While the spine naturally has a front-to-back curve that produces the normal rounding of the shoulders and the sway of the lower back, some people suffer from an abnormal curvature of the spine called “scoliosis”. Simply put, scoliosis is generally associated with a side-to-side twisting of the spine that renders an “S” shaped or corkscrew appearance. 
Scoliosis tends to run in families and affects girls more often than boys. Almost 3 out of every 100 people have some degree of abnormal spine curvature. For some, it never becomes a serious problem. For others, the curve may worsen over time to create pain, limited movement, and restrictions on breathing and circulation.
Medical doctors and school staff may notice scoliosis, particularly in children. However, since they aren’t specifically trained to diagnose conditions of the spine, it is often missed during medical exams. If they do detect scoliosis they often refer patients to specialists that may treat the scoliosis with braces and even surgery. Braces do not correct the curvature – they only help prevent it from getting worse and hopefully avoid surgery. Surgery is painful, expensive, and it can change the lifestyle of the patient forever.
Your chiropractor is specially trained to identify scoliosis and provide treatment that increases movement and biomechanical function. They will be better able to identify the severity of the curvature and determine the best course of treatment. This treatment may involve a series of spinal adjustments to reduce the curvature over time, thus avoiding more painful and expensive treatments.
The key is early detection of scoliosis. If your child’s doctor or school suspects scoliosis, don’t delay getting it checked. The earlier it is diagnosed, the more effective treatment can be.
We encourage you to bring your child in to our Savage, Minnesota chiropractic office for a free scoliosis screening at any time to determine if there may be a problem and what can be done to treat it. Call us at 952-440-4553 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
