Scoliosis, Abnormal Spinal Curvatures

Scoliosis, Abnormal Spinal Curvatures

The condition known as scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine. Although in a typical spinal curve, the bend forms from the front to the back of the body, a scoliosis curve swerves from side to side. Left untreated, scoliosis can lead to problems such as pain, compressed nerves and difficulty breathing depending on the extremity of the curve.

Typical Curves

A spine has curves which allow movement and help absorb impact from walking, running and jumping. Typically, a spine curves out at the neck and the upper back which includes 7 cervical vertebrae. At the middle back the spine curves in and contains the 12 vertebrae of your thoracic spine. The lumber spine with 5 vetebrae, most commonly known as the lower back, curves outward again.

Scoliosis Curves

• mild if the curve is less than 20 degrees
• moderate when the curve is between 25 and 70 degrees
• severe if it is greater than 70 degrees
• very severe when the curve is more than 100 degrees- but this is extremely rare

Other factors are also considered when determining the severity of scoliosis such as the flexibility of the spine and differences in symmetry between the spine and the ribs. Our chiropractors at Spine Tech will evaluate your condition and provide you with a personalized treatment plan to reduce your pain and realign your back.

What Causes Scoliosis?

Scoliosis can be a frightening and uncomfortable condition, so let our chiropractors educate you. The more information you have about your condition, the more confident you feel about your future and your body’s ability to heal itself. Scoliosis can occur for many reasons including:

• those that are unknown – Idiopathic scoliosis means that the cause for the spinal curves are not identified. Approximately 80 percent of scoliosis diagnoses fall into this category.
• those that are genetic – Congenital scoliosis means that a person is born with the scoliosis curves.
• those that are muscular related – Neuromuscular scoliosis typically occurs in those with conditions such as muscular dystrophy in which the weakened muscles cannot support natural spine curves.
• those that come with age – Degenerative scoliosis may be the result of a mild case left untreated which causes bigger problems later in life. Other age-related conditions such as disc degeneration or spinal fractures may also contribute to a scoliosis curve as the body tries to counterbalance these effects.

Our chiropractors at Spine Tech provide a gentle, non-surgical treatment for scoliosis. Our hands-on approach surrounds you with immediate and long-lasting relief. If you are suffering from headaches, pain or lack of energy, call us today at 416-787-2565 for your first adjustment. We look forward to helping your body heal and beginning your path to a well, pain-free body that has the right curves in the right places.