Scoliosis

Idiopathic Scoliosis: EP’s Chiropractic Team

Idiopathic scoliosis means that no cause congenital or neuromuscular that created the spinal deformation has been identified. However, idiopathic scoliosis is the most common type, affecting 2% to 3% of individuals. Individuals diagnosed with an idiopathic disease or condition can be frustrated with more questions than answers, but it can still be treated in adults and kids.

Idiopathic Scoliosis

Congenital Scoliosis

  • Congenital scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine related to which the patient was born.
  • Usually, a failure of formation or segmentation during normal development leads to the spinal condition.

Neuromuscular Scoliosis

  • Individuals with neuromuscular scoliosis are usually born with neurological disorders that contribute to muscular unevenness, often resulting in the development of the condition.
  • For example, individuals with cerebral palsy are born with muscular unevenness that can contribute to scoliosis development.

Who Is Affected

Anyone can develop scoliosis, but children and adults are divided into separate categories.

Children

  • Children with this condition are divided into three subcategories:
  • Infantile idiopathic scoliosis
  • Juvenile idiopathic scoliosis
  • Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

These classifications are based on age and skeletal maturity.

  • Infantile is zero to 3 years old.
  • A juvenile is 3 to 10 years old.
  • Adolescents are from 11 onward or when starting puberty, to the point where the skeleton fully matures.

Adults

  • Idiopathic scoliosis in adults results from undiagnosed or untreatedΒ scoliosis in childhood that gradually progressed.

Causes

Research has found a genetic predisposition to developing scoliosis, as it has been found to run in families. Genetic testing has been designed to help determine the risk of developing progressive scoliosis. Theories have been presented about abnormalities that affect the nervous system. These include:

  • Dysfunctions of the brain stem or equilibrium have been frequently identified in individuals with idiopathic scoliosis.
  • Other theories suggest skeletal growth abnormalities or hormonal/metabolic dysfunction may contribute to the condition.
  • However, determining its exact cause remains unknown.

Signs and Symptoms

Here are some things to look out for.

  • The body leans to one side.
  • There is an unevenness of the ribcage or hips.
  • Uneven shoulders.
  • Shoulder blades may protrude or stick out.
  • The head is not positioned directly above the pelvis.

Diagnosis

Idiopathic scoliosis curves tend to follow predictable patterns.

  • Right thoracic or middle back scoliosis
  • Left thoracolumbar or mid and low-back scoliosis
  • Relative thoracic hyper or hypo kyphosis

Magnetic resonance images/MRIs of the spine can show evidence of any significant abnormalities. If no other related condition is present to suggest different causes, then the idiopathic scoliosis diagnosis can be made.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the individual’s age and the degree of curvature in the spine.

  • In many cases, adolescent or juvenile idiopathic scoliosis patients that have a mild curve can be treated with a brace.
  • Adults could need surgical intervention, such as a fusion surgery where rods and screws are added to realign the spine and relieve the pressure on the nerves.

Chiropractor


References

Burnei, G et al. β€œCongenital scoliosis: an up-to-date.” Journal of medicine and life vol. 8,3 (2015): 388-97.

ClΓ©ment, Jean-Luc, et al. β€œRelationship between thoracic hypokyphosis, lumbar lordosis and sagittal pelvic parameters in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.” The European spine journal: official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society vol. 22,11 (2013): 2414-20. doi:10.1007/s00586-013-2852-z

Giampietro, Philip F et al. β€œCongenital and idiopathic scoliosis: clinical and genetic aspects.” Clinical medicine & research vol. 1,2 (2003): 125-36. doi:10.3121/cmr.1.2.125

β€œScoliosis – Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment.” www.aans.org/Patients/Neurosurgical-Conditions-and-Treatments/Scoliosis

β€œThoracic Hyperkyphosis.” Physiopedia, 2009, www.physio-pedia.com/Thoracic_Hyperkyphosis

Post Disclaimer

General Disclaimer *

Professional Scope of Practice *

The information herein on this blog site is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.

Blog Information & Scope Discussions

Welcome to El Paso's Premier Wellness and Injury Care Clinic & wellness blog, where Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, FNP-C, a board-certified Family Practice Nurse Practitioner (FNP-C) and Chiropractor (DC), presents insights on how our team is dedicated to holistic healing and personalized care. Our practice aligns with evidence-based treatment protocols inspired by integrative medicine principles, similar to those found on dralexjimenez.com, focusing on restoring health naturally for patients of all ages.

Our areas of chiropractic practice include Β Wellness & Nutrition, Chronic Pain, Personal Injury, Auto Accident Care, Work Injuries, Back Injury, Low Back Pain, Neck Pain, Migraine Headaches, Sports Injuries, Severe Sciatica, Scoliosis, Complex Herniated Discs, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain, Complex Injuries, Stress Management, Functional Medicine Treatments, and in-scope care protocols.

Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicine, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.

We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*

Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research studies or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies that are available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.

We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how they may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to discuss the subject matter above further, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-C, or contact us at 915-850-0900.

We are here to help you and your family.

Blessings

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, APRN, FNP-C*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License # TX5807
New Mexico DC License # NM-DC2182

Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN*) in Texas & MultistateΒ 
Texas RN License # 1191402Β 
Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*
Graduate with Honors: ICHS: MSN-FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)
Degree Granted. Masters in Family Practice MSN Diploma (Cum Laude)

Β 

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-C, CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
My Digital Business Card

Β 

Β 

Recent Posts

Why Choose Our Clinical Team?

Welcome to El Paso's Premier Wellness and Injury Care Clinic, where Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC,… Read More

April 17, 2025

Running Fartlek Training to Transform Your Runs

Can adding fartlek training improve speed and endurance for runners and running enthusiasts? Running Fartlek… Read More

April 11, 2025

Tai Chi for Gut Health: A Guide to Wellness

For individuals dealing with digestive issues and conditions, can incorporating Tai Chi help improve gut… Read More

April 10, 2025

Pigeon Toed Walking in Children Explained

Children walking with their toes pointed in may be pigeon-toed. What are the causes, conditions… Read More

April 9, 2025

Calisthenics and Its Impact on Fitness Levels

Learn how calisthenics can enhance strength and endurance through simple yet effective bodyweight movements. Introduction… Read More

April 9, 2025

Postural Assessment: Understanding Body Alignment

Can postural assessments help identify problems with how a person stands or sits, which can… Read More

April 8, 2025