ConditionsScoliosis

Scoliosis

Scoliosis raises a lot of questions, whether it was just found in your child or you have quietly lived with it for years. We help Lafayette families understand the curve and take a practical, conservative approach to it.

young woman at chiropractor office for scoliosis
Treated by our doctors
Two generations of chiropractic care, Dr. Mike & Dr. Matt Cavanaugh

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Walk-ins always welcome

Most insurances accepted

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Trusted since 1974

Two generations of care

01Understanding the condition

What is scoliosis?

Hearing the word scoliosis can stop a parent in their tracks. For adults it often lands differently, more like, oh yeah, I was told I had that years ago. Either way, it brings real questions: Will it get worse? Will it cause pain? Does it need surgery?

Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine that measures greater than 10 degrees on X-ray. Instead of looking straight from behind, the spine forms a C or S shaped curve. The most common types are adolescent idiopathic scoliosis that develops during growth spurts, degenerative scoliosis that appears as adults age, and congenital scoliosis that is present from birth.

In many cases, especially in adolescents, there is no clear cause. That uncertainty can feel frustrating, but it also means many curves can be monitored and managed without aggressive intervention. At Cavanaugh Chiropractic in Lafayette, we help families and adults understand what their spine is doing and what conservative care looks like.

02Signs & symptoms

Signs you might have scoliosis.

Scoliosis is not always painful, especially in children, so it often turns up during a screening. Signs to look for include:

Uneven shoulders or a shoulder blade that sticks out more on one side
Uneven hips or clothing that hangs unevenly
A visible curve in the spine when bending forward
Stiffness and muscle fatigue, more common in adults
Back pain from uneven loading of the spine over time
Don't wait
The sooner we get to the root of it, the better your outcome, early care makes a real difference.
03Our approach

How Cavanaugh Chiropractic can help.

Chiropractic care does not magically straighten a curve, and anyone who claims that is oversimplifying it. What we can do is improve function, mobility, muscular balance, and comfort. Your plan may include:
Improving spinal motion
The areas above and below the curve often stiffen. Gentle, specific adjustments restore joint motion and reduce compensatory stress.
Reducing muscle imbalance
Scoliosis tightens the muscles on one side and overstretches the other. Targeted exercises and soft tissue work help rebalance them.
Supporting postural awareness
We strengthen supportive muscles and improve body awareness so the spine adapts as well as it can over time.
Monitoring progression
In children and teens we help track growth and the curve, and guide families toward bracing or referral if a threshold is reached.
You don't have to push through the pain.
The sooner we address it, the sooner you're back to feeling your best.
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How can we help?

Ready to take the next step?

We're focused on helping you move better, feel stronger, and stay active. Let's get to the root of the issue and build a plan that helps you heal.

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7:30–12:00
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Wed
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7:30–12:00
Afternoon
2:00–6:00
Thu
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7:30–12:00
Afternoon
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Fri
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Take the first step towards lasting relief. We're ready when you're ready.

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