If you’ve heard of scoliosis, you may know that it is associated with the spine. As a practitioner who deals with the spine and nervous system, Chiropractor Dr George Prorellis helps people who are suffering from scoliosis.
Scoliosis is a condition that involves the bending of the spine. Rather than being straight as it should be, it goes to the left or right. If the curvature goes more than 10 degrees, you’ll likely feel tightness on one side and a loosened feeling on the other side.
You may also experience referred pain depending on how rotated the affected vertebra is. That is due to the compression of a nerve that results when a vertebra is rotated.
The Symptoms of Scoliosis
If you are concerned that you may be affected by scoliosis, there are signs to look out for:
An official diagnosis of scoliosis requires X-ray confirmation of the abnormal curvature and spinal rotation.
There are two main types of scoliosis:
In both cases, the curvature develops slowly, usually during the growth years from age 12 to 16.
In severe cases, the spinal curvature may be disfiguring and cause the rib cage to compress the heart and lungs causing them to work improperly.
After our standard thorough examination and testing is complete the next step is to make sure we alleviate the compressed nerves in the affected area. That is done through manipulations. Then, you’ll also be given an exercise prescription and stretches to do. Stretches work out the convexity or the side that you’re bending towards, and exercises will strengthen the concavity or the side you’ve bent away from.
Early assessment and detection is essential if treatment is to be effective. Because the spine continues to grow until into the early 20s, if left uncorrected it often worsens. Once the curvature is fully developed, correction by any means becomes much more difficult.
Chiropractic care may include spinal adjustments, exercise and postural and activity advice. Severe cases are referred for additional care. With scoliosis particularly, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
If you lead a busy lifestyle, you may find it challenging to get to your appointments. That’s why we’re open on the weekends, allowing you to book in for hours that work well for your schedule. Additionally, our team is here later in the evenings to make sure we can accommodate you.
at sydney allied health clinic