Childhood Scoliosis

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!