Scoliosis is a sideways curve of the spine greater than ten degrees off the vertical line. Some cases develop in childhood, often during growth spurts. Others appear later in life from posture habits, degeneration, or injury. The curve itself is not always painful at first, but it changes how the spine carries weight, and over time the body pays for it. Pain in the back, neck, or hips can follow. In more advanced cases, lung capacity and overall mobility can be affected.
Early detection matters. The earlier a curve is identified, the more options exist for slowing or stabilizing it. The standard screening tools include a visual postural exam, the Adams forward bend test, and X-rays to measure the degree of curvature.
Dr. Lena Hartwell does not promise to straighten an established structural curve. What chiropractic care can do is reduce the compensatory misalignments that build up around the curve, ease the pain that comes from those compensations, and support better function. The Gonstead method is well suited to this work because it adjusts only the joints that need it, which matters when the spine has unusual mechanics. For many patients, ongoing care keeps the curve from worsening, holds the surrounding joints in better position, and allows for a more active life than the diagnosis alone might suggest.
Take the first step toward better health. Schedule your new patient visit today.

Pain, numbness, or weakness in the limbs caused by nerve compression at the spine.
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Sensation of spinning or imbalance, often linked to upper cervical or inner ear dysfunction.
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Bulging, herniated, or extruded spinal discs that compress nerves and limit movement.
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Hand and wrist pain, numbness, or weakness from median nerve compression.
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Spinal misalignment, disc problems, or muscle strain limiting daily movement and quality of life.
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Sharp, radiating pain down the leg caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve at the spine.
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Injuries from job-related accidents, repetitive motion, or sustained poor posture on the job.
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Neck injury from sudden back-and-forth motion, most often from rear-end collisions.
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Persistent shoulder pain, stiffness, or limited motion that interferes with daily activity.
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A physiologic state that shifts posture, weight, and ligament tension in ways that strain the spine.
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Stiffness, soreness, or sharp pain in the cervical spine that limits motion and daily activity.
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Recurring head pain often driven by tension and misalignment in the upper neck.
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