Patient Success Story Hidden Scoliosis Diagnosis Helps Plymouth Runner A 44-year-old man from Plymouth had been running five miles every other day for years, but low back pain on his right side had quietly gotten worse over the past couple of years. It had reached the point where it was disrupting his sleep, and his wife's too, before he finally decided to look for help. The patient found Bomberg Chiropractic the way many Plymouth residents do: he searched online for a low back pain chiropractor near me, confirmed the practice took his insurance, and noticed it was close to home. He was an active, athletic man who had played tennis through high school and college and had recently taken up golf, so persistent pain that limited his runs did not fit the picture he had of his own health. What his exam revealed was something he had lived with, unknowingly, his entire life. Key Takeaways THE CHALLENGEA 44-year-old runner from Plymouth had chronic right-sided low back pain that was limiting his mileage and disrupting sleep for both him and his wife. THE TREATMENT APPROACHOn-site digital X-rays uncovered an undiagnosed scoliosis of more than 30 degrees in the mid-back, leading to a function-focused adjustment plan rather than an attempt to straighten the curve. THE RESULTThe patient gained a clear picture of a lifelong spinal condition and began consistent care aimed at restoring joint mobility and protecting his long-term activity level. Chronic, one-sided low back pain in an active adult can have several sources, so a thorough exam matters more than a quick guess. Dr. Bomberg chose a full orthopedic workup, range-of-motion testing, and on-site digital Chiropractic Techniques before drawing any conclusions, which is what led to a finding no one expected. The approach reflected a simple principle: treat what the exam and X-rays actually show, not just where the patient points. Project Summary Client Profile: A 44-year-old active runner and Plymouth resident Project Location: Plymouth, Minnesota Primary Objective: Identify the source of persistent, one-sided low back pain through Chiropractic Back Pain Treatment Care Plan: A function-based adjustment plan built around findings from Scoliosis Chiropractic Care Key Outcome: Patient learned of a previously undiagnosed scoliosis and began ongoing care to support mobility and activity Finding the Source of the Pain Dr. Bomberg ran the patient through a full exam, checking range of motion and performing orthopedic tests that could recreate sciatic nerve pain radiating down the leg. Everything pointed toward a mechanical issue in the low back, which was consistent with what the patient reported feeling during and after his runs. What stood out came from the X-ray, not the exam table. The images showed a significant scoliosis in the mid-back, over 30 degrees, that the patient had never been diagnosed with or aware of. Dr. Bomberg had also noticed during testing that the patient's right shoulder blade sat visibly higher than the left, a detail that lined up with the curve shown on film. Building a Function-Based Care Plan Dr. Bomberg asked the patient a pointed question: did he ever have trouble catching his breath or taking a deep breath while running? The patient was caught off guard by the accuracy of the question and confirmed that he did. The connection made sense once explained: nerves running through the mid-thoracic spine feed the lungs, and a curve in that region can reduce the signal reaching them, which can affect breathing capacity during exertion. "You know what? I really I should have known that there was something because I always felt this posture issue while I was growing up." - (Patient, Bomberg Chiropractic) Dr. Bomberg was clear with the patient that chiropractic care would not straighten the curve itself. Instead, the goal was to restore motion to the joints that had become fixed around the scoliosis, using low-force Chiropractic Techniques tailored to his activity level and build. Learning more about Meet Dr. Bomberg helped the patient understand why this specific, function-first approach was recommended over a promise to change what the X-ray showed. Ongoing Mobility for an Active Runner Seeing the X-ray on screen, side by side with a normal spine, gave the patient a clear, immediate understanding of his condition. He described it as something he suspected on some level growing up, given a posture issue he had always noticed but never had explained. The care plan focused on keeping the joints around the curve moving well, since an unaddressed scoliosis tends to wear down over time the way any unmaintained structure does. For a patient who runs regularly and plays golf and tennis, that ongoing joint health is directly tied to staying active without recurring pain, a priority shared by many of the practice's Sports Injury Chiropractor patients. Living With Back Pain in Plymouth? We see active adults across Plymouth who assume ongoing back pain is just part of an intense training schedule, when an on-site X-ray often tells a more specific story. Our approach starts with a thorough exam and imaging before any treatment plan is built. Dealing with unexplained low back pain or reduced mobility during exercise in Plymouth? Reach out to schedule an evaluation. Bomberg Chiropractic15600 35th Ave. N #101, Plymouth, MN 55447Call (763) 450-1755 or Schedule Online Frequently Asked Questions Can a chiropractor in Plymouth detect scoliosis I didn't know I had? Yes. On-site digital X-rays can reveal a lateral spinal curve even when a patient has no prior diagnosis, as happened during a routine low back pain exam at Bomberg Chiropractic. Physical clues, like an elevated shoulder blade on one side, can also point toward a curve before imaging confirms it. Can chiropractic care straighten a scoliosis curve? Chiropractic care does not permanently straighten a scoliosis curve. The goal instead is to restore motion and function to the joints affected by the curve, helping the spine move and work better within the position it is in. Does scoliosis get worse over time without treatment? Left unaddressed, joints in a compromised position tend to wear down over time, similar to any structure that isn't maintained. Regular adjustments aimed at keeping those joints and discs moving can help slow that wear and support long-term mobility.