June is National Scoliosis Awareness Month

The International Chiropractors Association (ICA) is proudly recognizing June as National Scoliosis Awareness Month and joining in this public health effort developed in the U.S. to help bring added awareness about scoliosis and health concerns related to it. This important awareness program is observed each year in June, and ICA is sharing information with the public to help educate and inform communities about scoliosis and the benefits of early detection.

Scoliosis, commonly described as an abnormal curvature of the spine, can affect people of all ages. While most often this is recognized as a concern involving children growing into adolescence, it is also identified in other populations, and can range from infants to adults and the elderly. In addition, it is actually most prevalent in people with no obvious cause (in the case of scoliosis with no known cause, it is referred to as “idiopathic” scoliosis) although scoliosis may evolve from congenital malformations, neuromuscular disorders, and injuries. Doctors of Chiropractic are trained to detect and measure scoliosis and spinal misalignments as part of their care for patients of all ages.

In addition to a chiropractic evaluation including thorough history and fundamental examination, there are multiple non-invasive tests, including postural analysis. Postural evaluation may include assessment and measurement of shoulder positions, shoulder blades that may be of uneven height or more prominent on one side, elevated hip and other positioning changes, or rib cage positioning with prominence to once side, and head tilt. Non-invasive and external imaging and measurement can help identify, evaluate, and assess possible progression. While the standard mainstream approach involves periodic observation with possible steps for bracing and in certain cases and surgery in advanced and progressive scenarios, a strategy including chiropractic care with specific spinal adjustments and exercise activities as part of a healthy lifestyle is increasingly recognized in the course of scoliosis care. “Chiropractic, with its natural drug-free and surgery-free approach to health care and its specific spinal adjustments to correct vertebral subluxations, is an inherently non-invasive resource for patients with concerns about scoliosis,” notes Dr. George Curry, ICA President.