Sharing Information About Chiropractic Treatments

If you've been diagnosed with kyphosis, the persistent back pain and discomfort that comes with it can be debilitating. In addition to some physical therapy and pain management techniques, there are some chiropractic treatments that may help to ease your discomfort. In fact, your chiropractor, like one at Chiropractor Plus, may even be the one to diagnose your condition. Here's a look at some of the causes, diagnosis and chiropractic treatment options for kyphosis.

Causes of Kyphosis

There are many different causes of kyphosis, from congenital conditions to trauma or poor posture. Your chiropractor can help you to determine what has caused your condition through a routine examination and some testing. It is important to narrow down the root cause, because your treatment plan will vary based on that cause.

Chiropractor's Diagnosis

Kyphosis is a curvature in your spine. One of the earliest indications that your chiropractor will look for is the visible rounded section of your middle back. To confirm that diagnosis, your chiropractor will complete a full physical examination and x-rays.

Chiropractic Treatment

Chiropractic treatment can make a significant difference in some forms of kyphosis. If your condition is caused by poor posture, your chiropractor may be able to help you correct the problem partially by teaching you proper posture. This type of adjustment will take time before you see any noticeable changes.

Chiropractic treatment can also adjust your spine and massage the muscle tissue around it to help treat inflammation and control spasms. In addition, if there's any degeneration between the spinal discs, your chiropractor can help with manual manipulation to ease the degeneration. In most cases, chiropractors use one of a few types of spinal manipulation for kyphosis treatment.

Specific Manipulation – This process allows your chiropractor to identify the joints that are showing unusual or restricted motion. This manual adjustment approach involves stretching soft tissue and stimulating your nervous system to help restore motion in your spine.

Flexion-Distraction Manipulation – This is a gentle manipulation technique that is typically used for patients who have kyphosis due to degenerative disc disease. It is especially beneficial if you are struggling with limited motion in your mid-back.

Instrument-Aided Manipulation – This is a process that involves the use of a hand-held tool to add more force when manipulating the spine and muscle tissue.

Trigger-Point Treatments – This involves locating the specific points along your spine where pain is focused. The chiropractor will apply direct pressure in those areas to help ease tension.

Manual Resistance Treatments – Your chiropractor may use a muscle energy treatment or similar approach to help add some resistance for your joints. This is designed to strengthen weakened joints and restore motion.

Soft Tissue Treatments – Soft tissue treatments are used to help treat injured tissue around your spine. This may include instrument-assisted treatments or simple hands-on adjustments.

In some instances, there may be some electrical therapies or ultrasound treatments that can help you to manage inflammation and muscle spasms. Back braces, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications and other treatments can also be added to help ease your discomfort.

Sometimes, chiropractors will add some home-based exercise regimens designed to stretch and strengthen the muscles along your spine. Often, the pain of kyphosis is caused because the muscles around your spine are inflamed and painful due to an attempt to compensate for the curvature.

If you've been suffering with chronic back pain and you have reason to believe that you may have kyphosis, you should talk with a chiropractor for diagnosis and treatment. He or she can conduct a thorough examination and help you to determine the most effective treatment methods based on your personal condition and its root cause.