If you are concerned about your posture, GOOD FOR YOU! Posture is the window to the spine. Poor posture in Austin TX is not an indicator of laziness. It does indicate a problem with healthy, normal spinal alignment. Poor posture, such as slumped shoulders, a high shoulder or a high hip can indicate scoliosis or curvature of the spine. Scoliosis is a lateral curve of more than 10 degrees. Scoliosis is not merely an abnormal curvature of the spine. In fact, the laterally displaced curve you see is only one of the many symptoms of a greater systemic disease. Scoliosis affects most of the major systems of the body: nervous, digestive, musculoskeletal, endocrine, immune and can cause respiratory and cardiovascular problems. This is due to the altered function of the spine, causing interference to the spinal cord and exiting spinal nerves.

Different Kinds Of Scoliosis

Although there are different kinds of scoliosis, idiopathic (unknown cause) scoliosis accounts for the majority of cases (about 80-85%). We see a lot of scoliosis in my office and often find that it started with a short leg, even as little as ¼ to ½ inch, which can then cause the pelvis to drop down and the spine to curve to that side in compensation. About 1 out of 4 people have a significant short leg. That’s a lot of people! The only way to find out for sure if you have a short leg is to take a specific standing x-ray of the pelvis and lower back. You cannot accurately determine a short leg by physically measuring a person’s leg length. There are too many variables. In many cases, we find that a child has had a trauma, sometimes from birth, which has caused the spine to subluxate (misalign). The body’s attempt to compensate will cause scoliosis. Scoliosis is found in about 5% of children, mostly found in girls between 10-15 years old, 8 times more frequently in girls over boys, and in 25-30% of the general population. In those over 60, degenerative scoliosis is found more frequently, 60% or more. That’s why it is so important that children have their spines checked regularly before it becomes a problem.

Abnormal types of postural loads can cause changes in the normal curvature of the spine. Structural problems and scoliosis can be caused by poor posture, carrying a heavy purse or backpack, and many athletic activities. The spine will deform under pressure, even if the pressure is applied in a small manner continually over time. This is called Wolff's law and basically states that bone will remodel to increased stress over time. Constant abnormal stress causes deformation...like how a tree will grow crooked if weighted to one side. It is difficult to accurately predict the amount of curve progression over time in the untreated individual. We do know, however, that scoliosis does not correct itself, and requires active care. Untreated scoliosis often progresses at 1 to 1½ degrees per year. And this can really add up!

The medical approach to scoliosis is watchful waiting for curves less than 25 degrees! Are you kidding me? That’s an extreme amount of curve! At the Chiropractic Arts Center of Austin, we start diagnosing and correcting curves as early as possible, when they are more easily corrected, before they become scoliosis. Waiting until 25 degrees is ridiculous. If a curve has progressed beyond what I can help with, I will refer to a local chiropractor who does bracing. Today’s braces are much better than they were in the past and are well tolerated by most people. Of course, it makes sense to take care of the problem before it progresses to that point.

Early Intervention In Austin TX

The chiropractic approach involves early intervention when the scoliosis or the subluxations are easy to correct. It can take weeks to months of regular adjustments, depending on the severity. It also involves specific, customized exercises tailored to the individual, and home tractioning to accomplish correction.

Chiropractic care is a gentle, non-invasive way to correct postural distortions, including scoliosis. This is our passion in my office, and we especially want to reach out to children, when we have the best chances at full correction. Get your kids to a chiropractor, even if they have been checked at school. Chiropractors are the experts on the spine. I regularly detect scoliosis in kids, even after they have been cleared by school screening which occur only 2 times throughout their K-12 schooling. As the twig is bent, so grows the tree.

Summer is a great time to have your kids checked for scoliosis and any other spinal problems. They are out of school, and if they do need care, there is time to get started before the busy school year begins. Call (512) 346-3536 now to have your child receive a thorough spinal evaluation.