Scoliosis is an abnormal sideways curvature of the spine that affects roughly 6 to 9 million people in the United States, according to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS, 2023). If you or your child has been diagnosed with scoliosis, you have probably heard conflicting opinions about what can be done. The truth is that chiropractic care cannot make scoliosis disappear, but it can reduce pain, slow curve progression, and significantly improve how well the spine functions day to day.
Understanding Scoliosis: Types and Causes
Not all scoliosis is the same. The type of curve determines how it should be managed.
Idiopathic Scoliosis
This is the most common type, accounting for about 80% of all scoliosis cases (Scoliosis Research Society, 2024). "Idiopathic" means the cause is unknown. It typically develops during adolescence, between ages 10 and 18, when the spine is growing rapidly. Girls are eight times more likely than boys to have a curve that progresses to the point of needing treatment.
Degenerative Scoliosis
This type develops in adults, usually after age 50, as the discs and joints of the spine wear down unevenly. It is the most common form of scoliosis in older adults and can cause significant pain, stiffness, and nerve compression. A 2019 study in The Spine Journal estimated that degenerative scoliosis affects up to 68% of adults over age 60 to some degree (The Spine Journal, 2019).
Congenital Scoliosis
This type is present at birth and results from vertebrae that did not form correctly during fetal development. It is relatively rare, affecting about 1 in 10,000 births. Congenital scoliosis often requires surgical monitoring, though chiropractic care can help manage associated pain and functional limitations.
How Chiropractic Care Helps Manage Scoliosis
Let's be direct about expectations. Chiropractic care does not cure scoliosis. No conservative treatment does. But it can accomplish several important things:
- Reduce pain: Scoliosis creates uneven loading on the joints, muscles, and discs. This causes chronic muscle tension, joint inflammation, and nerve irritation. Chiropractic adjustments restore mobility to restricted segments and reduce pressure on irritated nerves.
- Slow curve progression: By maintaining spinal mobility and proper alignment of the segments above and below the curve, chiropractic care can help slow the rate at which the curve worsens.
- Improve function: Patients with scoliosis often have reduced range of motion, difficulty with certain activities, and postural imbalances. Targeted chiropractic care addresses these limitations directly.
- Reduce reliance on medication: A 2017 study in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine found that scoliosis patients who received chiropractic care reported significant reductions in pain medication use (JCM, 2017).
"I tell every scoliosis patient the same thing on day one," says Dr. Austin Elkin of City of Palms Chiropractic. "I cannot straighten your spine completely. But I can help it work better, hurt less, and stay as stable as possible. That is an honest conversation, and it is where real progress starts."
Techniques Used for Scoliosis
Standard chiropractic adjustments are designed for relatively straight spines. Scoliosis requires specialized approaches that account for the curve and the way it changes the biomechanics of the entire spine.
Chiropractic BioPhysics (CBP)
CBP is an evidence-based technique that uses a combination of mirror-image adjustments, traction, and exercises to influence spinal curves. A 2019 systematic review in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science found that CBP protocols produced measurable reductions in Cobb angle (the standard measurement of scoliotic curvature) in multiple case studies (JPTS, 2019). CBP is one of the most researched scoliosis-specific chiropractic methods available.
Mirror-Image Adjustments
This technique positions the patient in the opposite direction of their curve and applies a corrective force. If the spine curves to the right in the thoracic region, the patient is positioned and adjusted to encourage movement toward the left. Over time, this trains the spine to hold a more neutral position.
Spinal Traction
Traction applies a sustained, controlled pull on the spine to encourage gradual remodeling of the ligaments and soft tissues. For scoliosis, traction is typically applied in a way that opposes the existing curve. Sessions usually last 10 to 20 minutes and are combined with adjustments for the best results.
Scoliosis-Specific Exercises
Your chiropractor will prescribe exercises that strengthen the muscles on the weakened side of the curve and stretch the muscles on the shortened side. These exercises are not generic core work. They are designed specifically for your curve pattern and are an essential part of treatment.
Age Considerations: Children vs. Adults
The approach to scoliosis differs significantly depending on the patient's age and skeletal maturity.
