Scoliosis

When you have scoliosis, your spine curves from side to side. This is not the normal front-to-back curvature of your body. Usually moderate and symptomless, it might result in incorrect posture and back pain.

What is scoliosis?

Your spine’s abnormal side-to-side curving is known as scoliosis. There is a small forward and backward bend to your spine (backbone) by nature. Your spine will bend to the left and right into a C or S form if you have scoliosis.

For the most part, scoliosis is minor, symptomless, and untreated. Severe instances may result in pain and asymmetrical posture. Surgery or brace wearing are possible forms of treatment.

Types of scoliosis

Scoliosis comes in three different forms:

• Idiopathic scoliosis
• Congenital scoliosis
• Neuromuscular scoliosis

Idiopathic scoliosis: This is the most prevalent kind. “Idiopathic” means the cause is unknown. It does have a genetic (hereditary) factor and is seen to run in families.

Congenital scoliosis: At birth, a medical professional may notice this uncommon spine deformity. It happens when the bones that make up your spine, called vertebrae, fail to form normally during embryonic development.

Neuromuscular scoliosis: This kind results from abnormalities in the muscles and nerves supporting your spine. This typically occurs in combination with neurological (nerve) or muscle disorders such as muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, or injury.

Adult-onset scoliosis or degenerative scoliosis are terms your healthcare professional may use to describe scoliosis diagnosed in adulthood. It’s possible that you have had minor, undetected scoliosis all of your life. As you age, your body may produce more symptoms, which might lead to a delayed diagnosis. In particular, adult-onset scoliosis occurs when bone density (osteoporosis) is lost or your discs and joints deteriorate.

Medical practitioners use a variety of names to describe idiopathic scoliosis, depending on when it is diagnosed:

• Infantile scoliosis: Before the age of three.
• Children 4–10 years old are considered to have juvenile scoliosis.
• Scoliosis in adolescents: 11–18 years old.

When skeletal development is complete, after the age of 18, adult idiopathic scoliosis is diagnosed.

Symptoms Of Scoliosis

Symptoms of scoliosis are rare, however, they may include:

• Pain in the back.
• Standing up straight is difficult.
• Weakening in the core muscles.
• Weakness, numbness, or leg pain.

Signs of scoliosis

Children and teenagers with scoliosis often exhibit the following signs:

• Uneven shoulders
• One hip seems higher than the other
• When bending forward, one shoulder blade is more noticeable than the other
• One side of the rib cage is higher than the other in cases of severe scoliosis
• Back pain may be present.

Causes of Scoliosis

Depending on the kind of scoliosis, the following causes may be present:

• Vertebral deformity in the developing embryo.
• An alteration in genetics.
• Damage to the spine.
• A spine tumour.
• An illness that affects your muscles or nerves.

However, most of the time, doctors are unable to pinpoint the exact cause (idiopathic scoliosis).

Risk factors

Scoliosis risk factors include the following:

• Age: Children who reach adolescence are more likely to have scoliosis.
• Sex: Individuals assigned female at birth have a greater chance of acquiring scoliosis. Scoliosis can occasionally run in families due to genetic causes.
• Neuromuscular disorders: Cerebral misalignment can result from disorders like cerebral palsy.

Complications of scoliosis

Severe scoliosis situations that go untreated can result in:

• Chronic pain.
• Physical abnormality.
• Injury to organs.
• Injury to the nerves.
• Arthritis.
• Spinal fluid is leaking.
• Trouble breathing.

How is scoliosis diagnosed?

Scoliosis will be diagnosed by a medical professional following a physical examination. During a screening at their office, you could be asked to stand up straight and then lean forward so that you can touch your toes. Your healthcare professional will do a back examination to assess your mobility and the curvature of your spine. Additionally, they will assess your nerves by evaluating your muscular strength and reflexes.

Your healthcare provider will ask the following questions before suggesting a course of treatment:

• The medical history of both you and your relatives.
• The day of your initial screening or the day you first became aware of a change in your spine.
• Any symptoms you might be experiencing?

