Acupuncture Treatment for Spinal Scoliosis

15 Feb Acupuncture Treatment for Spinal Scoliosis

Acupuncture Treatment for Spinal Scoliosis : The abnormal sideways curvature of the spine is called scoliosis. The symptoms and severity depend on the angle of curvature, severely deformed vertebrae result in joint pain and arthritis. The letters “S” or “S” may be used to describe the curve of scoliosis.

Based on the angle, scoliosis may be categorized into mild, moderate, or severe cases. The angle of more than 10° on the x-ray is considered abnormal. The immature cases with congenital defects should be referred to specialized healthcare while scoliosis without any visible cause can be managed conservatively as described under.

Types of Spinal Scoliosis

• Idiopathic Scoliosis
• Congenital Scoliosis
• Degenerative scoliosis
• Neuromuscular Scoliosis

Causes of Spinal Scoliosis

• Nonstructural causes
  • Muscles spasm
  • Inflammation of pelvic viscera

• Structural causes
  • Birth defect
    • Charcot tooth marie disease
    • Myelomeningocele
    • Achondroplasia
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Genetic defects
    • Marfan syndrome
    • Ehlers-danlos syndrome
    • Congenital hypotonia
  • Tumors

Signs and Symptoms

Although scoliosis is a spinal deformity back pain is not unusual. Almost one-third of the patient presents with back pain, especially with idiopathic scoliosis. Therefore conservative options like Acupuncture plays their role in the pain reduction of scoliosis. The signs and symptoms of scoliosis may vary from person to person but scoliosis may lead to:

• Stiffness in the back
• Back pain
• Fatigue
• Compression of nerves could result in numbness of feet and legs
• Uneven body posture especially of shoulders and hips
• One-shoulder may look bigger than the other

What are the Diagnosis?

Usually, patients present with back/chest asymmetry identified by a parent, teacher, or a school physician. The most prominent feature is an outward curvature of the supine. Patient history and thorough physical examination of the patient are mainstays of diagnosis of scoliosis. The patient’s history may focus on the following points:

• Age of onset
• Association of back pain
• Presence of gait abnormalities
• Presence of sensory abnormalities
• Family history of scoliosis

The physical examination of a patient with scoliosis may focus on the following points:

• Overall appearance
• Skin inspection
• Neuromuscular examination of motor, sensory, and reflexes
• Gait
• Height measurement
• Shoulders symmetry
• Foot shape

Treatment for Spinal Scoliosis

The studies of this disease show that idiopathic scoliosis with a curve less than 30° does not progress after maturity. While the cases with greater than 50° curve show progression, approximately 1° per year. The patients with curves greater than 90° carry an increased risk of right heart failure and cor pulmonale.

The treatment of scoliosis depends on the type of disease, degree of curve, maturity of bones, and patient’s preferences. The treatment of patients with congenital defects, birth defects, and neuromuscular abnormalities should be at specialized healthcare centers.

Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis treatment includes the following:

1. Acupuncture and Exercises
   Let’s come to the point for which you all are waiting, that is acupuncture and its role in the management of scoliosis. As for research and studies concerned, there are fewer of these in support of acupuncture as a therapeutic option in congenital or birth defects. But acupuncture has a beneficial role for pain and muscle spasm reduction in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis.
   Acupuncture along with physiotherapy and exercises can relieve the spinal muscle spasm. Therefore, these conservative options can help in the reduction of further progression of the disease. Acupuncture is a form of therapy that is non-invasive, easily tolerated, and with fewer side effects, during this procedure, your acupuncturist will insert microneedles in specific areas and leave them for a few minutes. Keep in mind that it may take several sessions of acupuncture therapy to give benefits.
2. Watch and Wait
   The target of the general management is to keep the curve under 50° at bone maturity. Immature patients with small curves are usually observed with follow-ups and serial x rays.
3. Braces
   These are devices utilized to prevent the progression of the disease. Plenty of braces are invented with published research e.g.  Milwaukee brace, Charleston brace, and Boston brace. The efficacy of these braces depends on the wearing time and compliance of the patient. Remember these braces do not permanently correct the disease but prevent progression and complications.
4. Spinal Surgery
   Surgical correction is recommended in immature patients with greater than 45° curve and mature patients with curves greater than 50°. The goal of surgery is to achieve spinal alignment and prevent progression.

Try acupuncture forSpinal Scoliosis at Peak Life Acupuncture. We are professionally trained to help you with all your acupuncture needs. Call us at (818) 823-6721 for a free consultation.