Scoliosis: Treatment, Symptoms, Causes and Types – GetWellGo

This lateral curvature of the spine often occurs during growth spurts just before puberty. Treatment may include braces or surgery. You will find about symptoms and causes

Scoliosis: Treatment, Symptoms, Causes and Types – GetWellGo

  • Category

    General

  • Published By

    GetWellGo Team

  • Updated on

    09-Apr-2025

Scoliosis Treatment

Observation

  • For mild scoliosis (curve of less than 20 degrees), particularly in growing children.
  • Periodic check-ups (every 4-6 months) to follow-up if the curve is getting worse.

Bracing

  • For moderate scoliosis (curve of 20-40 degrees) in children and adolescents who are still growing.
  • Braces will not correct scoliosis but can stop the curve from progressing.

Types used:

  • TLSO brace (Thoracolumbosacral orthosis) – fits under the arms around the rib cage, lower back, and hips.
  • Milwaukee brace – full-torso brace with neck ring (less used today).
  • Braces are typically worn 16–23 hours/day.

Physical Therapy

  • Strengthens core muscles, improves posture, and lessens discomfort.
  • Programs such as Schroth Method specialize in scoliosis exercises.

Surgery

  • For extreme scoliosis (curve >45–50 degrees) or if the curve is rapidly worsening.

Spinal fusion surgery is most common:

  • Bones in the spine are fused together with rods, screws, and bone grafts to straighten and stabilize the spine.
  • Recovery usually takes several months.

Alternative Treatments

  • Chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture, yoga, pilates — may alleviate pain, but won't mend the curve.
  • Always pair alternative care with medical supervision.

Adult Scoliosis

  • Typically treated differently because the spine has matured.
  • Emphasis tends to be placed on pain relief (medication, injections, physical therapy) as opposed to correction of curve unless the curvature is severe.

Non-surgical Scoliosis Treatment​

Bracing

  • Who it's for: Children/teens who are still growing with a spinal curve between 20–40 degrees.
  • Goal: Prevent the curve from worsening, not to correct it entirely.

Types of Braces:

  • Boston brace (most common, underneath the clothing).
  • Wilmington brace (custom molded).
  • Nighttime braces such as the Charleston or Providence (worn only at night).
  • Wear duration: 16–23 hours a day (excluding nighttime braces).

Physical Therapy (PT)

  • Goal: Improve posture, relieve pain, build up muscle.

Best-known method:

  • Schroth Method (designed specifically for scoliosis).
  • Personalized exercises to de-rotate and stabilize the spine.

Other beneficial PT styles:

  • SEAS (Scientific Exercise Approach to Scoliosis).
  • Functional individual therapy.

Chiropractic Care

  • Assists: Management of pain, stiffness, and muscle imbalance.
  • Important: Chiropractors cannot reverse the curve but can increase mobility and comfort.
  • Select a chiropractor who has experience with scoliosis.

Yoga and Stretching

  • Aim: Enhance flexibility, balance, and posture.
  • Some positions need to be adapted so that they do not stress the spine.

Good positions:

  • Child's Pose
  • Cat-Cow stretch
  • Mountain Pose
  • Prevent deep backbends or strenuous twisting unless under supervision.

Management of Pain

If scoliosis is the cause of back pain:

  • Heat treatment (heating pads).
  • Painkillers (such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen).
  • Epidural steroid injections (in cases of nerve compression).

Alternative Therapies

  • Acupuncture: May help ease back pain and muscle tension.
  • Massage therapy: Loosens tight muscles surrounding the curve.
  • Pilates: Strengthens the core to stabilize the spine.

Scoliosis Types

Idiopathic Scoliosis (Most prevalent)

  • Definition: "Cause is unknown."
  • Who it involves: Primarily teenagers during growth periods (ages 10–18).

Sub-types (age-wise):

  • Infantile (0–3 years)
  • Juvenile (4–9 years)
  • Adolescent (10–18 years) → most common in total.
  • Facts: Usually mild but can develop rapidly during growth.

Congenital Scoliosis

  • Definition: Abnormal spine growth before birth (vertebrae are deformed).
  • Who it involves: Newborns and young children.
  • Facts: May involve other medical problems (heart, kidneys).
  • Usually requires early follow-up or surgery.

Neuromuscular Scoliosis

Meaning: Caused by nerve or muscle diseases such as:

  • Cerebral palsy
  • Muscular dystrophy
  • Spina bifida
  • Who it affects: Individuals with underlying nerve/muscle diseases.
  • Facts: Curves tend to be larger and progress more rapidly. May need surgery.

Degenerative (Adult) Scoliosis

  • Meaning: Spine curves due to aging, wear and tear, or arthritis.
  • Who it affects: Adults above 40–50 years.
  • Facts: Tends to cause back pain, stiffness, and occasionally numbness in the legs.

Syndromic Scoliosis

Meaning: Associated with a genetic condition such as:

  • Marfan syndrome
  • Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
  • Who it impacts: Individuals with connective tissue diseases.
  • Facts: Treatment relies on the primary condition + scoliosis management.