Children and Adolescents
Early intervention is critical. The spine is still growing, and curves can progress rapidly during growth spurts. The Scoliosis Research Society recommends screening between ages 10 and 15. Chiropractic care during this window focuses on influencing the developing curve before the spine reaches skeletal maturity, which happens around age 16 to 18 for girls and 18 to 20 for boys. Learn more about signs your child may need a chiropractor.
For adolescents with moderate curves (25 to 45 degrees), chiropractic care is often used alongside bracing. The two approaches complement each other: the brace provides external support while chiropractic care maintains mobility and addresses the compensatory issues that bracing can create.
Adults
Adult scoliosis care focuses more on pain management, functional improvement, and slowing progression. The spine is no longer growing, so the potential for curve reduction is smaller than in adolescents, but pain relief and functional gains are often significant. Many adults with scoliosis have been told they just have to live with it. That is not accurate. Read more about how corrective chiropractic care works to improve spinal structure.
When to Refer for Bracing or Surgery
Responsible scoliosis care means knowing when chiropractic treatment alone is not enough. Here are the thresholds:
- Bracing: Recommended for growing adolescents with curves between 25 and 45 degrees. A 2013 study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that bracing significantly decreased the progression of high-risk curves in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis (NEJM, 2013).
- Surgical consultation: Curves exceeding 45 to 50 degrees in adolescents or curves causing significant pain, breathing difficulty, or neurological symptoms in adults should be evaluated by an orthopedic spine surgeon.
- Continued chiropractic care: Even when bracing or surgery is necessary, chiropractic care often continues as a complementary treatment. Post-surgical patients and brace-wearing adolescents both benefit from maintaining spinal mobility and managing the compensatory issues that arise from these interventions.
"A good chiropractor knows when to refer," says Dr. Elkin. "If a patient has a curve that is progressing rapidly or is above the threshold for surgical evaluation, I send them to the right specialist. That is not failure. That is doing what is best for the patient."
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a chiropractor fix scoliosis?
A chiropractor cannot eliminate a scoliotic curve entirely, but chiropractic care can reduce the curve, slow its progression, decrease pain, and improve how well the spine functions. The goal is management and improvement, not a complete cure. Many patients see measurable reductions in their Cobb angle with consistent corrective chiropractic care.
At what age should scoliosis treatment start?
The earlier, the better. Scoliosis screening is recommended between ages 10 and 15, when growth spurts can accelerate curve progression. Early intervention during adolescence gives chiropractors the best chance of influencing the curve before skeletal maturity. However, adults with scoliosis also benefit from care focused on pain relief and functional improvement.
Does scoliosis get worse with age?
It can. Curves greater than 30 degrees at skeletal maturity tend to progress at about 1 degree per year in adulthood. Degenerative changes in the discs and joints can also create new curves in adults who did not have scoliosis as children. Regular monitoring and maintenance care help keep progression in check.
How is scoliosis chiropractic care different from regular chiropractic?
Scoliosis-specific chiropractic care uses techniques designed for curved spines, such as Chiropractic BioPhysics and mirror-image adjustments. Standard chiropractic focuses on restoring normal alignment. Scoliosis care works with the existing curve, using targeted adjustments, traction, and exercises to reduce the curve and improve function rather than simply adjusting individual segments.
When should scoliosis be treated with bracing or surgery instead of chiropractic?
Bracing is typically recommended for growing adolescents with curves between 25 and 45 degrees. Surgery is usually considered when curves exceed 45 to 50 degrees or when there is significant pain, breathing difficulty, or neurological symptoms. Your chiropractor will refer you to an orthopedic specialist if your curve falls into these ranges.
Take the First Step Toward Better Spinal Health
Scoliosis does not have to control your life. Whether you are a parent concerned about your teenager's curve or an adult tired of living with scoliosis pain, chiropractic care offers a real path forward. At City of Palms Chiropractic in Fort Myers, Dr. Austin Elkin uses evidence-based scoliosis-specific techniques to help patients of all ages manage their curves and live with less pain. Call (239) 690-7794 or book your free consultation online to find out what is possible for your spine.