Scoliosis Treatment in Midtown East, NY

Scoliosis is a lateral misalignment of the spine greater than 10° with an additional rotational component that affects posture. Although scoliosis is typically associated with adolescents, it only affects 2-4% of the adolescent population. In rare cases, scoliosis can also affect the infantile and juvenile spine. The population most affected is the elderly.

How Scoliosis Develops

While a growth anomaly causes scoliosis in younger populations, scoliosis in the adult spine is caused by uncorrected postural subluxation misalignments. In the younger spine, when the vertebrae are growing, the right and left sides of the vertebrae are signaled to grow by different genes. If one side gets disrupted during growth, the other, which is developing normally, becomes relatively larger, thus creating an asymmetrical vertebra. This asymmetrical, abnormally growing vertebrae creates the misalignment we identify as scoliosis. As growth continues, it becomes a vicious cycle where the asymmetry gets larger and the scoliosis increases in size and angle.

Developmental growth spurts increase the asymmetry and further worsen the problem. Scoliosis in the senior population, called de novo scoliosis, literally means of new origin. De novo scoliosis occurs from postural misalignments that were never corrected. Over the course of a lifetime, gravity and physical stresses continue to pull the individual into their abnormal pattern until the spine loses its ability to fight, causing the scoliosis to worsen. Scoliosis at any age tends to be progressive if left unaddressed.

The Effects of Scoliosis

Scoliosis creates asymmetrical spine loading, resulting in a disparity in the muscle strength from one side to the other. The concavity on the inside of the curve is under compressive loads, and the opposite side, the convexity, is under relatively distractive loads. This changes the shape of all connective tissues, including muscles, tendons, and especially the stabilizing ligaments and discs that ultimately determine the shape and function of the spine.

The most obvious repercussions of scoliosis are the change in posture and alignment. This unhealthy postural alignment not only creates poor function in the spine but can also cause deformities in the ribcage. Both cosmetically and functionally, the scoliotic spine worsens over time. Because the spine’s function is to protect the nervous system, the progression of the misalignment will cause nerve irritation and ultimately affect how the nerves function. This can commonly lead to pain syndromes and affect how the nerves communicate with our organs. In the past, it was felt that scoliosis caused a compression of the internal organs, but this only occurs in the most dramatic cases. It’s better stated that scoliosis interferes with nerve signaling, which causes internal organ dysfunction.

Diagnosing Scoliosis

Scoliosis is most easily detected initially through a posture evaluation. Key indicators include:

• One shoulder lower than the other
• Bulging ribs on one side
• A hump of one-sided ribs on the back

Unfortunately, these misalignments may be missed by the untrained eye, so the recommendation is that a chiropractor regularly check your spine throughout your life.

It is common for family members to report seeing the beginnings of a misalignment in a child at the beach when they are less clothed in a bathing suit or during bathing time. But, it is best not to leave a chance sighting to determine whether everyone is screened adequately for scoliosis. A stop-gap measure in some communities is for some gym teachers or school nurses to be burdened with the untrained task of scoliosis screening. We now understand that specifically trained scoliosis-focused chiropractors should do this vitally important screening.

The earlier scoliosis is detected, the more effective the conservative measures.

Early detection leads to early intervention leads to maximum results.

How We Treat Scoliosis in Midtown East, NY

Comprehensive Consultation and Exam

At your first visit, we will perform a:

• Comprehensive consultation
• Spinal and postural examination
• Orthopedic testing
• Range of motion assessment

Each exam will pay special attention to signs of scoliosis or spinal imbalance. Computerized photographic studies can be extremely helpful in detecting small misalignments. Remember, all big scoliosis was once small scoliosis. If the physical exam results indicate, we will take X-rays.

Digital X-rays

X-rays are the gold standard for measuring scoliosis. Modern-day X-rays are highly efficient, and any negative effects far outweigh the benefits of understanding the present health of the spine. X-rays give clear information regarding:

• The degree of the scoliosis distortion
• Degeneration associated with the misalignment
• Abnormal shape or deformity of the vertebrae
• Abnormal rib positioning and deformity
• Developing instability syndromes

This last one is especially important in adult populations where vertebrae are under such an abnormal load that the stabilizing structures are failing. X-rays are not dangerous and are essential in creating a comprehensive strategy.

