Scoliosis Treatment
Scoliosis is a spinal condition affecting as much as 5% of the child population, and as much as 30% of the elderly population. With scoliosis, the spine is curved or even “S” shaped, instead of being a straight line when looking at it from the front or back. It is most commonly detected in adolescents between the ages of 10 and 13, although it can occur at any age, and often affects girls over boys. There can be a family history but often the cause is unknown. Scoliosis can lead to permanent deformity, pain, and disability, but it can be treated at any age. The earlier the scoliosis is detected and treated, the better outcome the patient can expect.
The most common course of action when scoliosis is diagnosed or suspected is a “wait-and-see” approach, wherein the scoliosis is monitored, and when it progresses in severity the patient is referred for surgery.
Spinal surgery
Surgery is necessary in severe scoliosis deformities, but carries with it serious risk of injury (even death), as well as possible loss of function/mobility and residual pain throughout life. Surgery also comes with a very large financial cost, even when there is insurance coverage.
Scoliosis is a progressive condition
One important thing to understand for patients with scoliosis or the parents of patients with scoliosis is that it is a progressive condition, meaning it tends to gets worse over time. It is most likely to worsen during puberty and in late adulthood.
Early detection and proper conservative treatment with scoliosis bracing along with corrective chiropractic care, is the best course of action to try and slow the progression of scoliosis, and even correct the condition without surgery.
Different types of scoliosis
If your scoliosis was not treated early, we can still help improve the shape of your spine and lessen your pain and discomfort. We offer spinal and postural correction for children and adults of all ages with different types of scoliosis.
We offer corrective chiropractic care for:
- Adult degenerative scoliosis for older adults
- Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis for children, teens and young adults
- Functional scoliosis
- Pediatric scoliosis
Our treatments are minimally invasive and have been proven to be effective. They include spinal orthotics, customized exercise programs, spinal traction therapy, and scoliosis bracing. All treatments are customized and based on digital spinal x-rays, 3D body posture scans and examination findings – all done in-house.
Latest technology in scoliosis bracing
We are the only ScoliBrace provider in Hawaii. All braces are custom-designed and manufactured to treat children and adults.
There have been many braces used to treat scoliosis, but ScoliBrace is the first truly customized 3-dimensional over-corrective brace. Each ScoliBrace is custom-made for each patient – no two will be the same and each brace only fits the patient it was made for.
Many scoliosis braces only aim to correct in lateral bending, but the ScoliBrace is 3-dimensional, meaning it corrects deformity in lateral bending and rotation. The ScoliBrace is over-corrective, which means it doesn’t just take the patient back to straight, it over-corrects the spine and posture which provides for more effective correction.
Treatment for neighbor island patients
If you don’t live on Oahu, we can still help you treat your scoliosis! We offer video/call-in consultation appointments for neighbor island patients.. If we determine a neighbor-island patient is a good candidate for ScoliBrace, it will require a couple visits to Oahu in order to get scanned and fitted for the ScoliBrace, but then the patient has the tools they need to prevent their scoliosis from worsening, and potentially correct it! Most follow up appointments can then be held over video conference.
Complimentary consultation
At Foundation Spine and Posture, we’re especially equipped to treat patients with scoliosis. Both Dr. Kate and Dr. Paul have successfully treated scoliosis patients with scientific and research-based Chiropractic BioPhysics® technique, using gentle mirror-image adjustments, exercises, therapeutic spinal traction and scoliosis bracing. If you or your child suffers from scoliosis, contact us today for a complimentary consultation.
Simple Scoliosis Screening Tool
Scoliosis can only be diagnosed with x-rays from a health professional, but this 8-question screening is a useful tool to see if your loved one might need an in-person scoliosis consultation.
