Scoliosis is a condition that most people have heard of.
Most people are aware that it involves a “curved spine.” Usually, these two
facts are the extent of common knowledge about this condition. As a
chiropractor, I am in a unique position to shine a little light on this
subject.
The most common kind of scoliosis is termed “idiopathic” by medical
doctors. The word “idiopathic” means, quite simply, that the cause is unknown. Scoliosis is characterized by lateral curvature of the spine. Natural, healthy spinal curves
occur from front to back. In scoliosis, “textbook abnormal” spinal shapes
develop. This can happen at birth, during the development of a child, as the
result of an accident, or even because of physiological reasons(like repetitive
activity on just one side of the body.) Birth trauma can adversely effect a
baby’s nervous system, causing postural muscles to draw up the pelvis, twisting
the spine. In these cases, chiropractic adjustments can often have a dramatic
effect. Because a child’s spine is still forming, they are in ultimate healing
mode. Many times an uncomplicated idiopathic scoliosis straightens considerably
while a child is treated chiropractically.
Sometimes a child’s individual vertebra does not develop
fully, resulting in a “hemi-vertebra,” or half-formed bone. This results in an
anatomical scoliosis, or one that is part of the actual structure of the
skeleton. Chiropractic or medical care, outside of invasive surgery, cannot straighten
this kind of scoliosis. What adjustments can do is help the nervous system and
other bones of the spine develop and function optimally, giving the child his
or her best chance at optimum health.
As in most conditions, chiropractic care should be at the
top of the treatment plan. It is the least invasive form of care, using gentle
adjustments to coax the spine back into functioning properly. There are more
invasive treatments that medical doctors utilize, including braces and surgery.
I believe strongly that these methods of treating scoliosis should be reserved
as a last resort, especially since there is a strong track record of childhood
scoliosis improving with conservative chiropractic care.
The effects of how we treat our children today last for the
rest of their lives. As time goes on, an unadjusted scoliosis could lead to
back pain, problems with breathing, heart rate, and digestion, and even issues
with reproductive health in adulthood. How can I make such sweeping claims?
Because the nervous system effects EVERYTHING, and your spine protects the
nervous system. Many chiropractors, including myself, do not have the goal of straightening the spine. The goal of the
adjustment is to improve nervous system FUNCTION, which directly leads to
better health. Because kids are so adaptable, and able to heal so well, they
respond to chiropractic care much more dramatically than adults do. Get your
kids adjusted!
