Scoliosis affects between two and three percent of the US population, primarily affecting children. For some, the condition causes no symptoms. For other people, it can interfere with their ability to breathe. However, no matter the severity, it’s vital to identify and monitor the condition.
At Premier Chiropractic Center, serving Bessemer, AL, and the nearby region, we encourage parents to look out for the signs of scoliosis. Additionally, we recommend parents search “chiropractor near me” and find a practitioner who can accurately diagnose this condition and provide intervention as necessary.
General Information
Scoliosis is an abnormal, sideways curvature of the spine. The degree of the curve may worsen as a child develops. In some cases, scoliosis is debilitating. Signs often arise between the ages of 10 and 15, specifically during the growth spurt around puberty.
Females are most at risk of scoliosis and are more likely to experience a severe case.
Researchers aren’t sure what causes adolescent scoliosis, though genetics appears to play a role.
Child Has Uneven Shoulders
The spine connects with the shoulders. Therefore, if your child has irregular curvature in the back, it could cause one shoulder to appear higher than the other.
Child Has a More Prominent Shoulder
As briefly mentioned above, the musculoskeletal composition of the spine can cause changes in the shoulders.
Besides a raised shoulder, the abnormal curvature can also lead to one shoulder being more prominent than the other.
Child Has an Uneven Waist
Like with the shoulders, the waist also has a connection to the spine. Therefore, an unusual spinal shape could cause the hips to be uneven. Particularly, you may notice one hip is higher than the other.
Abnormal Shape When Bending Forward
Take a look at your kid’s back when he or she leans forward. If your child has scoliosis, one side will appear more prominent than the other.
Ribs Stick Out on One Side
Examine your child from the front. Focus on his or her ribs. One side of his or her rib cage may stick out further than the other if he or she has scoliosis.
Ill-Fitting Clothing
Due to the curvature of the spine and the possible unevenness of your child’s shoulders and hips, his or her clothes might not fit properly.
Curved Spine
While not all children have a curvature that it’s pronounced, some do. In other words, you may be able to look at your child’s spine and notice that it’s not straight.
Pain, Stiffness, or Tightness
While some people have no symptoms from scoliosis, others will experience pain, tightness, or stiffness.
The pain, stiffness, and tightness occur as the ligaments and muscles stretch to accommodate the spinal curvature. This symptom is more common in adults than children, though.
Changes in Gait
You may notice changes in the way your child walks as scoliosis progresses.
For instance, twists and bends in the spine can affect the alignment of the hips. As a result, your child may not walk normally. Your kid may experience muscle fatigue.
Watch your child walk. When his or her arms brush across his or her hips, only one may touch the hips if he or she suffers from scoliosis.
Decrease in Spinal Flexibility
Your kid may have a decrease in flexibility compared to his or her peers. The spinal curvature can cause your child’s spine to become more rigid, which will make it more difficult for your child to bend.
Scoliosis can worsen over time, though it usually stops progressing once your child is 15 or older. As a parent, you should look out for the symptoms and have your child visit a chiropractor in Bessemer, AL, to diagnose the condition officially. Our practitioner can intervene, stop progression, and help manage symptoms, if there are any.
Contact Premier Chiropractic Center at 205-519-4024 for an appointment with a chiropractor in Bessemer, AL, for your little one. We offer comprehensive diagnostics and can find the appropriate course of action to prevent the condition from worsening. We offer various other chiropractic services for kids as well!
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