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Can Chiropractors Help With Scoliosis?

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Scoliosis Testing & Treatments


The spine is made up of a stack of rectangular-shaped building blocks called vertebrae. When viewed from behind, the spine normally appears straight. With scoliosis, however, the spine is curved — often appearing like an S or C — with rotation of the vertebrae. This curvature gives the appearance that the person is leaning to one side.
During your initial consultation, your chiropractor will conduct a thorough history, physical examination and postural analysis. Your chiropractor may send you off for an x-ray to determine the degree and severity of the curve, and to determine the likelihood of progression of the curve in teens or pre-teens. Depending on the severity of the curve, your chiropractor will discuss your best option to maintain mobility and flexibility in your spine and to prevent worsening of the condition.

You may be surprised that many adults suffer from chronic back/neck achiness without being aware of the possibility of scoliosis. One of the most common symptoms chiropractors see with scoliosis patients are the imbalances of the muscles surrounding and attaching to the spine. Due to the curved nature of a scoliotic spine, certain muscles may be weaker or tighter that might be contributing to the general discomfort in one’s spine.
Chiropractors may help with these imbalances through restoring mobility and flexibility of your joints. Spinal manipulation or soft tissue mobilization techniques may be used to achieve that.
There are many types of scoliosis – meaning there are many different ways of helping it. Rehabilitation exercises and stretches may also be helpful to help your own body hold itself in the proper aligned position.

How Can You Detect Scoliosis At Home?
A general test you can perform at home to detect the possibility of scoliosis is the Adam’s test. This test can be a screening tool for people who have a family history of scoliosis. This is especially important as an early detection on growing kids/teenagers where growth spurts can accentuate the curve of the spine quicker than an adult that has reached spinal maturity. Adam’s forward bend test (best performed with thin clothing or with spine visible):

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  1. With knees straight and feet together, get the patient to bend forward at the waist until the back comes in the horizontal plane.
  2. Examiner looks from behind along the horizontal plane. You will be looking for any signs of scoliosis such as spinal asymmetry, unlevel shoulder blades, unlevel hips, the head that does not line up with the pelvis or a rib hump.
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You will also want to pay attention to the following signs:

  • Difference in shoulder height
  • Difference in shoulder blade position or height
  • The head isn’t centered with the rest of the body
  • Difference in hip position or height
  • When standing straight, difference in the way the arms hang beside the body
  • Asymmetry or prominence in the ribs seen from the front or back

If you are concerned that you might have scoliosis, reach out to the team at The Melbourne Chiropractor 9302 1023.

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The Teenage Hunch!

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The Teenage Hunch

Is Your Child Suffering From The Teenage Hunch?

It seems to be quite common that by the age of 13, 80% of adolescents have developed some type of hunch in the upper back!

Due to the ongoing changes in life, society is forcing us to become wired to a phone or computer. This is causing more and more of these “kyphotic” postures to occur. 

Thankfully there are a few ways to help combat the hunch!

Our 3 Ways To Prevent Hunching!

– Ergonomic seating (using phones and tablets at eye level)

– Avoid Slouching (At the desk or on the couch)

– Get Exercising! (Simple and effective way to get the body moving)

What Happens When It’s To Late?

Good news is kyphotic or hunch like postures are usually due to a functional issue! This means that our team of chiropractors are able to use specific adjustments to help make changes to the structure of the spine and alleviate the tension within the spinal segments. Of the hunch is due to a severe injury or structural abnormality it becomes very difficult to make those changes although catching things like this at an early stage can help manage the issue before it gets worse!

If you feel that your teen is suffering from hunch like symptoms our practitioners are here to help! 

We have chiropractors that are available specifically for infants and children with the ability to run you through different treatment plans to fulfill your child’s needs!

To make an appointment call us on 9302 1023 or book online today!

Our Locations

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Can Chiropractors Help Unlevelled Postures?

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Chronic Changes To Posture

An Unlevel or “wonky” posture can be due to many different reasons, some of this could be from ongoing pain to just structural deficits that have occurred overtime or since birth.

The 2 Most Common Reasons For an Unlevelled Posture Include:

  • Scoliosis is known to many as being a big issue of posture although it really does depend on its severity. Scoliosis is classified in 2 forms known as structural or functional scoliosis and both have different diagnosis and treatments involved to either manage symptoms or improve an unlevelled spine.
  • Pelvic Tilt is seen allot with people who suffer from low back pain. This could be as simple as tight muscles or a joint dysfunction. There can also be external factors causing these symptoms such as poor footwear or high impact sports causing unwanted changes to the bodies structure and function.