Scoliosis Symptoms and Causes

Common Symptoms

  • Asymmetrical shoulders (one shoulder higher than the other)
  • One shoulder blade that protrudes more
  • Asymmetrical waist
  • One hip higher than the other
  • Slightly leaning to one side
  • Poor fit of clothing
  • Ribs protruding more on one side (rib hump)

Symptoms in Adults

  • Back stiffness or pain
  • Numbness, weakness, or leg pain (if nerves are compressed)
  • Difficulty standing erect
  • Fatigued sensation in the legs or back after standing/walking

Scoliosis Causes

  • Idiopathic
  • Congenital
  • Neuromuscular
  • Degenerative

Scoliosis Physical Therapy​

Schroth Method

  • Most widely accepted scoliosis-specific treatment.

Emphasizes:

  • Re-aligning posture through individually tailored exercises.
  • Breathing exercises to re-shape rib cage.
  • Spinal elongation and muscle strengthening.

Sample exercises:

  • Side-lying "elongation" stretch
  • Corrective breathing mechanisms
  • Best for children and adults.

SEAS (Scientific Exercise Approach to Scoliosis)

Emphasizes:

  • Core strengthening
  • Posture control in daily activities
  • Exercises are tailored without any special equipment required.
  • Suitable for mild to moderate scoliosis.

Functional Individual Therapy

  • Incorporates daily-life movements with posture correction.
  • Aim: Educate the body to maintain correct posture instinctively.

Scoliosis Reduction Hospitals

Scoliosis Surgery​

Scoliosis surgery is quite a difficult operation that is carried out with the purpose of treating the spinal deformity and halting its development. Below is an outline of the treatment process for scoliosis surgery:

  • Anaesthesia: In order to reduce any chance of causing the patients any form of pain they are put to sleep by using general anaesthesia during operations.
  • Positioning: Unless the surgery is posterior, the patient should either lie on their side or their stomach during surgery.
  • Incision: To get to the spine, the surgeon needs to make a specific cut he/she wants to make first.
  • Surgical Correction: By the choice of the method of intervention – spinal fusion, VBT, or any other technique – the surgeon establishes the right type of hardware, rods, screws, hooks, or tethers for spinal curvature.
  • Bone Grafting and Fusion: Spinal implant device is used to graft bones with a view of encouraging the union of the vertebrae.
  • Wound Closure: Initially the incision is sutured or stapled and then dressings are applied.

Scoliosis Pain Management​

  • Physical Therapy and Exercises
  • Medications
  • Manual Therapy
  • Alternative Therapies
  • Bracing
  • Posture and Sleep Adjustments

Adult Scoliosis Treatment​

Physical Therapy

  • Special scoliosis exercises (such as Schroth Method)
  • Strengthen core, back, and hips
  • Correct posture and balance
  • Stretch tight muscles

Medications

  • Over-the-counter pain medications (such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen)
  • Muscle relaxants (if spasms occur)
  • Nerve pain medication (if numbness or tingling occurs)

Bracing (Selective Use)

  • Soft or rigid bracing can help support posture and alleviate pain.
  • Used primarily for pain relief, not to correct curve.

Lifestyle Changes

  • Low-impact exercises (walking, swimming)
  • Weight management to decrease spine pressure
  • Ergonomic chairs and mattress support

Alternative Therapies

  • Acupuncture (can decrease pain)
  • Massage therapy (eases tight muscles)
  • Chiropractic care (for temporary, mild pain relief)

Pediatric Scoliosis Treatment​​

  • Observation
  • Bracing
  • Physical Therapy
  • Surgery
  • Lifestyle and Support

Scoliosis Specialist​

  • Dr. Hitesh Garg
  • Dr. Manoj Miglani
  • Dr. Bipin Walia
  • Dr. Sachin Bhonsle
  • Dr. Yash Gulati

Scoliosis Brace Effectiveness​

Worn as prescribed

  • Very effective (can reduce risk of surgery by 70–80%)

Part-time wear

  • Moderately effective

Rarely worn

  • Less effective (curve likely worsens)

Scoliosis Surgery Recovery

Right After Surgery (Hospital Stay)

  • Hospital stay: Approximately 3–7 days (surgery type and age dependent).
  • Pain management: Pain medication through IV → pills as you recover.
  • Movement: Physical therapists get you sitting, standing, and walking in 1–2 days post-op.
  • Breathing exercises: To avoid lung complications (very important!).

First Weeks at Home

  • Week 1–2: Rest at home, walk short distances each day
  • Week 3–4: Gradually increase light activity (walking, light household work)
  • Week 4–6: School return (light schedule, no sports/PE)

3–6 Months Following Surgery

  • Return to most daily activities at 3 months.
  • Light exercises cleared (walking, gentle swimming).
  • Physical therapy can be initiated (if necessary).

6–12 Months Following Surgery

  • Bone fuses hard (bone grows fully together).
  • Resumption of sports/physical activity with physician's clearance.
  • Heavy lifting, twisting sports (such as gymnastics) are still restricted longer.

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