What is Scoliosis?
Scoliosis is a condition often diagnosed in early childhood that is characterized by a distinct curvature of the spine. While the spine has natural curves, a patient with scoliosis suffers from a sideways S-shaped curve. The cause of scoliosis remains unknown, however, individuals with cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy are more likely to have scoliosis.
Signs and Symptoms of Scoliosis
Scoliosis usually becomes prominent in children aged between 10-15 years of age. The S-shaped spinal curvature is the most distinct sign of scoliosis. However, there are a few other tell-tale signs that should be looked for if you believe that you, or your child, have scoliosis.
These signs and symptoms include having one hip that sits higher than the other, uneven shoulders, back pain, breathing difficulties, and uncentered head, and a protruding rib cage that shifts left or right when the patient leans forward.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Scoliosis
Genetics appear to play a significant role in the development of scoliosis. However, it can also be the result of a childhood injury or trauma to the head and neck that results in a misaligned upper cervical spine.
If vertebrae in the upper cervical spine are pushed out of alignment at a young age, it can disrupt the natural development of the spinal column. When one or more spinal vertebrae are wedged on one side, the head will be forced to compensate and will begin to rest on a slight tilt. If this isn’t immediately addressed, the spine will continue to develop as the child grows but in a slightly twisted and rotated fashion. To make matters worse, ensuing muscle imbalances along the spinal column will continue to worsen the severity of the underlying vertebral misalignment.
How our Scoliosis Treatment Works
You don’t have to live with scoliosis — our upper cervical chiropractic specialist, Dr. Bello, is here to help. Upper cervical chiropractic care is a method of chiropractic treatment that examines and maintains the health and functionality of the upper cervical spine.
To better understand the severity of your scoliosis, Dr. Bello will first perform a general examination of your upper cervical spine. This process usually involves the use of cone-beam computed tomography and/or X-rays to pinpoint any vertebral misalignments.
Armed with the results from your initial session, Dr. Bello will perform a series of gentle, precise correction techniques to gently restore the vertebrae to their natural position. Unlike traditional chiropractic treatment, this process is completely painless, with no painful twisting or cracking involved.
If you’re looking for a natural treatment intervention for scoliosis; get in touch with Dr. Bello for an upper cervical chiropractic consultation. Dr. Bello provides treatment in Brentwood, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Westwood, Culver City, Marina Del Rey, West Los Angeles, and the surrounding areas.