Spinal Adjustment and Vertebral Disorders

The most well-known vertebral disorder is likely scoliosis, as pictured above. Simply defined, it is an S-shaped curvature of the spine to the angle of 10 degrees or greater. The AAOS estimated in 2009 that the disease affects about 2% of Americans to some degree. Because of this, it is regularly screened for in the public school system, and the Virginia High School League requires sports physicals to check for scoliosis in its athletes.

In medical terms, scoliosis is a lateral curvature of the spine, and is often combined with rotated vertebrae. It can lead to postural imbalance, muscle fatigue and pain, and, in more severe cases, can even interfere with breathing and cause arthritis of the spine. Typical treatments in these cases involve surgery, although a back brace and/or corrective therapy is sufficient for most.

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