Does Your Child Have Signs of Scoliosis?

Have you noticed in your child that one shoulder is higher than the other? Or perhaps you see an unevenness in their waist or hips. You might observe an abnormal rounding in the rib cage, or rib humping when your child bends forward.
These are all signs of scoliosis, defined as a sideways curvature of the spine when seen from the front with rotation when looking at the spine from above.

Most cases are idiopathic, which means there is no known cause, and genetics are involved in 30 percent of cases.

The Negative Impact on the Sufferer

Many sufferers experience pain, neurological issues, cosmetic concerns and lifelong disability. Significant curves may even necessitate spinal fusion surgery.

Though it doesn’t always cause physical pain, a sideways curvature of the spine may create psychological issues associated with rib humps and deformities.

The Importance of Early Intervention

The start of the school year is always a good reminder for parents to look for signs and symptoms of scoliosis, which can progress rapidly in growing children. Early intervention is advisable, as it’s much easier to correct the abnormal curvature than when they’re older.

If any of the above-mentioned symptoms are present, it’s important to schedule an in-depth exam right away.

Our Multifaceted Approach to Care

If your child has an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine, help is available. The current approach to addressing this curvature is to watch it get worse before taking action. Modern advances show that early intervention is a better choice. Naturally, we agree. At our practice, we offer the following noninvasive treatment options that can correct the problem without surgery:

• Chiropractic care
• Exercises to address the abnormal curvature
• The use of heel lifts or shoe alterations to balance the pelvis
• 3D bracing