Common Scoliotic Symptoms

Common Pelvic Tilt Symptoms

Can Chiropractors Help With Uneven Postures?

Chiropractors are able to use various treatments and techniques to help reduce tension in areas of restriction and pain. In doing so chiropractors can help with functional scoliosis by making changes to further improve wellbeing. Structural scoliosis becomes more of a management plan that is usually targeting the symptom of pain as well as trying to enhance bodily function to improve things such as flexibility, mobility and strength using both treatment and rehabilitation plans.

4 Ways You Can Manage Your Posture!

If you are someone who is suffering from headaches, neck pain or low back pain or may think you are someone suffering from changes to your posture! You can always contact us or book online @ https://themelbournechiropractor.com.au/book-now

For more information about your first chiropractic visit, or our team of chiropractors visit the links attached!

*You Can Visit Us At Any Of Our 3 Locations – Broadmeadows – Westmeadows – Fawkner

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Has Time Run Out To Fix Your Posture?

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Can You Fix Your Poor Posture?

Our Chiropractors at The Melbourne Chiropractor have seen first hand that poor posture can cause devastating affects on the bodies musculoskeletal system for both young and older patients. What they have found is areas of dysfunction caused by poor posture have influenced problems such as degeneration, sprains or strains or even put people at risk of overuse type injuries.

How long you have had poor posture is not a reason to think it cannot be changed, the biggest issue, is how it was caused and what other underlying factors such as trauma or medical problems the patient is dealing with. Most times we find that posture can be improved within the first 8-12 weeks if it is a functional cause, although depending on the severity it may take up to 6 months to see changes in areas that are severely degenerated and affected by poor posture. Lifestyle factors and habits will also come in to play as forward posture at the desk from long hours can limit the amount of change from therapy.

What Is Considered Poor Posture?

  • Forward head carriage
  • Rolling of the shoulders (forward)
  • Increased curve in the low back
  • Increased curve in the upper/mid back
  • In toeing of the feet
  • Scoliosis / Kyphosis Curve
  • Unbalanced hips and shoulders
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Good Vs Bad Postures

Associated Problems Caused by Poor Posture?

Most Common Causes of Poor Posture

Ways To Improve Posture

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Changing Seating Position at Work

How Can The Melbourne Chiropractor Help Your Posture?

Note* If you are currently suffering from postural issues the early you start the better off you will be. If you are wondering what we do on your first chiropractic session or would like to make a booking, you can always contact us to find out more! Online bookings also available 7 days a week @ https://themelbournechiropractor.com.au/book-now

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Visit our Broadmeadows, Westmeadows or Fawkner Health Clinic Today!

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Can Chiropractors Help With Back Pain?

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Chiropractic Treatment Low Back Pain

Back pain is known as the most common cause of bodily pain in Australia. It affects up to 90% of the population at least once throughout their life. There are many different forms of back pain ranging from acute to chronic with various symptoms associated with it. They may include radiating pain down the legs or pins and needles in lower body regions.

The Most Common Causes of Back Pain Include:

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Low Back Pain Causing Dysfunction

How to help manage back pain

There are several things you can do that may help prevent and manage back pain:

  • Ice or Heat can provide relief in the acute stages (<48 hours).
  • Stretches and exercises specific for low back pain can help improve or even decrease pain.
  • Keep heavy lifting minimal and when doing so using correct technique to do so (knees bent).
  • Keeping active such as a simple walk and decreasing seated activity helps increase mobility and flexibility throughout the area.
  • Visit your allied health professional and see how they can implement certain techniques to alleviate your back pain.
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Using Correct Lifting Techniques

5 ways Chiropractors may be able to help with back pain

Chiropractic care can help alleviate low back pain using just a few ways below:

Spinal Adjustments

Our Chiropractor will assess the areas that are restricted within the spine in both the upper and lower sections to ensure they correct the dysfunctions identified. This will help improve function in the area by reducing tension and alleviating the pain causing the issue. Surrounding areas will also be assessed to ensure that they are not pulling or twisting the area in an unnatural position causing what we think to be the “main” cause of back pain.

Low Back Stretches and Exercises

Low Back exercises and Low Back Stretches may be implemented to help assist with building strength and maintaining flexibility throughout the area of concern. The exercises will be tailored towards what areas of the body need exercise and stretches although general exercises will be given aswell to ensure that the patient has a variety to choose from to suit their needs.

