What characterizes scoliosis?

Scoliosis is characterized by an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine. This condition can cause the spine to curve to the left or right, often forming an “S” or “C” shape when viewed from the back. It can occur in various forms, including congenital, idiopathic, or neuromuscular scoliosis, and may lead to asymmetrical shoulders or hips, differing leg lengths, or posture issues.

Understanding scoliosis is important for chiropractic assistants as it can affect treatment plans and the approach to patient care. Other characteristics, such as excessive forward curvature of the spine (a condition known as kyphosis), absence of spinal nerves (which does not pertain to scoliosis at all), and inflexibility of the vertebral structure may be relevant in different contexts but do not describe scoliosis specifically. Thus, recognizing the correct definition of scoliosis is crucial for effective communication and treatment within a chiropractic setting.