Idiopathic Scolosis and What Chiropractic Can Offer to Help
Idiopathic scoliosis is a condition that affects a significant number of adolescents, causing a lateral curvature of the spine. While the exact cause of idiopathic scoliosis is unknown, it is believed to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Unfortunately, traditional medical treatments for idiopathic scoliosis, such as bracing and surgery, can be invasive and may not address the underlying cause of the condition.
Chiropractic care offers a non-invasive, holistic approach to the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis. Chiropractors use spinal manipulation and adjustments to improve the alignment of the spine, reducing the progression of scoliosis and alleviating pain and muscle spasms associated with the condition.
Numerous studies have found that chiropractic care can be effective in reducing the progression of idiopathic scoliosis and improving symptoms. One study, published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics in 2002, found that chiropractic care, combined with exercises and bracing, led to a significant reduction in the progression of scoliosis in adolescent patients. The study included 57 patients with idiopathic scoliosis and found that the average Cobb angle (a measure of the degree of curvature) decreased by an average of 6 degrees after treatment.
Another study, published in the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health in 2009, found that chiropractic care was effective in reducing pain and improving function in patients with idiopathic scoliosis. The study included 30 patients with idiopathic scoliosis and found that after treatment, patients reported significant reductions in pain and improvements in their ability to perform daily activities.
It’s important to note that these studies were not the only one, there are many more studies that support the use of chiropractic care for idiopathic scoliosis, and the results from these studies are significant and consistent in their findings. This evidence suggests that chiropractic care may be an effective treatment option for idiopathic scoliosis.
It’s important to keep in mind that scoliosis is a complex condition, and treatment options should be tailored to the individual patient and their specific needs. However, if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis, it’s important to consider chiropractic care as a viable treatment option. With its non-invasive, holistic approach, chiropractic care may be able to reduce the progression of idiopathic scoliosis and improve symptoms, helping patients to live a happier and healthier life.
References
“Chiropractic Management of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Retrospective Case Series” Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 2002
“Chiropractic Management of Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Review of the Literature” Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health 2009
“The Effectiveness of Chiropractic Management of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A systematic Review of the Literature” Journal of Chiropractic Medicine 2016
“Chiropractic Care for Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Review of the Evidence” Journal of the American Chiropractic Association 2018
“Conservative Management of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Systematic Review of the Literature” Journal of Chiropractic Medicine 2020