Scoliosis | St. Louis

Scoliosis is an abnormal lateral flexion with rotation (or side bending with turning) curvature of the spine. Often times a rib hump is associated with the deformity of Scoliosis. Scoliosis runs in families, but doctors often don’t know the cause. More females than males have severe scoliosis. Adult scoliosis may be a worsening of a condition that began in childhood, but wasn’t diagnosed or treated. In other cases, scoliosis may result from a degenerative joint condition in the spine, like osteoporosis where the bones soften and allow the vertebrae to bend. Often overlooked, leg-length discrepancy, a condition where one leg is shorter than the other, causes incorrect curvatures of the spine. If not treated properly, severe back pain, deformity, and difficulty breathing can develop.

Scoliosis Symptoms

Without an x-ray of the spine, there are several common physical symptoms that may indicate scoliosis. One of the most common tests for detecting scoliosis is called the Adam’s Forward Bend Test, in which the individual bends from the waist as if touching the toes. The medical professional then observes for one or more of the following signs of scoliosis:

In many cases in St. Louis, scoliosis does not cause pain until it progresses to a more severe case. Early detection and scoliosis treatment is essential to avoiding painful scoliosis that interferes with a child’s play or sporting activities.

Chiropractic Treatment for Scoliosis in St. Louis

In order to correct scoliosis, the normal cervical and lumbar curves must first be re-established. The possibility of reversing a Scoliosis decreases as a patient ages. After the age of 17 or 18, when the epiphyseal growth plates fuse, it is much more difficult to make measurable difference on an x-ray; therefore, children should seek care immediately after detection of Scoliosis. Early detection and immediate treatment are the key to a successful outcome in the treatment of Scoliosis. Bracing and surgery ultimately fail in so many cases, because these approaches do not address the full spine. Once accomplished, adverse tension on the spinal cord is reduced and allows for correction in the lateral dimension. Spinal fusion surgery for scoliosis is very painful, expensive and alters the lifestyle of the patient forever. Surgery should be considered the last alternative in treating scoliosis, and reserved for severe cases.