You have probably heard about scoliosis. Many people are tested for it as children in their nurse’s office. However, you might not feel like you know all there is to know about scoliosis. We at Beverly Hills Comprehensive Medical Group in Beverly Hills, California, are here to provide the information and resources you need to educate yourself about scoliosis.
What Is Scoliosis?
Scoliosis is the lateral curvature of the spinal cord. While spines are typically straight, scoliosis is a sideways bend or angle in the back. Children and preteens going through puberty might trigger scoliosis as a result of growth spurts, but it can also be caused by conditions like muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy. However, scoliosis is not a one-size-fits-all condition, and the cause is often unknown. About 3 percent of adolescents have scoliosis. Scoliosis is not usually severe, but can be disabling if untreated as a person grows.
What Are the Symptoms of Scoliosis? How Is It Diagnosed?
Symptoms of scoliosis can be noticed with the following signs:
- Shoulders that are not level
- Hips that are not level
- A shoulder blade that protrudes in comparison to the other
Scoliosis may not always be recognized from an imbalance in the spine from first glance. In these cases, scoliosis might be beginning to form and can cause pain to the affected person. Those with scoliosis might have headaches, back pain, or neck problems, depending on what part of the spinal cord is affected by scoliosis.
A chiropractor can diagnose scoliosis with x-rays, and might also take some measurements to determine the degree of severity of the scoliosis. These measurements will build data about the imbalance of the shoulders, hips, or waist to externally find out what type of treatment is needed, and the effects scoliosis is having on a person’s body.
What Are the Treatment Options for Scoliosis?
Chiropractic care and massage therapy are great ways for those suffering from scoliosis to find pain relief. With a chiropractor, you might have spinal adjustments and physical therapy. These adjustments are often short and will “pop” your back, neck, or hips. Physical therapy can vary pending on the capacity of the chiropractic practice you receive treatment. With a masseuse, you will have scoliosis pain management from massages that are strategically created to help your condition. Massages are great even for those without scoliosis, but for someone with chronic pain as the result of a back condition, massage therapy can be exceptionally beneficial.
Come see us today at Beverly Hills Comprehensive Medical Group to schedule an appointment today.