Scoliosis and Chiropractic Care

Most people have heard of scoliosis from spinal examinations that are often performed in schools by the school nurse but few people understand what scoliosis is and how to use conservative methods to treat this relatively common condition.

Scoliosis is a lateral (to the sides of the body) curvature that has progressed 10 degrees or more from normal posture. When the school nurse or your doctor performs an examination for scoliosis they are looking for this abnormal lateral curve of the spine which may be accompanied by a “hump” on one side that is evidence of rib cage deformity occurring due to the scoliosis. The danger in scoliosis is that it may progress as a child’s spine grows. Depending on the severity of the scoliosis and the resultant curvature the vital organs (mainly the heart and lungs) may be compressed which inhibits normal function.  

While there is no definitive known cause of scoliosis, recent scientific studies have concentrated on hormonal and neurological causes for this condition. There have been some promising findings from these studies that may assist doctors to treat scoliosis with conservative methods.

One on the most significant findings involves the pineal gland. This small gland is located in the brain and is responsible for the hormone melatonin. Melatonin appears to have a direct influence on the development of a balanced and therefore straight spine lacking the lateral curvature of scoliosis.

Two studies of the effect of melatonin on spinal development were performed by surgically removing the pineal gland from young chickens in one study and removing the pineal gland from rats in another study. Both studies produced spinal curvatures similar to scoliosis as occurs in humans with rotation of the vertebrae (spinal bones) accompanied by humping of the rib cage. In the rat study, some rats were given melatonin which prevented the development of scoliosis-like spinal curvatures. These findings led the researchers to suspect that melatonin is involved with maintaining the balance of 24 vertebrae when stacked one atop the other which will lead to the formation of a straight spine or one suffering scoliosis if there is a lack of melatonin.

So what does this have to do with chiropractic care of scoliosis?

Many studies have verified the presence of problems involving balance when standing and muscular coordination difficulties in people suffering scoliosis. It has not been determined if the abnormal gait (walking) patterns found in children with scoliosis are a consequence of the scoliosis or if an abnormal gait pattern is a contributing factor leading to the formation of scoliosis. One study using scientifically advanced measuring devices combined with sophisticated computer analysis has helped shed some light on this question by finding there are lower extremity control problems present in children with scoliosis when compared to children without scoliosis.

Findings from studies such as these allow Doctors of Chiropractic to stop or slow down the progression of scoliosis by utilizing chiropractic adjustments, nutritional supplementation, specific exercises to improve balance as well as neuromuscular coordination, and the use of spinal pelvic stabilizers to initiate the normalization of foot function and the resultant gait symmetry.

Of course, a thorough initial examination must be performed before a course of treatment can be established. Do not wait. Get a proper evaluation from your local Doctor of Chiropractic today to determine if your child has scoliosis and what can be done for it before it progresses any further.