Scoliosis is when the spine forms an unnatural curved shape — usually in the form of the letter “S”, but sometimes in the form of the letter “C”. It most commonly occurs in children when they experience a growth spurt. When it’s diagnosed by a scoliosis chiropractor early, there are plenty of treatment options available.
But not everyone is so lucky. Some people with scoliosis aren’t diagnosed until they become a teenager or an adult. If you develop scoliosis later in life, the cause is often unknown or is sometimes caused by another spinal condition, which can make treatment tricky.
Surgery isn’t the only option
Many children with scoliosis are offered braces to help the spine return to its proper position. A back brace works in the same way as dental braces, forcing the spine to grow in the correct position as the child grows. But as adult spines are already fully formed, this isn’t an option for older people who have stopped growing.
Surgery is the most common option offered to teenagers and adults suffering from scoliosis. But there are plenty of other ways you can relieve your pain, increase your range of motion, improve your flexibility, and slow the progression of your scoliosis.
We spoke to a chiropractor who specializes in scoliosis and they had some tips to share so you can improve your condition:
Visit your scoliosis chiropractor
Chiropractors are highly skilled and trained professionals with extensive knowledge about the spine, as well as the muscles and tissues which surround it. If you’ve got scoliosis, you can visit a specialist chiropractor who can give you a full body assessment to determine where the problem areas are and then treat them.
Spinal adjustments are the most common chiropractic treatment for scoliosis. They’re used to stretch out thinned discs, alleviating pain and improving flexibility at the same time. To give you the best results, your chiropractor will also likely use foam blocks for spine molding, non-surgical spinal decompression machines, and TENS units to stimulate your muscles.
Each chiropractic session is individual to you, your condition, and the severity of your condition. After discussing your symptoms with you and giving you an assessment, your chiropractor will put together a personalized treatment plan to make you feel better.
Try massage therapy with your scoliosis chiropractor
In addition to spinal adjustments, most chiropractic clinics also offer massage therapy. Unlike regular massages you get to help you relax, a therapeutic massage is specifically designed to target problem areas. This type of specialist massage can help loosen up tight muscles and reduce chronic back pina.
Massage therapy won’t make your scoliosis vanish. But, when used in conjunction with spinal adjustments, it can provide great relief from scoliosis pain. Consider booking a massage therapy session immediately before or after your chiropractic treatment for the best results.
Do at-home workouts
If your spine’s curve is relatively minor, there may be stretches and workouts you can do at home to strengthen your muscles and lower your pain. You’ll find plenty of recommended exercises online, but for the best result, it’s a good idea to ask your chiropractor for recommendations.
After they’ve given you a full body assessment and determined where the problem areas are, they’ll be able to give you personal recommendations of the best workouts and stretches. By consulting a professional before beginning a new workout routine, you’ll avoid pushing yourself too much or doing workouts that are potentially damaging.
Take nutritional supplements
Nutrition plays a huge role in the health of our bodies, including our spines. If you’re interested in boosting your diet with healthy supplements, ask your chiropractor for their recommendations the next time you see them. Different supplements can do everything from supporting strong bones to encouraging better blood circulation for healthier muscles.
The supplements your chiropractor recommends will depend on your condition and the cause. But some supplements you may be recommended include vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, and fish oil. Natural anti-inflammatories, such as green tea extract and curcumin, may also be recommended to help you manage pain.
While most health supplements are perfectly safe to take, some can interact with other medicines. Because of this, it’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before you start taking any new supplements if you’re already taking medication.
Reach out to your scoliosis chiropractor
If you’re looking for a way to alleviate scoliosis pain, contact your local chiropractor. We can help you by providing spinal adjustments, offering therapeutic massages, and recommending helpful exercises you can do at home to help improve your condition and make you feel better. Call your nearest Veeva chiropractic clinic today to discuss how your chiropractor can help you get back to a life free from scoliosis pain.
About the author
Matt has been helping providers within the healthcare setting for over a decade. He realizes how best to solve a patient’s problem by understanding the individualism of each patient. Therefore knowing what their true needs are. To focus on the patient and the “Why” they need their particular service that goes beyond the initial reason for them to seek treatment.
Matt has been with Veeva since 2018. He also has access to over 75 years of combined real-life hands-on experiences from the many doctors within the Veeva Chiropractic landscape.
