Chiropractic for Scoliosis

Every study since the 1950s has found 10-15% of children have scoliosis. Scoliosis is a condition that can worsen during growing years especially. I’ve seen it triple in size during the teen years when left untreated. Left untreated, it is associated with a variety of back, neck, arm, and leg pains and conditions with age. It is reported that a person with scoliosis has an average of 7 years shorter lifespan. Scoliosis itself does not kill, however, twisted vertebrae put pressure on the nerves that cause organ dysfunction (like the heart, lungs, liver, pancreas, and so on). Sickness and disease come as a result of these dysfunctional organs, causing pain, suffering, and early death. People with long-standing scoliosis usually develop shoulder, wrist, knee, hip, or foot conditions at a much more frequent rate than the rest of the population. Females with scoliosis often have more difficulty in childbirth.

Medical and Chiropractic Goals for Scoliosis are Different

Medically, there are three options. Option 1: Wait and see if the curve worsens to around 25 degrees. If not, they do nothing. Option 2: Bracing for curves over 25 degrees. Braces are considered to be a success if the curves don’t worsen. Braces don’t usually reduce or improve curves. Option 3: Surgery to reduce curves. For example, a 60-degree curve may be reduced to a 30-degree curve, using permanent stainless steel rods placed in the spine. According to research, the post-surgical curve worsens over time, in spite of the rods, by 2 degrees during the first year, then about 1 degree every year thereafter.

Chiropractic Goals For Scoliosis

My first goal is to reduce the curve. Out of all the cases I’ve accepted for scoliosis in over 30 years of practice, I’ve only had 1 case where no improvement was seen. With a compliant person, I usually see at least 30% or more improvement. It is not unusual to see 75% or more improvement, with some seeing over 90% improvement. 

Reducing these abnormal curves can reduce the pressure on these nerves, improving the health for a lifetime! I have successfully treated this condition for many people. The oldest patient I have corrected scoliosis for was a 77-year-old female, the youngest a 4-year-old. Obviously, early treatment is essential for the best outcome and is the easiest to treat. 

Many years ago I only saw children and teens, but newer techniques have allowed for older persons to be successfully treated. My oldest patient went from over a 20-degree curve to about 7 degrees! A recent study of people aged 65 and older, found 60% of seniors had scoliosis. Minor curves and injuries during your life can create these curves, so get a spinal check occasionally!