Curvature of the spine, even slight, can cause pain and postural problems. When the curve is more than 10 degrees, it is considered to be scoliosis.

The primary symptom of scoliosis is a significant curvature of the spine and is the majority of cases the cause is not known. Even mild cases can cause pain and a decrease in mobility.

In more advanced cases the effects of the condition are more pronounced. Chiropractic has been a regular course of care for many scoliosis patients and recent studies provide even more evidence that it is highly effective and that there are many benefits to using chiropractic.

Detection of Scoliosis in Early Stages

Typically, slight curvatures in the spine are ignored in traditional medicine. Many times scoliosis is not diagnosed until the curvature presents significant distortion, pain, or indications of structural destruction.

Chiropractic care enables early detection by identifying minor degrees of curvature or distortion. This essentially has the probability of detecting scoliosis at an early enough stage to halt progression of the condition or manage it before the symptoms negatively impact the patient’s mobility or quality of life.

Relieve Pain and Mobility Caused by Scoliosis

Pain and mobility can be debilitating for the scoliosis patient. While there is no solid evidence at this time that supports chiropractic as a cure for significant scoliosis but it also has not been shown to worsen the curvatures either. However, through chiropractic adjustments of the spine, both pain and mobility have been shone to improve.

Studies are currently being conducted and some recent research suggests that chiropractic can significantly improve the pain and mobility caused by scoliosis, as well as help with other symptoms the patient may have.

Improvement in Cobb Angle

Cobb angle is a term used to describe the degree of spinal deformities a patient experiences. It is broadly used to describe spinal damage due to injury or disease, but it is also commonly used to describe the curvature of a scoliosis patient’s spine. This measurement is used to track progression of the condition and determine what therapies or treatments are required.

In a study published in September 2011, 28 patients were evaluated and monitored in two clinics in Michigan. All patients, ranging from age 18 to 54, had been diagnosed with scoliosis. The study involved exposing the subjects to regular, consistent multimodal chiropractic care over a period of time. Once their cycle was complete, the patients were monitored or a period of 24 months.

At the conclusion of the study, the patients reported improvement in pain and mobility. Additionally, the Cobb angle of each patient as well as the level of disability improved during active care and at the conclusion of the cycle. What was most remarkable, though, was that in the subsequent follow ups, even at the end of the study 24 months later, the patients were still reporting these improvements.

Current Studies

Charles A Lantz, D.C., Ph.D. of the Life Chiropractic College West in San Lorenzo, California, where he is the Director of Research, is currently involved in a research project studying the effectiveness of chiropractic for scoliosis in children. The subjects range from 9 years old to 15 years old and have been diagnosed with scoliosis at a mild to moderate level (curve is less than 25).

Lantz embarked on this project to answer a need for more research on the topic. Currently, there are few formal research endeavors regarding scoliosis and chiropractic as an effective. In 1994, Lantz published an article in the October issue of Chiropractic: The Journal of Chiropractic: Research and Clinical Investigation, Volume 9, Number 4. The article, titled Conservative Management of Scoliosis, stressed Lantz’s observation that more clinical trials are needed to be conducted for adults as well as adolescents with scoliosis to study and measure how chiropractic benefits scoliosis.

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In Health,
Dr Ashlin Gasiorowski

There is no denying that a healthy diet is integral to overall wellness and staying hydrated is absolutely vital. Every organ, every cell in your body contains water. In fact, when you don’t drink enough water and keep your body properly hydrated, it does not function as it should.

The health of your spine and back depends heavily on whether you are properly hydrated. In fact, if you don’t drink enough water – plain, pure water – it could affect your spine, causing pain and limiting mobility.

Overview of Spinal Construction

To understand water’s role in spinal health, you first need to understand how the spine is constructed. The row of bones that make up the spine are called vertebrae. Between each vertebrae is a disc. This disc works like a shock absorber so as you bend, flex, and move about the disc provides a buffer so the bones do not rub together.

Each disc is comprised of two parts. The center of the disc is the nucleus pulposis. It is made up mostly of water. The nucleus pulposis is surrounded by a tough, flexible ring that contains a gelatinous substance. It protects the inner area which is the cushion for the vertebrae. Two factors that further complicate the rehydration of the discs are aging and sedentary lifestyles.

How Water is Good for your spine

As you go about your daily activities, each time you move, the spine compresses the disc, squeezing out the water within. Even walking or sitting upright can cause this as gravity causes the spine to compress. When the disc does not have adequate water, the result is pain and lack of mobility as well as increased risk of spinal injury.

When you are not properly hydrated your body cannot replenish the water in the discs, causing them to remain compressed. Beverages like soda are not adequate for effective hydration. You need to make sure that you drink enough water every day.

For years we were told that 8 eight ounce glasses of water a day was the rule for proper hydration, and that works for many people. However, an article in the Harvard Health Letter suggests that the body can be properly hydrated with 30 to 50 ounces of water a day. The article goes on to suggest that water can also be found in foods like spinach, watermelon, soups, and lettuce are also good sources for hydration.

