SCOLIOSIS SCREENING
It’s estimated that anywhere between 6 and 9 million Americans suffer from scoliosis, and while there is technically no cure, it is possible to manage and treat. However, just like with anything else, you can’t treat a problem if you aren’t aware of it. At Goshen Family Chiropractic, we provide thorough scoliosis screenings for patients in the West Chester, PA area.
Scoliosis can cause everything from posture and flexibility issues to intense pain that can be difficult to deal with without proper treatment, but our experienced team has helped countless patients in the past and can help you, too.
Whether you’re worried about your child’s spine development or think you may have undiagnosed scoliosis yourself, we’re here to help.
What is Scoliosis?
Scoliosis is a fairly common condition that causes the spine to develop an abnormal sideways curve. These curves often take the shape of the letter S or C and can appear at any age, though it is most commonly diagnosed in children going through growth spurts.
Scoliosis shows itself in a number of different ways. Uneven shoulders, unbalanced hips, leaning to one side, and protruding shoulder blades are among the most common signs of this condition, but it may also present symptoms like chronic back pain and reduced flexibility. Scoliosis can also be mild or severe, with mild cases often going unnoticed until they start to cause more significant problems. In fact, even mild cases of scoliosis can worsen over time, causing issues with posture and mobility and having an overall negative impact on a patient’s everyday quality of life.
Scoliosis also has a number of potential causes. When it comes to children who develop scoliosis early in their lives, the cause is often genetic. However, this condition is not solely genetic. In adults who develop scoliosis later in life, it often comes due to some sort of degenerative spinal condition or even past injuries.
Why Scoliosis Screenings Are Important
Scoliosis screenings are an essential first step to treating the condition and preventing it from getting worse. The earlier a patient is able to detect that they have scoliosis, the better, as even mild cases can get much worse over time without proper treatment.
This means that scoliosis screenings are particularly important for children and teenagers, especially as they go through growth spurts. Spinal development happens rapidly during these spurts in growth, and being able to catch the problem early can make all the difference in keeping what could be an easily manageable condition from developing into a much worse one.
This doesn’t make scoliosis screenings any less important for adults. At the very least, these screenings can give adult patients valuable insight into their posture, joint function, and spinal health while also ensuring that their long-term mobility is not put at unnecessary risk.
What to Expect During a Chiropractic Scoliosis Screening
Undertaking any sort of medical screening for the first time can be nerve-racking, but when it comes to scoliosis screenings, there’s really nothing to worry about. Here at Goshen Family Chiropractic, our screenings are completely non-invasive, safe, and painless. Here is what you can expect from your scoliosis screening.
- Patient History and Consultation: We’ll begin with a simple discussion about your health history, symptoms, and any concerns that you may have.
- Posture Assessment: We’ll examine the alignment of your body, looking for common scoliosis symptoms like uneven shoulders and hips.
- Mobility Testing: We’ll conduct a gentle range of motion evaluation to help assess how well your spine and joints are functioning.
- Spinal Examination: We’ll conduct a hands-on spinal examination where we’ll feel for irregularities. This may also include taking X-rays to ensure we don’t miss even the most minor of cases.
By the end of your scoliosis screening, you’ll have a clear understanding of your overall spinal health, and if we detect scoliosis, we’ll begin creating a personalized chiropractic scoliosis care plan to address the issue.
Chiropractic Scoliosis Treatment Options
Though scoliosis is not considered to be curable, there are plenty of options when it comes to treatment. If we detect scoliosis during your screening, we’ll develop a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. Here are some of the most common ways that we treat scoliosis.
- Chiropractic Adjustments
- Scoliosis Therapy Stretches and Exercises
- Posture Correction Education and Exercises
- Mobility Improvement Stretches and Exercises
Here at Goshen Family Chiropractic, we know that every patient is different, and we won’t rest until we come up with a personalized treatment plan that works for you.
Benefits of Chiropractic Scoliosis Care
If you have scoliosis, proper treatment can provide a number of benefits that significantly improve your everyday quality of life. Besides simply correcting the alignment of your spine, with the right treatment, you can expect to experience:
- Better Balance and Posture
- Back Pain Relief
- Improved Mobility and Flexibility
- Enhanced Long-Term Spinal Health
Regardless of the severity of your scoliosis, you may be surprised by just how much the right treatment can improve your condition. All you have to do is take the first step by scheduling a screening.
Contact Us Today
Our team, led by West Chester’s own Dr. Raj, is always here to answer your questions and will happily help you schedule your scoliosis screening at a time that’s most convenient for you. So, don’t let yourself suffer through pain, posture, and mobility issues when there’s a better way.
Contact Goshen Family Chiropractic and schedule your next appointment today.