Why Chiropractic Treatments Are Great for Scoliosis
By Dr. Drew Voelsch
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Out of all the people with curvature of the spine at a 30 degree angle or more at skeletal maturity, it’s estimated that 68% will experience linear progression of the curve over time. This is in spite of the curvature pattern that scoliosis brings on.
What Is Scoliosis?
Scoliosis is basically a sideways curvature that causes the spine to bend. The human spine’s design is usually meant to have a trio of curves which form an “S” shape from the side. When individuals have a scoliotic spine, that means there’s an existing lateral curve over 10 degrees. This means there’s either an “S” or a “C” shape from the body’s front or back view. Many scoliosis-afflicted people have obviously uneven waists, shoulders, and/or hips.
Scoliosis Types
- Congenital Scoliosis – Abnormalities to the bones trigger this. As the term suggests, development happens before birth.
- Degenerative Scoliosis – Causes of this include bone deformity, spinal injuries, osteoporosis and traumatic injury.
- Idiopathic Scoliosis – This has no evident cause, and is the most common form of scoliosis. It’s generally hereditary.
- Neuromuscular Scoliosis – People who have cerebral palsy or spinal bifida tend to experience this. It results from abnormal formations of the nerves or muscles.
- Childhood Scoliosis
Most often, scoliosis is diagnosed in children during adolescence, but it can occur before or after that age as well. Most cases of scoliosis are mild, but the condition can worsen with age. Generally, cases of scoliosis are caused by unknown conditions. Some cases, however, are caused by other conditions such as cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy
- Adult Scoliosis
Scoliosis in adults generally happens as a result of protracted adolescent scoliosis. Detection usually happens during a person’s teenage years, but it’s possible for others to develop scoliosis during adult lives also. Adult scoliosis can, in turn, bring on issues with body balance and even lead a person’s height to be reduced!
The good news is that in this day and age, scoliosis is as well-understood as it is widespread. Which means that today, there are several treatment options that scoliosis patients can choose from. Bracing is a popular one, because it aims to address the issue before it fully sets into a child who’s still in their development stage.
Left untreated, scoliosis can trigger a whole lot of health issues.
A widely-recognized scoliosis treatment in today’s modern times is chiropractic care.
Chiropractic Aid
An oft-asked question by people who have scoliosis (or at least know someone that deals with the condition) is whether or not it can be reversed. Curvature over 20 degrees will get worse over the years; arthritis and disc degeneration can happen as a result.
This is where chiropractic adjustments come in, particularly spinal adjustment and spinal manipulation. While older adults will not see their structural scoliosis reversed by this, there is still relief to be had. Spinal manipulation that helps back muscles to stretch and loosense vertebrae can also offer relief for symptoms of lower back pain. Best of all, chiropractic care will go a long way in preventing spine degeneration from progressing.
Conclusion
Scoliosis is a condition that involves a curvature leading the spine to bend. There are four types: congenital, degenerative, idiopathic and neuromuscular. Chiropractic care can go a long way in helping people who have scoliosis, primarily relieving pain.
Need a chiropractor for scoliosis? Reach out to Hawkeye Chiropractic today! Led by leading chiropractor Dr. Drew Voelsch, we’re a full-service chiropractic center.
Benefits of Regular Chiropractic Care for Athletes
1 – Better balance
Chiropractic treatments work to increase stability in the body. By working with the legs, the spine, and the nervous system, an athlete can greatly improve their balance. This increases their flexibility and ability to move without injuring themselves.
2 – Better posture
Posture is an important factor in sports. It can greatly influence the way that a person runs, walks, and strikes. Improving posture leads to improved form, which leads to better performance.
3 – Improved strength
Many of the treatments that are used in natural healthcare focus on improving the flexibility of joints. This can help with posture, balance, and the development of lean muscle. It can also help with joint pain and tiredness, which can decrease the amount of time that an athlete spends out of the game due to injury.
4 – Endorphin release
Many athletes report that they experience pain relief during treatments. This is sometimes due to the release of endorphins. These are natural chemicals that are found in the body and work to decrease pain and increase relaxation. This is why many patients report feeling better after receiving treatment. It helps them cope with their stress and fatigue.
5 – Improved blood flow
The vast majority of the body’s cells rely on blood for oxygen. The body also uses blood to transfer nutrients. If blood flow is not optimal, it can lead to poor performance. By improving circulation, chiropractors can help high-performance athletes to perform at their peak.
6 – Better flexibility
Many athletes rely on stretching and working with their muscles to achieve flexibility. However, if they have muscle tics and tightness in their joints, they may not achieve full flexibility. Chiropractors can help by removing these restrictions and allowing the muscles to stretch more. This often leads to greater flexibility and better performance.
7 – Effective pain solutions
Chiropractors use many different types of treatment to relieve pain. This includes everything from manipulative techniques to the use of cold therapy. While athletes will still have to perform a certain amount of stretching, they will spend less time dealing with pain. This gives them more time to do what they enjoy.
Conclusion
There are numerous benefits to seeking chiropractic treatments for athletes. In addition to improving balance, posture, and flexibility, natural healthcare helps to reduce pain and fatigue. This is a great benefit for athletes since it enables them to perform better and to feel better overall. By choosing an experienced natural healthcare provider, athletes can enjoy a better quality of life.
If you are an athlete in need of chiropractic treatments, come to Hawkeye Chiropractic. We are a full-service chiropractic center led by Dr. Drew Voelsch, a leading Chiropractor in the local area. Contact us and set up an appointment today!
“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!”