Scoliosis Brooklyn, NY

Having Scoliosis Doesn’t Mean It’s the Cause of Your Pain

This may surprise a lot of people, but scoliosis can be a three-dimensional spinal deformity that doesn’t affect a lot of people’s activities. A person with a mild spinal curve can still experience significant muscle pain caused by something other than scoliosis.

When someone shows me an X-ray with a spinal curve, I want to determine whether that curve is actually causing their symptoms. Sometimes scoliosis contributes to the pain, but it may not be the only cause. In other cases, the curve may even have nothing to do with what they’re experiencing.

How Do I Evaluate Scoliosis in Our Brooklyn Clinic?

• 1 I will assess one’s posture, their movement patterns, and other factors to see if they have scoliosis. 
• 2 Checks are done for rib prominence, and we will conduct an Adam’s forward-bend test that’s appropriate for the patient’s age.
• 3 Perform a neurological examination, specifically if there’s pain in the limbs, or if one is experiencing numbness or tingling, weakness, or balance problems.
• 4 The staff will take an X-ray to measure the curve using the Cobb angle instead of us relying on vision alone. 

The Cobb angle is the standard measurement used to quantify the severity of spinal curvatures. It identifies the end of the vertebrae on a standing spinal X-ray, and straight lines are drawn along the top edge of the image so the angle can be calculated. 

Why Age Changes Everything?

Fourteen-year-olds who are still growing with a progressing curve will generally have a clinical situation from a forty-five-year-old who wants to help managing back pain. They may have the same scoliosis diagnosis, but one may have different ways of dealing with the problem entirely. 

• Remaining growth affects the risk of progression.
• Changes in the curve over time matter more than its size alone.
• The Cobb angle helps determine the appropriate next steps.
• Skeletal maturity influences which treatment options are available.
• Scoliosis curves in adults are generally more stable.
• For adults, treatment focuses on relieving pain and improving function.

For younger children, the priority is to monitor the growth of the curve, and this is done by a pediatric specialist. Depending on the case and the progression, the doctors may recommend specific exercises, and some kids may wear braces or undergo surgical consultation if needed.

What Care Looks Like for Adults

• Adults can undergo  chiropractic adjustments, soft-tissue therapy, mobility and stretching, and progressive exercise aimed at pain, stiffness, strength, and endurance.
• Scoliosis-specific rehabilitation when appropriate, including working alongside a physical therapist trained in methods such as the Schroth approach.
• Additional treatments may be needed, such as in the case of  degenerative changes or disc-related symptoms alongside the curve. These are addressed differently with an entirely customized treatment plan. 

I can’t promise you a straight spine, especially if you’re an adult with scoliosis, because chiropractic adjustments are not magical solutions for these cases. Instead, I focus on relieving pain and making sure that your muscles will have better endurance. This way, you can move without feeling any stiffness, and this treatment is designed to make your life better.

When Does Scoliosis Need a Specialist?

A worsening deformity in adults may need special evaluation too, especially if the neurological symptoms are becoming progressive. If one has walking problems, they may not respond to conservative treatments, and they may require other alternatives.

If I find signs of nerve involvement or symptoms that are unusual for scoliosis, I investigate further or refer the patient to a specialist rather than assuming the curvature is causing everything.

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