Scoliosis is not a condition all Brooks
parents, families or persons have to consider. For those whose lives or loved
ones’ lives are concerned with scoliosis, Brooks
scoliosis is a big matter. Soft Health and Healing Clinic shares
these new findings about Brooks scoliosis development and treatment
of scoliosis.
CAUSES OF Brooks SCOLIOSIS: PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AS
YOUTH
Being physically active is a usual
recommendation for Brooks chiropractic patients. It is
important for all Brooks kids and especially for kids at risk for
scoliosis. New research on the mechanism, diagnosis and treatment
of spinal scoliosis - though not very much is known
about the causes of adolescent onset idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) –
documented that reduced physical
ability and activity in those who go on have scoliosis by age 15 was
noted as early as age 18 months. Those children who did more
objectively measured moderate/vigorous physical activity at age 11 were 30%
less likely to develop scoliosis. (1) Soft Health and Healing Clinic knows Brooks
parents will want to keep their kids moving!
Brooks SCOLIOSIS TREATMENT: OUTCOME PREDICTION
Beyond understanding the development of scoliosis, treatment
of scoliosis interests Brooks scoliosis patients. The
spine holds some clues as to just how it will
respond to Brooks chiropractic treatment. A noticeable
tilting of the L3 and L4 vertebrae at skeletal maturity, specifically
one greater than 16°, foretells future curve progression and low
back pain in adulthood. (2) Such a spine with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis profits
from spinal mobilization and therapeutic exercise. They both may slow the
progression of the curve and reduce the already
increased degree of the curve. A form of spinal
manipulation termed Cox® Flexion Distraction spinal
manipulation involves spine distraction with mobilization of
vertebral segments into their normal ranges of motion. This may
allow improved mobility and help in halting
curve progression and in reducing the curvature. (3)
Brooks SCOLIOSIS TREATMENT: SPINAL MOBILIZATION
A new study reported support
for spinal mobilization of scoliosis spines. Researchers discovered
significant improvements in the neutral angles of both the lower thoracic spine
curve and the lower lumbar spine curve after triple-treatment trunk stretching.
Triple-treatment trunk stretching may well better the spinal
curve as well as the physical fitness status of the scoliosis patient.
(4) Again, Cox® flexion distraction manipulation stretches the basic anatomical
posture of scoliosis.
Brooks SCOLIOSIS TREATMENT: SURGICAL VS
NON-SURGICAL
Clear evidence of the
clinical expectations and outcomes of non-surgical and surgical care for adolescent
idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is lacking. While AIS can advance
during the growth years and cause a surface deformity, It’s typically not
symptomatic. However, the risk of health problems and curve
progression increases if the final spinal curvature get
to or exceeds a certain degree. Scoliosis-specific exercises, bracing, and
surgery are more typical interventions to stop the
progression. The main aims of all types of
interventions are to correct the deformity, stop
further worsening of the curve, and bring
back the spine’s asymmetry and balance. Further, diminishing
morbidity and pain and permitting return to full
function are also significant. Surgery is normally
recommended for curvatures over 40 to 50
degrees to stop the curvature. There are many reports of short-term
(few months) favorable surgical treatment outcomes but few
long-term outcomes (more than 20 years). For those with curves over 45 degrees, there are no randomized controlled trials and prospective
controlled trials comparing spinal fusion surgery with non-surgical
interventions in people with AIS with a Cobb angle greater than 45
degrees to say one is superior. (5)
Brooks SCOLIOSIS TREATMENT: CHIROPRACTIC
Chiropractic medicine can be first line care for AIS. The
chiropractor determines the curvature angle and sets
up a Brooks treatment plan that can include
spinal manipulation, specialized exercises, postural control, and bracing. If required,
interdisciplinary care will be incorporated in
the Brooks chiropractic treatment plan. Concerning chiropractic Cox®
Technic spinal manipulation, consider the study (6) regarding
stiffness of the thoracic spine which is the primary area of the
spine affected by scoliosis. This study found
that changes in spinal stiffness with chronic thoracic pain demonstrate
association of pain and muscle activity. Spinal
stiffness is increased in chronic spine related pain. Increased spine motion is a goal of non-surgical
treatment of scoliosis whether in the adolescent or middle to older aged
individual.
CONTACT Soft Health and Healing Clinic
Listen
to this PODCAST about Cox® Technic chiropractic
care of scoliosis presented by Dr. Roberto Branca, an Italian chiropractor
using Cox® Technic, on The Back
Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson. He talks about
how he helps keep an active woman who has scoliosis active.
Schedule your Brooks chiropractic visit. Considering
all the treatments available for Brooks scoliosis is key
to the adolescent or adult with scoliosis as well as his/her family.
Soft Health and Healing Clinic teams up with Brooks scoliosis
patients and their families to plan the right path for spinal
mobility, strength, and health.