Dr. Steven Thiele, the chiropractor at Thiele Chiropractic, helps many Manchester, Glastonbury, Vernon and East Hartford, Connecticut residents who suffer from scoliosis. Regarded by both peers and patients as one of the top scoliosis specialists in the area, Dr. Thiele is both pleased and honored to serve residents of the region.
Scoliosis Q & A
What precisely is scoliosis?
Patients who suffer from scoliosis have an abnormal bend to the right or left in the spine. The bend can occur anywhere along the spine, but it’s usually located in the chest area. When the bend is in the chest region, the full medical term for the condition is “thoracic scoliosis.” Scoliosis in the lower back is called “lumbar scoliosis.”
What causes scoliosis?
Scoliosis can be caused by injury, illness, back surgery, genetics, or osteoporosis. Sometimes, healthcare providers are unable to identify the specific cause of a patient’s scoliosis.
How is scoliosis treated?
Scoliosis doesn’t necessarily require a specific treatment. Some patients just need to have a knowledgeable healthcare provider monitor their condition to make sure it doesn’t become worse. Many patients simply need monitoring and help with pain management.
For other patients, however, monitoring isn’t sufficient. When treatment is necessary, there are generally two options. Chiropractors can provide natural treatments, such as chiropractic adjustments or help with certain exercises that are often effective. Doctors are able to perform surgery for the worst scoliosis cases.
How long is a chiropractic appointment for scoliosis?
Because chiropractors specialize in natural and non-invasive treatments, chiropractic appointments for scoliosis don’t take too long. Chiropractic procedures are usually completed in just part of a day, and patients are typically able to return to their work, school, or home immediately afterward.
Is chiropractic treatment for scoliosis covered by health insurance?
Most health insurance plans include at least partial coverage for chiropractic procedures that are performed to treat scoliosis. Some plans, however, require a referral from a primary care physician before they’ll provide coverage. Additionally, many plans will only cover procedures that are performed by chiropractors in their network. Because policies vary, patients should contact their insurer to confirm that they have coverage and find out whether there are any restrictions that apply to their policy’s coverage for chiropractic care.