Scoliosis is a deformity of the spine’s normal curvature that causes the spine to curve sideways. While scoliosis is often diagnosed during childhood and adolescence while the spine is growing, it can occur in the adult years, too.
In Roseville, Minnesota, patients with scoliosis turn to David Chang, MD-PhD, DABNS, to find relief for scoliosis-related back or neck pain. If you have scoliosis, here’s how scoliosis treatment could help you feel better.
Quick facts about scoliosis
Scoliosis develops for different reasons. In adults, scoliosis is most often associated with degenerative changes that cause your spine to curve or lose height. Sometimes, adults with scoliosis had undiagnosed asymptomatic scoliosis as children. As they age, that mild curvature starts to cause symptoms.
Some scoliosis is so mild, you never know you have it. But when scoliosis does cause symptoms, the most frequent issue is nagging back or neck pain. If the curvature presses on a nerve, you may have pain, numbness, or tingling in an arm or leg.
More advanced scoliosis can cause one hip or shoulder to dip lower than the other, or it may cause a loss of height.
Scoliosis symptoms often feel worse as a result of specific movements or pressure on the affected part of the spine. In adults, treatment focuses on addressing these movements and pressures rather than trying to straighten the spinal curvature.
Treating scoliosis: Know your options
Like other spine conditions and diseases, scoliosis treatment depends on the severity of your symptoms and other factors. Dr. Chang performs a thorough exam before recommending treatment to ensure your therapy is tailored for your specific needs.
For mild to moderate symptoms, most of our patients respond well to conservative therapies, like:
- Exercise
- Gentle stretching
- Posture exercises
- Physical therapy
For more significant symptoms or symptoms that continue to interfere with daily living, Dr. Chang often recommends injections to relieve inflammation and pain in the affected part of the spine.
Often, patients benefit from a combination of treatments aimed at promoting spine flexibility while decreasing painful symptoms.
For more severe symptoms, surgery may be the best way to relieve pain and improve your range of motion.
We often recommend spinal fusion surgery for people with scoliosis. In this surgery, Dr. Chang fuses two or more vertebrae (spine bones) with a special scaffolding, preventing movement that causes pain.
Depending on your specific needs, another type of surgery might be more appropriate. Dr. Chang discusses your options during your consultation.
You might associate scoliosis treatment with back braces designed to coax the spine into a normal curvature. Bracing can be very effective in treating scoliosis, but it’s typically reserved for children and adolescents whose spines are still growing.
Learn what’s causing your back pain
Scoliosis is one possible cause of back pain, but there are other conditions that can cause similar symptoms. Many of those issues become more common as you age.
To find out what’s causing your back or neck pain and how we can help you feel better, call 651-219-7292 or request an appointment online with Dr. Chang today.