Scoliosis is when the spinal cord curves slightly to one side. Many people learn they have this condition during adolescence. However, spinal cord trauma, repetitive motion injuries, and muscular dystrophy can cause this condition later in life.
There is no cure for scoliosis. However, chiropractic care can alleviate pain, extend one’s range of motion, and prevent the condition from getting worse. Specific Care Chiropractic provides scoliosis treatment for those in Lehigh Acres. We can examine your condition, provide treatment, and recommend an attorney if the injury is from someone’s negligence.
What is scoliosis and can it go away on its own?
Scoliosis is a lifelong condition. Most cases are mild and require periodic monitoring. However, over time, spinal curvature can affect one’s breathing, mobility, and comfort levels.
Symptoms of this condition include:
- Uneven shoulders
- A protruding shoulder blade
- An uneven waist, with one side higher than the other
- Numbness
- Pain in the lower and upper back
- Shortness of breath
- Loss of height
- Inability to “stand up straight”
Doctors may use back braces and physical therapy to encourage proper spinal growth if they catch the issue in childhood. Scoliosis can worsen over time without proper treatment. Eventually, the spine can put pressure on your chest cavity, impeding your ability to inhale and exhale deeply.
We’ll first start by examining and diagnosing your condition
If you already have a scoliosis diagnosis, we can review your medical history to learn more about your condition. We can look at your previous imaging scans, lab test results, and other examinations.
To determine your condition’s severity, we will examine:
- Your spine’s rigidity: Your spine might be pressing on the surrounding nerves. If so, we can adjust your treatment plan accordingly. We’ll also map out your spine’s shape and assess what manipulation strategies can help.
- How your brain works with your spine: Your brain uses the spinal cord to send and receive information. We’ll conduct some balancing tests to see how well these body parts communicate.
- Your spine’s curvature: If your spine curves more than 10 percent, you have mild scoliosis. Here, we’ll take a “wait-and-see” approach and employ preventative measures. If your spine curves more than that, we’ll employ spinal adjustment techniques, massages, and light exercises.
We may recommend visiting a medical doctor while you undergo chiropractic care. A combination of treatments may yield the best possible recovery.
We may employ these techniques to address your condition
Once we determine your condition’s severity, we may employ one or more of the following:
Chiropractic adjustments
On TV, you may have seen cartoonish depictions of chiropractic adjustments where the doctor “cracks” the patient’s back or even walks on it. That’s not the case in reality. Chiropractic adjustments involve realigning the spinal cord and pressuring joints back into position.
It may take several visits for you to feel the full benefits of chiropractic adjustments.
Physiotherapy (also called “physical therapy”)
Physiotherapy refers to a handful of treatments designed to promote your wellbeing. Some examples include:
- Massages: Your chiropractor may massage the affected areas to temporarily reduce pain, swelling, and discomfort. This involves targeting the soft tissues around the spine.
- Ultrasound therapy: While our team uses ultrasounds to diagnose conditions, we also use them as treatment. Here, we send painless soundwaves into your body, where microscopic vibrations, heat, and friction alleviate pain. They also regenerate tissue and break down scarring.
- Strengthening and stretching exercise therapy: These exercises can build muscle strength, improve your posture, and decrease pain.
Our four-phase treatment program for scoliosis in Lehigh Acres
We organize recovery into four phases, including:
The acute phase
Our first goal involves alleviating your pain. We’ll employ chiropractic adjustments, massages, and stretches to stabilize your condition. While we don’t prescribe pain killers, we may suggest some over-the-counter medications.
The rehab phase
Once we’ve addressed your pain, we’ll work to improve your range of motion. This involves guiding you through light exercises, massaging the affected area, and adjusting your spinal cord.
The strengthening phase
At this point, you’ll feel the same or even better than you did before. Here, we’ll employ more intense exercises and workouts. We’ll follow up with massages afterward to relieve any discomfort.
Maximum medical improvement (MMI)
MMI isn’t the same as a “full recovery.” Instead, it refers to the extent to which your body will recover. Our goal is to eliminate your pain levels, restore your full range of motion, and prevent further injuries.
Common misconceptions about chiropractic care in Lehigh Acres
We understand that there are a lot of misconceptions about chiropractic care, including:
Myth: “Chiropractors aren’t doctors”
While they’re not medical doctors, chiropractors do undergo years of training to understand human anatomy and treatment. Not just anyone can be a chiropractor in Florida, either.
Per the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards, a Florida chiropractor must have 40 educational hours every two years––along with other accreditations. This education involves learning about preventing medical errors, understanding HIV/AIDS, ethics, and upholding chiropractic ethics.
Each of our chiropractors meets the state’s requirements.
Myth: “Chiropractic treatment actually hurts people”
PLOS One notes that chiropractic care is a low-risk alternative form of medicine. The Journal conducted a study in 2018 that noted chiropractic care is just as effective as most forms of physical therapy.
Many forms of chiropractic care are low risk because:
- They don’t involve invasive procedures, like surgery.
- Chiropractors don’t rely on medications that may contraindicate with pre-existing conditions.
- Stiffness and discomfort caused by chiropractic care generally stop within 24 to 48 hours.
Myth: “Chiropractic care is expensive”
Many health insurance plans cover chiropractic care. Moreover, if you suffered harm in an accident, you could seek compensation through a claim or lawsuit. These actions can provide you with funds to pay for chiropractic care.
Our team in Lehigh Acres has a network of attorneys who help injured claimants in Florida. We can refer you to a lawyer with the resources necessary to handle your legal matters.
Call Specific Care Chiropractic today for more information
If you’re looking for scoliosis treatment in Lee County, our chiropractors in Lehigh Acres are here to help. We have seven chiropractic doctors on staff who specialize in back and spinal cord conditions. Schedule an appointment online or call us today at (239) 369-9109.
