Instant Consult

Spinal Issues?
Find Relief.

The doctors of Whole Family Chiropractic serve many different people from their community and each one with very unique needs.

Video Transcription

The ideal position of the spine, and the front view, should be straight, and in the side view, it should have three curves, one in the neck, one in the mid-back, and one in the low back. These curves are present to provide strength and support to the spinal column, which is responsible for keeping us upright and acting as a suit of armor to protect our spinal cord and nerves. If the spinal curves in the side view are reduced or their position is altered, or curves are gained in the front view, then these are signs that the body structure is getting progressively weaker and starting to collapse. Studies show that there is a direct correlation between body structure, health, and span of survival, therefore, optimal health depends on optimal structure to create optimal function.

Scoliosis, however, is a condition where the spine develops an abnormal curvature where it should be straight. It predominantly impacts children during the years that their spine and spinal curvatures are developing, especially during adolescence. However, it can also affect adults, and in their later years become a condition known as degenerative de novo scoliosis that is many times seen in conjunction with a condition known as degenerative kyphosis or hunchback. Regardless of when or where it starts, the danger of a scoliosis of the spine lies in the fact that it can go undetected for many years until it’s almost too late to correct. If it is too late to manage with conservative means, then the inevitable outcome is a very expensive and invasive surgery resulting in significant scarring, both physically and sometimes emotionally. Catching it early in our office means that the spine can be corrected and you or your child can live a normal life without organ problems, body deformities, and pain.

In our office, we can often eliminate the need for surgery if we catch it before a permanent deformity manifests. In addition, the good news is that today scoliosis is much more well understood than in years past. There are numerous treatment options available, including corrective bracing with the ScoliBrace orthotic, which serves to correct and improve scoliosis before it can fully set in a developing child, as well as mirror-image adjustments, mirror image traction, and mirror-image exercises derived from the research in the CBP protocols and standards of care.

Our office is a certified ScoliBrace provider, as well as the largest CBP advanced spinal corrective facility in the state. We possess the appropriate tools, equipment, understanding, and training to properly identify and manage abnormal curvatures in the spine with predictable results. This is important because if left untreated or unresolved, a scoliosis of the spine can have lifelong issues for a person. And to compound the issue, correcting scoliosis in adults is infinitely harder than in children, simply because the spine has grown beyond its developmental stages and become cemented in dysfunction.

Our rule of thumb is that it’s always easier to raise a healthy child than to repair a damaged adult, especially when it comes to scoliosis. Now, many concerned parents often question the efficacy and safety of chiropractic for children. This is a valid concern. Our office actually contains the only board-certified diplomat in pediatrics and pregnancy in the state. So we’re perfectly prepared to explain the benefits in a manner that will help to alleviate many of those uncertainties after consulting with parents who have their child’s best interests at heart. As a matter of fact, many peer-reviewed studies have been published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health confirming the relative safety and outlining the potential benefits of pediatric chiropractic adjustments, which easily justifies the approach when dealing with actual or potential scoliosis.

A common cause of certain types of scoliosis that we see in our office is related to something called subluxation. When the spinal bones shift from a normal, healthy alignment, they place stress and strain on the nerves, muscles, and the ligaments, as well as compress the joints and discs leading to a compromised posture and spinal structure. Furthermore, changes in the proper alignment of the spine will create the inflammation that you experience as pain. If your scoliosis is related to subluxation, we’ll develop a personalized program of care that focuses on improving your spinal alignment and maximizing your health potential. This will consist of advanced corrective care adjustments, postural rehabilitation, home care exercises, and an array of other interventions. To determine whether you are a candidate for this program, pick up the phone and call our office or click on the link below.

Instant Consult

Spinal Issues?
Find Relief.

The doctors of Whole Family Chiropractic serve many different people from their community and each one with very unique needs.

Video Transcription

The ideal position of the spine, and the front view, should be straight, and in the side view, it should have three curves, one in the neck, one in the mid-back, and one in the low back. These curves are present to provide strength and support to the spinal column, which is responsible for keeping us upright and acting as a suit of armor to protect our spinal cord and nerves. If the spinal curves in the side view are reduced or their position is altered, or curves are gained in the front view, then these are signs that the body structure is getting progressively weaker and starting to collapse. Studies show that there is a direct correlation between body structure, health, and span of survival, therefore, optimal health depends on optimal structure to create optimal function.

Scoliosis, however, is a condition where the spine develops an abnormal curvature where it should be straight. It predominantly impacts children during the years that their spine and spinal curvatures are developing, especially during adolescence. However, it can also affect adults, and in their later years become a condition known as degenerative de novo scoliosis that is many times seen in conjunction with a condition known as degenerative kyphosis or hunchback. Regardless of when or where it starts, the danger of a scoliosis of the spine lies in the fact that it can go undetected for many years until it’s almost too late to correct. If it is too late to manage with conservative means, then the inevitable outcome is a very expensive and invasive surgery resulting in significant scarring, both physically and sometimes emotionally. Catching it early in our office means that the spine can be corrected and you or your child can live a normal life without organ problems, body deformities, and pain.

In our office, we can often eliminate the need for surgery if we catch it before a permanent deformity manifests. In addition, the good news is that today scoliosis is much more well understood than in years past. There are numerous treatment options available, including corrective bracing with the ScoliBrace orthotic, which serves to correct and improve scoliosis before it can fully set in a developing child, as well as mirror-image adjustments, mirror image traction, and mirror-image exercises derived from the research in the CBP protocols and standards of care.

Our office is a certified ScoliBrace provider, as well as the largest CBP advanced spinal corrective facility in the state. We possess the appropriate tools, equipment, understanding, and training to properly identify and manage abnormal curvatures in the spine with predictable results. This is important because if left untreated or unresolved, a scoliosis of the spine can have lifelong issues for a person. And to compound the issue, correcting scoliosis in adults is infinitely harder than in children, simply because the spine has grown beyond its developmental stages and become cemented in dysfunction.

