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Scoliosis is an abnormal sideways curvature of the spine of at least 10 degrees occurring, most often, during the growth spurt before puberty. The most common forms of scoliosis are juvenile and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS for short) which make up about 90 percent of those who have scoliosis.
When it comes to treatment options available to patients living with scoliosis, casting, bracing, and surgery seem to be quite common along with general chiropractic.
However, there is a natural scoliosis treatment option available that does not only work to relieve pain associated with scoliosis but could help the spine’s abnormal curve.
What Causes Scoliosis to Occur?
It is unknown to what environmental factors trigger the onset of scoliosis, however, there is a hypothesis that the trigger is linked to the upper cervical spine. This is because your upper cervical spine, neck area, is the “leader” for the rest of your spine.
This means if your upper cervical spine is not aligned correctly, the rest of your spine will follow its direction and begin to twist and curve to make sure your head stays balanced.
Any trauma a child experiences to the upper cervical spine can cause a reaction to the rest of their spine.
Trauma could be anywhere from falls, injuries from contact sports, gymnastics, playgrounds, bike riding, skateboarding, skating, or trampolines, and even poor posture habits while sitting at desks at schools, playing games, using electronics, or watching television.
Other possible causes of scoliosis include:
- Neuromuscular Conditions
- Different Leg Length
- Osteoporosis
- Congenital Scoliosis
- Syndromic Scoliosis
Despite these causes, there is a natural scoliosis treatment that not only helps the curvature of your spine but these possible causes of scoliosis as well.
Most Common Treatments for Scoliosis
Before discussing the natural scoliosis treatment, it is important to see the differences between common treatment options use to understand why the next natural scoliosis treatment differs. Below are the most common treatments used for scoliosis:
- Casting - Casting is occasionally used for infantile scoliosis. This casting helps the infant’s spine realign itself to normal positioning as they grow. The cast is worn at all times and changed often as the infant grows.
- Braces - Braces are used if moderate scoliosis is present and the bones are still developing. While braces are made to prevent further curvature, they will not reverse any present curvature or cure it. Typically, braces are worn all the time including throughout the night and are more effective when worn for more hours per day. Two types of braces are used to help scoliosis: Thoracolumbosacral orthosis (TLSO) and Milwaukee brace. The Thoracolumbosacral orthosis brace is made out of plastic and intended to fit effortlessly around the body’s curves. Because of the fit of this brace, it is typically not visible under the patient’s clothing. The Milwaukee brace is a full-torso brace with a neck ring. This neck ring comes with rests for the patient’s chin and back of their head. The Milwaukee brace is only used if the Thoracolumbosacral brace has been ineffective or not possible.
- Chiropractic - General chiropractic has been used to help relieve pain and discomfort associated with scoliosis. Maintaining the realigned spine will also help in promoting healing and well-being.
- Exercises - There are quite a few exercises that can help scoliosis with a focus of realigning the spine, shoulders, pelvis, and rib cage to attain the “normal” posture. While there is growing evidence of exercising helping to treat scoliosis, more research is needed to find out which exercises used are the most effective.
- Surgery - Depending on the patient’s case of scoliosis, severe cases may consider a surgical option. In severe scoliosis cases, the curvature of the spine can progress over time and surgery looks to help reduce the curve of the spine and work as a prevention to keep scoliosis from becoming worse. Surgery for scoliosis involves bone grafts that will connect two or more vertebrae, sometimes involving the use of metal rods, screws, wires, or hooks to hold a specific area of the spine straight as the bone continues to heal. The operation will last from 4 to 8 hours and after surgery is complete, intensive care is needed where the patient is transferred to an intensive care unit to receive medication for the pain and provide the patient with intravenous fluid. While there are some natural scoliosis treatments already in use, there is an overlooked option that proves to be incredibly beneficial to the body.
An Overlooked Natural Treatment for Scoliosis
No matter how small of a curvature you or your loved one may have, spinal health is incredibly important as proper spinal health allows our bodies to respond and function properly.
While general chiropractic is listed as one of the most common treatments for scoliosis, the type of chiropractic used can make a huge difference! Unlike general chiropractic, upper cervical focuses on the top area of your spine, the neck area.
Why is this difference in focus important? Because your upper cervical spine is the most delicate and significant part!
The upper cervical spine redirects the rest of your spine’s alignment, protects your brain stem, allows the proper brain to body communication, and can negatively affect your nerves throughout your body as well as muscles and other soft tissue if left untreated.
Upper cervical adjustments for natural scoliosis treatment work by making small, gentle corrections to your upper cervical spine. After this correction is made, the pressure is taken off your brain stem, nerves, and allows the surrounding soft tissue to relax.
When pressure is taken off your brain stem, proper brain to body communication is restored; this means your body can now begin to heal and repair itself appropriately.
The possible causes of scoliosis listed above can all benefit from this natural scoliosis treatment. The reason behind this is when the spine is readjusted, leg length changes to become more balanced.
When it comes to neuromuscular conditions in which the nerves and muscles are affected, the natural healing and repairing process that occurs after a correction helps your nerves and muscles recover.
And finally, poor posture or an abnormal spine overall can benefit from upper cervical since the rest of the spine seems to follow the upper cervical spine’s lead.
If you or a loved one is looking for effective, natural scoliosis treatment, upper cervical is a safe option suitable for any age.
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