Can You Go to a Chiropractor for Scoliosis Treatment?
By Dr. Drew Voelsch
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Since scoliosis is a skeletal condition where your spine is abnormally curved, is it okay to go to a chiropractor for scoliosis treatment since they know how to handle the musculoskeletal system? Yes, especially if you don’t want to or are not a candidate for surgery! Discover how this is possible by understanding what the condition being treated is all about.
The Skinny on Scolio
Scoliosis is a skeletal disease that leads to spinal deformity deformed. So instead of the spine looking like a stack of neatly-placed blocks, each vertebra curves so that instead of being squared off, it forms a noticeable slant. This slant is known as a limb.
In mild cases, people may only notice the limb when they look in the mirror or take off their shirt for P.E. at school. People with scoliosis often experience pain in the lower back, buttocks, and upper leg. In more severe cases, the deformity can cause problems with breathing.
Scoliosis can be caused by other diseases or conditions that destroy specific spine areas (i.e., muscular dystrophy) or can arise from normal wear and tear as you age that slowly compresses the vertebrae together.
One way to think about scoliosis is to imagine a spring and rubber band system that has been pulled apart. As you age, your spine starts to pull apart like an old rubber band until some areas can no longer hold together. This makes your spine sag sideways, thus causing you pain and even putting pressure on your organs and nerves.
How a Chiropractor for Scoliosis Treatment Can Help
While the only way to correct a severe scoliosis curve is surgery, typically reserved for patients with curves 40 degrees or more, other methods are designed to slow down the rate of curve progression and manage the symptoms to improve your quality of life.
While chiropractic treatments can’t completely straighten the spine, studies have significantly reduced scoliosis patients’ curvature, pain, and disability rating. A chiropractor for scoliosis will develop a non-invasive, drug-free scoliosis treatment plan that addresses various symptoms.
They also improve flexibility and range of motion while relieving much of the pain through spinal adjustments and flexion-distraction to “stretch out” thinned areas in your discs. So when you can move more freely and quickly than before, it’s easier to perform the exercises recommended by your orthopedic doctor to strengthen the muscles supporting your spine.
Bonus: Do Massages Work?
Yes, they do! Massage therapy can be beneficial for reducing the stiffness available in scoliosis-affected muscles.
Recall our “spring and rubber band” analogy from earlier. An abnormal curvature of the spine creates abnormal pressure and tension in the back muscles. Over time, these muscles become used to this position and can form trigger points or become stiff and inflexible.
An experienced massage therapist uses various techniques (such as Cranial-Sacral massage, Deep Tissue massage, and Neural Relax therapy) to relax the muscles, release trigger points, improve circulation, and bring an overall sense of relief. You must ensure they specify what kind of massage treatments they give to get the best results.
Visit a Chiropractor for Scoliosis Today
Book your appointment at Hawkeye Chiropractic now for more information and relief through a chiropractor for scoliosis! We’re led by Dr. Drew Voelsch and offer full services for holistic treatment! Schedule your next visit online through our website!
“Dr Drew is upfront about what’s going on with your body. He helps work with you to achieve the goals that you as a patient want to set. I highly recommend him to those interested in chiropractic services.P.S Go Cyclones!”