​Managing scoliosis - torsional deformity of the spine in the young

DEC 20, 2019 @ 10.36AM
Healthcaretoday, Idiopathic scoliosis, adolescents, adolescent, children, spine, Tay Pei Shen, chiropractic care, posture, physiotherapists,
Scoliosis, a three-dimensional torsional deformity of the spine, is a common spine problem found in adolescents.
As the old adage says, prevention is better than cure—and that’s what chiropractic care seeks to do. It is not uncommon for adults to seek out chiropractic care to manage and prevent spine-related issues, and since prevention is best started at an early age, it’s no surprise that it is also now growing in popularity as a form of therapy for children.
 
What is chiropractic care?
In Greek, the word chiropractic translates to “done by hand”. Simply put, chiropractors perform spinal manipulation to improve joint motion and function. Chiropractic focuses on the body’s inherent recuperative powers in the restoration and maintenance of health and the importance of a patient’s active participation in treating and preventing disease.
 
Chiropractors often work in tandem with other healthcare professionals such as orthopaedic doctors, physiotherapists, Chinese Medicine practitioners and podiatrists.
 
Children and chiropractic care
In the United States, for example, chiropractic care is the most common integrative medicine practice utilised by children, and this practice is slowly growing internationally as well.
 
“Even if your child is in excellent health, minor traumas from falls or having poor posture from a young age could result in pain during his or her teen and adult years,” says Tay Pei Shen, a chiropractor with IMU Healthcare.
 
Problems can range from larger issues like scoliosis, to something simple like postural issues due to text neck (the strain on the neck caused by looking down at electronic devices) and heavy school bags, shares Tay. Spinal adjustments and gentle soft tissue therapy are ideal to help a child feel more relaxed and this can lead to relief in other areas, and an overall better disposition.
 
Parents may initially be concerned that such treatment would be too painful for their child to bear. In general, chiropractic care for children is painless, except for cases of recent injury, where even a light touch can be sensitive. In such cases, a gentler approach will be provided.
 
“Most chiropractors try to reduce a patient’s pain and improve his or her functionality. We educate those with neck and back problems on how they can improve their quality of life by managing their condition with simple exercises and giving advice on proper work ergonomics. It is the same with children and teenagers. The idea is to reduce pain and improve functionality. Most parents report that their children look forward to their next visit because ultimately they are getting relief," added Tay. 
 
Chiropractic care also reduces dependency on drugs to manage pain. It is a welcomed and natural approach for children to alleviate pain and aches, and improve one’s life.
 
Managing scoliosis in the young
Another reason why chiropractic care benefits the young is in the management of scoliosis. Scoliosis, a three-dimensional torsional deformity of the spine, is a common spine problem found in adolescents.

Idiopathic scoliosis (there is no identifiable cause), the most common type, is more apparent during an adolescent’s growth spurt. Parents usually notice their child having uneven shoulders or hips, or a hump on their back when he or she bends forward.
 
Tay was diagnosed with scoliosis as a child and says that chiropractic care helped her tremendously in the monitoring and management of her condition. This was one of the reasons she chose the chiropractic profession – so that she could provide assistance to people with the same condition. 
 
“Chiropractors usually screen children and adolescents for scoliosis and an X-ray is ordered to determine the degree of the curvature. Parents will then be informed of their child’s condition and given a proper management plan, which may include working hand-in-hand with other healthcare professionals,” she explains.
 
Growing up can be painful
Apart from scoliosis, another example of when chiropractic care can help is when a child has growing pains. Children might complain of having pain in their legs without having any previous falls or trauma. Parents might be worried or might think that their child is refusing to attend school for no real reason. However, while the cause of growing pains is not known, they are real and common. These pains come and go for many years, but usually disappear by mid-adolescence.
 
“Chiropractic adjustments can help in providing relief for your child’s growing pains. It is very beneficial as the pain experienced by your child may impact his or her life, especially if it is severe enough to wake them up from sleep,” Tay says. Advice for self-management such as heat therapy and soft tissue therapy is also usually shared with parents.
 
However, it is also advisable to consult a medical doctor to make sure there is no other cause for these growing pains.
 
Sports and chiropractic
Chiropractic care can also come in very handy for young athletes who are susceptible to injury and strain as they test their limits and push themselves competitively. While there are many ways to treat injuries, sports chiropractic is especially attractive to young sportsmen and women because it is non-invasive and drug-free. It is also widely known for its benefits in pain management and improving performance.
 
So, should my child see a chiropractor?
While some parents may still feel sceptical about whether chiropractic care is really necessary for their children, it is advisable that one should schedule regular chiropractic check-ups in order to identify potential spinal dysfunctions, which could result from day-to-day stresses on the spine, because ultimately these adjustments may help to enhance a child’s well being.

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