Scoliosis affects the spine by causing it to curve to one side. This abnormality can lead to chronic pain and other health complications if left untreated. Many people show signs of scoliosis in their teenage years and may receive a diagnosis during this period. However, scoliosis can also develop later as a side effect of another illness or injury.
At Specific Care Chiropractic, we offer Fort Myers scoliosis treatment. This can involve chiropractic adjustments and physiotherapy. If you or a loved one developed scoliosis and now suffer chronic back pain and other negative side effects, schedule an appointment at our Fort Myers facility by calling (239) 369-9109 today. You could speak with one of our physicians.
Table of Contents
- An Overview of Scoliosis
- We Diagnose the Severity of Your Scoliosis Before Prescribing Treatment
- What Factors Do We Consider When Assessing Scoliosis?
- Our Chiropractors Use Spinal Manipulation Techniques to Treat Scoliosis Patients
- Physiotherapy Can Relieve Pain Between Adjustment Sessions
- Chiropractic Care Can Help Scoliosis Patients Avoid Having to Get Back Surgery
- Our Past Patients Have Left Satisfactory Reviews About Working With Us
- Get Fort Myers Scoliosis Treatment at Specific Care Chiropractic
An Overview of Scoliosis
According to Mayo Clinic, scoliosis occurs when the spine curves sideways. Although it sometimes occurs in those with cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy, the cause is virtually unknown.
You may have scoliosis if you show any of these symptoms:
- Rotating or twisting spine
- Uneven shoulders or waist
- One hip is higher than the other
- One side of the ribcage comes out more forward than the other
- One shoulder blade juts out more than the other
Most people with this condition have a mild case, but the curve can get worse with age, especially in children.
We Diagnose the Severity of Your Scoliosis Before Prescribing Treatment
When you come in for your first appointment at Specific Care Chiropractic, we will take steps to diagnose your scoliosis and assess the severity of your condition. This process may involve:
Filling Out a Medical History Questionnaire
We want to know the following information:
- If you have already seen an orthopedic specialist about your scoliosis
- If your family has a history of scoliosis
You can also list any other health conditions you might have, as certain conditions can cause scoliosis, such as spinal infections or muscular dystrophy.
Getting X-Ray Scans Done
We often request our patients to get X-ray exams to look at their injury or condition more deeply. By reviewing these images, our staff can assess the severity of the curvature of your spine. It could tell us if other underlying conditions may have caused your scoliosis, such as a spinal cord injury.
Speaking With You in a Consultation
Finally, one of our physicians will speak with you in a consultation to gauge what kind of symptoms you’ve experienced, such as chronic back pain, inflammation, or limited mobility. Your physician may also ask more about the questionnaire you filled out to confirm information before diagnosing you.
What Factors Do We Consider When Assessing Scoliosis?
Our physicians consider the following factors when assessing your scoliosis condition:
The Severity of Your Spine’s Misalignment
Our physicians will review your spine’s curvature to determine whether nerve damage may be present. What we discover can alter the type of treatment we prescribe at the beginning of your rehabilitation.
Sensorimotor Integration (SMI)
Some patients with scoliosis gradually lose sensorimotor integration, which is the neural communication between your body and brain. It might occur if your scoliosis causes nerve compression, resulting in damage.
To test your SMI, our team may ask you to perform a series of balance tests throughout your rehabilitation. We will use your results to dictate which therapies to use.
Whether Your Scoliosis Is a Result of an Illness or an Injury
If your scoliosis stems from an injury, we could first focus on healing that injury to see if your scoliosis diminishes. In doing so, you may be able to avoid having to undergo surgery to heal the injury and your spinal condition.
Our Chiropractors Use Spinal Manipulation Techniques to Treat Scoliosis Patients
Spinal manipulation involves applying swift, forceful thrusts against the spinal cord to adjust individual vertebrae into alignment. This form of chiropractic care can help scoliosis patients straighten their spinal cord. Such a treatment can alleviate a patient’s pain and discomfort.
