Scoliosis is not a condition all West Des Moines
parents, families or persons have to consider. For those whose lives or loved
ones’ lives are affected by scoliosis, West Des Moines
scoliosis is a big matter. Executive Chiropractic of Iowa shares
these new findings about West Des Moines scoliosis development and treatment
of scoliosis.
CAUSES OF West Des Moines SCOLIOSIS: PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AS
YOUTH
Being physically active is a common
recommendation for West Des Moines chiropractic patients. It is
important for all West Des Moines kids and especially for kids at risk for
scoliosis. Recent research on the mechanism, diagnosis and treatment
of spinal scoliosis - though not very much is understood
about the causes of adolescent onset idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) –
verified that decreased physical
ability and activity in those who go on develop scoliosis by age 15 was
seen as early as age 18 months. Those children who did more
objectively measured moderate/vigorous physical activity at age 11 were 30%
less likely to develop scoliosis. (1) Executive Chiropractic of Iowa knows West Des Moines
parents will want to keep their kids active!
West Des Moines SCOLIOSIS TREATMENT: OUTCOME PREDICTION
Beyond understanding the development of scoliosis, treatment
of scoliosis intrigues West Des Moines scoliosis patients. The
spine holds some clues as to just how it will
respond to West Des Moines chiropractic treatment. A noticeable
tilting of the L3 and L4 vertebrae at skeletal maturity, especially
one greater than 16°, predicts future curve progression and low
back pain in adulthood. (2) Such a spine with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis benefits
from spinal mobilization and therapeutic exercise. They both may slow the
progression of the curve and reduce the previously
increased magnitude of the curve. A form of spinal
manipulation termed Cox® Flexion Distraction spinal
manipulation incorporates spine distraction with mobilization of
vertebral segments into their normal ranges of motion. This may
allow increased mobility and help in stopping
curve progression and in reducing the curvature. (3)
West Des Moines SCOLIOSIS TREATMENT: SPINAL MOBILIZATION
A recent study presented support
for spinal mobilization of scoliosis spines. Researchers discovered
significant improvements in the neutral angles of both the lower thoracic spine
curve and the lower lumbar spine curve after triple-treatment trunk stretching.
Triple-treatment trunk stretching may well improve the spinal
curve as well as the physical fitness status of the scoliosis patient.
(4) Again, Cox® flexion distraction manipulation stretches the basic anatomical
posture of scoliosis.
West Des Moines SCOLIOSIS TREATMENT: SURGICAL VS
NON-SURGICAL
Clear indication of the
clinical expectations and outcomes of non-surgical and surgical care for adolescent
idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is scarce. While AIS can advance
during the growth years and produce a
significant deformity, It’s usually not
symptomatic. However, the risk of health problems and curve
progression increases if the final spinal curvature reaches or exceeds a certain point. Scoliosis-specific exercises, bracing, and
surgery are more standard interventions to stop the
progression. The central goals of all types of
interventions are to correct the deformity, stop
additional worsening of the curve, and bring
back the spine’s asymmetry and balance. Further, diminishing
morbidity and pain and permitting return to normal
function are also significant. Surgery is normally
recommended for curvatures over 40 to 50
degrees to stop the curvature. There are several reports of short-term
(few months) favorable surgical treatment outcomes but few
long-term outcomes (over 20 years). For those with curves greater
than 45 degrees, there are no randomized controlled trials and prospective
controlled trials comparing spinal fusion surgery with non-surgical
interventions in people with AIS with a Cobb angle more than 45
degrees to say one is better. (5)
West Des Moines SCOLIOSIS TREATMENT: CHIROPRACTIC
Chiropractic medicine can be first line care for AIS. The
chiropractor measures the curvature angle and establishes a West Des Moines treatment plan that can include
spinal manipulation, specialized exercises, postural control, and bracing. If needed,
interdisciplinary care will be included in
the West Des Moines chiropractic treatment plan. Concerning chiropractic Cox®
Technic spinal manipulation, consider the study (6) on
stiffness of the thoracic spine which is the primary area of the
spine changed by scoliosis. This study documented
that changes in spinal stiffness with chronic thoracic pain demonstrate
association of pain and muscle activity. Spinal
stiffness is increased in chronic spine related pain. Improvement
of spine motion is a goal of non-surgical
treatment of scoliosis whether in the adolescent or middle to older aged
individual.
CONTACT Executive Chiropractic of Iowa
Listen
to this PODCAST about Cox® Technic chiropractic
care of scoliosis presented by Dr. Roberto Branca, an Italian chiropractor
using Cox® Technic, on The Back
Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson. He talks about
how he helps keep an active woman who has scoliosis active.
Schedule your West Des Moines chiropractic visit. Considering
all the treatments available for West Des Moines scoliosis is important
to the adolescent or adult with scoliosis as well as his/her family.
Executive Chiropractic of Iowa teams up with West Des Moines scoliosis
patients and their families to plan the right path for spinal
mobility, strength, and health.