Scoliosis is a sideways curve of the spine that may cause stiffness and pain. Most scoliosis is idiopathic, meaning that the cause of it is unknown.  However, in some instances, degenerative diseases of the spine can cause scoliosis. Also, osteoporosis (when the bones soften; usually in older people) can cause the vertebrae to shape the curve causing scoliosis or kyphosis (round back). If not treated properly, back pain, deformity, fatigue after prolonged sitting or standing, and difficulty breathing can be some symptoms that will arise.

Scoliosis is more common in females and often begins in childhood. If it is detected early, scoliosis treatment may prevent it from worsening over time – depending on the severity.

Chiropractic care, including exercise, can help improve this condition. Dr. Dean A. Robinson, as a chiropractor practicing exclusively orthopedics, looks at his Fallbrook and Temecula patients’ overall health examining the spine as well as other factors of lifestyle. To help identify the problem’s cause, he will discuss symptoms and previous injuries, your family's health history, and recreational and work-related activities. If needed, he will refer you to a specialist for further scoliosis treatment.

Symptoms of Scoliosis

Scoliosis is often painless. The curvature itself may often be too subtle to be noticed, even by observant parents. Some parents may notice abnormal posture in their growing child that includes:

• A tilted head that does not line up over the hips.
• A protruding shoulder blade or one side of the rib cage in front.
• One hip or shoulder that is higher than the other, causing an uneven hem or shirt line.
• An uneven neckline.
• Leaning more to one side than the other.
• In developing girls, breasts appearing to be of unequal size.
• One side of the upper back is higher than the other when the child bends over, knees together, with the arms dangling down.

Scoliosis may be suspected when one shoulder appears to be higher than the other, there is a curvature in the spine, or the pelvis appears to be tilted.  The treatment of more severe scoliosis can involve the use of a brace or surgery.  Treatment is determined by the cause and severity of the scoliosis, the size and location of the curve, and the stage of bone growth of the patient.

For more information, or to schedule an evaluation, give our office a call today.

Dr. Dean A. Robinson is licensed to practice Chiropractic in California and Nevada, and has been evaluating and treating orthopedic conditions involving the spine and extremities for over 30 years.  He is highly trained and vastly experienced in evaluating and helping patients recover from injuries (including those caused in car accidents and on the job).  With a post-graduate degree in Chiropractic Orthopedics, having completed San Diego Spine Research Institute's post-graduate course "Whiplash: The Masters Certification Program", and as a Qualified Medical Evaluator for the State of California, he can precisely diagnose and treat injuries, as well as provide essential medical reports and documentation needed in work and auto accident cases.

Sacroiliac joint pain may occur as a result of a direct fall on the buttocks (falling off a ladder at work), an auto accident, or even a blow to the side of your pelvis (slip and fall). A fall on the sacrum is particularly dangerous. The force from these falls can cause small tears in the tough bands of ligamentous tissue that hold the ilium and the sacrum tightly together.  Women are also at risk for developing SI joint problems in pregnancy and after childbirth, due to hormonal changes that “soften” the ligaments.   Sitting is often difficult and painful, especially in the car or at work.  Pain may occur at rest (i.e., lying in bed in the middle of the night).  Bending, lifting and stooping may also be limited or even impossible.  In severe cases, an individual with a sacroiliac joint injury may be locked or “stuck” in a forward or bent position, unable to straighten up. OUCH!

Symptoms of sacroiliac joint fixations:

• Low back pain
• Buttock pain
• Thigh and groin pain
• Sciatic-like pain - pain that travels from the sciatic nerve in the lumbar region into your buttocks, back of the thighs, and sometimes the calf and foot. The pain is typically caused by irritation of the nerve roots that join outside the spine to make up the sciatic nerve. You might feel numbness, tingling, or burning sensations in the leg.

The chiropractic orthopedic care provided by Dr. Dean A. Robinson in our Fallbrook and Temecula chiropractic clinics should be considered the first line of treatment for sacroiliac joint dysfunction.  For patients with lower back pain that arises from the sacroiliac joint, a variety of very effective conservative procedures can be applied, including manual manipulation (adjustments), traction, exercise programs, etc.

Dr. Dean A. Robinson is licensed to practice Chiropractic in California and Nevada, and has been evaluating and treating orthopedic conditions involving the spine and extremities for over 30 years.  He is highly trained and vastly experienced in evaluating and helping patients recover from injuries (including those caused in car accidents and on the job).  With a post-graduate degree in Chiropractic Orthopedics, having completed San Diego Spine Research Institute's post-graduate course "Whiplash: The Masters Certification Program", and as a Qualified Medical Evaluator for the State of California, he can precisely diagnose and treat injuries, as well as provide essential medical reports and documentation needed in work and auto accident cases.

Our Fallbrook and Temecula chiropractor, Dr. Dean Robinson, treats patients for back pain and orthopedic problems of all types. From basic chiropractic wellness care to accident injury right through the entire rehabilitation process, we at Fallbrook and Temecula Spine Centers in California are here to help! We have been seeing an increasing number of equestrians here at our Fallbrook chiropractor and we wanted to dedicate today's blog entry to talking about horseback riding and how chiropractic care can help.

Back Pain or Other Orthopedic Issues

Horseback riders may suffer from back pain or other orthopedic issues, but may not know why it happens. Riding on the back of a fast and powerful half-ton beast severely tests a relatively frail human frame. It only takes a short while to find a problem with your knees or back, for instance, if those joints can’t keep up with the repeated changes in weight distribution.

This happens because the stabilizing movements the human body makes when the horse trots, canters, or gallops cause repeated stress to the spinal column (and legs and arms). The constant motion of weight transfer (from the buttocks muscles down to the leg muscles) causes the human spine (and other joints) to absorb a great deal of stress. Additionally, many horseback riders tend to favor one side over the other, which can put extra stress on the rider’s joints and will cause further misalignment/injury.

Many doctors simply tell equestrians they must stop riding! But, not Dr. Robinson. He tells his patient that (aside from falling off, getting stepped on, or kicked) horseback riding is not only “o.k.” but is recommended as part of their rehabilitation effort.

An optimal riding experience (for both you and your horse) depends on the rider and horse moving in concert. You can’t jig when the horse jags! In order for this to occur, the joints in your arms, legs and spine must all function properly and that’s where we come in.

Our chiropractor and staff are skilled at using chiropractic methods to help with problems resulting from horseback riding. Spinal alignment is an important part of this process and regular riders will especially benefit from regular wellness care. Additionally, our chiropractor may use other methods of healing including physiotherapy, spinal decompression, prescribed exercises, and rehab programs where needed.

Are you an equestrian who has used chiropractic? Please tell us your story!