What Kind Of Doctor Treats Scoliosis? [EXPLORED]

What Kind Of Doctor Treats Scoliosis? [EXPLORED] Image

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 modalities increases the chances of treatment success.

After a scoliosis diagnosis, the most important decision to make is how to treat it moving forward; different treatment approaches offer patients different potential outcomes. Many general doctors treat patients with scoliosis, but only a specialist can effectively treat the scoliosis itself.

Let’s start our discussion of scoliosis doctors by exploring the two main scoliosis treatment approaches, traditional and conservative.

Traditional vs Conservative Treatment

If a person is diagnosed with scoliosis, they have an important decision to make because the chosen treatment approach can have life-long effects.

Scoliosis is the development of an unnatural sideways spinal curve, with rotation, and a minimum Cobb angle measurement of 10 degrees.

as-a-progressive-condition-how As a progressive condition, how a diagnosis is responded to is key because it’s in the very nature of scoliosis to worsen over time, especially if left untreated, or not treated proactively.

The spine is a complex structure, and its natural curvatures keep it strong, flexible, and able to absorb stress, like a coiled spring; if the spine loses one or more of its healthy curves, its biomechanics are disrupted and can affect its overall health and function.

To summarize, scoliosis is a complex condition to treat for the following reasons:

  • It ranges greatly in severity from mild to moderate and severe
  • There are multiple condition types (idiopathic, neuromuscular, degenerative, congenital, and traumatic)
  • There are multiple curvature locations
  • There are multiple curvature types/patterns
  • Scoliosis can affect all ages
  • The condition is progerssive

Because scoliosis is progressive, where it is at the time of diagnosis is not indicative of where it will stay, which is why the best time to start treatment is always now.

A patient diagnosed with mild scoliosis can easily progress to moderate or severe, hence the benefit of proactive treatment applied as early as possible to stay ahead of a condition’s progressive line.

Traditional Scoliosis Treatment

As mentioned, the majority of scoliosis cases can be treated non-surgically, but those on the path of traditional scoliosis treatment often find themselves funneled towards spinal fusion, and this is because of its reactive response to mild scoliosis.

A traditional scoliosis treatment provider would likely say that if an adolescent’s scoliosis is mild, the response should be watching and waiting for further progression; this is because traditional treatment doesn’t actually have a strategy for addressing scoliosis while mild.

The only form of treatment applied, and not until progression into the moderate or severe level has occurred, is traditional bracing, which is associated with a number of shortfalls.

If bracing is unsuccessful at stopping progression, a patient becomes a surgical candidate after crossing the surgical-level threshold at 40+ degrees, hence the waiting until a condition progresses to that point.

In the meantime, however, proactive efforts could have been made to counteract a condition’s progressive nature and prevent patients from progressing to the point of becoming a surgical candidate.

Spinal fusion is an invasive and costly procedure, and like all surgical procedures, comes with its share of potential risks and side effects; for those who choose to forego a surgical recommendation or want to try a different form of treatment first, conservative treatment offers patients a non-surgical alternative, with proven results.

Conservative Scoliosis Treatment

Also known as functional and/or chiropractic-centered, a conservative treatment approach responds to a scoliosis diagnosis proactively, by starting treatment as soon as possible.

I see watching and waiting as wasting valuable treatment time because as a progressive condition, we know that virtually every case of scoliosis is going to progress at some point, so why not be proactive and work towards preventing progression and the hardships associated with it: increasing condition severity, escalating symptoms, and the need for more invasive treatment in the future.

In addition, while there are no treatment guarantees, early detection does increase chances of treatment success, but only if it’s met with proactive treatment; scoliosis is less complex to treat while mild, before spinal rigidity has increased, and before the body has had ample time to adjust to its presence.

Conservative treatment values what different treatment disciplines can bring to the table, and the complex nature of scoliosis necessitates the customization of effective treatment plans.

By combining condition-specific treatment disciplines such as chiropractic care, a variety of therapies, custom-prescribed home exercises, and corrective bracing, curvatures can be reduced, and core strength can be increased so the spine is optimally supported and stabilized, and this is how the CLEAR Scoliosis Institute approaches  treatment.

So now that we’ve explored the different types of scoliosis treatment, let’s move on to the topic of what kind of doctor treats scoliosis.

Scoliosis Doctors

there-are-many-different-types There are many different types of doctors, but there’s a big difference between a general practitioner (GP) and a specialist whose training has focused them on one area of the body, or a specific condition.

Choosing the right scoliosis doctor sometimes requires a patient to advocate for themselves, or for a loved one, to ensure they are aware of all treatment options available and that they understand the distinction between treating someone with scoliosis, versus treating the scoliosis itself.

