Can A Chiropractor Help Fix Scoliosis?
What can a chiropractor do … for scoliosis?
It’s a common question from patients at Ascent Chiropractic. Most assume you can simply make an appointment at any chiropractor for any kind of back problem, even for complicated conditions. But that’s not the case when it comes to scoliosis.
A scoliotic spine isn’t your average spine, so traditional chiropractic adjustments that would be just fine on a normal spine can actually injure someone with scoliosis. At Ascent Chiropractic, however, we understand the complexities of scoliosis.
A Two-Part Process
Treating scoliosis is a two-part process: returning proper motion and positioning to the joints in the spine and correcting soft tissue imbalances. If you’re only addressing joint motion, but ignoring the muscles and ligaments that control and support that joint with specific active rehab exercises, you’ll never get long-term correction.
It’s also common for scoliosis patients to have hypermobility and instability of the neck. High-force, aggressive chiropractic adjustments on an unstable cervical spine are never a good idea. That’s why we use gentle, low-force adjusting techniques, especially for scoliosis patients.
Conversely, you can’t just do physical therapy – stretching muscles and ligaments that are tight/shortened and strengthening the muscles that are weak/lengthened – without actually correcting the joint dysfunction that’s causing problems. At Ascent Chiropractic, we make it a point to address both.
Chiropractic Treatment For Scoliosis: It Works.
The x-rays below are the before and after imaging of a 4 year old scoliosis patient at Ascent Chiropractic taken approximately one year apart. Before coming to Ascent Chiropractic, he had been treated by specialists at Children’s Hospital who had prescribed him a scoliosis brace to be worn 23 hours per day since the age of 2.
Through a combination of specific chiropractic treatments, soft tissue therapy and targeted strengthening exercises, we were able to reduce his Cobb Angle from almost 65º to just 15º over the course of a year. He continues to wear the brace for now, but the change is huge!
X-Rays Are Essential!
By taking x-rays of the spine, we can measure a patient’s unique spinal curve and determine the best adjustments for their scoliotic curve. These adjustments can work to stabilize and eventually improve the Cobb angle. At Ascent Chiropractic, our digital x-ray system rivals most hospital units to ensure the best clarity possible at a fraction of the cost of hospital diagnostic imaging.
Depending on the measurement of the spine in a scoliosis patient’s x-rays, we may perform adjustments on the neck, back, hips or all three.
The Bottom Line
Even though traditional chiropractic care isn’t always the best option, the right chiropractic treatment can make a huge difference in both the Cobb angle and a scoliosis patient’s quality of life. Scoliosis-specific chiropractic adjustments are an excellent option for those looking to avoid a brace, surgery, or who want to experience positive lifestyle changes, such as improved breathing and posture.
The bottom line is that specialization does matter when it comes to scoliosis. A scoliosis chiropractor will know the specifics of the disease and how to treat sensitive areas with the necessary precision. Ready to start? To make an appointment at Ascent Chiropractic, call 262-345-4166 or schedule an appointment with our online scheduling app.