Many individuals are under the misconception that scoliosis is exceedingly rare thanks to the progression of modern medicine. You might be surprised to learn that this is more of a myth than a reality.
What is Scoliosis?
This condition affects the shape of the spine so that its curvature roughly appears like the letter “S”. A ‘cobb’ angle of 10 degrees is what defines the curvature of the spine as scoliosis, however chiropractors frequently see back pain complaints from even smaller degrees of curvature in the spine and it is relatively common. Although it normally presents during late childhood and early adolescence, all ages can be impacted. It is also interesting to note that the causes of this ailment are still not yet fully understood. Still, scientists believe that such a spinal deformation is largely the result of sudden growth spurts.
How Many People are Diagnosed with this Condition?
It is estimated that one out of every 1,000 children within the United Kingdom will be found to have this condition every year. This roughly represents two to three per cent of the entire population. If the population of the United Kingdom is 67 million, this roughly equates to 1.34 million individuals.
Are There Different Types?
The most common form is known as idiopathic (no cause can be attributed to its presence). However, other types can be seen at birth (congenital) or may develop as the result of a neurological issue (neuromuscular). The most important takeaway point here is that the severity of the condition will normally dictate that types of treatment options are available, however chiropractic treatment can be an effective treatment for the majority of scoliosis cases. We should also make it a point to mention that there is currently no known cure for this disease. However, several steps can be taken to minimise its impact upon daily life.
What Treatment Options are Available?
One of the main issues associated with this condition is that it can cause a substantial amount of pain. During acute episodes, it has been suggested that chiropractic intervention can provide significant relief. The majority of cases seen by Neuroworks Chiropractic have shown improvement through spinal manipulation, exercise and postural changes. In actual fact, most degrees of scoliosis severity and discomfort can actually be treated through chiropractic care with manipulation exercise and postural correction.
Other alternatives include back braces (useful in children and adolescents) and in very rare situations, corrective surgery. Still, let us not fail to mention that everyone will respond differently to such treatments. Therefore it is important to keep an open mind in order to determine which options produce the most beneficial results.
What is the Long-Term Prognosis?
This will depend upon the individual in question as well as any additional underlying health factors that may come into play. Although this condition might not gain as much publicity as other medical conditions, the fact of the matter is that it impacts the lives of millions. Therefore early diagnosis and intervention are essential. To discuss how chiropractic treatment can assist with scoliosis, please contact Neuroworks on 020 8566 3757.