it’s said that not much can be done for scoliosis treatment in adults, that may not be true as it all depends upon what stage you are in. But there are specific treatments available that can help resolve the symptoms and improve the condition. Such as:

• Chiropractic Adjustments
• Exercise
• Spinal Manipulation
• Spinal Decompression
• Vertebral Subluxation Complex

We want to help our clients have a healthy spine and nervous system so that the rest of their body functions at an optimal level. So contact us today to set up your initial appointment at Cornerstone Chiropractic in Hiram, GA. Some of the treatment options available include:

• Physical Therapy. If there is some deformity in your spine, a physical therapist can recommend some exercises to strengthen your spine and muscles around it.
• Bracing. A brace is a device you wear on your back that helps hold your spine in place while it heals. Probably also one of the most often used treatment methods for Scoliosis. In fact, many people who see a chiropractor get a brace from them to help them get through a flare-up of Scoliosis.
• Surgery. Surgery might be an option for extreme cases to reduce or remove some of the curves of Scoliosis.

A chiropractor manually operates a multi-axial mechanical traction system to provide a controlled distraction of the intervertebral discs and relieve stress on the spinal cord. In the past, patients with Scoliosis were only given the treatment options of a brace or surgery to correct their condition. Today, through the use of Spinal Decompression Therapy, patients with Scoliosis can receive a non-surgical correction to their spine. 

Scoliosis is a condition of the spine caused by an abnormal curvature. Our back and neck pain specialists here at Cornerstone Chiropractic in Hiram, GA, have years of experience working with scoliosis patients and can help you. To learn more about our Scoliosis treatment plans or the available options, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at Cornerstone Chiropractic in Hiram, GA. Our office phone number is (770) 439-7765!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any risk factors associated with developing scoliosis?

Yes, while the exact cause of scoliosis is often unknown, there are certain risk factors associated with the condition. These may include genetic factors, as a family history of scoliosis can increase the risk. Growth spurts during puberty can also be a contributing factor. While anyone can develop scoliosis, it has been observed more in girls than boys during adolescence.

Are there specific types of exercises to avoid if one has scoliosis?

Yes, while exercise is beneficial, certain activities might exacerbate the symptoms of scoliosis or cause more stress to the curved spine. High-impact sports or exercises that require excessive spine twisting may not be suitable. It's crucial to consult with a healthcare professional or chiropractor to get a personalized list of recommended and restricted activities.

Can scoliosis be completely cured?

The treatment for scoliosis aims to prevent the curve from worsening, relieve symptoms, and correct spinal deformity, if possible. While some cases, especially mild ones, may improve with treatment, others might require ongoing management. The outcome often depends on the severity of the curve, the patient's age, and the chosen treatment method. It's essential to have regular check-ups to monitor the condition.

Is it safe for pregnant women with scoliosis to undergo chiropractic care?

Chiropractic care can be beneficial for many pregnant women in managing discomforts associated with pregnancy. However, for those with scoliosis, it's essential to inform the chiropractor about the condition. The chiropractor can then tailor the treatments to be both safe and effective, taking into consideration the scoliosis and the changes occurring in the body during pregnancy.

How often should I see my chiropractor if I have scoliosis?

The frequency of visits depends on the severity of your scoliosis, the treatment plan established by your chiropractor, and how your body responds to the treatment. Some patients might need to see their chiropractor more frequently, especially during the initial stages of treatment, while others might require less frequent visits. Always consult with your chiropractor to establish a schedule that is right for your specific condition and needs.