Scoliosis is something that we often learn about when we are young, but we usually don’t understand what it means exactly. Premier Health Chiropractors can help. We specialize in both pediatric and family chiropractic so we can be sure that scoliosis is detected at a young age.
Many children and teens are affected by scoliosis, which is a sideways curve of the spine. A spine with scoliosis curves into a C or S shape, where a normal spine without scoliosis is a straight line down the middle of the back. Children are typically affected by idiopathic scoliosis, which means there is no known cause of the condition. However, much can be done to control your child’s scoliosis, and Premier Health Chiropractors can help.
Typically, spines with curves measuring 25 to 50 degrees are considered large enough curves that require treatment, however, curves greater than 50 degrees will usually require surgery. Bracing can also keep the spine from getting worse.
A licensed chiropractor at Premier Health will determine the degree of your child’s scoliosis. Children who have curves less than 20 degrees are considered to have a mild case of scoliosis, and we will monitor your child closely to ensure that the curve does not worsen. Children younger than 10 years of age with curves greater than about 35 degrees tend to get worse without treatment, so we typically check your child’s spine about every six months, and perform X-rays about once each year.
Bracing is an option when a child has a moderate curve that is between 25 to 40 degrees, a progressive curve that has increased by more than five degrees, or if a child is young and has a lot of growing to do. Bracing can keep the spinal curve from growing large enough to require surgery. The curve will most likely get smaller as it is being held in the brace, and when your spine is fully grown and you stop wearing the brace, the scoliosis curve will eventually go back to its original size. However, the curve sometimes stays smaller after bracing treatment.
If your child has been diagnosed with scoliosis, there’s no need to worry. Premier Health Chiropractors is here to help you and your child. While scoliosis typically requires medical treatment outside of chiropractic care, a chiropractic clinic can be an excellent addition to managing discomfort associated with scoliosis. Since chiropractic care is considered a non-traditional method of treatment, patients can forget about undergoing surgery, taking medications, or dealing with any nasty side effects from medications. Chiropractic care is natural and is a safe and effective way of eliminating pain, especially for children and teens with scoliosis.
Call us today to schedule an appointment with one of our licensed chiropractors at your local Premier Health!