Scoliosis Treatment OptionsPlainfield, IL

Treatment of scoliosis

Treatment is necessary when the curvature of one’s spine begins to worsen. It is possible for the spine to rotate or twist even further, which often leads to the patient experiencing additional health problems. Because every case of scoliosis is different, treatment techniques will be customized to fit each patient's specific needs.

There are multiple factors a chiropractor will look for when determining what type of treatment techniques should be used to treat scoliosis patients:

• Whether the patient is male or female, as girls have a higher risk of experiencing scoliosis complications
• The type of curvature, as some curvatures are more likely to worsen over a certain period of time
• Whether the location of the curvature is in the upper back, lower back or in the middle, as curvatures in the middle of the back are more likely to lead to additional complications
• How old a patient is, which determines whether or not their bones have stopped growing. When bone growth has stopped, it is likely that the condition will not progress

There are a few different treatment options in place for treating patients who have been diagnosed with scoliosis.

Wearing a back brace

While wearing a brace will not reverse scoliosis, it will help to prevent any further progression of the disorder. When it is necessary for a patient to wear a brace, it will be made to conform to their body, making it virtually unnoticeable. The brace will need to be worn for a certain amount of time every single day until a chiropractor determines that the patient's bones are no longer growing.

Lifestyle changes

Scoliosis patients are encouraged to stay active as much as their condition allows. They should participate in any sport they enjoy playing and/or participate in outdoor exercises, as any type of exercise is going to help them maintain overall good health.

Chiropractic adjustments

Chiropractic adjustments help to reduce any restrictions or misalignments in the spine and are therefore a common treatment option chosen by scoliosis patients. These adjustments also help to minimize any inflammation present as well as help to improve functioning between the patient's nervous system and joints. The result is increased mobility and improved spinal health.

Surgery

According to the Scoliosis Research Society, sometimes an idiopathic scoliosis curve continues to progress despite bracing and if this happens and the curve progresses past 40 or 50 degrees, surgery may be considered. Therefore, patients living with severe scoliosis may need to undergo surgery in order to reduce the severity of their curvature. While there are a few different types of surgical options for correcting a severe curvature of the spine, the most common type of surgery is spinal fusion.