Chiropractic Scoliosis Screenings

Scoliosis is a known curvature of the spine that creates uneven shoulder blades, hips, pelvis, and shoulders, and the trademark curved back—most commonly in an “S” shape, but sometimes in a “C” shaped curve. While this condition can be caused by a number of different factors—hereditary, the result of an injury, back surgery, osteoporosis, or from an unknown cause—it’s often left undiagnosed and untreated. Scoliosis can affect people at varying degrees, you may not even know you have it and others may have intense pain with a small curvature in the spine. A chiropractic scoliosis screening is so powerful, and by diagnosing the condition, you can begin treating it.

Benefits Of Scoliosis Screening

• Minimizes the need for bracing
• Reduces the need for invasive spinal surgery
• Prevents an increase in the degree of the curve
• Enables you to be proactive in your care
• Identifies other postural issues

Why A Chiropractor?

When it comes to posture and spinal alignment, a school nurse or even a general practitioner isn’t going to have the same depth experience as your chiropractor. Over the years, scoliosis screening guidelines have changed—and controversial school scoliosis screenings have fallen by the wayside. Symptoms can be quite subtle and a specialist, like your chiropractor is best equipped to make the diagnosis. Plus, a chiropractor will catch other postural issues too—putting you one step ahead of the game and saving you a lifetime of musculoskeletal issues.

Scoliosis Screening Age

Girls typically develop scoliosis between 7 and 14 years old, while boys typically develop a more pronounced spinal curve a little bit later—in the 9 to 16 year old range. To ensure scoliosis doesn’t progress to the point of serious treatment, painful bracing, or even surgery, it’s best to begin screening at the beginning of this period and continue screening once every year during this time. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) believes there are significant benefits of earlier detection. That said, it’s never too late to check for scoliosis. At Urban Wellness Clinic, we see and treat adults with scoliosis regularly.

What Causes Scoliosis?

• Abnormal spine at birth
• Neuromuscular disorders, like cerebral palsy
• Connective tissue abnormalities, like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
• Regular and prolonged improper use of the body, like carrying heavy backpacks on one side of the body before the spine is fully formed
• Biomechanical imbalances from poor ergonomics
• Unbalanced walking from uneven leg lengths or flat feet
• Uneven stress or muscle tension in the body that pulls the spine out of alignment
• Extreme dietary imbalances and nutritional deficiency
• Other injuries to the developing spine

Scoliosis Locations

There are three main areas of the spine where the scoliosis curve can be located.

• Thoracic Scoliosis is most common. It describes curvature in the middle (thoracic) spine. Due to this location, thoracic scoliosis often includes rib cage deformity as well. Severe scoliosis in this location down the road can lead to breathing issues.
• Lumbar Scoliosis means a curve in the lower (lumbar) spine. It is often idiopathic or of an unknown cause, but can be degenerative—developing after age 50— due to a breakdown of the spinal structure.
• Thoracolumbar Scoliosis is a curve that includes vertebrae from both the thoracic and lumbar spine. It’s often congenital and detectable at birth or during puberty.

Your Visit

Our scoliosis screening begins with our chiropractor watching you move and identifying asymmetries in your body to determine the root cause of the problem. We watch you bend forward and touch your toes to check for a rib hump which helps locate scoliosis. The next crucial step is to evaluate the way you walk, sit, turn, bend, and reach, to identify any compensation patterns. From these assessments, we’re able to come up with the best treatment plan possible for your unique situation. Specific stretching and strengthening exercises are given with different repetitions to each side due to the spinal asymmetry and scoliosis specific chiropractic adjustments are effective for treating mobility issues due to the scoliosis. We’ll work closely with you to not only correct the shape of the back now, but improve your posture for good.

If you believe you have an abnormal curve in your back that has gone undetected or if you suspect your child may have scoliosis, the most important step is to get assessed by our team of experts. We have screened hundreds of adults and children for scoliotic curvatures in their spine. We are here to help answer your questions and concerns, identify the curve in your spine, and create a game plan to avoid more aggressive intervention. Feel free to give our doctors a call at 212-355-0445.