Considerations for Vancouver Scoliosis Patients
Scoliosis is not an issue all Vancouver parents, families or persons have to consider. For those whose lives or loved ones’ lives are concerned with scoliosis, Vancouver scoliosis is a big matter. Vancouver Disc Centers presents these new findings about Vancouver scoliosis development and treatment of scoliosis.
CAUSES OF Vancouver SCOLIOSIS: PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AS YOUTH
Being physically active is a usual recommendation for Vancouver chiropractic patients. It’s important for all Vancouver kids and especially for kids at risk for scoliosis. Recent research on the mechanism, diagnosis and treatment of spinal scoliosis - though not very much is known about the causes of adolescent onset idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) – verified that reduced physical ability and activity in those who go on develop scoliosis by age 15 was seen as early as age 18 months. Those children who did more objectively measured moderate/vigorous physical activity at age 11 were 30% less likely to develop scoliosis. (1) Vancouver Disc Centers knows Vancouver parents will want to keep their kids moving!
Vancouver SCOLIOSIS TREATMENT: OUTCOME PREDICTION
Beyond understanding the development of scoliosis, treatment of scoliosis interests Vancouver scoliosis patients. The spine itself may help predict its respond to Vancouver chiropractic treatment. A noticeable tilting of the L3 and L4 vertebrae at skeletal maturity, especially one greater than 16°, predicts future curve progression and low back pain in adulthood. (2) Such a spine with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis benefits from spinal mobilization and therapeutic exercise. They both may decelerate the progression of the curve and decrease the previously increased degree of the curve. A form of spinal manipulation referred to as Cox® Flexion Distraction spinal manipulation involves spine distraction with mobilization of vertebral segments into their normal ranges of motion. This may allow improved mobility and assist in stopping curve progression and in reducing the curvature. (3)
Vancouver SCOLIOSIS TREATMENT: SPINAL MOBILIZATION
A recent study presented support for spinal mobilization of scoliosis spines. Researchers found significant improvements in the neutral angles of both the lower thoracic spine curve and the lower lumbar spine curve after triple-treatment trunk stretching. Triple-treatment trunk stretching may well better the spinal curve as well as the physical fitness status of the scoliosis patient. (4) Again, Cox® flexion distraction manipulation stretches the basic anatomical posture of scoliosis.
Vancouver SCOLIOSIS TREATMENT: SURGICAL VS NON-SURGICAL
Clear indication of the clinical expectations and outcomes of non-surgical and surgical care for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is scarce. While AIS can advance throughout the growth years and cause a surface deformity, it is usually not symptomatic. Nevertheless, the risk of health problems and curve progression rises if the final spinal curvature get to or goes over a certain degree. Scoliosis-specific exercises, bracing, and surgery are more standard interventions to stop the progression. The key aims of all these interventions are to fix the deformity, prevent further deterioration of the curve, and restore the spine’s asymmetry and balance. Further, minimizing morbidity and pain and allowing return to normal function are also significant. Surgery is usually suggested for curvatures over 40 to 50 degrees to stop the curvature. There are several reports of short-term (few months) favorable surgical treatment outcomes but few long-term outcomes (over 20 years). For those with curves greater than 45 degrees, there are no randomized controlled trials and prospective controlled trials comparing spinal fusion surgery with non-surgical interventions in people with AIS with a Cobb angle greater than 45 degrees to show that one is superior. (5)
Vancouver SCOLIOSIS TREATMENT: CHIROPRACTIC
Chiropractic medicine can be first line care for AIS. The chiropractor measures the curvature angle and sets up a Vancouver treatment plan that can include spinal manipulation, specialized exercises, postural control, and bracing. If needed, interdisciplinary care will be incorporated in the Vancouver chiropractic treatment plan. Concerning chiropractic Cox® Technic spinal manipulation, consider the study (6) regarding stiffness of the thoracic spine which is the main area of the spine affected by scoliosis. This study documented that changes in spinal stiffness with chronic thoracic pain demonstrate association of pain and muscle activity. Spinal stiffness is intensified in chronic spine related pain. Improvement of spine motion is a aim of non-surgical treatment of scoliosis whether in the adolescent or middle to older aged individual.
CONTACT Vancouver Disc Centers
Listen to this PODCAST about Cox® Technic chiropractic care of scoliosis told by Dr. Roberto Branca, an Italian chiropractor using Cox® Technic, on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson. He discusses how he assists in keeping an active woman who has scoliosis active.
Schedule your Vancouver chiropractic visit. Considering all the treatments available for Vancouver scoliosis is important to the adolescent or adult with scoliosis as well as his/her family. Vancouver Disc Centers teams up with Vancouver scoliosis patients and their families to find the right path for spinal mobility, strength, and health.
