Research suggests three percent of the American population suffers from a lateral, or sideways, bend of the spinal column called scoliosis. Familiar to most parents as a spinal condition detected by school nurses and pediatricians in school-age kids and adolescents, scoliosis affects many adults, too.

Dr. Zeke Harkleroad of Bee Caves Chiropractic & Scoliosis Center in Austin, TX treats scoliosis and other spinal deformities. He is fully trained in the Spine Cor Dynamic Correction Brace system which addresses idiopathic scoliosis. This type of scoliosis usually affects youngsters between the ages of 10 and 18 years of age.

Signs and Causes of Scoliosis

Scoliosis is often found on physical exam by the physician or school nurse. It may be observed at home, too, as the child, or adult, has a noticeably dropped shoulder, hip higher on one side, or a unilaterally protruding rib cage or shoulder blade. Adults with scoliosis present with pain and weakness in the back.

Austin scoliosis falls in into four diagnostic categories:

1. Infantile idiopathic scoliosis is detected from birth up to 3 years of age. This type of scoliosis tends to spontaneously resolve within a few years, but those that do not stand a great risk of progressing to sever levels later in life.
2. Juvenile idiopathic scoliosis is diagnosed from 3 years to 9 years of age. The prognosis is poorer in younger patients due to the remaining growth potential.
3. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is diagnosed from 10 to 18 years of age and compromises roughly 80% of all scoliosis cases.
4. Neuromuscular scoliosis is associated with a neuromuscular disorder. This includes cerebral palsy, Friedreich's ataxia or poliomyelitis.

All of these types are treatable with a comprehensive diagnostic work-up from Bee Caves Chiropractic & Scoliosis Center.

Treatment of Scoliosis in Austin

For degenerative scoliosis that has simply developed over time, Dr. "Zeke" recommends:

• a routine of strengthening and stretching exercises using foundation training
• maintaining a healthy weight using a zone diet

Structural scoliosis sometimes requires orthopedic surgery. More often, though, dynamic bracing helps or even reverses a young person's lateral curvature.

Dr. Zeke uses the Risser Sign to evaluate a patient for scoliosis. This diagnostic number categorizes the bone maturity of the spine. He also takes x-rays to visualize the back and does a chiropractic examination and medical history.

When appropriate, Dr. Zeke prescribes the Spine Cor Dynamic Corrective Brace. Comfortably worn under the patient's clothing for up to 20 hours a day, the customized Spine Cor Brace minimizes or even reverses the effects of scoliosis and allows individuals to go about their normal daily routines.

Suspecting Scoliosis?

If you or your child exhibit signs of Austin scoliosis, call Bee Caves Chiropractic & Scoliosis Center for a personal evaluation. Dr. Zeke feels it's best to be proactive about this spinal curvature and to experience pain relief and better function. Phone (512) 327-5311 for an appointment today.