Chiropractic care for scoliosis?

[Angeline]

Hi,

Im new to this forum and I'm sure this topic has been discussed before but I would love to hear from all of you. I was wondering if anyone has had chiropractic care for their scoliosis and if it has helped reduce the curve or even just with alleviating pain. I am 22 this year and I have a 43 degree curve (if i remember correctly). I do not experience any back aches or pains, unless I was doing something where I am bent over for a while. However, I try to avoid such activities so I virtually feel no pain. I am curious about chiropractic care because I would like to seek an alternative treatment, as I was told I do not need surgery, and that is definitely a last resort for me. Also, is chiropractic care expensive if not covered by insurance? By the way, I live in Michigan, US.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[LindaRacine]

Hi Angeline...

Chiropractic care cannot reduce your curvature. It may, however, reduce any pain you might have in the future. I tried chiropractic care three times a week for almost a year. Unfortunately, I actually had an increase in pain. I really wanted to believe the chiropractor was helping, but eventually had to admit that it was not.

I've found a huge variation in how much chiropractors charge, so there's no way of knowing what it will cost until you've actually identified the specific chiropractor.

Regards,
Linda

[pacosmom]

I had an s-curve 55 degrees at the top and 25 at the bottom corrected to 25 & 13. I had a fusion w/harrington rods placed 27 years ago. (I was a kid at the time.)I started having neck pain 8 yrs ago and tried chiropractic. The initial "crack" of my neck would make me feel better, but within a few hours it caused my muscles to contract and I'd ache worse. I stuck with it for 8 months, but ultimately decided it was not helping me. I have tried accupuncture which is really effective at alleviating pain and lasts about 1 or 2 weeks for me as long as I don't do any heavy lifting. I also use a massage therapist who does "neuromuscular" massage which helps to reduce pain.

[blairf83]

I had chiropractic care as a first course of treatment for my scoliosis. Chiro promised to straighten me right up. I did a couple months treatment, and all I had to show for it now is a curve that progressed to the point of surgical intervention and a spine that cracks a whole lot more freely now....
The best thing to help with my discomfort (pre and post op) is being worked on by a chiro who doesnt crack things- he relies on massage (myofasical release it's called) to help things align. Hurts like heck for the first couple of days, but afterwards I move a lot more freely.
What part of MI are you from? I'm from the Flint area, chiro is up in Saginaw.

[fina14314]

Where is your doctor at in Michigan I would love to check him out - I saw a doctor in Florida for awhile who was using the myofacial technique. I would love to check out your doctor being as my family is from Michigan. Thanks! :)

[Ken]

Hi Angeline - I went to a Chiro about 4 days per week for about 1 year prior to surgery, they were able to help some, but could not stop the scoliosis.. In fact the Chiro finally told me he would do more damage long term than having the surgery - However, My curvature was more than yours!! :)

[Vivid-Dawn]

Some insurances cover it, others don't... might consider it something more like a spa massage type of visit, than a medical one.

I've had all good experiences with chiropractors. The first one I went to, had straightened my spine 11mm (may not sound like much, but with things as small as nerves and stuff, it ends up being quite a bit!). But then I got Medicare taken away because of marriage, and quit going.

Then I ended up in so much pain, I decided to try again. I didn't go to the last doctor, but tried a new one closer to my work office so I wouldn't have to "waste" sick leave hours. This doctor said I should "aggressively seek" surgery. But he charged $45 a visit, and I didn't have insurance at the time.

Now I have insurance, and am going to a new doctor closer to my house (again, so I don't have to take time off work), and he also says surgery is strongly suggested. For most patients, they discourage it and offer alternatives. He hasn't told me my degrees yet, but it's obviously severe. My shoulders are lopsided, one hip pokes out, and the X-rays look like my spine is practically an S. On a side note, my cardiologist also wants me to get surgery, since my left side of ribs are compressed and she said it's putting strain on my heart...so it's going to be for more than just my back!

When I went to my old chiropractor, I would have a day or two of severe pain about once every two months, while my body got used to being worked on. The chiropractor I'm with now, is using different methods, and I've only been going two weeks...so I'm not sure if I'll have bouts of muscle tightness. He says I should expect it, which I already figured on. But I won't mind, if it helps over-all in the long run! The rest of the time, I feel just fine.

If you want to, try it for a couple months, and if you don't feel it's working, then try something else.

[sweetness514]

I saw a chiro when I was a teen and wearing a brace, it didn't help except for the time I was there.

Before I had surgery(about six months), I went back and it helped a LOT for two weeks at a time, since my pain was recurring mostly at about two weeks. After a few months of doing that, the pain got worse and was constant, without any help from the chiro visits so I stopped going.