Do chiropractors actually straighten spines?
Chiropractors free up restricted spinal joints. If, for example, you spend too much time sitting slumped, or with forward head posture, the spinal joints can become stuck in these poor positions and chiropractors can loosen up those joints again. This, along with exercises for the muscles, can help to improve the posture and shape of the spine. A good example of this is a tilted pelvis. This can be related to restrictions in the spine and when corrected can make a big difference to spinal health.
Scoliosis is different though. With scoliosis the vertebrae are not just stuck, the shape of the actual bones changes.
Can chiropractic help scoliosis?
Eighty percent of scoliosis cases are a type called “Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis”. In this version of scoliosis, as we grow, between the ages of about 10-15 years old, the spine begins to curve and change shape. So, as we are growing the bones are growing with a distorted shape. Chiropractors can free up jammed vertebrae, but they can’t change the shape of the bones, so they can’t straighten an Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis. However, there are different types of scoliosis, like functional scoliosis, and in these cases chiropractors can do more to help.
Can chiropractic do anything for scoliosis then? (The most common type, Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis)
Chiropractic may not be able to straighten Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis, but this doesn’t mean it can’t help at all. Mobilising the spinal joints can help to keep them free, and this can help to increase flexibility, help reduce muscle spasm and pain, and help reduce any postural distortion that adds to the curve of the spine.
Exercise is important to help keep the spine mobile in scoliosis too. It can loosen joints, stretch muscles, and strengthen muscles. Here are my recommended exercises for scoliosis.
Stefan Becker
Barcelona Chiropractor