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Scoliosis is a spinal disorder traditionally defined as abnormal curvatures of the spine. Often, the curves appear S-shaped or C-shaped.

The most common form of scoliosis is idiopathic, which accounts for about 80 per cent of scoliosis cases. Unfortunately, idiopathic means “without a known cause,” meaning experts don’t have all the answers for sufferers. Other forms of scoliosis are:
- Congenital Curve (meaning you were born with the issue)
- Secondary (caused by a secondary condition, such as arthritis, osteoporosis or osteomalacia)
What are the signs and symptoms?
Typically, those who have scoliosis won’t experience back pain, so it’s important to look for physical signs such as:
- Uneven shoulders or a shoulder blade that protrudes farther than the other when standing
- A rib hump (rib prominence) or a lower back hump (lumbar prominence) when bending forward
- One hip may appear higher than the other

What are the treatment options? Least to Most Invasive
- Observation
When scoliosis is diagnosed in children, sometimes there is a period of close observation. This is because in some children as they grow the spine may correct itself naturally without any intervention. However, if the condition worsens then the least invasive and most effective treatment to start with is CHIROPRACTIC accompanied by therapeutic exercises.
- Chiropractic and Therapeutic Exercise
Chiropractic focuses on correcting structural misalignments of the spine thereby removing nerve interferences that could lead to malfunctioning and disease. It is done by HANDS ONLY without the use of drugs or surgery.

Therapeutic Exercise
Swimming is the best exercise for scoliosis because it affects the muscles of the whole back. May help to bring some balance to the entire back.
- Bracing
If scoliosis continues to worsen and reaches a Cobb angle of 25 to 40 degrees then a brace may be recommended. The brace does not correct the curve but may help decrease the progression of the curve in a growing child. Typically the brace will be most effective in girls below 13 years and boys below 14 years of age. As you can see below it is not a comfortable thing for anybody to wear. Most people will have to wear these braces for about 20 hours a day. However if bracing does not help then the last option may be spinal fusion through surgery.
- SURGERY
Surgery may be recommended when the Cobb angle reaches between 40 and 50 degrees. At this stage, the spine may be pushing into vital organs like the heart and lungs. That is why surgery has to be done to prevent organ failure.
We believe in prevention rather than cure. If you suspect that your child or somebody you know may be suffering from scoliosis then the earlier they are checked the better. In my experience as a Chiropractor, children that receive Chiropractic treatment early in life if they have scoliosis get great results hence the avoidance of invasive bracing or surgery. Get CHECKED NOW.
Scoliosis is an abnormal sideways curvature of the mid back and/or the lower back. Most cases of scoliosis arise due to an unknown origin, called idiopathic scoliosis. Scoliosis impacts females more than males and is most often detected during the growth spurt from ages 10 to 18.
The incidence of scoliosis varies in different countries and among different references between 2% and 13.6% (Weinstein et al., 2008). Scoliosis is considered one of the main musculoskeletal changes of adolescence and is the most common spinal disorder in childhood (de Assis et al., 2021).
Scoliosis is a progressive and deforming musculoskeletal dysfunction of the spine. If an abnormal curve of the spine is detected, it should be monitored to prevent curve progression.
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is found predominantly in adolescent females, with a 10:1 ratio of female to male (Adhoot, Fan, & Aminian, 2021). Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is the most common form of scoliosis and is distinguished from other types of scoliosis by the absence of underlying congenital or neuromuscular abnormalities (Kuznia, Hernandez, & Lee, 2020).
Adolescents with scoliosis have the highest risk of curve progression during the period of rapid growth prior to skeletal maturity. Females should be checked for scoliosis from ages 10 to 12 and males should be checked from ages 13 to 14 (Zapata, Sucato, & Jo, 2019).
Types of Scoliosis:
- Idiopathic scoliosis = scoliosis that arises due to an unknown cause
- Congenital scoliosis = scoliosis that develops before birth
- Neuromuscular scoliosis = scoliosis caused by a disorder such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, or muscular dystrophy
- Degenerative scoliosis = scoliosis that develops in the lumbar spine due to “wear and tear”
Signs of Scoliosis:
- Sideways curvature of the middle or lower back
- One shoulder is higher than the other
- One hip is higher than the other
- One scapula is more prominent than the other
How Scoliosis Can Impact Your Health:
- Aesthetic changes
- Musculoskeletal restrictions
- Back pain
- Severe scoliosis may be associated with respiration dysfunction or heart damage
Risk Factors for Scoliosis
The causes of scoliosis vary and are classified broadly as congenital, neuromuscular, idiopathic, and spinal curvature due to secondary reasons such as degeneration (Janicki & Alman, 2007). 80% of cases of scoliosis in childhood are idiopathic, meaning they arise from an unknown origin (Negrini et al., 2012).