Spinal Problems caused by Dehydration

When the body is dehydrated the discs remain compressed instead of refilling. When that happens the overall function of the spine is compromised. Your constant back pain may actually be caused by dehydration. When the discs cannot refill they can’t do their job. This leads to immobility and a compromised range of motion.

Hydration also plays an important role in how the cerebrospinal fluid moves and works. While it does require more than water to function properly, water does play an important role. When the body is dehydrated this fluid cannot move as it should which can even affect brain function.

On a larger scale, when the body is dehydrated it begins to retrieve water from other parts of the body so it can reroute it to the vital organs and sustain life. The extremities are the first places it pulls water from and the spine is another. When it deprives the spine of water in order to supply the organs then you remain in a constant deficit which can cause pain and mobility problems.

How the Spine Rehydrates

As the body rehydrates itself, it does not assign the spine as a priority. The vital organs take precedence so the spine basically gets what is left over. If there is already a deficiency present, then there is nothing left over to rehydrate the spine.

When there is adequate water in the body, normal activity and movement aids in the rehydration of the discs. The most significant rehydration occurs while you sleep though. When you lie down and rest your body is best able to initiate the process of rehydrating your spinal discs via osmosis.

Chiropractic care is another way to adjust the spine and encourage the refilling of the discs. That depends, of course, on proper water intake. Be good to your spine; it’s the only one you have.

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In Health,
KayLynne Gasiorowski

Chiropractic is traditionally considered by many to be just for adults. However, research shows that chiropractic can be very beneficial for children. It can make birth easier and help give babies a healthy start in life. Young children can benefit from many of the childhood conditions that chiropractic helps too. If you haven’t thought about chiropractic are for your child, take a look at these benefits of care; I bet you’ll be convinced.

Promote overall good health and wellness

A properly aligned spine promotes good posture which promotes better health. However, it doesn’t stop there. When the spine is properly aligned the neural pathways are clear, allowing the central nervous system to function as it should. Additionally, the whole body approach that chiropractic takes helps provide a good foundation for healthy eating and regular exercise in children.

Help treat asthma, colic, and other childhood issues

There are numerous studies that show chiropractic is a viable option of care for a variety of childhood conditions and illnesses. Chiropractic for asthma has long been discussed and is being embraced by more and more parents as well as the medical community as people are seeing first hand that it really works. There have also been studies that show chiropractic for colic is a very effective remedy, particularly for chronic colic in babies.

Help treat birth trauma

Birth trauma occurs more often than many people realize. It is typically only recognized or acknowledged when it is significant and causes severe damage or distortions. Some experts regard it as an underpublicized problem which means it is an undertreated problem.

Some studies show that using chiropractic for birth trauma can be very beneficial for the child. It addresses musculoskeletal injuries as well as problems with the brain stem and spinal cord caused by birth trauma.

Boost immunity

A flu epidemic in 1917 and 1918 was killing people – but the chiropractic patients were coming out much better than those who did not receive chiropractic adjustments. They had a 5% death rate while those who were under chiropractic care had a .25% death rate. That is significant.

Regular chiropractic care can help boost immunity in children and adults. The spine plays a major part in health and the immune system. The body is better able to fight off infection, and if that isn’t enough to convince you it is also very effective in treating allergies.

Treat ADHD/ADD

Chiropractic does not “treat” ADHD/ADD but its positive effects on children who have been diagnosed with this condition has been documented in several studies. There have also been findings that suggest chiropractic may be more effective than medication.

Children who undergo chiropractic for ADHD have exhibited improvement in behavior and parental ratings of the child’s hyperactivity have also improved.

Aid in resolving breastfeeding issues

Several studies have shown that chiropractic helps resolve breastfeeding problems in babies. Babies who have trouble latching on or staying on the breast and other problems can lead to breastfeeding failure. These studies assert that the outcome doesn’t have to be complete failure.

The birthing process can be very difficult on a baby, particularly when the baby is large or has large shoulders and traction is required to birth the child. Chiropractic care can help realign the baby’s spine so they are more comfortable during feeding and have better flexibility.

Decrease risk of injury

The bones of babies and toddlers are more flexible than adult bones but they can still sustain injury. Regular chiropractic care helps keep the ligaments and joints supple which, in turn, helps prevent injury. This is particularly beneficial once the child becomes more mobile and begins turning over, sitting up, crawling, pulling up, and walking. It can help the child transition to each of these phases much easier and smoother.

So there you have it… 7 ways chiropractic benefits children. Ready to get your family started under chiropractic care? Then give us a call today!

I hope you found this article helpful and gained some new knowledge from it. Please, leave a comment or feel free to ask questions. Also, Let your Friends and Family know about the article by sharing it on Facebook.

In Health,
Dr Arman Hemmat