January 11, 2017

Chiropractic Treatment for Scoliosis: How Effective is it?

erika Scoliosis & Other Back Problems
Chiropractic Treatment
If you’re somewhat familiar with chiropractic therapy, you might assume that it’s an ideal treatment for scoliosis (sideways curvature of the spine). Chiropractic focuses primarily on the spine, and if you’re a scoliosis sufferer, going to a chiropractor can seem like a far preferable alternative to wearing a brace or undergoing spinal fusion surgery.
But can chiropractic treatment really combat scoliosis effectively? That’s the question we’ll be attempting to answer today.

What is chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a form of medicine that is used to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal disorders, with practitioners using their hands (or a machine) to perform treatments on the bones, muscles and joints, which are commonly referred to as ‘manual therapies’. Chiropractic treatment usually involves a range of techniques, although this is often focused on the manipulation of the patient’s spine, in order to treat conditions which cause pain in the neck and lower back, including scoliosis.
While those who practice chiropractic are considered to be part of the healthcare profession, there have been many debates and controversies relating to its effectiveness over the years, particularly due to the fact that it does not refer to a single treatment. While there is evidence to support the fact that chiropractic medicine can improve and relieve persistent lower back pain, there is no strong evidence to suggest that it has the ability to treat other conditions.

Can chiropractors treat scoliosis?

As mentioned above, there is evidence to suggest that chiropractic has the ability to effectively treat lower back pain; however, this may not provide effective relief for the majority of scoliosis sufferers. Studies have shown that the practice is most effective in cases of acute, short-term pain, which means that it is unlikely to provide long-term results for patients with scoliosis, particularly for those with moderate to severe curves. In addition, there are some practitioners who treat scoliosis in the same manner as other spinal conditions, which is unsuitable for a condition which requires a unique approach, and can vary hugely from patient to patient.
Chiropractic treatment also does nothing to address the muscular imbalance that results from the development of a scoliotic curve, and it relies on the patient returning to see their chiropractor on a regular basis to maintain the desired level of pain relief.

Are there any alternatives to chiropractic treatment?

While the repositioning of joints can contribute towards successful treatment, this should be complimented with other treatment methods in order to achieve long-term success. Here at Scoliosis SOS, our ScolioGold treatment method uses manual and physical interventions to treat scoliosis sufferers; however, this does not make up the entirety of our treatment approach. Instead, we combine this therapy with stretches and exercises to form a more holistic treatment plan, which addresses multiple aspects of the sufferer’s condition, as opposed to focusing on a single element of the condition. ScolioGold is a long-term system of care that is designed to help scoliosis patients self-manage their condition rather than forcing them to rely on repeated visits to a practitioner.
To find out more about our ScolioGold programme, visit our Video Experiences and Testimonials page to see how we have helped previous patients to correct and improve their scoliosis symptoms. You can also get in touch to enquire about our courses, by filling in our quick enquiry form here.
September 26, 2016

Difference among physiotherapists, chiropractors & osteopaths?

erika Scoliosis & Other Back Problems
Spinal Treatment
When seeking out non-surgical treatments for scoliosis, it’s easy to feel somewhat overwhelmed and confused by the number of approaches which exist, particularly when their aims appear to be so similar. Physiotherapists, chiropractors, osteopaths…what do all of these practitioners actually do? How do their methods differ from one another? Are these titles all just different names for the same thing? These are common questions among scoliosis sufferers and other individuals seeking out physical therapy.
In order to clear up some confusion, we thought we’d outline the details of each approach and highlight their similarities and differences. To begin, it’s probably easiest to discuss the aims and practices of each treatment method individually:

Physiotherapy

The primary aim of physiotherapy is to enable function and movement in the body, often after an accident, illness, or other form of trauma. A combination of massage, exercise and movement is used to restore the body of the patient, improving their physical ability and preventing further damage/progression. Physiotherapy is often used to treat and aid recovery from several conditions, from injuries impacting the joints and soft tissues to those affecting the brain, heart and lungs.

Chiropractic

The chiropractic profession specialises in diagnosing and treating conditions which affect the joints, ligaments, tendons and nerves,  always focusing on the spine. In its most basic form, treatment involves the gentle manipulation of specific areas in order to free joints in the spine, although alternative treatments such as acupuncture are sometimes integrated into the therapy. While most chiropractors specifically treat conditions related to the spine and neck, they do provide treatment for a number of related conditions as well.

Osteopathy

Osteopaths work to ensure that the muscles, ligaments and connective tissues in the body are able to function smoothly together in order to treat conditions which affect these areas of the body, particularly the spine. A combination of physical manipulation, massage and stretching is used to increase patient mobility while also restoring balance and optimal function within the body. This works to relieve muscle tension, improve blood supply, and promote healing, providing the patient with improved health and relief from pain.
As you can see from these descriptions, these treatment methods have many things in common, primarily their holistic approach to improving overall bodily function alongside the treatment of a specific concern. Here at Scoliosis SOS, we use some elements of osteopathy alongside specialised physiotherapy as part of our ScolioGold treatment programme, which combines the principles of several proven non-surgical treatment methods in order to fully treat various issues experienced by our patients.
Our reason for including some components of osteopathy in our successful therapy, exercise and treatment programme is to improve joint mobility while also providing relief from the pain experienced by many scoliosis sufferers. It has allowed us to provide lasting results for our patients, improving their posture and enhancing their ease of movement – aspects of scoliosis which are often not properly addressed by surgical treatment.
If you would like to find out more about our treatment programme and how it may be able to help you with your condition, please get in touch here.

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