Ryan Winslow

Scoliosis is a complicated and can be difficult to manage. Some chiropractors are scoliosis specialists, most are not. There are certain treatments that have been shown to slow progression and in some cases reduce curvature, such as traction, bracing, and a combination of adjusting, stretching, and exercises.

You can find a chiropractor who is certified in "Chiropractic Biophysics" and "ScoliBrace certified" for a good start. Other chiropractic techniques focused on scoliosis include "CLEAR institute". Some popular physical therapy approaches include "Schroth Method" and "SEAS".

Feel free to email me at Ryan@straightupspineandposture.com for specific questions about your daughter's case.

Most patients experience relief after an adjustment, especially younger people without significant stiffness or arthritis. It is possible that she may experience some soreness, but this is unlikely. There is a theoretical risk of severe side effects like stroke which are sensationalized on the internet, but the risk of something serious occurring is vanishingly small. I’ve heard the risk of serious injury from an adjustment being similar to the risk of a serious adverse side effect from taking a single dose of aspirin. Hope that helps!

Absolutely. Chiropractors are skilled at tissue work as well. A popular muscular technique is called Active Release Technique or ART. You could search for a chiropractor who provides this therapy.

That would depend on the individual chiropractor. Many chiropractors offer other therapies than just chiropractic adjustments such as exercise therapy, disc decompression, manual muscle work, and on-site massage. Research suggests that adjustments work better when combined with exercise and stretching. Do your own research before selecting a chiropractor.

Depending on the severity of your condition you may need medications for pain management or controlling neurological symptoms from stenosis or nerve compression.

The short answer is yes, chiropractic adjustments have been shown in research literature to be effective for tension-type headaches and cervicogenic headaches which are the most common types of headaches.

No, research does not support this. As a chiropractic, I discourage the promotion of chiropractic care as a potential treatment. Naturally, giving amphetamine (meth) analogs to kids is not a great treatment and research has shown permanent alteration to GABA receptors when children are put on these medications long-term. Unfortunately, there is not a clear alternative at this time.

Spinal manipulation is just one of the many therapies chiropractors can offer. Spinal manipulation works best when used in conjunction with an exercise program and possibly traction or disc decompression. Research shows that the combination of manipulation and exercise therapy provided superior results than either used alone.

Basically the same thing. It can be difficult to find osteopaths that still manipulate in the US.

Unfortunately, scoliosis is a progressive condition that does not naturally correct itself. The most common form of scoliosis is adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), which can be managed conservatively if the curvature is relatively mild. There are several conservative management techniques within chiropractic and physical therapy that are worth looking into:

Chiropractic therapy has two major techniques known as "Chiropractic BioPhysics" (or CBP) and "CLEAR Institute." These techniques do not focus on manipulation or "cracking" the joints, but instead, focus on sustained stretching known as traction to force the spine back into alignment. The goal here is to stop the curvature from progressing.

Specific physical therapy techniques include the "Schroth method" and "SEAS." Physical therapy treatment focuses on strengthening the muscles of the spine to support itself better.

Bracing is another common question that my patients ask about. The traditional "Boston Brace" has been demonstrated to be ineffective in correcting or halting progression. An orthopedic surgeon will generally only be familiar with a Boston brace, so don't be surprised if they do not recommend bracing. There are, however, better and more modern braces on the market. The best brace that I have found is called the "ScoliBrace." The Scolibrace forces the spine into the reverse position as the scoliosis and holds it there, which can actually provide a mild to moderate degree of correction.

Lastly, the best time to begin treatment for scoliosis is when your child is young. Starting treatment while your daughter is 12-15 is much more effective than when they are older. If you can stabilize the curvature through her growth spurts, she will be much less likely to require further more invasive treatments.

Yes, excessive spinal curvature of your upper back is called a hyperkyphosis. Studies demonstrate that although chiropractic adjustments alone do not reduce this, extension based traction (mechanical stretching) may be able to reduce your excessive curvature over time. The particular technique publishing studies demonstrating correction is called Chiropractic BioPhysics or CBP. You can find a CBP certified chiropractor at https://idealspine.com/directory/.

Absolutely! Adjustments help with chronic lower back pain, but they are usually just one part of a therapeutic program which typically includes simple stretches and exercises. Additionally, certain types of low back pain due to disc injuries may benefit from spinal decompression traction, which many chiropractors (including our office) offer.

Electrical stimulation is a term for several different varieties of therapies which stimulate tight muscles, overactive nerves, or both. The goal of electrical stimulation is to reduce pain and relax tight muscles, and it typically works well although the results may be short-lived. Many chiropractors will prescribe at-home models which can be very helpful for managing chronic pain and muscle tightness. The therapy itself is very simple and comfortable. There are few risks associated with it, and most of them involve interactions with surgical hardware so be sure to inform your chiropractor if you have any. Good luck!

This may be an issue related to posture. Laying flat removes the curvature from your midback, and brings you head back. If you have too much curvature in your mid-back and forward head posture, then laying flat may stress your neck and cause pain.