Our rule of thumb is that it’s always easier to raise a healthy child than to repair a damaged adult, especially when it comes to scoliosis. Now, many concerned parents often question the efficacy and safety of chiropractic for children. This is a valid concern. Our office actually contains the only board-certified diplomat in pediatrics and pregnancy in the state. So we’re perfectly prepared to explain the benefits in a manner that will help to alleviate many of those uncertainties after consulting with parents who have their child’s best interests at heart. As a matter of fact, many peer-reviewed studies have been published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health confirming the relative safety and outlining the potential benefits of pediatric chiropractic adjustments, which easily justifies the approach when dealing with actual or potential scoliosis.

A common cause of certain types of scoliosis that we see in our office is related to something called subluxation. When the spinal bones shift from a normal, healthy alignment, they place stress and strain on the nerves, muscles, and the ligaments, as well as compress the joints and discs leading to a compromised posture and spinal structure. Furthermore, changes in the proper alignment of the spine will create the inflammation that you experience as pain. If your scoliosis is related to subluxation, we’ll develop a personalized program of care that focuses on improving your spinal alignment and maximizing your health potential. This will consist of advanced corrective care adjustments, postural rehabilitation, home care exercises, and an array of other interventions. To determine whether you are a candidate for this program, pick up the phone and call our office or click on the link below.

The road to relief

Starts Here

A large portion of their clinic is reserved for the treatment of complex spinal issues such as Scoliosis (increased spinal curvature in the front-to-back view) and Kyphosis (increased curvature or excessive rounding of the mid-back in the side view) using advanced non-surgical Chiropractic Biophysics (CBP) structural spinal rehabilitation protocols and functional rehabilitation exercises in conjunction with the Scolibrace Mirror-Image bracing system.

When considering normal anatomy, the spine in the front-to-back position should be straight from the base of the skull to the tailbone. Scoliosis is a term used to describe a progressive, lateral curvature of the spine when viewed from the front. It can vary in degrees, causes, and symptoms. The most common category of scoliosis is AIS – “adolescent idiopathic scoliosis” and is typically seen in young children. Idiopathic means “of unknown origin”, or put simply there is uncertainty as to the causative factor.

Scoliosis can affect both children and adults. In children, it can be a more serious condition because it can rapidly progress as the child grows. As a matter of fact, scoliosis is usually first seen in children between the ages of 11 and 15. However, it can occur in younger children aged 3 to 10 years (juvenile scoliosis) and in babies (infantile scoliosis). Scoliosis can also occur in adults with no previous history, due to spinal degeneration, de-conditioned spinal and soft tissue structures, loss of spinal disc integrity, poor posture, injuries related to a large shear load without adequate rehabilitation, and advancing age which is referred to as Degenerative De Novo scoliosis.

The effects of scoliosis include poor posture, shoulder humping, muscle weakness, abnormal movement patterns, reduced capacity to work and perform daily activities, and pain. In some cases, scoliosis can even lead to significant heart, lung, and digestive problems with general physical impairment and body malformation. Often the potential for progression is a valid clinical concern as it can perpetuate dysfunction in the body. Fortunately, new treatments such as the Scoilbrace and intensive structural exercise rehabilitation protocols such as those offered by our doctors, offer these patients new hope.

If scoliosis is detected and treated early, patients can avoid these symptoms in many cases. On the other hand, if left untreated, scoliosis can require surgery in certain circumstances. In surgical cases, the bones of the spine are often fused together and metal rods are inserted to try to straighten the spine. If the correct approach in the clinical management of scoliosis is used early enough, then Scolibraces have been proven to be an effective treatment for halting the progression of scoliosis curves and reducing the need for surgery.

Dr. Ryan Dachowski, DC is the only Doctor in Alaska accredited to design, build, and modify Scolibraces for the children and adults in the community who are candidates for this non-surgical scoliosis treatment. He looks forward to helping you and your family members with this condition to determine if you can get effective results

Our founders' story

Your Family's Health is our #1 Priority

Anchorage Alaska's dynamic chiropractic duo, Dr. Ryan and Dr. Jessica Dachowski, have helped hundreds of families achieve optimal health and wellness through natural and results-driven care. Our team of chiropractors and healthcare experts can help you and your family live a long, vibrant, healthy, and pain-free life.

ALASKA'S TOP RATED CHIROPRACTORS

Trusted By Patients Across Alaska

For over 10 years, Whole Family Chiropractic has served our Anchorage community. We have made it a priority not only to improve the health of our patients through treatment, but educate them on whole body health and wellness. We strive to lift up and improve our community one patient at a time.

Chiropractic BioPhysics®

Why Corrective Chiropractic Works Better

Unlike regular chiropractic that mainly focuses on immediate pain relief, Chiropractic BioPhysics® goes one step further to also correct the source of the problem. That’s why most patients under our care not only report relief from pain and discomfort but as their posture begins to align, they notice other conditions clearing up as well.

  • Back Pain Relief
  • Posture Correction
  • Neck Pain Relief
  • Migraine / Headache Relief
  • Fatigue / Fibromyalgia Relief
  • Acid Reflux / GERD
  • Allergies / Immune System
  • High Blood Pressure

Location

600 E. 36th Ave. Suite 300
Anchorage, AK 99503

Email

Clinic Hours

Mon, Wed, Fri:
8am-12pm & 2pm-6pm
Tue, Thu
2pm-6pm

Copyright © 2023
Whole Family Chiropractic.
All rights reserved.

Disclosure Of Health Care Services

Notice Of Privacy Practices

ADA Disclosure