Scoliosis Treatment from Your Cornelius Chiropractor 

For as many as 9 million U.S. patients, scoliosis causes the spine to curve sideways.  Pain and other symptoms can greatly affect daily activities and also erode self-confidence.  Treatment from our chiropractor at Pierce Family Chiropractic utilizes natural methods to improve the condition of scoliotic patients in Cornelius, Denver, and the surrounding area.

Overview of This Disorder

Scoliosis is a sideways curving of the spine that often resembles the letters S or C.  The most common type of this spinal disorder is idiopathic, or of unknown cause, and affects around 80 percent of patients.  For some, the factors responsible might be tumors, trauma, or neurological disease.  Sometimes the cause is posture, muscle spasms, or legs of unequal length. 

The remaining 20 percent of patients have one of these types of the disorder:

• Congenital curving, present when born
• Paralytic curving, where muscles do not work
• Myopathic deformity, when muscles do not work properly
• Secondary, caused by another disorder such as osteoporosis

The largest group of patients affected are those between 10 and 15 years old.  The disorder affects more females than males.  Although most common among young patients, it can also develop in adults.

Physical signs include uneven shoulders, a rib or lower back hump, and the appearance of one hip as higher than the other one.  Other symptoms include limited activity, pain, lowered lung function, and impaired heart function. 

Diagnosis and Treatment for Lake Norman Patients

Chiropractors diagnose this condition in Lake Norman patients by completing a comprehensive physical exam that includes a medical history as well as a postural analysis.  Periodic spinal X-rays are often helpful.  Use of the Cobb method, which measures the degree of curvature, is important when creating a treatment plan.

For the mildest cases, chiropractors continue to observe patients check for any progression.  Spinal manipulation prescribed exercises, and electrical muscle stimulation are the primary methods used to treat the remaining patients. 

Most scoliotic individuals have a bone in the spine out of alignment with one below or above it or have a partially dislocated bone, a condition known as a spinal subluxation.  Chiropractors have specific training in locating subluxations that can cause pain or disturb the nervous system.  Manual adjustments can lower the amount of curvature. 

Other scoliotic therapies include postural counseling, heel lifts, and bracing.  Massage therapy sometimes aids in boosting circulation and in loosening joints and muscles for improved range of motion.

Schedule an Appointment with Our Chiropractor in Cornelius

Don’t suffer from the symptoms associated with scoliosis or other musculoskeletal conditions. Natural treatment options that avoid medication or surgery are available from our Cornelius chiropractor, Dr. Amy Guinn.  At Pierce Family Chiropractic, our goal for residents of Cornelius, Denver, Lake Norman, and the surrounding area is creating healthy families.  Call us today at 704-987-5050 to schedule a consultation, ask about our new patient special, and rediscover your world of health and wellness.

How could chiropractic care help someone in your family?