Noticed your shoulders are uneven? One hip higher than the other? Back hurts in weird ways that don’t make sense? Clothes don’t hang right?
Could be scoliosis. A sideways curve in your spine.
Maybe you’ve known about it since you were a kid. Maybe you just found out. Either way, you’re probably wondering if anything can help.
At Glendale Chiropractic in Denver, Colorado, we’ve been providing non-surgical scoliosis treatment for 14+ years. As your Denver chiropractic provider specializing in scoliosis management, we offer chiropractic care that can’t fix severe structural curves. Upfront about that. But we can reduce pain, improve function, and in some cases reduce the curve progression.
Your spine’s supposed to be straight when looking at you from behind. With scoliosis, it curves sideways. S-shape or C-shape. This spinal curvature affects your whole body.
They measure the curvature in degrees. Mild’s 10-25 degrees. Moderate’s 25-40. Severe’s over 40.
The curve usually twists too. Your vertebrae don’t just lean sideways – they rotate. That’s why one shoulder blade pokes out more or your ribcage looks lopsided. This spinal rotation is part of what makes scoliosis complex.
Three main types:
Idiopathic – Most common. Fancy word for “we don’t know why.” Shows up when you’re a teenager usually. Girls get it more. Requires ongoing therapy management.
Congenital – Born with it. Spinal development didn’t happen right before you were born.
Degenerative – Develops later in life. Discs and joints wear down weird over the years. Spinal curvature starts happening.
Straight talk – chiropractic care can’t straighten a severe structural spinal curvature. If you’ve got a 50-degree curve, we’re not turning it into a straight spine.
What scoliosis care at our clinic can do:
Reduce pain – Most people with scoliosis have back pain, neck pain, or both. Chiropractic care helps. A lot.
Improve mobility – Curves make your spine stiff. Can’t move certain ways. We get your spinal joints moving better through therapy.
Slow progression – Especially with degenerative scoliosis in adults. Keep the spine flexible, reduce uneven stress, sometimes we can slow down how fast the curvature is getting worse.
Improve function – Walking, standing, daily activities. When your spine moves better and hurts less through therapy, you function better.
Address compensations – Your body compensates for the curve. Creates problems elsewhere. Hips, shoulders, knees. Our chiropractic care addresses the whole chain.
Reduce curve in some cases – Mild functional curves (not severe structural ones) sometimes improve with treatment. Not guaranteed. Not common. But happens.
If you’ve got a rapidly progressing curve over 40-50 degrees, you need orthopedic evaluation. Might need bracing or surgery. We’ll tell you that.
Adult degenerative – See this constantly. Spinal structures wear down weird over the years. One side of the discs squishes more. Joints on one side get arthritis. Curve happens. Usually lower back. Hurts and makes you stiff.
Mild to moderate adolescent – Teenagers with spinal curves under 40 degrees. We help manage pain and sometimes slow down progression while they’re growing.
Post-surgical – Had spinal fusion surgery? The areas above and below the fused part often get messed up. We help with that.
Functional – Curve from something else. One leg shorter. Muscle imbalances. Not actually a spinal structure problem. These ones respond better to treatment.
Adjustments – Work on the spinal areas that aren’t moving right. Not trying to force your spine straight. Just improving mobility and reducing the stress your body’s creating to compensate through targeted therapy.
Traction – Gentle spinal decompression therapy. Takes pressure off discs and nerves. Feels good. Helps with pain.
Exercises – Specific therapy exercises for scoliosis. Strengthen the weak side. Stretch the tight side. Core stability. You’ve gotta do these if you want actual improvement.
Posture work – Scoliosis screws up your posture. Work on awareness and fixing muscle patterns through postural therapy.
Soft tissue therapy – Muscles on the inside of the curve get bunched up and tight. Muscles on the outside get stretched out and weak. We deal with both through manual therapy.
Bracing recommendations – For kids whose curves are getting worse, might recommend getting evaluated for a brace. We work with orthopedic specialists when needed.
Can’t just adjust you and send you home. Exercise therapy is huge.
Schroth method – Specific breathing and posture exercises made for scoliosis. Similar to what you’d get in physical therapy but more focused on scoliosis. Studies show they can reduce curves sometimes and stop them from getting worse.
Core work – Your core’s working overtime trying to hold up a crooked spine. Gotta strengthen it right through targeted therapy.
Side-specific strengthening – Work the weak side harder. Balance things out. This therapeutic approach helps reduce curvature.
