Scoliosis is an abnormal sideways curvature of the spine, often forming an S or C shape, sometimes accompanied by rotation that causes the shoulders, ribcage, or hips to appear uneven. A curvature measuring 10 degrees or more on an X-ray is clinically classified as scoliosis.

The most common form — adolescent idiopathic scoliosis — has no single known cause, though genetics and growth patterns are strong contributing factors. Other types include congenital scoliosis (present from birth), neuromuscular scoliosis (secondary to conditions like cerebral palsy), and degenerative scoliosis, which develops in adults as spinal discs and joints break down unevenly over time. Identifying the type is the first step in determining the right treatment approach.

Yes. Chiropractic care is an effective option for managing scoliosis, particularly for reducing pain, improving spinal mobility, and supporting long-term spinal health. It's important to be clear that chiropractic care cannot straighten the spine back to zero degrees, but it can meaningfully reduce the symptoms the curve creates and, in some cases, help slow progression when combined with scoliosis-specific exercises.

At Intero Chiropractic, scoliosis treatment is individualized to each patient's curve pattern, severity, and goals. Adjustments are targeted to the specific spinal segments affected by the curve, and care plans often incorporate soft tissue therapy and rehabilitative exercises alongside manual treatment. If you've been diagnosed with scoliosis and are looking for a non-surgical management option, a chiropractic evaluation is a strong place to start.

For the vast majority of adults with scoliosis, chiropractic care is safe and well-tolerated. The key is working with a chiropractor who understands scoliosis and selects techniques accordingly, using more targeted, lower-force approaches rather than standard high-velocity adjustments, particularly for older patients or those with reduced bone density.

At Intero Chiropractic, every scoliosis patient goes through a thorough intake evaluation before any treatment begins. We review existing imaging, assess the curve pattern and overall spinal health, and discuss any factors that would modify our approach. If chiropractic isn't the right fit for a particular patient's situation, we'll say so clearly and help connect them with the appropriate provider.

Scoliosis treatment at Intero Chiropractic typically includes targeted spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapy to address the chronic muscle imbalances the curve creates, and scoliosis-specific exercises to strengthen stabilizing muscles and improve posture. The exact combination depends on the patient's curve type, severity, age, and symptoms.

Because scoliosis is a chronic condition, treatment is more about ongoing management than a fixed endpoint. Most patients notice meaningful improvement in pain and mobility within the first 4 to 8 weeks. After that, visit frequency typically decreases as the condition stabilizes, with periodic check-ins to monitor the curve over time. 

Scoliosis doesn't always cause pain in its early stages, which is why visual signs are often the first indication. These include uneven shoulders or hips, a shoulder blade that protrudes on one side, a visible spinal curve or lean when standing, and a rib hump when bending forward. As curves progress, symptoms can include back pain, muscle fatigue, and in significant cases, nerve-related symptoms like tingling or numbness.

At Intero Chiropractic, our chiropractors are trained in scoliosis screening and can help determine whether imaging or a referral is warranted.

Yes, scoliosis can progress, and the risk is highest in adolescents during growth spurts and in adults over 40 with curves greater than 30 degrees. Left unmonitored, a curve that seems manageable can advance significantly over time, bringing with it worsening pain, muscle imbalances, and in severe cases, reduced lung capacity or nerve involvement.

Conservative care won't reverse an existing curve, but it can help slow progression, keep the spine as functional as possible, and reduce the compounding physical strain of living with an uncorrected curvature. At Intero Chiropractic, we take a proactive approach — monitoring curve changes over time and adjusting care as needed so patients stay ahead of progression rather than reacting to it.