Scoliosis is an abnormal curve of the spine that occurs in 2 to 3% of the population, affecting from 6 to 9 million Americans. Scoliosis starts developing around 7 years of age and progresses to around the age of 17. Females are more likely to present with scoliosis, especially for it to progress to severe degrees. Many people with scoliosis are asymptomatic, but many experience back pain, neck pain, headaches, fatigue, difficulty breathing and other problems. Symptoms are the last thing to show up with a problem and you are more safe to be checked to prevent problems from getting worse, just like most people go to a dentist periodically to get their teeth and gums checked. You would never tell the dentist to not worry about a cavity he finds just because there is no pain. You know that cavity will just get worse and cost more money if you wait.
There are several signs of possible scoliosis:
1) shoulders are uneven with one or both shoulder blades sticking out
2) one or both hips are raises or one rotated forward/backward more than the other
3) the head is not centered over the pelvis
4) the rib cage is rotated and higher on one side than the other
5) when the person leans forward to touch the toes, one side of the spine is more prominent or a bulge forms
6) the entire body leans to one side
Most medical doctors say the scoliosis is insignificant if the curve is less than 25 degrees, but anytime the spine is misaligned it puts pressure on the nerves which control all functions of the body. This will not only cause pain, but can affect your breathing, your digestion and other normal body functions. If the scoliosis reaches 50 degrees or more they recommend invasive surgery where they cut away parts of your spinal bones and then insert rods that are locked into place restricting the entire motion of your spine. If you get to this point, many of your normal daily activities will no longer be allowed. Just think if your spine was just one long fused bone, rather than the 24 movable vertrebra of the neck, thoracic and lumbar spine.
Watch the video below of one of our patients explain about her experience with scoliosis. She unfortunately was told she had to get the surgery many years ago, and now experiences neck pain and periodic back pain.
At our office, Hometown Family Wellness Center located in Freehold, NJ, we have seen many patients who were never told their alternative options to avoid surgery. Fortunately as we educate many parents, they bring their kids in to get checked as infants thru adolescence to get adjusted to help adjust their spines. Chiropractic has been one of the most successful forms of treatment in helping patients who have scoliosis. Chiropractors analyze the spine for spinal misalignments or subluxations that put pressure on nerves and decrease optimal health.
To find out more about our office go to www.ChiropractorFreehold.com or call our office at 732-780-0044 to schedule a consultation.