Axis Health and Wellness

Scoliosis Centennial, CO

  • Chiropractic BioPhysics
  • X-Ray Based Evaluation
  • Youth & Adult Curves

Scoliosis Chiropractor in Centennial, CO

Spinal curve of scoliosis marked on a woman’s back during a chiropractic evaluation in Centennial CO

Scoliosis is a condition that other people tend to notice first. A parent may see that their child’s shoulder is higher than the other when they’re in a swimsuit. A school screening can detect this, and at the start, it doesn’t hurt at all. This is why a sideways curved spine that looks uneven can progress for years while everyone assumes that it’s just bad posture. 

Get the care that you need at Axis Health and Wellness in Centennial because Dr. Tony Nicholas starts a treatment plan that will address the root cause of the problem. He will look at the spine’s X-ray record and have an honest conversation about what chiropractic care can and can’t do for the scoliosis. 

What Scoliosis Is, In Plain Terms

Generally, a healthy spine should be straight when viewed from behind, but a scoliotic curve tends to lean sideways. It’s often accompanied by a rotation twisted into the curve, and this is what causes the visible changes. Some of the signs that many people notice include a shoulder blade that sticks out or an uneven shoulder. The ribcage usually sits higher on one side when bending forward.

The curve can be mild or severe, and the treatment can depend heavily on the patient’s case. It can be progressing or depend on how much more the spine still has to grow. This is why measuring it properly becomes important before treating it.

Evaluation will Mean Getting an X-ray First

A doctor needs objective measurements to assess the condition accurately, since posture alone can make the curve look more pronounced. Dr. Tony’s process is the same, and this is the one that he’s applying to every structural case. He is going to check the patient’s medical history first and examine everything thoroughly. He will then take X-rays to know the actual condition of the curve of the spine instead of just estimating it by eye. The results will cover the baseline that future X-rays are compared against, so the patient will know whether scoliosis is progressing or not. 

Get a Structural Approach and Not a Rushed Diagnosis

Dr. Tony’s training leans on structural assessments. He was the president of the Chiropractic BioPhysics club in a chiropractic school. He still practices Chiropractic BioPhysics methods in the clinic today because he knows that this is going to be helpful to patients. The CBP is one of the most research-oriented approaches in chiropractic, and it’s built specifically around measuring the spinal alignment of a patient. It uses X-rays and works to improve the spine over time instead of just addressing the pain temporarily. 

In the case of scoliosis, the orientation of the spine matters, and the treatment is aimed at how the spine actually carries the weight. It combines specific adjustments with postural and structural correction work, and the plan is built in the same phased way as the other scoliosis cases. It is going to consist of an initial stretch of more frequent visits, and the treatment duration can decrease based on the progress of the spinal condition. 

“The number one rule is to do no harm to the patient. Know a patient’s pain level and avoid hurting them on the first visit. Chiropractic is physical, so you don’t want to cause more pain than they’re already in.”

Dr. Tony Nicholas, D.C., on his first principle of care

Scoliosis in Kids and Teens

Many children experience growth spurts, and when they have scoliosis, the curve tends to change faster during this phase. It’s also when a patient’s condition is detected early, and the doctor will monitor the curve if it’s growing. There will be X-rays done, and the progression will be tracked so the condition doesn’t get worse.

Dr. Tony is a parent of two young athletes himself and treats kids regularly. Expect that visits with him will consist of gentle, adjustments, especially in younger patients. Also, kids have one real advantage in any structural work: they respond faster than adults.

Get Realistic Expectations from the Start

  • Chiropractic care does not cure scoliosis, and any office that promises to erase a curve should worry you.
  • Rapidly progressing curves need a specialist, and cases that are outside of conservative care should be referred to the right medical professional, especially if the current adjustments are not working to alleviate the condition.
  • Conservative structural care is for managing the mechanics of the curve and to address the pain that comes with it. The chiropractor will also keep an eye on the progression to prevent it from getting worse.

With the right clinic, it is straightforward, and there’s no 60-day package rule here. The plan is to do the right adjustments tailored to the patient’s condition, and if this doesn’t produce the desired results by the 8th to 12th visit, the doctor will then refer the patient to another specialist for further treatment. 

How Much Does It Cost?

Get assessed for as low as $29 on your first visit. This is a more cost-effective way of getting answers rather than wondering why a shoulder looks uneven all the time. The clinic accepts all kinds of insurance except Medicaid. We also accept CareCredit, cash, credit cards, FSA, HSA, and payment plans that include no-interest options.

Scoliosis FAQs

How do I know if it is scoliosis or just bad posture?

One can’t reliably tell what their condition is from the outside, but posture can imitate a curve or hide scoliosis. The only way to know is to get an X-ray to show the actual shape of the spine and to get measurements to know if the curve actually exists. 

Can chiropractic fix scoliosis?

The answer is no, and one should be suspicious of practitioners who say otherwise. The goal of structural chiropractic care is to manage the overall structure of the spine. It aims to correct muscle imbalance through alignment and alleviate the pain that comes with the curve. 

What is Chiropractic BioPhysics and why does it matter here?

This is a measurement-driven approach to chiropractic practice that evaluates spinal alignment on X-ray, and it aims to improve the overall structure and not just relieve the symptoms. Dr. Toney was the president of the CBP club, and he practices the methods that he learned from that in the clinic to get the best results. 

My child’s school screening flagged a curve. What now?

Many would panic when they get a scoliosis finding, but it’s important to get the curve measured properly instead of just doing nothing. A thorough exam can turn the screening result into an actual number. It will serve as the baseline that makes monitoring more meaningful. Since the curves change faster on a growing spine, it needs gentle treatment and a specialist referral when needed. 

Does scoliosis cause pain?

It doesn’t cause pain at first, especially in kids, which is exactly why it can be easy to miss. Over time, the uneven weight can result in back pain, and there’s also stiffness that can be felt by adults with long-standing curves. Fortunately, the right treatment can help with back pain, and it alleviates the symptoms so patients can live a better life

What does scoliosis care look like visit to visit?

Each visit can mean specific adjustments with planned phases. The first week will mean more visits, and there will be re-evaluation after a time. Each plan is built according to the re-examination’s results, and patients won’t just receive a cookie-cutter template care but something that’s specific to their condition. 

Turn Worry Into Something Tangible

Whether it is your teenager’s screening letter or the curve you have carried since your own school years, the first step is the same. This is where you need to visit a clinic to get a straight answer on what you can do about this. Find a clinic that serves Centennial, Greenwood Village, Lone Tree, Highlands Ranch, Littleton, Aurora, Parker, and Castle Rock, and get out of pain now.