The end goal of spinal fusion is stopping progression, not correction, and this is an important distinction to understand. While not everyone is guaranteed to experience any permanent restrictions following spinal fusion, the risk is there, particularly in terms of spinal flexibility, range of motion and pain, so should be considered carefully. Spinal fusion...
There is more than one way to treat scoliosis, and fortunately, many cases can be treated non-surgically. While spinal fusion can make a crooked spine straighter, there are no guarantees that it will be successful at stopping progression, and how the spine is straightened can cause some long-term side effects. The traditional scoliosis treatment approach funnels...
Scoliosis ranges widely in severity from mild to severe, and in most cases, the more severe the condition, the more noticeable its symptoms are. When it comes to pain, adults and adolescents experience scoliosis pain very differently. Continue reading to learn more about the nature of scoliosis pain, including symptoms and pain-relief options. Scoliosis pain is...
While most cases of scoliosis can be treated non-surgically, patients who find themselves on the path of traditional treatment are often funneled towards spinal fusion surgery; CLEAR-certified chiropractors can give patients an effective non-surgical treatment option. Finding a doctor who specializes in scoliosis and is trained/certified in multiple treatment...
There was a time when the place of exercise in scoliosis treatment was questioned, but we have since learned that there’s a big difference between general exercise and general physical therapy, when compared to scoliosis-specific exercise and a individually designed therapy program that’s customized to address the many important condition specific characteristics...
When scoliosis is diagnosed, part of the process involves further classifying aspects of the scoliosis based on important patient and condition variables. Factors such as patient age at diagnosis, condition type (cause), curvature location, and curve size help shape the design of effective treatment plans. Continue reading to learn how conditions are classified as...
Scoliosis is a highly-variable condition, which is why the very nature of scoliosis necessitates a customized treatment approach. There are two main scoliosis treatment approaches for patients to choose between, each offering a different potential outcome; follow along on the accompanying scoliosis degrees chart for a visual of how the traditional and functional...
No two cases of scoliosis are the same, which is why there is no clear-cut answer regarding its treatment needs; the very nature of scoliosis necessitates the customization of effective treatment plans. There are also different scoliosis treatment approaches that offer patients different potential results, and different severity levels. Scoliosis is a complex...
A healthy spine will appear straight when looking at someone from the front and/or back, but take on a soft ‘S’ shape when viewed from the sides; this is because each of the spine’s main sections have a natural curvature. Lordosis refers to the spine’s inward curves of the neck and lower back, but if an individual’s lordosis falls beyond a normal range, it...
As a structural condition, effective scoliosis treatment has to, first and foremost, impact the condition on a structural level. When treating the whole patient, this includes diet and lifestyle guidance; patients who maintain a healthy weight and diet can minimize the negative aspects of life with scoliosis. While no dietary changes alone can impact scoliosis on...
In Episode 33, host Heather Rotunda and Dr. Justin discuss scoliosis symptoms and how to know if you have scoliosis. Throughout the episode, you'll hear: What symptoms parents should look for in children Whether you should wait until after puberty to begin treatment What symptoms to look for in adults ...
Also known as cervical spine instability, cervical instability can produce a range of symptoms involving the muscles and nerves surrounding the cervical spine, as well as the structure of the cervical spine itself. From headaches to muscle pain, cervical instability is caused by lax ligaments. Cervical instability occurs when ligaments in the neck are excessively...