Living With Scoliosis: What to Know About Care and Comfort

Maybe a school check picked up that one shoulder sits higher than the other. Maybe you've lived with scoliosis since your teens and notice your back gets sore and tired by the end of a long day. Either way, scoliosis raises a lot of questions, and it's natural to want to know your options.

This article explains what scoliosis is, how it's usually monitored, and where chiropractic care may fit.

What is scoliosis?

Scoliosis is a sideways curve of the spine, often with some rotation. It can show up as:

• One shoulder or hip sitting higher than the other
• A shoulder blade that sticks out more on one side
• The waist looking uneven
• Clothes hanging differently on each side

The most common type, adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, develops during growth spurts and has no single known cause. Scoliosis can also develop in adults as the spine changes with age.

How scoliosis is diagnosed and monitored

Scoliosis is diagnosed with a physical examination and X-rays, which measure the size of the curve. Management depends on the person's age, how much growing they have left, and the size of the curve. It's usually guided by a GP or specialist and may include monitoring, specific exercises, bracing during growth or, for larger curves, surgery.

If your child has been diagnosed with scoliosis, regular review with their doctor or specialist is important, particularly during growth.

Where chiropractic care may fit

Chiropractic care isn't a substitute for medical management of scoliosis, and it doesn't straighten the spine. Where it may help is with comfort, mobility and managing the muscle and joint aches many people with scoliosis experience.

At your first visit, your chiropractor will take a full history, review any imaging and reports, and examine how your spine, hips and shoulders move. If they think they can help, care may include:

• Gentle adjustments or mobilisation for stiff areas
• Soft tissue work for tight or tired muscles
• Exercises to support strength, flexibility and posture
• Advice on activity, sport and daily habits

Your chiropractor will work alongside your GP or specialist, and refer you if anything changes or needs further review.

Staying active

Most people with scoliosis can and should stay active. Swimming, strength training, Pilates and many sports can all be part of a healthy routine. Talk to your health practitioner about what suits you.

Book an assessment

If scoliosis is leaving you stiff or sore, or you'd like advice on staying active, book an assessment. Learn more about scoliosis care at Vitality Chiropractic, or book online at our Yokine clinic.

This article is general information only and isn't a substitute for individual advice from a registered health practitioner.