Scoliosis Awareness Month is June

June marks Scoliosis Awareness Month. June is a great month for a timely reminder to parents about the crucial role of spinal health in their children's development.  Scoliosis, a condition characterized by a sideways curvature of the spine that often begins subtly during childhood or adolescence and can progress without noticeable symptoms in its early stages. Regular check-ups with a chiropractor are incredibly important because they can help identify potential spinal issues, including early signs of scoliosis, before they become more pronounced. Chiropractors are trained to assess spinal alignment and function, looking for subtle deviations that might indicate a problem.

What is scoliosis? 

Scoliosis is a term that is used to describe extra curvatures in the spinal column. A “hunched-over” spine, also described as a hyper-kyphosis, effects the spinal curve in the sagittal plane-line. This is something you may visually notice by looking at a spine from the side view. Scoliosis, on the other hand, effects all of the plane-lines but mostly the coronal plane, which is viewed from front-to-back or back-to-front. 

Why does scoliosis occur? 

There are 2 major categories of scoliosis, which are functional and structural. Functional scoliosis is usually acquired over time from chronic subluxations and/or muscular imbalances. This type of scoliosis is usually a result of biomechanical problems that create a compensatory curvature also known as a scoliosis, to accommodate those problems. This type of scoliosis is the most common, and it can usually fully corrected through chiropractic care and regular straightening and stretching.

Structural scoliosis is something that creates an actual remodeling of the bone. Reasons for structural scoliosis could be due to neurological factors, congenital bone anomalies, developmental factors, nutrient deficiencies, and certain diseases. 

Structural scoliosis can usually be improved if caught at a young age, but because it’s based in the structure and how the structure forms in utero, it may not ever be fully “corrected.” The word “correction” is in quotations because the word correction is relative based on the individual. Nobody is symmetrical and sometimes the reasons as to why may never be fully understood through diagnostic tests.

How is it diagnosed? 

Chiropractors can detect scoliosis visually and palpably in their spinal exam. They are highly experienced and trained in seeing and feeling the normal alignment of the spine, and they can even incorporate some orthopedic tests, such as Adam’s Forward Bend Test to conclude if scoliosis is present, and whether it is functional or structural.

The ultimate tool for diagnosis is radiographic x-rays. X-rays allow the chiropractic doctor to see whether or not there are boney anomalies and what levels of vertebrae are involved in the scoliosis. X-rays also give a starting point of scoliosis so that if there is a progression or

How is scoliosis managed? 

Well first… let’s keep in mind that functional scoliosis should try to be avoided with preventative chiropractic care, but, if any type of scoliosis is present already, chiropractors will manage by locating subluxations and adjusting them. A functional scoliosis can often completely heal and be corrected. A structural scoliosis will often improve and/or stop it’s progression. Of course, the outcomes of care will depend on your frequency and the other healthy habits you do outside of your chiropractor’s office.

This June, it is a great time to get your whole family in for your chiropractic exam and adjustments. There are discounts available for families and kids. Investing in your health now, will translate into a healthier future.

Thanks for reading. Stay healthy!