Remedial Massage Therapy, Dry Needling or Cupping

If needed our chiropractors may refer you to our remedial massage therapists or even implement other modalities such as Dry Needling or Cupping to help decrease muscle tightness, especially for people suffering with low back pain.

Posture Checks

Our Chiropractors at The Melbourne Chiropractor understand that different modalities should be used to help alleviate pain and discomfort. there is not one recipe that works for every patient hence why our clinic has various practitioners performing different types of chiropractic care. Posture for low back pain can be a big problem and this is why our chiropractors will check for instability within the hips, changes to toe in and toe out of the foot and changes to upper back and lower back curvature. It is common to find underlying postural related issues that can have an impact long term on recovering from back pain hence why our team take a holistic approach to chiropractic care to ensure everything gets done the right way from the beginning.

Doctor Referrals or Specialists

Our Broadmeadows Chiropractor especially has worked with patients of surgeons who have had spinal fusions or surgeries related to previous low back pain. What we find is patients who have had surgery before have a limitation in low back movement hence why we try to alleviate the tension associated with the area that has been fused. At times we also may refer patients out to surgeons to get a second set of eyes to look at the situation although most of the time we will refer to a doctor to get the right information to proceed. Most times our team of chiropractors will refer for an X-ray and create a report before sending a patient of to a GP for further testing.

If you are someone who is suffering from low back pain and doesn’t know where to start, or wondering what to expect on your first chiropractor visit, our team of chiropractors or remedial massage therapists are more than happy to help you get back on track. You can always contact us or book online @ https://themelbournechiropractor.com.au/book-now

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Common Posture Issues and How You Can Improve Them!

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Posture Diagram

Common posture problems:

Rounding shoulders

This is when you are sitting with your head forward, away from its ‘neutral’ position. When our head is sitting in a forward position, it increases the load and compression on the neck. As a general rule, every 2.5cm that the head is in a forward posture, an additional 4-5kg of weight is felt on the neck!

Forward head posture

Rounding shoulders is exactly what it sounds like. You may often hear people refer to this as being in a slouched position. We can begin to develop rounding or rolled forward shoulders after being in this sustained, hunched position and adapting it as a postural habit.

Slouching in upper back

When the spine of the upper back curves at an increased angle. This can also be known as an increased kyphosis. This position is often adapted after continuously maintaining a slouched position, rounding shoulders and forward head carriage.

Increased curve in lower back

This is also known as increased lordosis or hyper lordosis. In this position, your pelvis tilts forward and creates an exaggerated curve in your mid to lower back region.

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Good vs Poor Posture

What’s the cause of posture problems?

  • Desk Work
  • Long periods of driving
  • Incorrect sleeping positions or pillow
  • Weak stabilising muscles
  • Hypertonic muscles
  • Structural or functional changes such as scoliosis
  • Sedentary activity
  • Progression of the ageing process (degeneration)

What can be done to help prevent posture issues from occurring?

  1. Awareness of your posture
  2. Stretching and using things such as a posture pole
  3. Keeping active!
  4. Ergonomic working environments
  5. Using the correct pillow
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Correct Seating Posture vs Incorrect

Benefits of Having a Good Posture:

  • Reduction of muscle tension
  • Decreased stress on joints and ligaments
  • Increase in energy and mood
  • Decreases the risk of injury
  • Helps decrease episodes of pain and tension throughout the body

How Can Our Team Help?

Depending on the severity of the injury or area of concern our practitioners in our Broadmeadows, Westmeadows and Fawkner Clinics will treat accordingly to your complaint. Treatments that may be provided but are not limited to include:

  • Spinal manipulation, Activator Methods, Drop Piece, SOT and other adjustive techniques can help alleviate joints that have restriction such as spinal segments and joints (LeFebvre, Peterson & Haas, 2012)
  • PNF/PIR/prescribed stretching – Stretching has shown to reduce pain, improve functionality of the wrist and hand also maintains strength and improves patients in both long and short-term outcomes.
  • Remedial Massage, Trigger point therapy or use of handheld massager – Have shown to decrease pain/tenderness, enhance both range of motion and quality of life and influence flexibility (Shah et al., 2015) (Imtiyaz, Veqar & Shareef, 2014)
  • Advice on daily living activities/diet – This enables advice on how to change to make healthy        actions into habits and may offer a valuable alternative with potential for long-term   impact. (Gardner, Lally & Wardle, 2012)
  • Prescribed exercises – produce more beneficial outcomes in terms of increased strength, improved function and reduced pain scores. (Fernandes, Pedrinelli & Hernandez, 2015)
  • Dry Needling or Cupping to the surrounding musculature to help decrease tension and inflammation around the area of the hand and forearm.
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Chiropractic Treatment

*Note: If you are suffering from severe Neck pain, Low back pain, shooting pains down the legs, troubles lifting limbs due to soreness, sciatica or joint pain and need more than ways to help improve your posture don’t hesitate to contact our team of practitioners who are always happy to help! Bookings are available online 7 days a week! https://themelbournechiropractor.com.au/book-now

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Why Does My Pain Keep Coming Back?