Any difficulties with the bowels, bladder, or motor skills that might indicate more severe nerve injury or pressure caused by scoliosis.
Imaging tests may be ordered by your physician if necessary.

X-rays taken from the side and front will provide a complete image of your spine. The degree of your scoliosis can then be determined by your healthcare practitioner.

Computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans are examples of further imaging examinations.
Your doctor will recommend an orthopaedic spine expert if they think you have scoliosis that has to be treated.

How is scoliosis measured?

A medical professional will measure your spine’s curvature in degrees. The degree of the curve will be used to determine the severity score:

• Under 10 degrees does not indicate a diagnosis of scoliosis.
• The range of mild scoliosis is 10 to 24 degrees.
• Between 25 and 39 degrees is considered moderate scoliosis.
• 40 degrees or more is considered severe scoliosis.

This is comparable to using a protractor to measure angles in geometry class. A scoliometer is a gadget that your healthcare practitioner will use to measure the curve by placing it on your back. Additionally, in order to quantify the curvature, they could request an X-ray of your spine.

Management and Treatment

How is scoliosis treated?

Not all cases of scoliosis need to be treated.

If your doctor suggests therapy, they will consider several criteria, including:

• The type of scoliosis
• The curve’s degree.
• Scoliosis in your family history.
• How old are you?
• The number of growing years left until reaching skeletal maturity.

The goal of treatment is symptom relief rather than necessarily curve correction. The objective is to enhance your spine’s function, reduce symptoms, and slow down the development.

There are two ways to treat scoliosis:

• Conservative treatment
• Surgical treatment

Conservative scoliosis treatment

The majority of scoliosis instances don’t need surgery. Rather, healthcare professionals advise cautious measures first, which might involve:

• Seeing a doctor frequently (typically every six months) to keep an eye on the curve’s degree.
  Using over-the-counter drugs or anti-inflammatory drugs (as prescribed by your doctor or as needed).
• Improving your flexibility and strengthening your core muscles via exercise.
• Supporting your spine by using a back brace.
• Controlling any underlying illnesses.

Physical therapy could be suggested by your physician. This can help you reduce pain and build stronger muscles. Among the things a physical therapist can assist you with are:

• Improved posture.
• Swimming and other low-impact activities.
• Stretching daily.
• Advice about physical activities.

Scoliosis surgery

For certain forms of scoliosis that don’t improve with conservative therapy, surgery could be a possibility. Surgery may be suggested by your physician to:

• Maintain your back’s stability.
• Restoration of balance.
• Reduce nerve pressure.
• To cure scoliosis, your surgeon can use a variety of methods, such as:

Spinal fusion: Your surgeon will join the bones of your spine to stabilise it. Your spine will then be held in place by metal braces.
A surgeon will support a child’s growing spine by inserting an inflatable rod along the vertebrae. The child will adjust the rod’s length as they grow.

Improvements in computer-assisted technology and surgical methods allow for less invasive procedures and faster recovery times.

Can surgery for scoliosis cause complications?

Although scoliosis surgery is a safe operation, the following risks might occur:

• Infection.
• Bleeding.
• Blood clots.
• Injury to the nerves.
• Restricted mobility.

Exercises and Stretches For Scoliosis

• Pelvic tilts
• Arm and leg raises
• Cat-Cow
• Bird-dog
• Latissimus dorsi stretch
• Abdominal press
• Practicing good posture
  

1. Pelvic tilts: The goals of a pelvic tilt include postural awareness, alignment, and engagement. Additionally, it works the transverse abdominal muscles, which contribute to core stability.

To do a pelvic tilt, you need to:

• They should lie on their back with their knees bent and their feet flat on the ground.
• They should flatten their back on the floor and tighten their abdominal muscles.
• Breathe normally while holding for five seconds.
• Relax.
• Do two sets of ten.

2. Arm and leg raises: By performing arm and leg lifts, one may strengthen their lower back. It might be necessary to start with just the arms or legs in order to avoid putting too much strain on the spine.

