When detected early, scoliosis can be managed and treated to prevent the problem from getting worse. With scoliosis, the spine has abnormal curvatures to the side or even twists. Most cases of scoliosis appear for unknown reasons as scoliosis tends to develop before puberty in adolescence, in children who previously had no spine issues.
Many cases of scoliosis do not require surgery or extensive treatment, but if the curvature becomes more severe, medical intervention may be needed. Scoliosis appears equally in boys and girls, but typically girls are more likely to develop significant curvature that warrants treatment.
From ages six to eight, parents should regularly check your child’s spine for any indications of scoliosis. During annual check-ups, the doctor will most likely screen for scoliosis. Even some school districts have required nurses and sports coaches to do quick scoliosis examinations for their students to help identify the problem before it gets worse.
Common signs of scoliosis include:
- A spine that curves too much to the left or right
- One shoulder that appears lower than the other
- Having a rounded shoulder
- Having an uneven or sunken chest shape
- One leg appears shorter than the other
Most people with scoliosis are unaware that they have it as it is not severe or painful enough to affect their daily lives. For more extreme cases of scoliosis, there are a few treatment options that our chiropractor may suggest such as wearing a back brace, improved posture exercises, and physical therapy and stretching to help align the spine.
There is no cure for scoliosis, but if left untreated, scoliosis can cause additional issues into adulthood such as back pain, numbness or tingling in your legs, fatigue, and breathing problems. Luckily, braces and back strengthening exercises typically ease any discomfort the patient may be experiencing and strengthen the back muscles to alleviate pain and support healthier spin alignment.
If you or your child are experiencing the symptoms mentioned above or are suffering from scoliosis, call us today at (414) 755-0016 to request your appointment at Apps Chiropractic & Wellness.