As moms, we worry about everything. Our world revolves around our kids and good parents want the best for their children! I have mentioned in "From Bedwetting To Asthma: The Benefits Of Chiropractic Care In Children", that a huge catalyst for my career choice was seeing and watching children and babies getting adjusted. I knew that chiropractic care was the missing link for many health conditions so this is why I have made it my life’s mission.
Scoliosis is a condition that affects people of all ages, however, it is more common in children and typically diagnosed between the ages of 10-15. Scoliosis is defined as a sideways curvature of the spine. The curvature can range from mild to severe and so can the symptoms. Some cases go undetected until later in life, while some children have discomfort or pain.
The exact causes of scoliosis is unknown, but it's typically classified into one or more of the following categories:
Idiopathic scoliosis- this is the most common type, accounting for approximately 80% of cases. It typically arises during adolescence and has no identifiable causes.
Congenital scoliosis- this type occurs when the spine develops abnormally in the womb, resulting in a structural deformity of the spine.
Neuromuscular scoliosis- this type is associated with conditions such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy or spina bifida, where the muscles and nerves that support the spine are affected.
Degenerative scoliosis -this type occurs in adults due to degeneration of the spine over time. Things like unleveled hips and or bad posture contribute to this type of scoliosis.
Most school-age children are screened for scoliosis in school by the nurse or their family doctor. You may remember having to bend over at the waist and the medical professional checks your spine? That was it!
If they see something then diagnosing scoliosis typically involves a more in-depth physical exam and imaging, such as an X-ray to determine the spinal segments involved. This is one of the reasons why I can not stress enough the importance of X-rays.
As mentioned above, the main causes of scoliosis are unknown however in our office we see many spinal curvatures that are compensation for other issues. This means the scoliosis is secondary to things like unlevel and/or rotated pelvis, one leg being longer or shorter than the other. Regardless of the cause, like any disease process, early detection is key.
As a mom, you know your child best. Here are some signs to watch for:
• Uneven shoulders or hips
• A prominent shoulder blade
• A noticeable curve in the spine
• Clothes that fit unevenly
• Complaints of back pain or leg/knee pain
If you notice any of these signs, getting a chiropractor involved is one of the most important things you can do. Unfortunately, scoliosis can go undiagnosed because we are only doing a visual screening. Chiropractic can help to identify a scoliosis and its type, determine the severity, prevent worsening of the curve, manage the effects of pain and dysfunction associated with it, and in some mild cases even eliminate the scoliosis. This is why it's important to catch it as young as possible, especially if we can detect and treat it before puberty.
If you have a loved one in your life who has a child with signs of scoliosis or know someone who has one - get them to OWL Chiropractic.
Having someone tell you that your child has scoliosis can sound scary. The good news is that we treat it every day and often can help a child do the things they are supposed to be doing like cheerleading, running, climbing and all the sports.
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