Stretching therapy – Tight spots need to loosen up. Hip flexors, mid-back, shoulders – depends on where your curve is.
We teach you the exercises. Show you how. Give you stuff to do at home. Takes 15-20 minutes a day. Worth it if you actually want to get better.
See a lot of adults in Denver who had mild scoliosis as kids. Doctors said “watch and wait.” Curve didn’t get bad enough for surgery. So they just lived with it.
Now they’re 40, 50, 60. Back’s hurting more. Curve might be getting worse. Nobody ever told them scoliosis care and management could help.
Also see active Denver people – hikers, cyclists, runners – who push through the pain but their scoliosis makes everything harder. Uneven muscle development. One side always tighter. Harder to maintain form. Our scoliosis clinic helps them stay active.
Office workers with scoliosis sitting at desks all day. Makes the postural issues worse. Rotation increases. Pain increases. Scoliosis management becomes critical.
Most people with scoliosis think they just have to deal with it. They don’t. Proper scoliosis care helps.
Kid has scoliosis? Yeah, you’re probably freaking out. We get it.
Small curves under 20 degrees? Usually they just watch it. Chiropractic therapy keeps the spinal joints moving well while they’re growing.
Curves 20-40 degrees? Might need a brace. Chiropractic care works with bracing. Therapy helps with the pain and stiffness from wearing that thing. Some research says combining both works better.
Curves over 40 degrees? Talk to a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. Might need spinal fusion surgery. We’re not against surgery when it’s actually necessary. Can still help with the parts of the spine that didn’t get fused through ongoing therapy.
Straight talk – if your kid’s spinal curve is getting worse fast and they’re still growing, chiropractic care alone won’t cut it. Need medical management.
Weak core – Can’t hold the spine stable. Curve gets worse.
Crappy posture – Slouching all day. Leaning to one side. Sitting crooked. Just makes the curve pattern worse.
Not moving – Spine gets stiff. Muscles get weak. Everything goes downhill.
Getting older – Discs break down. Bones get weaker. Gravity does its thing. Adult curves often get worse after 50.
Uneven habits – Always carrying your bag on the same shoulder. Standing with weight on one hip. Creates lopsided stress.
Depends what you’re after.
Pain relief – Usually feel better within 2-4 weeks if you’re coming regularly for chiropractic care and therapy.
Actually functioning better – 2-3 months of consistent chiropractic care. Adjustments plus doing your therapy exercises.
Curve reduction – If it’s gonna happen, usually see it within 6-12 months of dedicated therapy. But you’ve gotta do the exercises religiously.
Maintenance – Scoliosis doesn’t go away. Even when you feel good, coming in periodically for chiropractic care keeps things working.
Not a quick fix. Managing scoliosis long-term takes work. Adjustments help. But the therapy exercises and changing your habits matter way more.
We refer out when:
Scoliosis can have serious complications if severe. We watch for red flags. Send you to the right specialists when needed.
We work with several orthopedic spine surgeons in Denver. Not competitors. Different tools for different situations.
Surgery fixes severe structural curves. Chiropractic manages pain and function in curves that don’t need surgery.
Some patients have both. Fusion surgery on one part of spine. Chiropractic for the mobile segments above and below.
Good communication between providers gives you the best outcome.
Different ballgame.
Kids are still growing. Curves can progress fast during growth spurts. But also means there’s potential to influence the curve while bones are still forming.
Adults have stopped growing. Curves usually stable or progressing slowly. Less chance of dramatic change. But more pain because years of wear and tear.
Treatment approach differs. Kids need close monitoring and possible bracing. Adults need pain management and function maintenance.
Pregnant with scoliosis? Yeah, that’s tough.
Relaxin hormone loosens your ligaments. Less spinal stability. Curve can temporarily worsen during pregnancy.
Extra weight in front pulls on an already compromised spine. More pain.
We modify adjustments for pregnancy. Help keep you comfortable. Address the extra stress pregnancy puts on a scoliotic spine.
Usually curve goes back to baseline after delivery. But pregnancy can accelerate degenerative changes in adult scoliosis.
Pain’s not always where you’d think.
Thoracic curve (mid-back)? Might get neck pain and headaches from your body trying to compensate.
Lumbar curve (low back)? Hip and leg pain.
Double curve? Anything goes.
The twisting part causes rib pain for some folks. Muscles between the ribs on the inside of the curve get all jammed up.
