Did you know that an albino alligator in a Brazilian aquarium made news when his scoliosis was treated using acupuncture? While the story grabs attention because of its strange subject matter, Bino the alligator isn’t alone in finding relief through alternative scoliosis treatment methods. People can also find a better quality of life thanks to the variety of treatments available for abnormal spinal curvature and the symptoms it causes. Read on to learn about the advantages of acupuncture, other conservative options to treat scoliosis and when surgical intervention may become necessary for your condition.

Conservative options for treating scoliosis

There are different reasons why you might receive a diagnosis of scoliosis, including the progression of a previous case or a new development related to a degenerative condition like arthritis. When creating a treatment plan, always consult your primary care doctor. With the spine out of the typical curving alignment, other issues, such as spinal stenosis (the narrowing of the spine) and pinched nerves can arise. Therefore, treatments will need to be tailored to address these specific problems.

Initial treatments for degenerative scoliosis are usually conservative in nature and can include the following:

• Exercising and conditioning muscles to provide more support for the back
• Physical therapy sessions to increase flexibility
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce inflammation

There are also many alternative treatments for people with degenerative scoliosis to investigate, including acupuncture. This method uses tiny, hollow needles that are meant to unblock the energy flow within the body. While this type of alternative treatment is outside of the mainstream of western medicine, many patients report finding pain relief.

When to consider scoliosis surgery

Patients consider surgery as a treatment for scoliosis when several weeks or months of conservative care doesn’t bring a level of relief that allows a return to everyday activity. For adults with degenerative scoliosis, USA Spine Care offers minimally invasive spine surgery that treats the symptoms of scoliosis while providing significant advantages compared to a traditional open spine surgery.

This is because our techniques use a smaller incision to access the spine and decompress nerves while sparing muscles. The result is an outpatient procedure with a dramatically shorter recovery time and a lower risk of complication compared to traditional surgery.^ If you would like to learn more about USA Spine Care’s degenerative scoliosis treatments, contact us today.

USA Spine Care is the leader in minimally invasive spine surgery and has helped more than 75,000 patients find relief from chronic neck or back pain. Find out if you are a potential candidate for our scoliosis treatment today by reaching out to a member of our dedicated team and asking for a free MRI review.* We are here to help guide you through your journey to wellness.

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