Schoolchildren are more susceptible to scoliosis because they go through a rapid growth phase in adolescence, are sedentary at school, and have a low daily level of physical activity. Schoolchildren being classified as irregularly active is considered a risk factor for the development of scoliosis (de Assis et al., 2021).
Contributing factors to Scoliosis: (Karimi & Rabczuk, 2018)
- Genetic predisposition
- Hormonal dysfunction
- Change in bone mineral density
- Abnormal platelet calmodulin levels
- Biomechanical factors
- Central nervous system abnormalities
- Lack of physical exercise
- Poor posture
- Neuromuscular conditions
- Birth defects
- Spinal infection
Potential Complications of Scoliosis:
Not all patients with scoliosis will experience symptoms. While some people may experience back pain, others may not.
Complications may occur due to severe scoliosis. With a severe scoliosis it is possible to have rib deformities, pulmonary dysfunction, and even heart problems. These complications are rare, but they may occur in severe cases.
Scoliosis Screening
If you think that you or a family member may have scoliosis, you should get it checked sooner rather than later to prevent curve progression. An initial screen will be performed including a posture analysis and a forward bend test. The posture analysis and forward bend test will provide initial information to the practitioner that there may be a scoliosis curvature.
If there is suspicion of scoliosis, your healthcare provider may recommend having an X-ray analysis performed to confirm the diagnosis. On the radiograph your practitioner will evaluate the Cobb Angle of the curvature. A Cobb Angle of more than 10 degrees is considered scoliosis.
A complete analysis will include a case history, physical examination, and radiographs. Your practitioner will evaluate your spine and check for musculoskeletal restrictions such as decreased range of motion, neurologic symptoms such as poor balance, and functional deficits such as gait abnormalities.
Treatment Options for Scoliosis
Treatment of scoliosis will vary based upon the severity of the curve. Curves with a Cobb Angle of 10-39 degrees are considered mild to moderate. Mild to moderate scoliosis can be managed with conservative care options.
Conservative care for mild and moderate scoliosis includes physical therapy, manual therapy, posture rehabilitation, physical activity, and posture correction habits for your activities of daily living.
- Physical Therapy – may include exercises, mobilization and distraction of the spine and joints, whole body vibration, and soft tissue work to improve alignment and manage pain.
- Manual Therapy – spinal manipulation and mobilization to improve alignment and spinal flexibility.
- Posture Rehabilitation – posture exercises to reduce the lateral curvature and to correct other postural distortion patterns associated with the scoliosis.
- Physical Activity – aerobic activity and frequent movement breaks for sedentary occupations and schoolchildren.
- Posture Correction Habits – auto correction habits to correct your posture and flatten the scoliosis curve during daily activities.
A brace may be recommended for scoliotic curves greater than 30 degrees.
Severe scoliosis is a Cobb Angle of 40 degrees of more. Severe cases of scoliosis should be referred for a surgical consultation.
How Can We Help?
We can help you if you are considering conservative treatment options. To determine if you are a good candidate for conservative care, we recommend a consultation and a complete posture analysis for specialized patient centered care options.
After ruling out complications with your physician we can discuss best options based on objective measures. All new patients are valued, will felt heard, and will have an objective analysis performed prior to discussing treatment options.
References:
Ahdoot, E. S., Fan, J., & Aminian, A. (2021). Rapid Recovery Pathway for Postoperative Treatment of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis. JAAOS Global Research & Reviews, 5(3).
Burns, K. (2021) Scoliosis, American Posture Institute Blog
de Assis, S. J. C., Sanchis, G. J. B., de Souza, C. G., & Roncalli, A. G. (2021). Influence of physical activity and postural habits in schoolchildren with scoliosis. Archives of Public Health, 79(1), 1-7.
Janicki, J. A., & Alman, B. (2007). Scoliosis: Review of diagnosis and treatment. Paediatrics & child health, 12(9), 771-776.
Karimi, M. T., & Rabczuk, T. (2018). Scoliosis conservative treatment: A review of literature. Journal of craniovertebral junction & spine, 9(1), 3.
Kuznia, A. L., Hernandez, A. K., & Lee, L. U. (2020). Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: common questions and answers. American family physician, 101(1), 19-23.
Negrini S, Aulisa AG, Aulisa L, et al. (2012) 2011 SOSORT guidelines: orthopedic and rehabilitation treatment of idiopathic scoliosis during growth. Scoliosis. 7 (1):3.
