Scoliosis Treatment In Portland, OR
Scoliosis Chiropractic Treatment
Scoliosis is an orthopedic condition where there is an abnormal sideways curvature of the spine. It commonly occurs before the pubertal growth spurt. The cause of majority of scoliosis is unknown. Generally, the condition is diagnosed within seven years of age for a child. In such cases, it may be attributed to neurological abnormalities, hereditary diseases, and congenital disabilities. In congenital scoliosis, the defect of the spine is present at birth.
Scoliosis describes a condition in which your spine becomes rotated and curved sideways. While no cure for the condition exists, proper management helps prevent pain and dysfunction related to abnormal spine placement. Chiropractic care provides many of the strategies you need to live a normal, pain-free life. If you’re a resident of Portland, Oregon, trust Dr. Phil McCary, one of the best chiropractors in Portland, to evaluate your scoliosis and offer therapies and lifestyle remedies to keep you as healthy as possible. To develop your scoliosis therapy plan, call the office for an appointment or use the online booking agent.
Symptoms of scoliosis
Here are the signs that you may look for, which may help point towards the diagnosis of scoliosis:
- Uneven shoulders: one shoulder blade that’s higher than the other
- Uneven waist: When one shoulder blade that sticks out more than the other
- Rotated spine
- Uneven hips: hip higher than the other
- Back pain
- Breathing difficulty due to restricted area in the chest for lungs to expand
Types of scoliosis
- Congenital scoliosis: is a type which is present since birth
- Early-onset scoliosis: This occurs between birth and age 10, or before puberty. Also called juvenile idiopathic scoliosis
- Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: which occurs in adolescents; the reason is not identified
- Degenerative scoliosis: This occurs in older adults. Degenerative changes are seen in the spine and the surrounding structures like spondylosis, bone spurs, osteoporosis, disc degeneration, etc.
Neuromuscular scoliosis: This is usually seen from birth in people with neuromuscular conditions. Here the bones of the spine fail to form correctly or separate from each other during development. Nerve abnormalities affect the muscles of the spine in such cases.
Causes of scoliosis
The cause of 80% of cases of scoliosis is unknown or unidentified. Most cases of congenital scoliosis present from birth are related to neuromuscular disorders like cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy. They may also be a result of physical deformities, injuries to or infections of the spine and, birth defects.
Persons who have a family history of scoliosis are more likely to develop it. It is also observed that women are more affected by scoliosis than men.
Long-term problems due to Untreated scoliosis
In most cases, a mild to moderate type of scoliosis does not affect daily activities. Hence people are more likely to neglect this condition. The worsening of this condition may lead to permanent and severe deformities leading to physical disability. So it is vital to consult a specialist for scoliosis for early intervention. If the curve of the spine remains below 40 degrees till the person’s growth is complete, it likely will not worsen later in life. However, if this curve is greater than 40 degrees, it has a higher chance of getting worse by 1-2 degrees every year for the rest of your life. Unless this is prevented, one can be at risk for heart or lung problems eventually in the future.
Temporary pain relief
Living with scoliosis can be challenging. You may need prescription medications to relieve the pain. Your doctor may prescribe you NSAIDs along with muscle relaxants to release the spasms in the muscles. Some stretching exercises may also be beneficial. Chiropractic manipulations help relieve the pain in scoliosis.
Does medical insurance cover scoliosis treatment?
Most health insurance packages cover scoliosis Treatment. Diagnostic costs are also typically covered by the insurance provider. You should talk to your chiropractic office about medical insurance coverage.
Scoliosis treatment in Portland
People with mild scoliosis may not need treatment. Regular check-ups in children with spinal curvature are needed to monitor changes in growth. Your doctor will consider your age, growth, severity, and curvature type to determine the treatment plan for you.
Bracing: Braces are generally recommended for children with scoliosis if the curvature is more than 25 to 40 degrees. Growing children may need braces to stop the curvature from increasing. They must be worn 16 -23 hours a day till the child stops growing for maximum effectiveness.
Physical therapies: Various physical therapies like massage stretches, specific exercises have been recommended as home remedies for scoliosis. However, it is essential to discuss these therapies with your doctor before starting them yourself at home.
