Scoliosis and Chiropractic

In this example, we will see a patient’s first set of x-rays with scoliosis:

The follow up views were taken only four weeks later- they are depicted at the right. The program of care included chiropractic adjustments and lumbar traction three times per week for four weeks. You will notice the curvature changing significantly in only four weeks. This patient was 33 years old at the time of this x-ray. She is a mom hauling around kids, baby carriers, and doing everything else a mom does.

The next patient is a junior in high school, 17 years old at the time the x-rays were taken. Her scoliosis was severely limiting her activities of daily living. It was causing her lots of pain, including difficulty breathing. The doctors that she was seeking care from had no treatments available except surgery. Her father referred her to our office, and we began administering chiropractic care and lumbar traction three times per week for four weeks. At the end of the first stage of care, her pain had decreased significantly. Her activities of daily living would continue to improve.

One year later, she prepared a speech for her class in college displaying her x-rays and detailing how chiropractic care helped her. As a result of her care, she is seriously looking into becoming a doctor of chiropractic. Amy, our babysitter for our 15-month old daughter Maggie, who hangs out at the office, happened to see the speech. A small world, isn’t it?

The next patient is 69 years of age. This patient, like the last patient, was told that nothing could be done for her scoliosis except surgery. This patient unfortunately did not know anything about chiropractic, so she never consulted a chiropractor. Instead, she lived with her scoliosis until she was around 50 years old. Since her doctor failed to refer her to a chiropractor, they put rods from the top of her back all the way down to her sacrum (tail bone).

Almost 20 years later, she came to us for some help. You can see that the osteoporosis is worse along the surgical rods. It is worse along the surgery than other parts of her skeleton. Why?

The vertebral column was designed to protect the spinal cord and aid in motion. Each spinal joint, stacked up on top of each other, is designed to move freely. Movement is essential for all life. Segmental movement is necessary to draw calcium into the bone. Also, the organ/viscera also became affected as the delicate nerve fibers become compromised. The life energy of the nerve loses its transmission and disease begins to take root to the target organ. The doctor thought this surgery was necessary for stabilization.

It saddens me, for patients like this, because of the refusal of some doctors to recommend chiropractic. It blows my mind that someone actually rationalizes rods as being better than safe, gentle, cost effective, natural chiropractic care.

It’s astounding!

Complications of scoliosis can include:

• Breathing problems
• Low back pain
• Lower self-esteem
• Persistent pain if there is wear and tear of the spine bones
• Spinal infection after surgery
• Spine or nerve damage from an uncorrected curve or spinal surgery

Bottom line: The 17-year-old patient’s scoliosis was worse than the 50-year-old’s!

It is my opinion that the 50-year-old could have received chiropractic care before she had rods placed in her spine.  The great news is that almost 20 years later, the patient told me that doctors today are now realizing that.

Some doctors are realizing that, some are not. Buyer Beware!

The 18-year-old, who has now become inspired, is sharing her story so people can avoid surgery like that of the 50-year old-patient.

Just try a simple Google search. Google search: chiropractic scoliosis. Then press the images tab at the top of Google.

– Dr. Matt Hammett, Just Trying To Save Lives!