Concerned about a curve in your spine, or your child’s?
Uneven shoulders, a hip that sits higher, or a curve that a doctor or school nurse pointed out can be unsettling, whether it is your own spine or your child’s. You deserve clear, calm answers. We welcome patients of all ages, from children to older adults, and we begin by looking at how your head, neck and spine are balanced above and below the curve.
What is scoliosis?
Scoliosis is a sideways curve of the spine, which often looks like an S or a C when seen from behind. It is often noticed in the growing years, though adults can have it too, including curves that develop with age. Many mild curves cause no pain at all.
In most cases the cause is not known. A curve in a child or teen should be watched by their pediatrician or another medical doctor, and our care works alongside that, never in place of it. Sudden pain, a curve that is changing quickly, or numbness or weakness in the legs should be checked right away.
Common signs include:
- One shoulder or shoulder blade that looks higher
- An uneven waist, or one hip that sits higher
- A head that does not seem centered over the pelvis
- One side of the back that looks fuller when bending forward
- Clothes that hang unevenly
- Back tiredness or aching after long periods of standing or sitting
- Differences in how the spine formed before birth
- Nerve or muscle conditions that affect how the trunk is supported
- Wear in the discs and joints of the spine in adult life
- A tendency that runs in families
- A pelvis that tilts, for example from a difference in leg length
What causes scoliosis?
Scoliosis comes in several forms, and in many cases no single cause is ever found, but the known ones include:
Because the head has to stay level over a curving spine, the upper neck may adapt to the curve below it. Upper cervical chiropractors look at how the atlas (C1) and the head sit above the curve and whether the neck is carrying extra strain.
How upper cervical care can help
We are honest about what we do and what we do not do. We do not claim to straighten a curve. What we can look at is how your head, neck and posture are coping with the curve you have, and whether the upper neck is under extra strain. A posture evaluation with software and 3D imaging of the cervical spine give us measurements we can follow over time.
Care is gentle and adjusted to each person, which matters for children and for adults with sensitive spines. Our goal is to support balance in the upper neck, ease muscle tension that may build as the body adapts, and help you feel more comfortable and move more easily. If your child’s curve is being monitored, we are glad to work alongside their medical doctor.
Measuring posture over time
Posture software lets us record how your shoulders, hips and head sit, so later checks can be compared with where you started.
Care for growing spines
Our adjustments are gentle, with no twisting or cracking, so they suit children and teens as well as adults. We shape care to each person’s age and size.
The neck above the curve
3D imaging shows how the atlas and the top of the spine sit beneath the skull, which tells us where your body may be compensating for the curve.
Working with your medical team
We welcome your doctor’s or specialist’s findings, and we will say so if something about your curve should be reviewed by one.
What to expect
Day 1
Your first visit
A consultation with the doctor at the office you choose and a thorough, gentle exam suited to each person’s age and stage, with posture, neurological and muscle checks. The doctor decides which tests, if any, are right.
Day 2
Your report of findings
The doctor goes over the history and the exam findings with you, and explains a care plan made for you or your child.
Ongoing
Gentle care, checked as you go
Gentle upper cervical adjustments with no twisting, cracking or popping, and regular progress checks so your plan follows how you are doing.
Why choose Apollo?
Specialized care
We focus on upper cervical chiropractic, a highly targeted and refined approach.
A plan made for you
Every patient is different. Care is built around each person’s own exam.
Gentle, with no cracking
Our methods are very gentle: no twisting, cracking or popping.
An experienced doctor
Dr. Kosta Tsakalos brings deep clinical experience and a caring, detail-oriented approach to every visit.
Every person is different, and results vary. Read what our patients say on our testimonials page.
Let us help you get started
If you are dealing with scoliosis, we are here to help. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Kosta Tsakalos and find out whether upper cervical chiropractic care is right for you.
Related conditions we help with
- Neck Pain
- Back Pain
- Sciatica
- Herniated Discs
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Postural Issues
- See every condition
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis or medical advice. If your symptoms are sudden or severe, please seek medical care right away.