A general practitioner can certainly detect a scoliosis, and in those cases, the path of treatment generally follows a referral from the family doctor to an orthopedic surgeon: the traditional surgical route.

If a patient commits to treatment from their GP, this is most likely going to involve treating the patient’s symptoms, more so than addressing their underlying cause; this can involve pain management, when needed, monitoring for progression with X-rays, and the prescription of scoliosis-friendly exercises and stretches, but this is not the same as working towards sustainable corrective results.

Scoliosis is incurable, but it is highly treatable; however, as a structural spinal condition, effective treatment has to, first and foremost, impact the condition on a structural level.

As a CLEAR-certified scoliosis chiropractor, I know the spine, and I know scoliosis, and while family doctors have their patients’ best interests at heart, the experience/training needed to correct a condition as complex as scoliosis is beyond the scope of general treatment, requiring specialized advanced training.

The CLEAR Approach to Treatment

The CLEAR approach to treatment involves an intense course of treatment, either standard care involving approximately 3 clinic visits a week that taper off based on results, to intensive care (twice daily for two weeks).

These treatment plans also involve a daily home-rehabilitation program that will be customized to suit each patient and their condition so their spine can continue to heal and stabilize.

An average treatment session lasts around two hours and will involve a series of chiropractic adjustments and techniques to impact the condition on a structural level, and a variety of exercises and therapies to complement those corrective results.

Once I start to see structural results, I help patients work towards increasing core strength so the spine is optimally supported by its surrounding muscles, and scoliosis-specific exercises (SSEs) are also known to activate certain areas of the brain for enhanced brain-body communication, postural remodeling, and a more natural body positioning.

Remember, when it comes to finding the right scoliosis doctor, even a specialist might only be trained and experienced in one form of treatment, but I firmly believe that scoliosis patients benefit the most from treatment provided by a specialist capable of combining multiple condition-specific therapies for the best, and most specific, results.

Never be afraid to inquire as to the types of certifications and treatment modalities a potential scoliosis treatment provider has. Following are some of the most respected and successful certification options to look for in a scoliosis specialist:

  • CLEAR: chiropractic leadership, educational advancement, and research focusing on advanced methods of scoliosis diagnosis, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation
  • SOSORT: Society on Scoliosis Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Treatment, focusing on non-surgical treatment of idiopathic scoliosis
  • ISICO: Italian Scientific Spine Institute (Masters certification), an innovative approach to the non-surgical treatment of spinal conditions/diseases
  • SEAS: Scientific Approach to Scoliosis, managing scoliosis through the application of SSEs and physiotherapy
  • ScoliBrace certification in ultra-corrective 3-dimensional bracing
  • Pettibon system certification: focuses on assessing/rehabilitating the spine to correct posture
  • GOSS: Gomez Orthotic Spine System, conservative treatment that focuses on spinal stability and balance
  • Diagnostic training and certification in interpreting MRIs and X-rays

Living with a complex spinal condition can pose its challenges, but scoliosis patients can benefit from treatment provided by a specialist capable of combining multiple therapies and treatment modalities so improvements can be made.

Conclusion

People with scoliosis will have it for life, but through proactive treatment and rehabilitation, its effects can be minimized, and people can thrive with the condition.

When it comes to finding the right scoliosis treatment provider, in addition to ensuring their treatment approach can deliver the outcome patients are looking for, ensuring the treatment provider is certified in multiple distinct treatment modalities means there are fewer limits to what they can achieve.

As a CLEAR-certified scoliosis chiropractor, I can combine multiple types of treatment, for a truly customized approach, that strives to preserve as much of the spine’s natural function as possible, while preventing the need for invasive surgery in the future.

CLEAR photo

Author: Dr. Alex Greaux

Dr. Greaux has been a practicing Chiropractor for over 15 years. He received a Doctorate in Chiropractic from Life University and a minor in nutrition from the same. He also holds a degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Miami. He has been certified to treat scoliosis since 2007, and in this capacity has helped countless scoliosis patients achieve successful curve reduction results. In 2013, he realized the unique distinction of being CLEAR™ certified in Intensive Care Treatment of Scoliosis. Throughout his career, Dr. Greaux has had the good fortune of working with the NBA Miami Heat, rehabilitating injured players, as well as treating numerous college and high school athletes. Dr. Greaux is a member of the International Chiropractic Scoliosis Board.
Reach out to Dr. Alex Greaux

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This website is for informational and general purposes only. Information provided is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice because of something you have read on this site. 

CLEAR Scoliosis Centers are privately owned and operated chiropractic clinics. Doctors at CLEAR Scoliosis Centers are personally responsible for all clinical decision making. CLEAR Scoliosis Institute, a nonprofit organization, does not have any authority over the clinic, make any clinical recommendations, or dictate patient care.
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