Scoliosis Treatment Clinic in Jersey City, NJ
Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine that often becomes noticeable during adolescence. Symptoms may include uneven hips or shoulders, prominent ribs, and back pain. Treatment options range from observation to bracing or surgery, depending on the severity of the curve. Dr. David Sylvester, DC, and his board-certified physicians at Harborside Sport & Spine offer individualized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s specific needs and goals. For more details, please contact us or book an appointment online. We serve patients from Jersey City NJ and surrounding areas.
Table of Contents:
What are the types of scoliosis?
What does scoliosis pain feel like?
Why do people get scoliosis?
What happens if you don’t treat scoliosis?
At Harborside Sport & Spine, we specialize in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of various conditions affecting the spine, including scoliosis. Our team of multidisciplinary healthcare professionals is dedicated to providing individualized care for each patient, helping to manage pain and improve quality of life.
Scoliosis is a condition when the spine has an unnatural curvature and can manifest in various types, each with unique characteristics and treatments. A closer look at a few of these kinds and how our practice can benefit from them is provided below:
• Idiopathic Scoliosis: The most common type of scoliosis we encounter, idiopathic scoliosis, is categorized by the age of onset. We offer comprehensive care and treatment for all subtypes, from infantile to adult idiopathic scoliosis. With an emphasis on reducing the advancement of the curve and enhancing function and quality of life, our team has the expertise to manage these patients.
• Congenital Scoliosis: Our team of specialists is experienced at diagnosing and treating congenital scoliosis early, often before the child begins to walk. Early intervention can help to manage the condition and prevent further complications.
• Neuromuscular Scoliosis: At Harborside Sport & Spine, we work closely with neurologists and pediatricians to provide integrated care for patients with neuromuscular scoliosis. Our comprehensive treatment approach includes physical therapy, bracing, and surgical treatment when necessary.
• Degenerative Scoliosis: Our team is well-versed in managing degenerative scoliosis in older adults. We explore various treatment options, including medication, physical therapy, and minimally invasive surgical procedures, to manage pain and improve mobility.
In addition to these, we also diagnose and treat rarer forms of spinal curvature disorders, like Scheuermann’s kyphosis, kyphoscoliosis, and lordosis. Our goal at Harborside Sport & Spine is to enhance our patient’s health and quality of life by offering comprehensive, personalized treatments for all types of scoliosis and other spinal conditions.
The team at Harborside Sport & Spine understands the complexities of scoliosis and its impact on individuals. This disorder can manifest itself in several ways and is characterized by an abnormal curvature of the spine. Whether you’re in terrible pain or just minor discomfort, our professional healthcare team is equipped to offer the necessary diagnosis and treatment options.
Scoliosis can cause a variety of symptoms, including a dull ache in the lower back, sharp pain along the spine, muscle spasms, and even chest discomfort. The severity of these symptoms can depend on many factors, including age, general health, degree of spinal curvature, and personal pain threshold. Extended standing or sitting periods may cause the pain to worsen. If the curvature of the spine is impacting nerves, this can result in sharp, shooting pains extending down the legs, or numbness and tingling in the extremities.
Our team is skilled in detecting these symptoms and providing appropriate treatment options. The ribs may press against the lungs or other internal organs in extreme cases of scoliosis, resulting in discomfort in the chest, abdomen, or rib cage. This may require more advanced therapy options, which our specialists can provide.
Scoliosis doesn’t just cause physical discomfort, it can also lead to muscle fatigue and stiffness, particularly in the back. The abnormally curved spine may require more effort from the muscles to support it. Additionally, the condition can cause emotional distress, such as self-consciousness, anxiety, or depression, due to the visible curvature of the spine.
At Harborside Sport & Spine, we are aware that pain can vary widely in intensity, from moderate to incapacitating. Our goal is to provide our patients with a range of therapy alternatives so they can effectively control their symptoms. It’s important to keep in mind that not everyone with scoliosis will feel pain. For an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan, we advise you to speak with our medical professionals if you are feeling any discomfort related to scoliosis.
At Harborside Sport & Spine, we specialize in treating a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, including scoliosis, which is characterized by an abnormal sideways curvature of the spine. This condition can result from a variety of factors, with around 80% of cases being idiopathic, meaning the exact cause is unknown. Some researchers believe that hereditary factors, including genetic mutations that affect the formation and development of the spine, may be involved.
Our medical staff has extensive experience with scoliosis diagnosis and treatment, which can also result from certain neuromuscular conditions such as spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, and cerebral palsy. These conditions can disrupt the coordination of muscles that support the spine, leading to abnormal curvature.
In some instances, scoliosis is present at birth due to the incorrect formation of spinal bones in the womb, a condition known as congenital scoliosis. Our center also treats cases of degenerative scoliosis, which occurs in response to arthritis as people age. It is important to note that while some activities and habits, such as carrying heavy backpacks or maintaining poor posture, can lead to temporary changes in the spine, they do not cause the permanent spinal curvature characteristic of scoliosis.
At Harborside Sport & Spine, we are dedicated to understanding and addressing the various factors that may increase the risk of developing scoliosis, such as gender, age, rapid growth spurts, and exposure to certain toxins during pregnancy or early childhood. Our team is at the forefront of research into these potential genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors. We aim to provide comprehensive, personalized care for all our patients, leveraging our expertise and experience to manage and treat scoliosis effectively.
If left untreated, scoliosis can lead to various health problems over time, affecting multiple parts of the body. Our team of highly trained medical professionals can provide an early diagnosis and appropriate treatment for scoliosis to prevent its progression.
In its early stages, scoliosis might not cause any noticeable symptoms. However, as it progresses, individuals may experience back pain and discomfort, which our expert pain management and rehabilitation specialists can help alleviate. This pain often results from increased pressure on the spine and surrounding muscles working to compensate for the curvature, something our chiropractic care team is well equipped to manage.
For children, untreated scoliosis can stunt growth, leading to a significant height discrepancy between the two sides of the body. Our pediatric specialists are well versed in recognizing these early signs and providing appropriate treatment.
In adults, our team can help address the acceleration of degenerative changes in the spine due to scoliosis, leading to chronic back pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Our comprehensive rehabilitation programs are designed to help improve mobility and reduce pain.
At Harborside Sport & Spine, we also understand that scoliosis can cause visible changes in appearance and can impact body image and self-esteem. We offer both physical treatments and support to help manage these challenges.
Furthermore, our team of experts is equipped to address the potential negative impact of untreated scoliosis on lung and heart function. We believe in a holistic approach to treatment, addressing all potential complications of this condition.
Lastly, our team is dedicated to preventing the physical limitations that can result from untreated scoliosis. Through our tailored care plans, we aim to enhance your mobility, reduce the risk of falls and injuries, and improve your overall quality of life.
Our commitment at Harborside Sport & Spine is to provide timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment to prevent the progression of scoliosis and improve the quality of life for those living with this condition. We invite you to reach out to us to learn more about our comprehensive scoliosis care program. For more information, contact us or request an appointment online. We serve patients from Jersey City NJ, Hoboken NJ, Weehawken NJ, West New York NJ, Guttenberg NJ, Secaucus NJ, Harrison NJ, Kearny NJ, Newark NJ, Belleville NJ, Lyndhurst NJ, East Orange NJ and Elizabeth NJ.
Chiropractic and Physical Therapy Services
▸ Chiropractic
▸ Physical Therapy
▸ Massage Therapy
▸ Acupuncture
▸ Spinal Decompression
▸ Prenatal Chiropractor