Weinstein SL, Dolan LA, Cheng JC, Danielsson A, Morcuende JA. (2008) Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Lancet. 371(9623), p. 1527–1537.
Zapata, K. A., Sucato, D. J., & Jo, C. H. (2019). Physical therapy scoliosis-specific exercises may reduce curve progression in mild adolescent idiopathic scoliosis curves. Pediatric Physical Therapy, 31(3), 280-285.
The Chief Executive Officer of Nova Wellness Center, Dr Naa Asheley Dordor has been adjudged the Outstanding Executive of the Year (Health and Wellness Category) at the just ended 3rd Ghana-West Africa Business Excellence Awards (GWABEA) held in Accra on 21st May 2021. The award was in recognition of Dr Naa’s commitment to the promotion of health and wellness as well as her leadership role in a male dominated sector.
The West Africa Business Excellence Awards which took place at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel, acknowledged various achievements in the business sector across the country.
The Award provides a platform to recognize individuals and companies that create a friendly atmosphere to welcome investors and/or play a significant role in the development of various sectors in Ghana and West Africa at large.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Chief Executive Officer of Nova Wellness Center, Dr Naa Asheley Dordor expressed her profound gratitude for the honour, saying:
“Like many other businesses we were badly affected by the Covid 19 pandemic. The nature of our work demands very close contact to the patient so obviously many people stayed away. So to come out of that and be recognized by the Ghana – West Africa Business Excellence Awards (GWABEA), I’m truly humbled.”
“The health and wellness industry in Ghana is growing and I always say Ghanaians deserve the best so we will continue to provide excellent service with state of the art technology to treat musculoskeletal problems naturally. It is for this reason that we decided to invest the DRX9000 Spinal decompression machine to treat disc problems causing severe low back pain and sciatica. This non-surgical treatment is safe and effective with minimal risks. It is a game changer for not just Ghanaians but everybody in the sub region and we hope that it will help with our medical tourism here in Ghana. Again, a million thanks to GWABEA for this recognition”, she added.

Nova Wellness Center was established in 2013 and has grown from a spine-focused clinic to becoming a holistic wellness center. Since its inception, Nova Wellness Center has been of an immense benefit to thousands of individuals by helping them to achieve maximum wellness naturally without the use of drugs or surgery.
In spite of the challenges last year, the multiple-award winning chiropractic and wellness clinic, Nova Wellness Center, out-doored its new DRX9000 True Non-surgical spinal decompression system designed to treat sciatica and other degenerative diseases which characterize low back pain. The goal of this treatment is to reduce low back pain and its associated complications which are primarily caused by lumbar disc degeneration diseases. This natural procedure is carried out without the use of drugs or surgery.
The Ghana – West Africa Business Excellence Awards was attended by distinguished business and government representatives and industry leaders. The 2021 awards celebrated the outstanding achievements of organizations and individuals in Ghana and respective West Africa business region across various award categories.
In this season of COVID-19, doctors and medical caretakers are the ones everybody is banking on, to help fight the pandemic. And indeed, through their devoted services, huge number of people around the world have been saved from the pandemic ‘attacks’. Surely, the health experts have been sensational all through the COVID-19 season including Dr Naa Asheley Dordor.
Dr. Naa Asheley Dordor is a Chiropractic Physician and the C.E.O. of Nova Wellness Center in Ghana. Having graduated from college in Canada, she continued to the Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport – Iowa, USA.
Her enthusiasm for natural curative and preventive medical services was stirred subsequent to encountering chiropractic care while in college.
Her interest in this area of alternative clinical practice was additionally fortified during a mission outing to Vietnam with fellow students from Chiropractic College where she experienced the viability of chiropractic care and how it impacts general health. Dr Naa Asheley then made plans to travel back to Ghana to make an impact with the recuperating craft of Chiropractic care.
Her energy and commitment to giving normal therapeutic and preventive clinical treatment to Ghanaians have earned her several awards in the course of the most recent few years.
In 2018, the Ghana 40under40 awards scheme recognized her for her commitment to the Chiropractic calling in Ghana. In the very year, she was declared Woman Entrepreneur of the year by the Small Medium Enterprises Ghana Awards (SMEGA) Scheme.
At the Nova Wellness Center, knead treatment, physiotherapeutic modalities and customized practice for explicit conditions are used to supplement chiropractic care to forestall and deal with a few conditions in grown-ups and kids.
Some of the conditions commonly treated at her clinic are headaches, neck, back, shoulder, waist pain, numbness in extremities, sciatica, scoliosis and many others.
