What Is Scoliosis?

Scoliosis is a lateral or sideway curve of the spine. Normally, the spine curves backward from the chest area and forward the waist area when viewed from the side. If the spine curves when viewed from the front or back (as in the x-ray at right) the condition is called scoliosis.

Types and causes of scoliosis

• Congenital scoliosis. Due to a bone abnormality present at birth.
• Neuromuscular scoliosis. A result of abnormal muscles or nerves. Frequently seen in people with spina bifida or cerebral palsy or in those with various conditions that are accompanied by, or result in, paralysis.
• Degenerative scoliosis. This may result from traumatic (from an injury or illness) bone collapse, previous major back surgery, or osteoporosis (thining of the bones).
• Idiopathic scoliosis. The most common type of scoliosis, idiopathic scoliosis, has no specific identifiable cause. There are many theories, but none have been found to be conclusive. There is, however, strong evidence that idiopathic scoliosis is inherited.

What Causes Scoliosis?

Scoliosis is a physical deformity caused by congenital, neuromuscular, traumatic, metabolic or degenerative factors. It is not caused by a lack of calcium, poor posture or carrying heavy objects. Scoliosis may be functional, due to a leg length discrepancy, or it may be structural or “idiopathic” due to a genetic component or some other unknown factor. About 80- 90% of scoliosis cases are termed idiopathic by most medical practitioners, meaning the cause is unknown. Your chiropractor, however, often can identify weaknesses or inferiorities in the spine that may be the causal factors.

Is It Painful?

Scoliosis is not usually painful in adolescence, but can become so in adulthood.

Who Does It Affect?

Scoliosis affects over 600,000 children between the ages of 10-16. Girls are effected approximately 7-8 times more frequently than boys. Idiopathic scoliosis may progress during the "growth spurt" years, but usually will not progress during adulthood.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability.

Can It Be Treated?

Testing for scoliosis often does not begin before adolescence, though scoliosis screening can never begin too early. The body’s “righting” reflex, the tendency for the body to appear straight, often can mask scoliosis. Too often, scoliosis can be the result of subluxations or misalignments of the lower back region, which your chiropractor may be able to stop and reverse through a program of spinal adjustments.

The “wait and see” approach is never a good option, frequently leading to protracted treatment and possibly to surgery. 

Provided by Advantage Chiropractic and Michigan Chiropractic Society

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