Surgery: Scoliosis experts sometimes recommend surgery when the curvature is greater than 40 degrees. Spinal fusion is the standard surgical intervention for scoliosis treatment. In this procedure, the vertebrae in the spine are fused using bone grafts. Surgeons use Screws and rods to hold the bone in position.
How Laurelhurst Chiropractic Can help in treating Scoliosis?
Laurelhurst Chiropractic is the top chiropractic clinic in Portland for treating pain due to scoliosis. Dr. Phil McCary and Dr. Danielle McCary are highly rated chiropractors in Portland and specialize in treating pain due to scoliosis. They have been practicing for over 10 years in Portland. Laurelhurst Chiropractic serves the Oregon, Lake Oswego, West Linn, Beaverton, Clackamas, Tigard, Tualatin, and Milwaukie cities.
Call us today if you are experiencing pain due to scoliosis in Portland.
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Frequently asked questions about scoliosis
Can scoliosis be helped?
People with mild scoliosis may not need treatment. Regular check-ups in children with spinal curvature are necessary to monitor changes with growth. Your doctor will consider your age, growth, severity, and curvature type to determine the treatment plan for you.
Is gymnastics bad for scoliosis?
Although performing gymnastics may not cause scoliosis per se, people who are affected by scoliosis must avoid activities that work on one side of the body more than others. This includes gymnastics playing tennis, javelin throwing, skiing, etc.
Is scoliosis a neurological condition?
Scoliosis is not a neurological disease, but it is commonly observed in patients suffering from neuromuscular diseases like cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, etc. Here the bones of the spine fail to form correctly or separate from each other during development. Nerve abnormalities affect the muscles of the spine in such cases.
Does scoliosis worsen with age?
If the curve of the spine remains below 40 degrees till the person’s growth is complete, it may not likely get worse later in life. However, if this curvature is greater than 40 degrees, it has a high chance of getting worse by 1-2 degrees every year for the rest of life.
What does scoliosis pain feel like?
Scoliosis causes lower back pain and stiffness. It also leads to numbness and a sharpshooting sensation spreading to the legs. There may even be breathing difficulty due to a restricted chest area for the lungs to expand.
Can scoliosis affect bowel movements?
Scoliosis can occur anywhere throughout the spine. Depending on the curvature area, there can be disturbances as food passage through the intestine can become blocked, causing constipation.
Isn’t scoliosis caused by a lack of calcium?
No. Nutritional deficiency has nothing to do with scoliosis. Although children do develop scoliosis since birth, it is mainly hereditary.
Isn’t a Certain Amount of Sideways Curvature Normal?
A healthy spine has front-to-back curvature. Side-to-side curvature in the spine is an abnormality and is called scoliosis.
Do Heavy Back-Packs Cause Scoliosis?
No. Carrying heavy things, playing sports, bad posture, etc., do not cause scoliosis. Idiopathic scoliosis is when the cause behind the condition is unknown.
Can Scoliosis affect breathing?
Any part of the spine may be affected by scoliosis. If the thoracic region is affected, Breathing difficulty due to a restricted chest area for the lungs to expand may be experienced.
What organs are affected by Scoliosis?
Typically scoliosis affects the spine. Severe scoliosis can affect the spine, the rib cage, and indirectly affect the heart, lungs, and other internal organs.
Can Scoliosis affect your height?
No scoliosis does not affect one’s height. It affects the spine causing an abnormal sideways curvature.
How does a chiropractor treat scoliosis?
With scoliosis, the joints of your spine are irregularly placed, so Dr. McCary concentrates on repositioning them. For these adjustments to be successful, he offers therapies to relax the muscles and associated connective tissue. By relieving some of the compression from the misalignment, he improves nerve function and communication — restoring function and feeling.
How often do I need treatment?
The degree of chiropractic care you need depends on the extent of your scoliosis. If you have a mild curve, you may benefit from periodic adjustments to promote an optimal range of motion and strength. More severe cases of scoliosis benefit from more frequent visits, therapeutic exercise, and soft tissue stimulation.
Managing your scoliosis can help prevent symptoms and dysfunction from worsening with time and interfering with your quality of life.
