Scoliosis / Posture

Scoliosis is a sideways curve of the spine that develops during childhood and most often being diagnosed in adolescents.
Normally the spine appears straight when viewed from front to back. However, a “C” shape or an “S” shape spine will be seen in someone with scoliosis.
Scoliosis is determined when the curvature of the spine is measured 10 degrees or greater on an X-ray. Spinal curvature from scoliosis may occur on the right or left side of the spine, or on both sides in different sections. Both the thoracic and lumbar spine may be affected by scoliosis.

Structural VS Functional scoliosis
Functional scoliosis is a curvature due to a problem that does not involve the spine, such as having legs that are different lengths or muscle spasms caused by pain. These can cause to lean to the side, creating the appearance of scoliosis.
More importantly, the curvature is flexible and will go away if the problem that causes to lean to the side goes away.

Structural scoliosis is the spine curvature is not flexible and does not go away with a change in position.
There is no evidence that functional scoliosis will lead to structural scoliosis.

Most cases of scoliosis are
considered idiopathic, meaning the cause is unknown.

Less commonly, scoliosis may be caused by genetic factors, bad posture and underlying nerve or muscle conditions.

– Difference in shoulder height
– ⁠Yhe head isn’t centered with the rest of the body
– Difference in hip height
– ⁠Difference in shoulder blade height
– ⁠Asymmetry in the ribs seen from front or back
– ⁠When bend forward, humping on one side of the body (Adam’s Test)

Symptoms that are not commonly associated with idiopathic scoliosis are back pain, leg pain, and changes in bowel and bladder habits. If a person is experiencing these types of symptoms, he or she requires immediate further medical evaluation by a doctor to determine the cause of the symptoms.

Early detection of scoliosis is most important for successful treatment. In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, an X-ray is the primary diagnostic tool for scoliosis. In establishing a diagnosis of scoliosis, the doctor measures the degree of spinal curvature on the X-ray.

Yes! It appears that most successful cases of scoliosis management used a multi-modal approach, combining chiropractic adjustments with self-care exercises and other methods of rehabilitation. Case studies indicate that early intervention with conservative care has the potential to stop or reverse the curvature.