Scoliosis bracing is a treatment option that helps scoliosis to improve or stops a spinal curvature from progressing.
Scoliosis Bracing and The Treatment
At first, the doctor will order an X-ray of the patient’s spine to be done, before he or she is fitted with a scoliosis brace. This will help him/her to make a strong diagnosis of scoliosis. It will also show the severity of the curve. While planning for the treatment, the doctor will consider how severe the curve is as well as where it occurs on the individual’s spine. The age of the patient, additional medical conditions and family history are other important factors to be considered. Thereafter, the doctor will suggest the best treatment for the condition. Those curves that are more than 50 degrees may require a surgical operation to restore the individual’s normal posture.
A scoliosis curve cannot straighten on its own, but scoliosis bracing can help to prevent the condition from worsening. Those patients with mild curves of less than 20 degrees or those who are full grown can be monitored to ensure that the curve does not get worse. The doctor may check the spine after every six months as well as schedule follow-up X-rays that might be once per year. Note that a scoliosis curve can only get worse if it is not treated on time.
Scoliosis Braces for Adults
Once someone is fully grown, it becomes rare for such a curve to progress quickly. Studies have shown that once an individual is fully grown, any curve that is less than 30 degrees is less likely to get worse. However, curves that are greater than fifty degrees can worsen over time by approximately 1 to 1.5 degrees per year. Scoliosis braces exist for adults as well as adolescents.
The question that most people grapple with is: Must you wear a brace if you have scoliosis? The fact is, not everyone with scoliosis has to wear a brace. Approximately 1 out of 6 adolescent patients show some signs that their curves might increase significantly during their growth spurts. As the curve gets larger, chances are that surgery will be required to correct it. If a patient shows signs of curve progression, the doctor may recommend special back braces to keep the curve from enlarging as the spine grows.
The kind of brace that is recommended may depend on a number of factors such as;
- Where the curve is located on the spine
- How flexible the curve is
- The number of curves that the patient has
- The rotation and position of some of the vertebrae in one’s spine
- Any other medical condition that the patient might have
Ultimately it is up to your doctor to provide scoliosis treatment options. One of the best is scoliosis bracing.
Pivonka Family Chiropractic
1355 S Higley Rd #102
Gilbert, AZ 85296
(480) 892-0022
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