Our chiropractors are trained in various adjustment techniques, including:
- Diversified, which is the most commonly known form of chiropractic adjustment
- Thompson Drop-Table Technique, where you will lie face down on a table that’s separated into seven sections, enabling the chiropractor to concentrate on one area
- Toggle recoil, where the chiropractor will use a small instrument to exert quick, small thrusts
- Side posture, where you will lie on your side with one leg bent forward while the chiropractor realigns your lumbar spine
- Knee-chest, where you kneel with your head level with the table so the doctor can realign your cervical spine
- Seated diversified, which is similar to diversified adjustments, but you’re sitting down
- Sacral-occipital technique (SOT) to target your nervous system
- Activator, which is a handheld tool that applies controlled, gentle thrusts into the affected area
Each technique has its own benefits, with some techniques being more suitable for certain injuries or pain symptoms. For example, if your scoliosis causes you to suffer from severe lower back pain, you may benefit from seated diversified or side posture adjustments on your spine.
Our physicians treating Fort Myers patients can explain their adjustment techniques in more detail during your sessions. Our team will need to review your test results to examine the severity of your scoliosis. So, most patients start chiropractic adjustments on their second appointment.
Physiotherapy Can Relieve Pain Between Adjustment Sessions
Our chiropractic team also offers physiotherapy (also known as physical therapy) to help our patients build strength while repairing damaged tissue along their spinal cord. Our therapies include:
- Corrective care to maintain the effects of the chiropractic adjustments
- Rehabilitative therapy to improve strength, stability, and overall physical capabilities
- Stretching and strengthening exercise therapy to enhance strength and flexibility
- Massage therapy to relieve muscle tension and heal scar tissue
- Ultrasound therapy to help stimulate and encourage tissue regrowth and healing
- Electrical muscle stimulation (E-STIM) therapy to relieve muscle spasms, pain, and inflammation and encourage healing
Physiotherapy plans often change to meet the needs of the patient. We will remain transparent about the health goals we expect to achieve, including how likely you are to reach full recovery.
Chiropractic Care Can Help Scoliosis Patients Avoid Having to Get Back Surgery
Many people seek chiropractic care to avoid having to get orthopedic surgery. Chiropractic care can be an effective treatment method for pain management. However, it is still not considered a cure, as concluded in a 2013 study published in Scoliosis.
There are benefits to using chiropractic care as a complementary treatment method for your scoliosis, though:
- Physiotherapy can help patients regain mobility in their spines and bodies in general, as concluded in a 2011 study published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine.
- A study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that if you intervene in adolescent patients with scoliosis by providing chiropractic care, you could greatly reduce their need to get spinal surgery later in life.
- Spinal manipulation and physiotherapy can help scoliosis patients increase their flexibility and functionality, allowing them to return to regular activities.
Our Past Patients Have Left Satisfactory Reviews About Working With Us
Our team puts our patients before anything else, and our patients’ reviews showcase our drive and commitment. Check out what some of them said about getting treatment from us:
“The folks here are all great. They’re friendly, courteous, and respectful. They all seem to try to do whatever they can to make your experience as pleasant as possible. They have great communication and explain what they’re doing and why. Everybody that’s there seems to honestly enjoy their job and interacting with their clients. Top notch folks there… You won’t go wrong choosing to go there.” – Tony S.
“I have used chiropractic care periodically as needed over the last thirty years. No one has done it better than Specific Care Chiropractor. They will educate you and will put together a plan to improve the Quality of life for you. I highly recommended Specific Care Chiropractor.” – Richard W.
Now, Specific Care Chiropractic wants to hear about how your scoliosis has affected your life so we can build a treatment plan that is tailored to your needs and goals.
Get Fort Myers Scoliosis Treatment at Specific Care Chiropractic
If you or a loved one has scoliosis and experiences severe back pain as a side effect, our chiropractors at Specific Care Chiropractic could treat your condition. Our team wants to realign your spine into its proper position.
Whether you’re looking to improve your posture or address inflammation, our facility can build a treatment plan that helps you achieve your health goals. Call (239) 369-9109 today to schedule your first scoliosis treatment appointment at our Fort Myers location near Metro Park.
