acupuncture for scoliosis

In the years that I have worked as an acupuncturist, I have treated many cases of scoliosis. Although conventional medicine views this as a condition that is difficult to correct without the use of a brace or surgery, I have found many cases that respond very well to acupuncture. Generally speaking, the condition is often due to an imbalance in the strength of the left and right sides of the back. There may also be an imbalance in the hips that the spine has to compensate for.

The general approach to treating patients with scoliosis is to strengthen the weaker side of the back and relax the tighter, stronger side of the back. Points along the urinary bladder meridian, Huatuojiaji points, and points along the Du meridian are used. There is also a Japanese protocol that balances both sides of the hip using magnets that I have found to be very effective.

Certain herbs can also improve results by helping to strengthen the back. Chinese herbs that focus on clearing stagnation and tonifying Kidney energy are very helpful. The western herb Solomon’s Seal in tincture form is also very good for balancing the tendons and ligaments on both sides of the back while strengthening the spine.

I have seen C-shaped and S-shaped curves that respond well to treatment. The curves actually decrease over time, often quite quickly, in most clients I’ve worked with. People also see improvements in terms of reduced pain and discomfort. In my practice I have seen curves as severe as 45 degrees improve within a few weeks of treatment. I have often seen significant improvements in bend angle even after one session.

There was a recent study from Taiwan on the use of acupuncture for scoliosis.

The Journal of Alternative Complementary Medicine published a study in 2009 on adult degenerative scoliosis treated with acupuncture. The researchers found that after six weeks of treatment, the angle of curvature of the spine was reduced by ten degrees in one patient with a 35-degree curve. This was after two years of conventional treatment that failed to stop the progression of the patient’s curvature.

In order for people to see the best results from acupuncture treatment for scoliosis, it is important to strengthen the weaker side of the back by using it for weight-bearing activity and to regularly stretch the stronger side of the back to relieve built-up tension. Eventually, the body develops greater symmetry and the spine has the ability to correct itself to a great extent.

References

J Altern Comp Med August 2009; 15(8):935-7. Adult degenerative scoliosis treated with acupuncture. Liu CT, Chen KC, Chiu EH. Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chang Gung University School of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.