Chiropractic Care for Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine, often shaped like an “S” or “C.”

While it’s most commonly diagnosed during adolescence, many adults also develop scoliosis later in life due to posture, spinal degeneration, or injury.

Depending on severity, scoliosis may cause:
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• Uneven shoulders or hips

• One shoulder blade that appears more prominent

• Muscle tightness or imbalance

• Back pain or stiffness

• Fatigue or difficulty maintaining posture

Even mild curves can affect how the body moves and functions, especially if left uncorrected over time.

There are several types of scoliosis, each with different causes and characteristics:
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• Idiopathic scoliosis: Most common, often appears during growth spurts in adolescence.

• Degenerative scoliosis: Develops in adults as discs and joints wear down.

• Neuromuscular scoliosis: Linked to conditions affecting muscles or nerves.

• Functional scoliosis: Caused by postural or leg-length imbalances.

Understanding the type of scoliosis is key to creating an effective and personalized treatment plan.

Chiropractic care focuses on improving spinal motion, posture, and nervous system communication. While chiropractic cannot “cure” scoliosis, it can significantly reduce symptoms, improve function, and help slow or prevent curve progression.

At Emerson Chiropractic, we use a corrective and holistic approach that may include:
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• Gentle, specific spinal adjustments to improve mobility and alignment

• Postural corrective exercises to strengthen spinal support muscles

• Spinal traction or decompression therapy to reduce pressure and imbalance

• Custom orthotics to help correct leg-length or postural imbalances

• Lifestyle and ergonomic guidance to promote better alignment daily

Our goal is to help your body function at its best by improving alignment, movement, and comfort naturally.

Patients under chiropractic care for scoliosis often notice:
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• Reduced pain and muscle tension

• Improved posture and symmetry

• Better flexibility and range of motion

• Enhanced energy and spinal balance

• Slower curve progression (in some cases)

By addressing spinal function rather than forcing correction, chiropractic helps your body adapt and stabilize more efficiently.

Early intervention is key for growing spines. Gentle chiropractic adjustments and postural retraining can help young patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis to improve balance and reduce curve progression naturally, without aggressive bracing or surgery in many cases.