What is Scoliosis?

Scoliosis causes the bones of the spine to twist or rotate so that instead of a straight line down the middle of the back, the spine looks more like the letter "C" or "S." Scoliosis curves most commonly occur in the upper and middle back (thoracic spine). They can also develop in the lower back, and occasionally, will occur in both the upper and lower parts of the spine.

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Idiopathic scoliosis curves vary in size, and mild curves are more common than larger curves. If a child is still growing, a scoliosis curve can worsen rapidly during a growth spurt.

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Although it can develop in toddlers and young children, idiopathic scoliosis most often begins during puberty. Both boys and girls can be affected, however, girls are more likely to develop larger curves that require medical care.

Other less common types of scoliosis include:

  • Congenital scoliosis. Problems in the spine sometimes develop before a baby is born. Babies with congenital scoliosis may have spinal bones that are not fully formed or are fused together.

  • Neuromuscular scoliosis. Medical conditions that affect the nerves and muscles, such as muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy, can lead to scoliosis. These types of neuromuscular conditions can cause imbalance and weakness in the muscles that support the spine.

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How can kids be affected by Scoliosis?

Poor posture can develop at a young age and with kids being exposed to iPads, iPhones, and laptops at a younger age, this can form into more of a permanent damage. Prevention is always the best cure.

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Consult with your doctor and book in for a spinal check. Your spinal expert can help to diagnose any misalignments in the spine and let you know if you or your child have scoliosis. Book in for a complimentary spinal check this month and receive a full digital report and picture of your spine with your results.

Can Chiropractic Help?

We encourage everyone to have their spine checked by a professional and here at Top Ryde Chiropractic we can help. A chiropractor can assess by performing a postural assessment, orthopaedic exams and muscle testing and also refer for an Xray to check for the severity of the scoliosis in the spine. With ongoing treatment, changes can occur if the curve is under 30 degrees. A patient can be referred out to be braced and an orthopaedic surgeon if needed with early detection. 

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