Scoliosis, or curvature of the spine, is one of the most common back disorders. It can cause significant pain, decreased range of motion, and limited mobility. While prescription pain medications can help treat the pain of scoliosis, they can cause serious side effects and may be inappropriate for children. Here are some safe and effective ways chiropractic treatment can help those suffering from scoliosis. 

Understanding Scoliosis

Scoliosis causes the spine to curve sideways, and while the causes of this curvature are largely unknown, many people have preexisting conditions such as neurological diseases, tumors, or sustained trauma to the back. Scoliosis is more common in girls, and while many cases are idiopathic, meaning that no known cause is responsible for it, it may have a hereditary component. If one of your parents or siblings has scoliosis, you may be more likely to have it.

Common symptoms of scoliosis include severe spinal pain, impaired lung function, decreased range of motion, and even diminished cardiovascular function. It can also cause self-esteem problems, especially in adolescents when significant increases in spinal curvature can develop.

Scoliosis can also cause shoulder pain, headaches, neck pain, jaw pain, and fatigue. Your chiropractic physician will perform a complete spinal examination, which may include diagnostic imaging tests to determine the extent of your spinal curvature, so that an effective treatment plan can be implemented. 

Chiropractic Treatment For Scoliosis

Chiropractic treatment options for scoliosis include therapeutic massage and exercise, spinal manipulation and adjustments, and electric muscle stimulation. These therapies are safe and effective and can help relieve severe pain and inflammation while improving posture, balance, and gait.

One of the most common challenges in the treatment of scoliosis is that abnormalities in gait and posture cause other areas of your body to overcompensate, which can cause new pain in areas other than the spine.

While you are undergoing treatment with your chiropractic physician, he or she may recommend that you augment your therapy with icing. Ice helps relieve pain and swelling. It causes vasoconstriction, which means that your blood vessels will narrow or constrict during icing treatments. When this happens, the inflammatory response is slowed, and, subsequently, the pain and swelling of the surrounding tissues is diminished. 

If you are seeking alternative, drug-free therapies for your scoliosis, make an appointment with a clinic like Davison Chiropractic. After your spinal examination, a comprehensive treatment plan will be put into place to address your specific needs.