Welcome to the Family Chiropractic & Massage blog! Here, we will discuss anything and everything that has to do with chiropractic care and wellness. We will share helpful information and hopefully answer any questions you have through our articles. We are a chiropractic clinic that began in 1997 and has since grown to locations in North Charleston, Summerville, and Moncks Corner, South Carolina. We are dedicated to providing tailored care and treatment with traditional and new techniques to help our patients reach their wellness goals. We treat a variety of conditions including neck pain, back pain, injuries, sciatica, scoliosis, and more. Besides chiropractic care, we also offer physiotherapeutic care, rehabilitative care, and massage therapy. Our licensed massage therapists offer all types of massage from deep tissue to compression massage and more. We are strong believers in natural healing! Check out our website to find out more information about the services and care we offer, and contact us today to schedule an appointment with our experienced doctors!

In our last post, we talked about sciatica, its symptoms, possible causes, and treatments. Sciatica refers to pain that travels along the path of the sciatic nerve. This pain can range from mild to severe, with mild cases usually subsiding within a few weeks. It is most often caused by pressure put on the sciatica nerve. Sometimes, lifestyle changes can prevent sciatica, and chiropractic care is one of the safest and most effective treatments. If you are interested in learning more, we encourage you to check out our last post!

Today, we’ll be discussing scoliosis. Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine that affects 2 to 3 percent of the U.S. population– That’s approximately 6 to 9 million people. Scoliosis is the most common spinal deformity, affecting thousands of people worldwide. While most people have heard of scoliosis, not everyone has a full understanding of the condition. In this article, we’ll be discussing everything to know about scoliosis, including symptoms, possible causes, and treatments. If you are interested in learning more about scoliosis, you’re in the right place! Let’s get started.

What is scoliosis?

Scoliosis is characterized as an abnormal, sideways curvature of the spine that most often shows up during adolescence. Most cases of scoliosis are mild, but the curve can worsen as children grow. In more severe cases of scoliosis, the harsh curve can reduce the amount of space within the chest, making it difficult to breathe properly. Since scoliosis typically shows up at a young age, it is common for children to receive scoliosis screenings from pediatricians. This usually consists of the child bending over at the waist for the doctor to check if the spine is abnormally curved. In most cases, an x-ray will then be conducted to determine whether or not the curvature is scoliosis. Any curve that measures more than 10 degrees on an x-ray is considered scoliosis.

What causes scoliosis?

It is important to note that there are different types of scoliosis, and these different types can have different causes. Let’s take a closer look:

  • Idiopathic scoliosis: This is the most common type of scoliosis, making up about 80% of cases. Unfortunately, idiopathic scoliosis has no known cause. However, hereditary factors may play a role in the development. 
  • Congenital scoliosis: This type of scoliosis begins as a baby’s back develops prior to birth, known as an embryological malfunction. It can occur in any part of the spine. The abnormal deformities in the vertebrae cause curvature and can cause scoliosis to progress as the child grows. Since the abnormalities are present at birth, this type of scoliosis is often discovered early on.
  • Neuromuscular scoliosis: This type of scoliosis is secondary to neurological or muscular diseases, such as cerebral palsy or a spinal cord injury. Neuromuscular scoliosis tends to progress more rapidly than other types.
  • Degenerative scoliosis: Degenerative scoliosis most often affects adults, as it usually develops as a result of age-related wear and tear to the disks and joints of the spine. 

Idiopathic scoliosis shows up most often during growth spurts– Typically between the ages of 10 and 15 years old. While both boys and girls develop mild scoliosis at the same rate, statistics show that girls are more likely to develop a worsening curve that needs treatment.  

What are the symptoms of scoliosis?

Some visible signs and symptoms of scoliosis include:

  • A visible curve in your back
  • Uneven shoulders
  • Uneven waist
  • One shoulder blade appears more prominent than the other
  • One side of the rib cage sticking out further
  • Body leans to one side

Scoliosis can also have symptoms that are not visible to the eye. These include:

  • Back pain, especially in the lower back
  • Back stiffness
  • Pain and numbness in the legs
  • Fatigue due to muscle strain

How is scoliosis treated?

In most cases, the earlier scoliosis is detected, the better. That is why it is important to pay attention to any postural changes in your children. If you notice signs of scoliosis in your child, it is important to reach out to your doctor. Mild scoliosis does not always need treatment, but for more severe cases, wearing a brace around the torso may be recommended. As a last resort, spinal fusion surgery may be recommended. However, one of the safest, most effective, and all-natural treatments for scoliosis is chiropractic care! Chiropractors have a deep knowledge of musculoskeletal issues and disorders, including scoliosis. Chiropractic adjustments can reduce pain caused by scoliosis by decreasing pressure on nerves, and removing any subluxations or interferences in order to help the nervous system perform at its optimal best. In addition to adjustments, chiropractors also have the capability to recommend postural changes that will minimize pain, strengthening exercises that support the joints, and other lifestyle or nutritional changes that can encourage the body to heal itself naturally. At Family Chiropractic, our knowledgeable professionals can create a treatment plan that is tailored to your unique situation.

As you can see, scoliosis is a common condition, but chiropractic care is a natural and effective way to treat it! We hope you found this article informative, and we encourage you to reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns. It would be a pleasure to assist you. Here at Family Chiropractic & Massage, we offer chiropractic care as well as massage services and heat and cold therapy. We have doctors who have studied various chiropractic techniques to render care to patients with different types of conditions. As people vary, so do the techniques chosen to help each patient get well. We use evidence-based treatment methods to help patients get better faster. If you are suffering from any type of back pain, contact us today to set up an appointment so we can assess your needs and create an effective treatment plan. One of our experienced doctors would love to help get you on the right track to living a healthy, pain-free life! Thank you for reading, and we hope you’ll check back for more articles about chiropractic care and all it has to offer!