Scoliosis Therapy
Scoliosis is a medical condition in which a person’s spine is curved from side to side, instead of being straight in a normal person. It is an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine. When X-ray is taken, the spine of a person having scoliosis would look more like an “S” or a “C” instead of a straight line.
This condition is either classified as congenital (i.e. the defect was present at the time of birth) or idiopathic (which is again sub classified as infantile, juvenile, adolescent or adult according to the age when the defect occurred). This condition might also develop as a secondary symptom of other conditions like cerebral palsy, spinal muscular atrophy or due to physical trauma.
One of the ways to treat this condition is by consult a chiropractor. Some of the common therapies a chiropractor would apply to treat scoliosis is described in brief.
Therapeutic Exercise
A chiropractor would commonly prescribe some specific strengthening exercises for the patients who are having problems with their back, neck, and extremity problems. These exercises would decrease pain, prevent muscle deterioration, promote joint health, increase strength, stability and range of motion, and protect against new or recurring injuries.
The chiropractor would show the patient the exact way the exercises are to be done and would guide you till you feel comfortable doing it on their own. The exercises are to be carried out exactly as the chiropractor has advised to get faster relief from the condition.
Therapeutic Stretches
Therapeutic stretches are prescribed after getting injured, to prevent the formation of scar tissues. Even after the injury gets healed, regular stretching exercise would keep tissues flexible, increase mobility, and protects from injuries. As in the case of therapeutic exercises, the chiropractor would show the way these stretches are to be done to the patient and make the patient comfortable to do it on their own.
Traction-Massage
When chiropractic traction-massage is applied, the patient lies face up with a pillow under the knees. A system of rollers then move up and down the spine, gently stretching and massaging the muscle of the back. Traction-massage is usually carried out just before an adjustment to relax the spine, making the adjustment easier to perform, more comfortable, and more beneficial.
It must have become clear to you now that chiropractic therapy for the treatment of the condition of scoliosis is more than just spinal manipulations. Chiropractors use a variety of methods to help the body heal by itself and return the patient to a pain-free and healthy life.
