See the Signs, Support Their Spine: Understanding Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a three-dimensional change in the shape and alignment of the spine. From behind, the spine may curve to one side, forming a “C” shape, rather than appear relatively straight. Some people have one primary curve, while others have more than one. The vertebrae, or bones that make up the spine, can also rotate.

Scoliosis can occur at different ages and for different reasons, although the most common is adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, which develops in adolescence. It’s “idiopathic” because its exact cause is unknown, and it often becomes noticeable during periods of rapid growth.

Scoliosis affects people differently. Some people have few or no physical symptoms, while others may experience discomfort or limitations with certain activities. More pronounced scoliosis can sometimes contribute to physical effects such as discomfort or changes in mobility or function. However, even mild scoliosis can influence how your child feels about their body, which can affect their confidence and quality of life. We consider these factors when designing care plans alongside physical concerns.

Because scoliosis affects everyone differently, there’s no single treatment plan that’s right for everyone. Depending on factors such as curve magnitude, skeletal growth, and risk of progression, some children may require bracing or additional medical management, although they can still benefit from physiotherapy techniques to address individual movement, strength, function, or activity goals.

At Expert Physio Plus, our team always starts by learning more about your movement and functional needs, which allows us to create a treatment plan that works best for the patient. Here are some of the strategies we might recommend:

Scoliosis-Specific Exercise

Scoliosis-specific exercises are selected and adapted based on the individual’s curve pattern, needs, and treatment goals. Although it’s important to work with our team to choose the exercises that will be most beneficial, these aren’t like exercises you might do in a gym. Instead, they focus on teaching you how to actively adjust and control your posture and movement in ways that account for the three-dimensional nature of scoliosis.

For example, a common scoliosis-specific exercise is three-dimensional self-correction, in which you learn to actively adjust the trunk toward a more balanced position based on your specific spinal curve.

Building Strength and Better Movement Control

Scoliosis can change how forces are distributed through the trunk, leading some muscles to work differently to support movement and everyday activities. In addition to scoliosis-specific exercises, we’ll also work with you to improve:

Addressing Stiffness and Discomfort

Not everyone with scoliosis experiences pain, but for those who do, physiotherapy can address factors that may be contributing to their symptoms. In addition to improving mobility through exercises, we might recommend hands-on techniques to manage discomfort and address tight or restricted muscles and joints.