She is a solid advocate of the fact that, the wellbeing and general prosperity of workers is vital to the fulfillment of the objectives of the business. Her corporate health program has served workers of Omni Bank, Graphic Corporation, Rig World Services, University of Ghana (personnel), Fidelity and Stanbic banks and some more.
Dr. Naa Dordor has throughout the years embarked on several government funded training projects to sharpen Ghanaians on appropriate ergonomic practices and strong way of life decisions on electronic media, print and online media platforms. Her effort programs additionally incorporate introductions to holy places, common society gatherings, schools and so on.
She has additionally established a non-profit organization, Healthy Spine Africa which gives Chiropractic care to the poor in the public eye at positively no expense.
The individuals from the AYA Community Center for the elderly, in the western locale, benefit from this free help various times each year just as others in the community.
Dr. Naa’s vision is for Africans to assume personal responsibility for their wellbeing to empower them to reach at their most extreme potential by receiving preventive medical services rather than corrective medical care.
Dr Naa Asheley Dordor has broken gender barriers to build a successful career in chiropractic profession, traditionally dominated by men in Ghana and most parts of the world.
She has ventured into the branch of medicine-alternative medicine that most people in Ghana and other African countries do not want to go into.
To crown it all, Dr Dordor overcame the challenges to blaze on the chiropractic professional trail to build a successful and profitable business.
Despite her young age, this amazing Chiropractic Physician is one of the doyens of Ghana’s chiropractic health industry. Dr Dordor is among the four female chiropractic doctors in the West African country.
How her journey started
Her interest in natural curative and preventive health care was aroused after experiencing chiropractic care whilst in university.
Dr Dordor’s passion in this area of alternative medical practice was further strengthened during a mission trip to Vietnam with fellow students from Chiropractic College where she experienced at first hand the effectiveness of chiropractic care and how it impacts general wellness.
At this point, Dr Naa Asheley resolved to return to Ghana to make an impact with the healing art of Chiropractic Medicine.
Dr Dordor’s career as a chiropractor began at chiropractor Glen Huntly where she embarked on outreach programs and served as an Associate Chiropractor in several of the health center’s clinics.
Her burning desire to bring Chiropractic Care closer to Ghanaians brought her back home. Having worked with the Spinal Clinic in Accra as a Chiropractic doctor for a year she established a chiropractic clinic, Nova Chiropractic Health Centre. In her quest to emphasize the concept of total wellness in people the practice transitioned to Nova Wellness Centre.
Today, Dr Dordor who is Chiropractic Physician and the Chief Executive Officer of Nova Wellness Centre, a leading alternative healthcare facility that uses chiropractic, nutrition, exercise and massage to treat illnesses in Ghana, shared her story with African Eye Report in her plush centre located at North Ridge, Accra.
Using chiropractic to manage various disorders
Dr Dordor who is very passionate about using chiropractic to manage various disorders in adults and children, explained that her main focus of treatment is correcting spinal misalignments to bring improvement into the nervous system and my response to her dedication is just being in awe. She believes in prevention rather than cure, emphasizing that there is a lot that can be done to prevent people from being sick. “The amount of money we spend on medication and surgeries will reduce significantly, if we pay attention to chiropractic practice in the country”.
A lot of patients, through chiropractic and exercises, are able to put away the painkillers they are so much addicted to with time, Dr Dordor stressed.

What is chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a form of alternative medicine mostly concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, especially the spine, according to experts.
Furthermore, the neuropathy doctors near me told me that chiropractic is the world’s biggest natural healthcare science which focuses on correcting spinal misalignments that cause nerve interference and inhibit communication between the brain and body organs.
“This non-surgical drug-free treatment boosts the body’s natural healing power,” she added.
On chiropractic adjustment, she explained it is a specific gentle force applied to the spinal vertebra or joint to remove nerve pressure and enhance proper flow of impulses.
“When the body is free from nerve interference, healing is enhanced and symptoms such as asthma, allergies, headaches, neck, back, knee and other joint pains start to improve,” she emphasised.
Dr Dordor continued: “At the Nova Wellness Centre, massage therapy, physiotherapeutic modalities and tailored exercise for specific conditions are used to complement chiropractic care to prevent and manage several conditions in adults and children.
Some of the conditions commonly treated at her clinic are headaches, neck, back, shoulder, waist pain, numbness in extremities, sciatica, scoliosis and many others”.
Awards

Her passion and dedication to providing natural curative and preventive medical treatment to Ghanaians has earned her several awards over the last couple of years.
In 2018 the Ghana 40under40 awards scheme recognized her for her contribution to the Chiropractic profession in Ghana.
In the same year she was adjudged Woman Entrepreneur of the year by the Small Medium Enterprises Ghana Awards (SMEGA) Scheme.
