People with scoliosis have a curved spine that's shaped like the letter "S" or "C".

The spine is sometimes referred to as the "backbone", but it's not just one bone. There are lots of bones (called the vertebrae) that are all connected by an elastic tissue known as cartilage. This allows people to bend, balance, stretch, and even walk.

Scoliosis occurs when the vertebrae form a curved shape instead of being straight. There are instances where it also rotates, like a corkscrew.

If the curve is minor, it won't cause any problems. But if it gets worse, then it can become a serious health risk. Having large curves on the vertebrae can cause joint damage and eventually turn into an arthritis of the spine. This will also make the ribs rub against the pelvis, thereby inflicting pain. And if the spine curves a lot, lung problems might soon arise.

Anyone, no matter what age, can be at risk of scoliosis. The most common type is called idiopathic scoliosis, where it can't be found until that person reaches puberty. Your Vacaville Chiropractor can check out your spine if you think you may have scoliosis.

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Causes of idiopathic scoliosis in Vacaville

There's a bit of medical mystery to idiopathic scoliosis. No one has an explanation of how a person can acquire it, but some research shows that it can be passed on genetically.

Idiopathic scoliosis isn't caused by certain activities like bad posture, playing sports, carrying a heavy backpack, or any other physically demanding work. You can't control the way how you get idiopathic scoliosis because it runs in your genes.

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Signs and symptoms of scoliosis

In most cases, you can easily spot if a person has scoliosis. Having a curved spine will make your body tilt either to the left or right. If you have scoliosis, you will feel like you're leaning to one side. Some people even have one shoulder appear higher than the other or one shoulder blade sticks out more than the other. If you have a twisted spine, then one side of your ribcage will stick out more when you're bending over.

There are also times when scoliosis may not seem obvious. This is the reason why a scoliosis exam is usually included during a regular checkup.

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Diagnosing scoliosis

If you think you have scoliosis, you should see your health care provider right away. They will examine you and ask for your medical history so that they can make a diagnosis. As part of your medical history inquiry, they will ask about your family's health since this condition runs genetically. If any of your relatives have it, then your health care provider can decide if you have one too.

Your health care provider may even refer you to an orthopedic specialist. These professionals can provide treatment for the disease of the bones and muscles. They've seen a lot of teens suffering from scoliosis and they will decide if you require immediate treatment.

Health care providers can measure a scoliosis curve based on degrees:

• A mild curve has less than 20 degrees.
• A moderate curve is between 20 to 40 degrees.
• A severe curve is more than 50 degrees.

A severe curve can cause lung problems. If it's detected early, then this type of curve can be prevented from progressing.

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Treating scoliosis with chiropractic care

If you're living with scoliosis, you'd be surprised to know chiropractic adjustments and therapies can aide in reducing pain, prevent further degradation, and even increase your quality of life. These adjustments will help improve the patient's form and induce mobility into the joints. After this adjustment, your pain will decrease while comfort and posture are improved. If there are any other issues or symptoms, chiropractors can detect it and help prevent your spine from degrading any further.

For more information about scoliosis or you just want to get adjusted, then Dr. Alex Tam of Absolute Family Chiropractic will help you out. You can call his office by dialing (707) 474-5688 and get your spine corrected right away!