Millions of people around the world are affected by some form of scoliosis – a sideways curvature of the spine – including individuals who are diagnosed with muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy. As alarming as this sounds, the majority of cases are often considered ‘mild’ and, with the right treatment, needn’t subject patients to many limitations. 

While some forms of the condition are prevalent from birth such as idiopathic scoliosis and congenital scoliosis, it is most commonly diagnosed in children and adolescents between the ages of 10-18. In some rare, severe cases, surgery is required to straighten drastic curves in the spine; however, most cases can be managed with non-surgical treatments such as chiropractic care.

Identifying Physical Symptoms of Scoliosis

If the spine is only slightly curved sideways, there is little or no physical indication of scoliosis until or unless it progresses further. On the other hand, patients with noticeable physical symptoms include the following:

• Lopsided shoulders
• Uneven hips/waist
• Inconsistencies in the appearance of the shoulder blades; one may be raised higher than the other or appear more prominent
• Protruding rib cage on one side
• One side of the back appears more prominent especially when in a forward-bend position

Non-physical symptoms that patients may experience include muscle spasms and back pain, as well as breathing difficulty due to the limited space available for the lungs to contract and expand. Only a thorough examination along with x-rays can help determine the severity of one’s scoliosis, after which, appropriate treatment can be provided.

Importance of Diagnosing Scoliosis Accurately

Scoliosis cannot be treated like any other spine deformity because it is unique, and each patient’s diagnosis will also be unique. Without a proper examination, an inexperienced doctor will possibly overlook related issues that are causing symptoms such as problems in surrounding ligaments, injuries/infections of the spine, abnormalities in the spinal cord, and so on. 

Unless the diagnosis is 100% accurate in finding related issues (if any), along with the patient’s unique form of scoliosis, there is little chance that the treatment will be successful or improve the overall quality of life for a patient living with the spinal deformity. For these reasons, it is critically important to find a highly trained, experienced, and qualified chiropractor with a clinic that is equipped with a diagnostic centre and the technology to examine patients thoroughly.

How Chiropractors Assess & Help Scoliosis Patients

A chiropractor can only be confident about helping a patient after a full assessment has been made. Quite a few doctors overlook some crucial factors when assessing patients which is why we are sharing them with you today.

Spinal Nerve Tension

Before addressing the shape of the spine or repositioning the spine, it is important to consider the amount of tension the nerves in the spine are subjected to as this plays a rather big role in scoliosis-related symptoms. Until this stress has been alleviated, further treatment will be put on hold. Moreover, this initial step (which also aids in pain management) will instantly improve the patient’s quality of life.

Balance-Related Tests

By testing one’s balance, the doctor can gauge how well the brain is communicating with the body. If something is interfering with the signals being sent from the brain to the body, it indicates that the patient will have great difficulty in changing the way their brain has been using the spine, surrounding muscles, and spinal joints. With improvements in communication between the brain and body, your chiropractor can actively work with you to retrain your brain to facilitate optimal functioning of the spine.

Patient’s Commitment

Post-examination, a treatment plan will be put in place which patients must follow diligently in order to improve their condition and get rid of related symptoms. While the chiropractor will set the patient on the right path to recovery or managing their scoliosis successfully, the rest lies in the hands of the patient themself. They are required to be fully committed to the treatment plan both when receiving chiropractic care and at home.

Other Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Scoliosis

Non-invasive treatment like chiropractic care helps scoliosis patients manage their symptoms efficiently, thus, giving them a chance to lead a much more normal life and disallowing the condition to disrupt their day-to-day lives.

Let’s take a look at some of the top benefits of chiropractic treatments for scoliosis patients:

• Chiropractors provide scoliosis-specific adjustments which do not involve turning and twisting of the neck. The techniques and instruments used will help adjust the neck and realign the head so that the shape of the spine can be worked on thereafter.

• Along with chiropractic adjustments, the doctor will provide scoliosis massages which have a range of benefits including loosening the muscles in the back and the spine, thereby allowing for better chiropractic adjustments.

• They will demonstrate the best and most effective stretches and exercises specifically intended to help scoliosis patients. Since there is an imbalance in the back, one side of the body’s muscles is generally tight while the muscles on the other side grow weaker. To fix that, the chiropractor will guide you through each stretch/exercise so that they can be performed safely at home.

• Thanks to their extensive knowledge in diagnosing and treating conditions/disorders related to the musculoskeletal system, chiropractors can advise scoliosis patients on the best sleeping/resting positions, as well as specific movements that will reduce or relieve pain on a day-to-day basis. They will also give you tips on how to keep your spine healthy overall. 

• Through various chiropractic treatments for scoliosis, patients will gain/regain the ability to take longer and deeper breaths. This benefit is generally experienced down the line as the ongoing treatment(s) begin to work on the spine and relevant joints, nerves, and muscles.

It must be noted that not all chiropractors are equipped to diagnose/treat scoliosis patients as per their unique requirements; therefore, finding the best healthcare provider is your best bet to managing scoliosis and reaping the benefits of an individualised treatment plan. At MSK Therapy, you can expect extensively trained and experienced chiropractors who possess the skills and knowledge required to successfully treat patients with scoliosis. Our facility is well-equipped for thorough examinations while our customised treatment programs move at a comfortable pace to ensure that the patient’s best interests are prioritised every step of the way.