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Most people experience back pain from time to time. However, when the pain doesn’t go away, you may have a condition known as scoliosis. If you suspect that you or a loved one has scoliosis, or if you’re curious about it, here’s what you should know.

What Is Scoliosis? 

Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine. A healthy spine has a slight curve at the shoulder and lower back, but a spine affected by scoliosis is curved from side to side and exhibits either an S or C shape. You may have scoliosis if you experience any of the following symptoms:

  • A shoulder blade higher or more prominent than the other
  • Uneven hips or waist
  • Back pain
  • Dimples, color abnormalities, or hairy patches on the skin covering the spine
  • A body that leans to one side
  • A twisted spine

What Causes It? 

There are three types of scoliosis, and each has different causes. The most common type of scoliosis, idiopathic scoliosis usually occurs during adolescence and likely involves genetics as it often runs in families, though the specific cause is unknown. 

back painCongenital scoliosis develops before birth. It occurs when a fetus’s vertebrae form abnormally. Because the condition is present at birth, it’s typically diagnosed at an earlier age than idiopathic scoliosis. 

Neuromuscular scoliosis is the result of neurological or muscular disease, such as cerebral palsy, spinal muscular atrophy, muscular dystrophy, or spina bifida. 

How Is It Treated?

Luckily, no matter what type of scoliosis a patient has, there are treatment options. The two primary forms of treatment are bracing and surgery.

To prevent the curve from progressing, a child may wear a brace until they stop growing. Braces stop curve progression in about 80% of children. If a patient experiences back pain after removing the brace, a chiropractor or physical therapist can help relieve it. 

When an adult or a child has severe scoliosis, their doctor may recommend surgery. The most common type of surgery to treat scoliosis is spinal fusion. It fuses together two or more spinal column bones and prevents them from moving independently.

 

A patient with scoliosis will find pain relief and improve their mobility by visiting a trusted chiropractor. As a member of the Tennessee Chiropractic Association, Newton Chiropractic Clinic has been providing expert chiropractic adjustments to Crossville, TN, residents since 2000. Their experienced, compassionate team will help you fight back pain from scoliosis so you can make the most of each day. Learn more about their services online, or call (931) 707-7871 to schedule an appointment today.

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