What is Scoliosis?

Scoliosis is not a disease, but rather it is a term used to describe any abnormal, sideways curvature of the spine. Scoliosis is often found in the adolescent and teen years and is more common in girls, although boys can get it as well. Scoliosis is a musculoskeletal disorder in which there is a sideways curvature of the spine, or backbone. When viewed from the side, the spine should show a mild roundness in the upper back and shows a degree of swayback, inward curvature, in the lower back. When a person with a normal spine is viewed from the front or back, the spine appears to be straight. This is the opposite with someone with scoliosis is viewed from the front or back, the spine appears to be curved. When scoliosis occurs, the spine can curve in one of three ways:

• Levoscoliosis – The spine curves to the side as a single curve to the left (shaped like the letter C)
• Dextroscoliosis – The spine curves to the side as a single curve to the right, shaped like a backwards letter C. It can occur on its own or with another curve bending the opposite way in the lower spine, forming an S.
• The spine has two curves (shaped like the letter S).

Scoliosis can also form in different location of the spine:

• Thoracic Scoliosis – Curvature in the middle, or thoracic, part of the spine. This is the most common location for spinal curvature.
• Lumbar Scoliosis – Curvature in the lower, or lumbar, portion of the spine.
• Thoracolumbar Scoliosis – Curvature that includes vertebrae in both the lower thoracic portion and the upper lumbar portion of the spine.

Obvious signs of scoliosis are:

• An uneven waistline
• One shoulder blade sticking out further than the other one
• One shoulder higher than another

What Causes Scoliosis?

There are many types and causes of scoliosis, including:

• Congenital Scoliosis – Caused by a birth defects that affect the vertebral segments of the spine.
• Degenerative Scoliosis – This may result from traumatic injuries such as accidents or falls, bone collapse, previous major back surgery, fractures, or osteoporosis, or thinning of the bones. Certain illnesses can produce degenerative scoliosis.
• Idiopathic Scoliosis – The most common type of scoliosis, idiopathic scoliosis, has no specific identifiable cause. There are many theories, but none have been found to be conclusive. It is generally accepted that it is due to hereditary and familial reasons and growth as a child. This is why it is important for children to be checked because scoliosis is more prevalent in children and can progress more quickly due to bone growth not being mature.
• Neuromuscular Scoliosis – A result of abnormal muscles or nerves. Frequently seen in people with spina bifida or cerebral palsy or in those with various conditions that are accompanied by, or result in, paralysis.

At CORE Health Centers, we provide chiropractic solutions for a wide variety of pain, chronic pain, and other related symptoms that kids may be having. Our techniques used in our chiropractic adjustments for kids are designed to provide a non-narcotic, non-surgical solutions to pain relief for problems like earaches and ear infections. If your daily life is being affected by symptoms from an auto accident, stress, or other chronic pains, the team at CORE Health Centers is here to help you and your kids find relief and get you on the road to a pain free life.

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When a patient has a subluxation, chiropractic adjustment can be used to correct the misalignment, which in turn helps enhance joint mobility, reduce pain, reduce muscle spasm, and reduce nerve irritation or impingement. At CORE Health Centers, patients are able to receive full evaluations, diagnostic testing, x-rays, treatments, therapies, and more all in one convenient location. Don’t suffer needlessly. If you suffer with any painful conditions, we strongly suggest that you schedule a complete pain assessment at any one of our convenient CORE Health Centers locations today.