In 2017, her clinic, Nova Wellness Center, was adjudged the best Small & Medium Enterprises (SME) in the health sector at the SMEGA Awards.
Education

Having graduated from university in Canada, she proceeded to the Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport – Iowa, USA.
She is a strong advocate of the fact that the health and general wellbeing of employees is key to the attainment of the goals of the business.
Corporate wellness program
Her corporate wellness program has served employees of Omni Bank, Graphic Corporation, Rig World Services, University of Ghana (faculty), Fidelity and Stanbic banks and many more.
Dr. Naa Dordor has over the years embarked on several public education programs to sensitize Ghanaians on proper ergonomic practices and healthy lifestyle choices on electronic media, print and social media platforms.
Free outreach programs
Her outreach programs also include presentations to churches, civil society groups, schools etc. She has established a non-profit organization, Healthy Spine Africa which provides Chiropractic care to the needy in society at absolutely no cost.
The members of the AYA Community Center for the elderly, in the western region benefit from this free service a number of times a year as well as other individuals in the community.
Her vision for Africa
Dr. Naa’s vision is for Africans to take personal responsibility for their health to enable them reach their maximum potential by adopting preventive health care instead of curative health care. She is blessed me with an awesome husband and two beautiful daughters.
By Masahudu Ankiilu Kunateh, African Eye Report
Multiple-award winning chiropractic and wellness hub, Nova Wellness Center, has officially commenced operations at its new facility located at Ringway Estates – Osu, Accra.
The clinic has also introduced new wellness services aimed at helping the general public to rejuvenate and improve their overall health. These include dietetics, physiotherapy, spa services and psychotherapy. These additional services have been designed to revive your mind, body and soul.
“Beyond pain relief, we want our patients to experience what it means to live again. That is why we have brought together dieticians, fitness coaches, psychotherapists and many other professionals to help bring real wellness to all,” the Chief Executive Officer of Nova Wellness Center, Dr. Naa Asheley Dordor, explained.
“We are excited about our new space because it allows for social distancing and all other safety protocols. It also enhances our commitment to empower our community members to live healthy and fulfilling lives,” Dr. Dordor added. The services in the newly added Nova Spa will imbue you with new life and vitality. Additionally, our new premises enhances client experience by offering:
- Adequate parking space
- Enhanced security
- Effective social distancing in all departments
- One stop shop for all wellness services
Established on the 28th of May 2013, Nova Wellness Center (NWC), has grown from a spine-focused clinic to becoming a holistic wellness center which offers, chiropractic adjustments and massage services. Other services include physiotherapy, dietetics, fitness coaching and corporate wellness (ergonomic assessments and corporate workshops).
Since its inception, Nova Wellness Center has been of an immense benefit to thousands of individuals buy helping them to achieve maximum wellness naturally without the use of drugs or surgery.
The new office is located at digital address, GA-031-3828, Asafoatse Akpah Lane near Country Kitchen, Osu.
Nova Wellness Center
Asafoatse Akpah Lane, Osu Accra.
0549586494
Old age comes with health-related issues like musculoskeletal and joint pains. The AYA Community Centre (ACC), an elderly care facility with the focus on promoting the healthcare and wellbeing of the elderly in collaboration with Ghana’s favourite spine clinic, Nova Wellness Center (NWC) has held a two-day free chiropractic screening and adjustments exercise for about 300 senior citizens in Ellembelle in the Western Region of Ghana.
Beneficiaries were given therapeutic stretches, massages, as well as practical lectures on how to use rudimentary exercises to manage various joint aches associated with old age. The event forms part of AYA Community Centre’s annual health screening initiative.
Speaking at the event, the Member of Parliament for Ellembelle constituency, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah who sponsored the screening underscored the need for the health and wellbeing of the aged to be prioritized.
He said, though the annual health screening initiative comes with a financial burden, it has proven to be very beneficial to the people of the constituency. He thanked the Nova Wellness Center team led by Dr Naa Asheley Dordor for their continuous support over the years. He presented a citation to the team.
For her part, the lead Chiropractor at NWC said gesture forms part of the facility’s commitment to ensure maximum for wellness for everyone, including the aged.
Nova Wellness Center is a multiple award-winning Chiropractic (Spine) clinic that uses chiropractic adjustments, nutrition, exercise and massage to heal pains without any medication or surgery.
Chiropractic is the world’s biggest natural healthcare science which focuses on correcting spinal misalignments (subluxations) that cause nerve interference and inhibit communication between the brain and the body’s organs. This non-surgical drug-free treatment boosts the body’s natural healing power.