Because the spine, muscles, and discs are all negatively affected by the scoliosis’s misalignment, any conservative treatment that can reduce the scoliosis will improve the structure and function of these connective tissues and reduce stress on the delicate nerve system.

Unaddressed scoliosis is commonly associated with long-term pain and disability. By conservatively managing scoliosis throughout a lifetime, we can reduce stress on the spinal tissues, decrease pain, and increase function. Chiropractic care recognizes that these asymmetrical problems require an individualized approach. It is not logical or effective to have someone with an asymmetrical spine exercise the same way on both sides of the spine. Chiropractic has always focused on finding the person’s unique postural spinal pattern. This approach makes scoliosis-trained chiropractors uniquely qualified to evaluate scoliosis misalignment and develop strategies specific to the individual.

Custom Therapeutic Exercise Program

Understanding that our posture is a brain-based phenomenon, it is vitally important to have therapeutic exercises as a component of any corrective scoliosis regime. Exercise stimulates and improves the neurology and stretches and strengthens the connective tissue linked to the cause of the scoliosis.

Although the research does not suggest that muscles cause scoliosis, muscle asymmetry prevents correction. No matter the cause, there is always a degree of muscle involvement, so any effective scoliosis treatment must address the muscles, ligaments, and discs.

Posture plays a significant role in our overall health because of its effect on our nervous system. This relationship is magnified by scoliosis. Research suggests that postural alignment is as important in reducing pain as the measured angle of the scoliosis itself. One of the goals of corrective care, even in adult scoliosis, is to improve posture misalignments, thereby improving structural integrity and reducing pain.

ScoliBalance

ScoliBalance is the most advanced comprehensive scoliosis exercise format. It uses components of many other scoliosis exercise regimes, specifically tailoring them to the individual. General exercise is not the best format because those exercises are performed symmetrically. To effectively improve the scoliosis, exercises must be tailored to the individual. ScoliBalance does just that. Exercises are designed to strengthen the weak tissue, stretch the tight tissue, and reeducate the body’s movement towards better balance.

Adjusting the scoliotic patient needs to be done with the utmost specificity to be effective. Chiropractic adjustments can be incredibly effective at freeing adhesive scar tissue associated with the scoliosis’ immobilized, misaligned pattern.

ScoliBrace

Spinal bracing in scoliosis has a long and checkered history. Initial concepts of compressing the spinal brace in scoliosis have proved less than optimal. The ScoliBrace from ScoliCare is the modern, effective way to create a customized brace. Rather than compressing the scoliosis, it elongates and decompresses the pattern before pushing the spine towards its corrective position. Clinical experience and research are promising as they continue to improve and refine the ScoliBrace.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Scoliosis Pain in Midtown East, NY

Early Detection

The younger a scoliosis first appears, the more likely it is to worsen. Conversely, the younger the intervention begins, the more likely it is to be improved or corrected. Once again, early detection is one of our best tools and strategies for improvement. The longer the scoliosis goes uncorrected, the more tissue it involves, the more distortion it creates, and the more damage it causes to body structures.

Scoliosis is generally more common in women than men. It is more common in girls, but more severe in boys. Regardless, everyone should be regularly checked. Scoliosis shows some family tendencies, but the safest approach is to screen everyone.

Physical Effects of Scoliosis

Historically, it was assumed that scoliosis creates changes in the rib cage that would affect lung volume and cardiac function. Scoliosis would have to be quite severe for it to substantially affect cardiac function directly. Only at the most extreme angles would it cause enough stress to affect the heart and lungs. More accurately, scoliosis negatively impacts nervous system function to the detriment of our vital organs.

The two major complications of scoliosis are spinal pain and nerve dysfunction. Spinal misalignments change spinal tissues and cause inflammation in the ligaments and discs. Certain nerves are pain-sensitive, and inflammation and misalignments irritate these sensitive nerves.

In more dramatic scoliotic angles, the pressure and therefore pain can be quite severe. In adult de novo scoliosis, spinal instability from degeneration further complicates this scenario, leading to debilitating pain. The good news is that through a combination of chiropractic adjustments, ScoliBalance exercises, in-office traction, and spinal bracing, improvements in posture and biomechanics will also lead to pain relief.

