Scoliosis is a medical condition that affects approximately 4% of the world’s population. The main symptom of scoliosis is having an “S” or “C” curve in your spine.
Mild scoliosis cases can have minimal impact on your quality of life. Severe cases, however, can interfere with breathing.
One of the unique things about scoliosis is that most scoliosis patients feel no pain. However, some patients report pain in their hips, knees, or legs.
Common effects of scoliosis include:
- Reduced life expectancy
- Stunted growth
- Decreased pulmonary (lung) function
- Headaches
- Shortness of breath
- Digestive problems
- Chronic disease
- Hip, knee, or leg pain
What Causes Scoliosis?
Scoliosis is a largely idiopathic disease: we have no idea why most people get scoliosis. Approximately 65% of scoliosis cases are idiopathic, with the remaining scoliosis cases congenital or related to neuromuscular disease.
Patients with congenital scoliosis often develop symptoms of the condition at a young age. In fact, there’s evidence that congenital scoliosis cases are linked to a malformation of the spine during weeks three to six in the womb. During this crucial period of development, normal vertebrae can fuse together, which ultimately causes abnormal curvature of the spine.
Scoliosis can also be caused by neuromuscular diseases. Certain diseases – like muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy – can weaken muscle support in the spinal column, which means the spinal column is pulled in abnormal directions.
How to Treat Scoliosis
Some patients choose to treat scoliosis using invasive surgeries. These surgeries have mixed success rates. The surgeries involve fusing a metal rod to the spine. It can provide short-term relief from scoliosis symptoms, but surgery is rarely an effective long-term solution.
A growing number of patients are choosing to treat scoliosis with chiropractic therapy. Dr. Jumper and the team at Renew Chiropractic in Lakewood specialize in treating scoliosis. Chiropractors can drastically help improve quality of life for scoliosis patients. Chiropractors can also treat patients in a non-invasive way, emphasizing holistic long-term care instead of “quick fix” treatments.
A chiropractor will assess your scoliosis based on spinal rigidity and sensorimotor integration (SMI). Then, the chiropractor will work with the patient to “retrain the brain” on how to use the body. Patients can expect to go through a number of balance tests and similar therapies to reverse scoliosis using chiropractic care.
Remember: most cases of scoliosis can be controlled, but not completely cured. Contact Renew Chiropractic for a free scoliosis evaluation. Let us put you on the path towards a better quality of life. Call to setup your free scoliosis consultation.