We often think of back pain as something that happens to older people, those with physically demanding jobs, or athletes who have been injured while pursuing their sport. But scoliosis can strike at relatively young ages and get worse over time, and is not always related to injuries or repeated stress. And in fact, scoliosis can be a significant source of pain and immobility in those who suffer from it.
It’s not a rare condition, either; around 5 to 7 million people in the US have curvature of the spine called scoliosis. Trauma is occasionally responsible, but most often the cause of scoliosis is structural or unknown. In more rare cases neurological disease or tumors can also contribute to curvature of the spine.
The symptoms of scoliosis can be somewhat surprising. In addition to back pain, the patient might experience
- Reduced range of motion
- Reduced lung function
- Reduced heart function
- Self esteem issues, especially if the curvature is noticeable to others
If the scoliosis is what we call functional scoliosis, that means another dysfunction in the body is contributing to curvature in the spine. Common contributors include muscle spasms, postural problems, or even having one leg that is longer than the other. This type of scoliosis can often be remedied with chiropractic treatments by addressing the underlying contributing factor.
Potential treatments depend upon the patient’s individual circumstances, but can include spinal manipulation, electric muscle stimulation, and/or therapeutic exercise. Even when the scoliosis can’t be corrected, chiropractic treatments can be successful in reducing the pain experienced by the patient, and in increasing range of motion.
Since each case is unique, a consultation on your scoliosis symptoms is in order. Call us to schedule an appointment if you suspect a curvature of the spine is causing bothersome symptoms, and we can review your habits and health factors to make a recommendation for treatment.