Mental Effects of Scoliosis

Scoliosis is commonly seen as an out-of-balance posture and spinal ribcage distortion. This change in normal body shape affects the cosmetic and consequent self-image of those affected. The shifting and side bending of scoliosis is complicated by rib humping can have significant effects on body shape and consequently self-image. Because the most common onset of scoliosis is still adolescent years, when self-image issues are commonly at their peak, changes in body shape and appearance can have a substantial effect on self-esteem and body confidence. Studies list appearance as one of the main concerns of people with scoliosis, often rivaling pain or progression. Improving the postural component can have a substantial positive effect on body shape and body image.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic principles geared toward scoliosis care can have a profound effect on a patient’s health and quality of life. Specific techniques are required in order to effectively affect scoliosis. For instance, while general exercise does not show any improvement in misalignment, specific, individually tailored exercises do have a positive effect. In the same way that general spinal manipulation does not positively affect scoliosis, specific spinal adjustments, individualized traction, and bracing do.

Asymmetrical spinal patterns increase the joints’ mechanical stress, triggering inflammation. Reducing this stress can relieve inflammation and the pain associated with it.

Structure dictates function.
Asymmetrical structure dictates asymmetrical function. Corrective chiropractic techniques create better balance, flexibility, and range of motion.

A common complaint is how scoliosis affects patients’ ability to participate in desired activities. It can hamper physical abilities, whether it’s playing a sport, gardening, family recreation, or everyday work tasks. Improving scoliosis through tailored treatments will commonly improve patient participation in the things they need, want, and love to do. Improving joint position and spinal balance reduces inflammation, nerve irritation, and pain, while restoring function.

Long-term postural asymmetries demand that muscles overwork. Improving posture allows muscles to return to more normal stress loads, thereby decreasing strain and the symptoms of muscle fatigue. One of the amazing attributes of conservative chiropractic scoliotic care is the limited risk. More invasive approaches like spinal surgery inherently assume greater risks during the surgery or long-term problems post-surgically. Because of the conservative, noninvasive nature of chiropractic scoliotic care, the downside is much smaller.

The economic burden of invasive care is much greater than that of conservative care. With lower cost and lower risks, conservative chiropractic care is the best option.

Frequently Asked Questions About Scoliosis

Is a chiropractor in New York, NY, good for scoliosis?

Yes, doctors of chiropractic with advanced scoliosis training can be extremely helpful in both improving posture and improving the disabilities associated with scoliosis.

Can chiropractic adjustments fix scoliosis?

Research suggests that spinal adjustments alone will not correct true scoliosis. But spinal adjustments as part of a comprehensive program can be beneficial in reducing the pain and postural misalignment associated with scoliosis.

Can a chiropractor in New York, NY, straighten your spine?

We are always careful in our communication with patients that these specific scoliotic techniques can, in some cases, improve the measured angles of scoliosis, but we do not describe it alone that chiropractic will straighten your spine.

Is massage in New York, NY, good for scoliosis?

Although some patients report getting symptom relief from techniques like Pilates, massage, or yoga, research suggests that none of these techniques will be effective in reducing structural misalignment.

What is the best therapy for scoliosis?

The premiere conservative therapy for scoliosis combines:

• Specific adjustments to mobilize stuck spinal joints
• ScoliBalance therapeutic exercises to improve postural movement balance
• Asymmetrical spinal traction to further correct postural imbalances
• ScoliBrace to reduce the postural misalignment associated with scoliosis

How can you tell if someone has scoliosis?

Casual observation of a person’s posture may give indications of a presenting scoliosis. Indications like a low shoulder, a shifting in the ribcage and a one-sided rib hump are all useful as a cursory screening. The only way to really know if a scoliosis exists is to do a thorough spinal discovery exam. This exam, which includes posture analysis, spinal motion analysis, scoliometer measurements, and full spine X-rays, is the specific way to evaluate the presence and severity of a scoliosis.

What sports should be avoided with scoliosis?

Ironically, sports commonly thought of as helpful for scoliosis have not tested well in current research. Swimming, ballet, and gymnastics have been shown to be associated with potential risks of scoliosis progression. Contact sports like American football, heavy weight lifting, and rugby must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.