Chiropractic and Scoliosis – (curvature of the spine)

Signs or Symptoms

Visible effects of scoliosis include twisting / curving of the spine, a high hip or shoulder that is always present, or asymmetry in the shape of the rib cage.

Causes:

Scoliosis occurs when the muscles that support the spine are of unequal strength from side to side, inferior to superior, and posterior to anterior. This can be the result of a physical trauma (i.e. ankle or knee injury), or surgery (i.e. appendectomy or inguinal hernia), particularly those that occurred at an early age. More recent developments tie scoliosis to hormonal imbalances. Sometimes the root causes of scoliosis are not understood and therefore categorized as 'idiopathic scoliosis.'

Chiropractic / Applied Kinesiology Approach to Scoliosis

Applied Kinesiology focuses on motion, structural balance, muscle strength, and the energy patterns in the body. Techniques are geared toward restoring muscular strength and body symmetry. Dr. Morrison performs postural analysis on all his patients and testing is done to find out which muscles are inhibited and why. Radiographs may be ordered in cases where a more in-depth analysis is needed.

Scoliosis can be an adaptation to a physical trauma such as an ankle sprain, knee injury, or some other trauma that may have even been minor in nature.

Scoliosis may also be the consequence of muscle imbalance secondary to organ under function or over function. Recent developments show that scoliosis is secondary to hormonal imbalances. This being the case, it is easy to see why specific exercises and scoliosis braces have little effect other than to make life difficult. In order to make real changes, a patient's entire state of health must be considered.