We figure out where your specific pattern hurts. Fix all the spots, not just the obvious curve.
Can you still do stuff? Yeah, usually.
Skip:
Good stuff:
Denver’s got tons of options. Climbing might be okay depending on how bad your curve is. Skiing – depends. Hiking’s usually fine.
We’ll help you figure out what’s safe for your specific situation.
Sitting for hours – Puts pressure on the discs on the compressed side. Denver’s tech workers know this one.
Standing in one spot – Shifts weight to one hip. Increases the curve temporarily.
Sleeping wrong – Bad pillow or mattress can increase rotation overnight.
Stress – Muscles tighten. Curve pattern gets worse.
Not exercising – Muscles get weak. Spine gets stiff. Everything hurts more.
Carrying heavy bags – Especially always on the same shoulder.
Regular adjustments – Keep the spine as mobile as possible.
Daily exercises – Even 10 minutes helps.
Good ergonomics – Proper desk setup. Good chairs. Standing desk if possible.
Sleep position – Usually side sleeping with pillow support. Depends on your curve.
Swimming – Best exercise for scoliosis. Strengthens muscles without compression.
Yoga with modifications – Opens up tight areas. Strengthens weak areas.
Massage – Releases tight muscles on the concave side.
Maintaining healthy weight – Extra weight makes everything worse.
Most insurance covers chiropractic for scoliosis. It’s a documented condition. Usually not a problem getting approved.
If you need x-rays, we arrange for that. Insurance typically covers.
Upfront about costs. No surprises.
Treatment frequency depends on severity. Mild scoliosis might be twice a month. More significant curves might need weekly visits initially.
We talk about your history. When was scoliosis diagnosed? What’s it been like? What hurts?
Physical exam. Check your posture, see how you move, measure leg length, check muscle strength.
X-rays if you don’t have recent ones. Need to see the curve. Measure it. See the rotation.
Then we discuss what we found. Show you the x-rays. Explain your curve pattern. Give you a realistic picture of what we can and can’t do.
Sometimes start treatment same day. First adjustment. Teach you a couple exercises.
Will adjustments make my curve worse? No. We’re not forcing your spine around. Specific, gentle adjustments that improve mobility don’t worsen structural curves.
Can chiropractic straighten my spine? Mild functional curves sometimes improve. Severe structural curves don’t straighten completely. We can often reduce pain and improve function though.
How often do I need to come? Depends on severity. Initially might be multiple times per week. Long-term might be monthly for maintenance.
Can I do yoga with scoliosis? Yes, with modifications. Some poses are great. Others need to be avoided or modified. We can advise.
Will my curve keep getting worse? Some curves stabilize. Some progress. Keeping your spine mobile and muscles strong gives you the best chance of slowing progression.
Should my teenager get adjusted? Yes, if they’re having pain or stiffness. Chiropractic is safe for adolescents with scoliosis.
It’s something you deal with. Not the end of the world. Not nothing either.
Some days are better than others. Flare-ups happen. Stress makes it worse. Sitting forever makes it worse. Skipping your exercises makes it worse.
But if you manage it right – adjustments, exercises, decent ergonomics, staying active – most people with scoliosis live totally normal lives.
You figure out what sets it off. What helps. Adjust accordingly.
We help you nail down your specific plan. What works for your curve. Your life. What you’re trying to do.
Stop thinking you just have to live with it.
Call 720-889-1659 or come by 425 S. Cherry St., Suite 307, Glendale, CO 80246.
We’ll get x-rays, assess your curve, and give you a realistic treatment plan. What we can help with. What we can’t. How to manage it long-term.
Scoliosis doesn’t have to control your life.
Glendale Chiropractic 425 S. Cherry St., Suite 307 Glendale, CO 80246 720-889-1659
Serving Denver, Glendale, Cherry Creek, Capitol Hill, Highlands, Park Hill, and surrounding areas.
Comprehensive scoliosis treatment including chiropractic adjustments, specific exercises, and long-term management strategies.
Phone
720-889-1659
Email
support@myglendalechiro.com
Hours
Mon 9 AM – 12:30 P, 2:30 P – 6:00 P
Tue 9 AM – 12:30 P, 2:30 P – 6:00 P
Wed 9 AM – 12:30 P, 2:30 P – 6:00 P
Thu 9 AM – 12:30 P, 2:30 P – 6:00 P
Fri – Closed
Sat – Closed
Sun – Closed
C O N T A C T
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