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Neck Pain

Are you experiencing continuous neck or back pain that seems to come and go? If so, this is a chronic issue that can be very common as the body likes to adapt to certain stressors put upon it that forces the body to change in a way to avoid pain or further damage.

The body developing changes occurs over a period of time in small instances. Patterns begin to develop and this can be from injuries in the past, poor posture, daily activities, work related issues or lack of mobility in an area. 

Your musculoskeletal system creates new patterns to help decrease pain although in doing so it tightens up and creates stiffness around the spine in turn altering function. This then creates a problem that can cause postural changes and possible acute episodes of pain. As mentioned before many of these issues may be caused by work posture, lifting incorrectly, a poor pillow or poor sleeping conditions. This can usually cause issues such as neck pain, low back soreness and a decrease in both flexibility and mobility of certain regions of the body.

This can become an issue and should be addressed as soon as possible so that the source of pain can be addressed and a health professional can help correct the issue and influence the body in making the right changes to get back on track!

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Low Back Pain Causing a Shift In Posture

What can you do?

  • Seek advice early as it may help decrease the severity of your chronic episode and also prevent it from getting worse.
  • Relapses can be minimised by getting regular check ups to ensure mobility through the joints and tension throughout the muscle is decreased.
  • Being aware of acute episodes or tightness that continues to reoccur and finding a health professional early on before things progress.
  • Find the underlying cause of pain as at times you may find the source of the pain may not be in the area you are feeling it!

When should you seek help?

  • When Numbness or tingling occurs
  • Sharp or shooting pains down either arms or legs 
  • Occurrence of Migraines and Headaches
  • Continuous pain that’s on and off
  • Pain that’s getting worse over time
  • Joint pain or stiffness
  • Changes to posture or scoliosis
  • Pain becoming more frequent and more severe 
  • Pain that is not eased by rest 
  • Pain that’s waking you up at night 
  • Changes in urination
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Migraines and Headaches Caused by Tension

*Note – The longer you take to recognise your pain and do something about it the worse it may get. Getting to the root of the problem early on is ideal as it will help eliminate not only the pain but also enhance overall wellbeing. Get in contact with our team at The Melbourne Chiropractor today and lets get you back on track today!

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What is Scoliosis?

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Scoliosis is an abnormal S or C shape curve of the spine which develops in infancy or early childhood. Usually, scoliosis is seen in teenagers as the curve tends to become more prominent due to lifestyle choices such as prolonged sitting and slouching. Unfortunately both genders are affected by this change of the spine although it is more common in females and they are over 5 times more likely to continue to evolve into more severe angles of spine curvature.

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Normal vs Scoliotic Spine Diagram

What Causes it?

Idiopathic – Most common type of scoliosis. There is no known cause of this type.

Congenital – This is due to an anomaly or change in the formation of bones in the spine.

Neuromuscular – muscle and nerve imbalances in your spine. This form causes much quicker changes than other types of scoliosis.

Degenerative – Known as adult scoliosis. This develops overtime due to uneven wear and tear of discs and joints of the spine.

Signs and Symptoms to Look Out For:

  • Head tilt
  • Prominent rib cage on one side
  • Uneven shoulders
  • Uneven hips
  • Loss of height
  • Back pain
  • Changes to gait / walking
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Numbness, weakness or pain in legs
Types of scoliosis
Types of Scoliosis in the human spine

How does chiropractic treatment help?

The Chiropractic team at the The Melbourne Chiropractor understand that pain is best managed by creating long term changes! Firstly, the pain needs to be alleviated with adjustive techniques or low force techniques to the spine, soft tissue massage to the surrounding musculature and then be accompanied with an exercise regime to help make the changes needed to influence bad habits and behaviours! Many of our patients seek.

By creating a change to your musculoskeletal system, it will help decrease muscle tension and restrictions through the spinal segments which in turn allow you to use your spine to further strengthen it! If you are seeking treatment which will help restore your structural and functional health our chiropractors and osteopaths at the The Melbourne Chiropractor are here to help get you back on track! BOOK NOW

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