What Causes Scoliosis?

What leads to scoliosis, and how can it be treated in children and adults? Get the answers you need in this blog from Vidan Family Chiropractic.

In Most Cases, The Cause Of Scoliosis Is Unknown

For decades, scientists and doctors have been studying scoliosis to try to determine what causes this abnormal curvature of the spine. However, we still don’t really know exactly what leads to scoliosis in most people. This type of scoliosis is called “idiopathic scoliosis,” and it’s the most common, with about 80% of scoliosis cases falling into this category.

However, while we don’t know exactly what causes idiopathic scoliosis, we do know that most people with this type of scoliosis begin developing symptoms by the time they're 10 years old. Proper interventions, such as back braces, chiropractic care, or surgery can help reduce spinal curvature and lessen the severity of idiopathic scoliosis.

Scoliosis Can Be Caused By Spinal Disc Degeneration

In older adults and seniors, degenerative scoliosis is the most common type of scoliosis. This type of scoliosis happens when degenerative conditions like arthritis or osteoporosis damage the spine, resulting in problems with spinal curvature.

Treatment for degenerative scoliosis depends on the specifics of each case. Physical therapy, strengthening exercises, and treatments for managing pain and discomfort are usually recommended.

Neuromuscular Conditions Can Also Cause Or Contribute To Scoliosis

Some types of scoliosis are caused by neuromuscular conditions in children. For example, some conditions like muscular dystrophy can cause issues with the development and function of a child’s muscles.

In turn, these problems can lead to imbalances in the musculature. When the muscles don’t develop properly, the spine can be “pulled” into a curve, resulting in scoliosis. Proper management of neuromuscular conditions can help reduce the severity of this curve.

How Can Scoliosis Be Treated?

The proper treatment for scoliosis depends on the cause, the severity of the condition, and the age of the patient. Here are a few steps that are often recommended to help with scoliosis treatment in St. Louis.

• Chiropractic care – Chiropractic care from Dr. Alex Vidan and the team at Vidan Family Chiropractic can help treat idiopathic scoliosis. Spinal adjustments can reduce symptoms and pain, and help you live a normal life.
• Physical therapy – Physical therapy to strengthen the core and stretch the spine can help reduce pain and improve range of motion in most people with scoliosis.
• Torso braces – For kids with severe scoliosis, torso braces are often recommended to help stabilize the spine as it grows, and to help reduce spinal curvature. Scoliosis often worsens during late childhood and the early teen years, so this is the ideal time to implement a torso brace.
• Surgical intervention – Surgical intervention is usually only recommended in patients with extremely severe spinal curves of 50 degrees or more. Treatments like spinal fusion can help reduce spinal curvature and restore a straight spine.

Get Help With Scoliosis In St. Louis – Contact Vidan Family Chiropractic

The right treatment for scoliosis varies depending on the age of each patient, the severity of the spinal curve, and lots of other factors. But at Vidan Family Chiropractic, scoliosis treatment in St. Louis is one of our specialties.

We’re here to help patients of all ages get the drug-free, surgery-free relief they need from scoliosis. So don’t wait. Contact us online or give us a call at 314-210-6556 now, and take the first steps toward treating your pain.