Adult Scoliosis: Symptoms, Treatment and Exercises That Help
Updated: 3 days ago
Scoliosis is often thought of as a teenage condition, but many adults live with it too. Some have had a curve since adolescence; others develop one later in life as the spine ages. The good news is that most adults with scoliosis can stay active and manage symptoms well without surgery. This guide explains the types of adult scoliosis, common symptoms, how it's managed, and the exercises that help.
What Is Adult Scoliosis?
Scoliosis is a sideways curve of the spine of 10 degrees or more, usually with some rotation of the vertebrae. In adults, it falls into two main types:
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in adulthood: a curve that started in childhood or the teen years. Many people have no symptoms for decades; larger curves can slowly progress in adulthood.
Degenerative (de novo) scoliosis: a curve that develops after age 50 or so, as discs and facet joints wear unevenly. It's usually in the lower back and is often linked to arthritis and spinal stenosis.
Less commonly, scoliosis can result from osteoporotic fractures, previous spinal surgery or other medical conditions.
Symptoms
Many adults with scoliosis have little or no pain. When symptoms do occur, they can include:
Back pain and stiffness, often worse with standing or walking for long periods.
Muscle fatigue on one side of the back.
Uneven shoulders, hips or waistline, or clothes fitting differently on each side.
Leg pain, numbness or tingling when degenerative scoliosis narrows the space for spinal nerves (spinal stenosis).
A gradual change in posture, such as leaning forward or to one side.
Diagnosis
A physical exam, including a forward-bend test, gives the first clues. Standing X-rays confirm the diagnosis and measure the curve using the Cobb angle. An MRI may be ordered if there are nerve symptoms. Knowing the size and type of your curve helps guide treatment and how often it should be monitored.
How Adult Scoliosis Is Managed
Treatment focuses on reducing pain, keeping you moving and strong, and monitoring any progression. Chiropractic care won't straighten a structural scoliosis curve, and anyone promising that should be viewed with caution. What conservative care can do is make a real difference to how you feel and function.
Chiropractic Care
Gentle joint mobilization and, where appropriate, manipulation can ease stiffness and pain in the spine and ribs. For degenerative scoliosis with stenosis, we often use flexion-distraction on our Hill table, a gentle, rhythmic technique that opens the spine and is well tolerated by older adults. Treatment is always adapted to bone density and comfort.
Exercise: The Most Important Part
Exercise builds the strength and endurance your back muscles need to support the curve. A good program usually includes:
Core endurance: bird dogs, side planks (often held longer on one side) and dead bugs.
Back and hip strength: bridges, hip hinges and rows to support upright posture.
Mobility: gentle spinal rotation, side bending and thoracic extension within a comfortable range.
Postural awareness: learning to find a more balanced, elongated position in sitting and standing.
Aerobic activity: walking, swimming or cycling for general fitness and pain relief.
Scoliosis-specific exercise approaches, such as the Schroth method, use individualized breathing and postural exercises. Our guide to the best exercises for spine health is a good starting point, and we tailor programs to your curve.
Massage, Acupuncture and Osteopathy
Massage therapy eases muscle tension and fatigue on the overworked side of the back. Acupuncture can help manage pain, and osteopathy offers gentle manual therapy for the spine, ribs and pelvis.
Bracing and Surgery
Bracing is rarely used in adults, though a soft brace may help some people tolerate activity for short periods. Surgery is considered for large or progressive curves, significant nerve compression, or pain that hasn't responded to conservative care. We coordinate with your physician and spine specialist if a surgical opinion is needed.
Living Well With Scoliosis
Stay active. Regular movement is one of the best things you can do.
Change positions often and take breaks from long periods of standing or sitting.
Look after your bone health, especially after menopause: talk to your doctor about bone density testing.
Keep a healthy weight to reduce load on the spine.
Get reassessed if your symptoms or posture change noticeably.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can scoliosis get worse in adults?
Some curves progress slowly in adulthood, often by about a degree a year in larger curves. Many stay stable. Periodic monitoring helps track any change.
Can a chiropractor fix scoliosis?
No treatment, including chiropractic care, can straighten a structural adult scoliosis curve. Chiropractic care and exercise can reduce pain, improve mobility and help you stay active.
What exercises should I avoid with scoliosis?
Most exercise is safe and beneficial. Very heavy loading or high-impact activities may aggravate symptoms for some people. We'll help you find what's right for your curve.
Is scoliosis linked to spinal stenosis?
Degenerative scoliosis often occurs with spinal stenosis, which can cause leg pain or numbness when standing or walking.
Book an Assessment
If you have scoliosis and are dealing with back pain or stiffness, book online or call Saanichton Chiropractic Group at 250-223-0200. See also our guide to the top causes of lower back pain.
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