The Chiropractic Approach To Scoliosis..

Scoliosis is a condition that could leave an individual feeling disfigured and having psychological problems. Everyone who suffers from this condition will have his or her own individual onset and the prognosis will differ. Today, there are different options on how a person would want to go about treating this problem, ranging from invasive to non-invasive procedures. While everyone with scoliosis may not benefit from seeing a chiropractor, it’s definitely a great place to start. With the tools and the techniques that a chiropractor is knowledgeable about, depending on what the progression is an individual will be in great hands with its non-invasive approach.

There are many musculoskeletal disorders that affect our society that ranges from childhood to adulthood. Scoliosis happens to be one of the most common one with much about it is still unknown. There are four different types of scoliosis: congenital, juvenile, degenerative and idiopathic. Congenital scoliosis is caused by a rare malformation of the spine that normally manifest at birth or shortly after the birth of a child. Juvenile scoliosis is relatively unusual, and it appears in childhood. Degenerative or adult scoliosis is caused by the deterioration of the joints in the spine later on in life and Idiopathic scoliosis usually manifest and progress primarily during the growth spurt of an adolescent. Here we’ll talk about idiopathic scoliosis since it’s the most common form. Idiopathic scoliosis affects almost 1 million American each year with 93% being girls ranging between 12 and 16 years of age.

Scoliosis is characterized by being a 3-dimensional deformity that affects the spine and is measured in 2 dimensions, with the Cobb angle being the standard for measuring how severe the progression of scoliosis really is. Patients might look lope sided or have difficulty doing certain exercise. Even though there is no gene that has been identified, some experts agree that it is possible because hereditary patterns have been presented in studies.

There have been many theories to what could cause scoliosis. Many Doctor of Chiropractic agree that one reason suggest a disconnection between the neural system and the spine during the growth phase of some adolescents, where the spine out grows the neural system, not being able to support it. Even though imbalance or minute curves are common in the developing spine of children, the nervous system normally prompts a self-correcting process. There are times when the neural sensitivity in a child does not detect the imbalance until its far progressed and at this point it’s harder to correct. There have been other theories that scoliosis is the symptoms and not actually a disease. There have also been published studies that suggest scoliosis as only symptoms in patients with central nervous system abnormalities.

Within the practice there are different types of evaluations techniques with just about the same amount of techniques for intervention. Interestingly, even though chiropractors may not be the first choice for a person with scoliosis, they actually see a lot of adults with scoliosis because they normally suffer from back pain and experience far more disc injury due to the progression into adulthood.

When the average orthopedist would recommend the thoracolumbosacral orthoses, also refer as a TLSO brace for a patient with a Cogg angle that measures 25 degree, and surgery for a patient with a curvature that well exceeds 40 degrees, the chiropractor would take a different approach. If patients with scoliosis would seek a chiropractor first, they could actually benefit from their perspective with tools that can offer advanced neuro diagnostic interpretations that would allow the chiropractor to give a much more thorough intervention.

The scoliosis community is affected by CNS abnormalities. Neuro rehabilitation supports the use of manipulation and vibration to be used as an effective mediator and also electric muscle stimulation in the concept known as neuro-plasticity. The chiropractor identifies subluxation patterns like laterality of the atlas, upper cervical lateral flexion malposition, abnormal movement strategies and neurological patterns of interference. To re-establish resting vestibulo-cerebellar strength, the subluxation would need a neuro rehabilitative technique. Chiropractic Vestibular Rehabilitation (CVR) entails habituation exercise and manipulation to reduce neurogenic problems that would be correlated with vestibulo – cerebellar deficits.

There is a very sophisticated advanced testing instrument, the Video Electronystagmography (ENG) that makes the chiropractor equipped to evaluate subtle dysfunction in the brainstem, which would give more information on what specific rehabilitation is needed in both children and adults. Video Electronystagmography is a very helpful equipment that also gives valuable information on techniques that can be effective in reestablishing central control of movements along with posture as well as techniques that would not be capable of doing so. Chiropractors who work with this instrument must be expert in their knowledge of scoliosis. With the use of advanced neuro diagnostics like Video Electronystagmography for patients with abnormal movements, balance disturbances and eye movement disorders, chiropractors can effectively assess and direct appropriate treatment plans for their patients.

The SpineCor device is another alternative; it is a non-surgical approach for people with scoliosis. This device is a three part modular system that provides gentle force that corrects without limiting normal movements of the ribcage or spine. The device has been as effective as any other orthotic treatment out there but without the negatives like deformities associated with bracing, bones loss, muscle atrophy and the psychological distress, as clinical studies has shown with improvements. It’s a postural re-education unit that should be worn at least 20 hours a day. With a device like the SpineCor having improvements in measurements of the Cobb angle at 57%, the future looks bright for scoliotic care.

Chiropractic adjustments are very unique in its nature when dealing with scoliosis and its effective procedures can lead to normal vestibular output with a keen knowledge of the whole overall process. With continuing research and studies in the future with great success rate, it’s possible that chiropractors will be the first choice in caring for a person with scoliosis.

Reference:

Grading on the curve: What we know about scoliosis. (2002). Journal of the American Chiropractic Association, 39(2), 8. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/211364798?accountid=107221

Lamantia, M. J. (2005). Scoliosis systems and SpineCorporation partner on chiropractic management of scoliosis. Chiropractic Journal, 19(8), 28. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/194466106?accountid=107221

Lamantia, M. (2005). Chiropractic management of the scoliosis patient. Chiropractic Journal, 20(1), 38-38,40,44,46. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/194461513?accountid=107221

Woggon, A., & Martinez, D. (2013). Cobb angle changes after standardized chiropractic intervention in 12 females with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with double major curve types: A retrospective review of patient records. Scoliosis, 8doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1748-7161-8-S2-P5