To do the raises, an individual should:

• They should lie on their front with their forehead down.
• Their fists or palms should be on the ground as they raise their arms straight over their head. Make sure your legs are straight.
• They should raise their arms and legs off the ground.
• Lower their arms and legs back down after holding for a complete breath.
• 15 repetitions is the goal.

3. Cat-Cow: As a yoga posture, the Cat-Cow can assist in maintaining a flexible and pain-free spine. It facilitates spine movement as well.

To do the Cat-Cow stance, one should:

• Before beginning on their hands and knees, make sure your back is level and your head and neck are relaxed.
• Take a deep breath and arch your back by pulling your abdominal muscles up and in.
• Release your abdominal muscles, lower your back, allow your tummy to lower down, and lift your head towards the sky as they exhale.
• Do two sets of ten.

4. Bird-dog: Another exercise inspired by yoga is the bird-dog.

When performing this workout, one should:

• Start with a straight back while on your hands and knees.
• Immediately place your knees behind your hips and your hands beneath your shoulders.
• Stretch the opposing leg straight back and stretch the other arm straight out and forward.
• Hold your breath for five seconds.
• Repeat with the leg and arm on the other side.
• Perform 10–15 reps on each side.

5. Latissimus dorsi stretch: A wide, flat muscle that makes up the majority of the lower thoracic area of the back, the latissimus dorsi is the target of this stretch. It is mostly used for upper extremity movement.

They are immediately affected by thoracic scoliosis. Additionally, lumbar scoliosis may result in latissimus dorsi tightness.

A person must perform a latissimus dorsi stretch by:

• Maintain a neutral position and proper posture.
• Your knees should be slightly bent and your feet shoulder-width apart.
• Grasp the right wrist with the left hand while extending both hands over the head.
• You should bend slightly to the right until your left side feels stretched.
• Hold for one or two breaths, then straighten and return to the starting position by gently pulling with the left hand.
• Do the same on the other side.
• On each side, do five to ten repetitions.

6. Abdominal press: Good posture may be encouraged, and back strain can be lessened with the support of strong abdominal muscles. Contracting the muscles in the transverse abdomen might also be beneficial.
An individual performing an abdominal press should:

• You should lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor.
• Maintain a relaxed, neutral back posture.
• Raise both feet off the floor such that your thighs and feet are at a 90-degree angle and your knees are above your hips.

7. Practicing good posture:

Muscle stress and pain can be lessened with proper posture. To learn how to stand with proper posture naturally, a person can realign their body many times during the day.
A person who wants to stand with proper posture should:

• Let their shoulders fall back and downward.
• Your ears should be above your shoulders.
• Tuck your chin in just enough to keep it from extending too far down or forward.
• Squeeze the stomach a little.
• Knees can be relaxed or slightly bent.

Keep your ears above your shoulders and your back straight as you sit. One should avoid crossing their legs and maintain a neutral posture.

Looking for indications of tension in the body might be beneficial. When under stress or in pain, for example, some people tilt slightly to one side or subconsciously tighten their shoulders.

Top 10 Exercises for Scoliosis Video

Summary

If a test indicates that your kid may have scoliosis, you may be concerned when they bring the note home from school. Or perhaps you went to your doctor and they found that you have degeneration of the bones that is influencing your height and posture. Since most scoliosis cases are mild, therapy isn’t always necessary.

You may often get along with nonsurgical measures like wearing a brace. To correct extreme curvature, surgery is a secure and beneficial alternative option. After a scoliosis diagnosis, your doctor will advise you on how to care for yourself or your child and let you know whether they suggest treatment.

FAQ’s

References:

• Scoliosis. (2025, February 7). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15837-scoliosis
• Ames, H. (2024, March 1). The 7 best stretches and exercises for scoliosis. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325385
• Lindberg, S. (2024, September 9). The ins and outs of yoga and scoliosis. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/yoga-for-scoliosis