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Scoliosis treatment by a Chiropractor? - Yahoo! Answers http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080612201410AAdE4Jy

Scoliosis treatment by a Chiropractor?
I consulted a chiropractor for my back pain, after initial x-ray he mentioned that there is a slight curveture in my spine
which could lead to Scoliosis.
He has recommended a 12 month adjustment plan consisting of approx 91 visits - is that excessive??
3 years ago ( 2008-06-13 03:14:10 +0000 ) Report Abuse

David

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters
This is long, I hope some of it helps...

You need to see a spine specialist, either neurosurgeon or an orthopedic surgeon. I don't trust chiropractors. I had my
back manipulated once or twice, it always hurt worse after they were done with it. As a nurse, I've also cared for a few
patients who required surgery after seeing a chiropractor because the chiropractor actually caused nerve damage.

When you go see your spine specialist, the doctor will do a history and physical looking for abnormal curves and body
symmetry. They will also try to estimate how much growth you have left to do. X-rays will allow the doctor to measure
the curve and determine what treatment, if any, is necessary. Height, weight, and degree of curvature of the spine will
be compare at future visits to see if the curve is getting worse.

There are three types of scoliosis:
--Iidiopathic: the cause of scoliosis is unknown. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is the most common form of scoliosis.
--Functional: the spine is normal, but an abnormal curve develops because of a problem somewhere else in the body
(i.e. one leg shorter than the other).
--Neuromuscular: there is a problem when the bones of the spine are formed.

Treatment of scoliosis is based on the severity of the curve and the chances of the curve getting worse. Certain types
of scoliosis have a greater chance of getting worse, so the type of scoliosis also helps to determine the proper
treatment. There are three main categories of treatment: observation, bracing, and surgery.

Treatment for idiopathic:
If the curve is small when first diagnosed, it can be observed with routine x-rays and measurements. If the curve stays
below 25 degrees, no other treatment is needed. If the curve is between 25-40 degrees, a brace may be
recommended. If the curve is greater than 40 degrees, then surgery may be recommended.
If the curve stays below 40 degrees until the patient is finished growing, it is not likely to get worse later in life.
However, if the curve is greater than 40 degrees, it is likely to continue to get worse by 1-2 degrees each year for the
rest of the patient's life. If this is not prevented, the patient will eventually be at risk for heart or lung problems.

Treatment for functional scoliosis:
Treat the abnormality causing the scoliosis.

Treatment for neuromuscular scoliosis:
This type has a high chance for worsening. Observation and bracing do not normally work well. The majority of these
patients will eventually need surgery to stop the curve from getting worse.

Source(s):

Me, RN with scoliosis
100% 1 Vote
eilonwy8...

Other Answers (5)

Treatment of scoliosis may involve only exercises if the curvature is mild.

A Friend
Sit-ups, exercises to stretch the spine, and breathing exercises may strengthen the muscles of the trunk enough so that

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they will correct the situation,

Frequent X rays and physical examinations are needed to determine if the exercises are working.

You may consider asking your family doctor for a second opinion.. Or you may go to an orthopedic doctor for a
consultation..

More severe scoliosis may require a special brace, which is constructed of a leather or plastic pelvic girdle.

The most severe scoliosis requires spinal-fusion surgery, in which certain vertebra are fused together.

.

Source(s):

Your Guide to Total Health Care
0% 0 Votes

if you have any cureture in your back you have scoliosis. chiropractors cant fix your back. even braces cant even fix
them the only way to fix it is surgery. but you dont need any of that if you only have a slight curve. i suggest you dont let
the chiropractor do anything to your back because you can mess up your back really bad.

Source(s):

i have scoliosis... 38 degree curves
0% 0 Votes
Ellie

I don't know for sure. but my chrio did a 3 month plan 3xs a week, then 2x for 2 months, then xrays. now i just go 2x a
month. but it really depends on how bad you are and what stage you are. its prob a good plan and if you stop in the
middle, pain will come back, so stay with it.
0% 0 Votes
Crystal S

Well that depends. Would you rather get your back straightened out or have to have 2 metal rods put in your back later
in life?
0% 0 Votes
mommybea...

91 visits sounds excessive, but I don't know anything about your curve. I'd ask a scoliosis specialist if you need
treatment at all.

Your treatment options really depend on what kind of scoliosis you have and how bad it is. Treatment may range from
nothing (if the curve is under 10 degrees) to monitoring (curve is less than 25 degrees) to bracing (curve is 25 to 40
degrees) to surgery (curve greater than 45 degrees, give or take). Having a large curve doesn't automatically mean
surgery. I've known of a lady that had a 70-degree curve with no pain at all.

If you have functional scoliosis, a chiropractor may be able to help. If your scoliosis is structural, I doubt that a
chiropractor will help. Read below for more info.

I've posted the following a few times for other people with questions. I hope I'll answer the things that have you
concerned.

Scott B
Scoliosis comes mainly in two flavors - functional (the curve is caused by another issue (uneven leg length for example)

2 of 3 31/1/2011 12:35 AM


and structural. There are two main kinds of structural scoliosis - congenital (present at birth) and idiopathic (unknown
cause). It is important for you to know what kind you have.

If you have functional scoliosis, a chiropractor may be able to help. Shoe lifts may help with uneven legs, but there can
be many causes of functional scoliosis. I don't have much experience with functional scoliosis.

If you have structural scoliosis, there's not a lot you can do. The main treatments depend on how bad the curve is and
how much more growth you have to go. Its not possible to predict how much or how fast a curve may increase.

You need to see a scoliosis specialist if you're not doing that already. A doctor that is not trained as a scoliosis
specialist doesn't have the expertise to treat it.

Any curve under 10 degrees is considered normal and probably isn't monitored.

Curves from 10-25 degrees are mild but should be monitored, especially if you're still growing.

Curves from 25-40 degrees are moderate with bracing possible. You will need monitoring, especially if you're still
growing.

Surgery may be recommended if your curve doesn't respond to bracing. Bracing will do no good if you're through
growing. The purpose of a brace isn't to make your curve better, but rather to keep the curve from becoming worse.

Curves greater than 45 degrees is major. Surgery may be recommended. This depends on many things, but whether
you're done growing, whether your curve is increasing, whether your heart and lungs are in danger of being squeezed
by your curve, whether you're in pain, quality of life, etc.

If your curve is over 30 degrees, there is a good chance that it will increase even when you're through growing. (Mine
did.)

Unfortunately, nothing can *fix* idiopathic scoliosis. Surgery can keep the curve from getting worse, and in most cases,
will reduce the curve but most likely your spine won't be straight (unless you are very flexible in the area to be fused,
then you might be lucky).

Chiropractors, message therapists, acupuncturists, etc., can't fix idiopathic scoliosis. These people adjust the soft,
connective tissues and that may (or may not, you can't tell ahead of time) make you feel better, but remember,
idiopathic scoliosis is not a connective tissue disease. Your spine is growing curved.

Source(s):

I had my scoliosis detected in 7th grade and wore a Milwaukee brace from 8th grade until my freshman year in college.
I was borderline on whether to have surgery or not so it was decided not to do it. Over the years, my curve increased
so I had my spine fused at age 39.
0% 0 Votes

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