Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine. Many people live with a degree of scoliosis without it causing significant problems, while for others it can be associated with back pain, stiffness or discomfort. It is important to be clear from the outset that chiropractic care does not claim to straighten or correct the curve itself; rather, our role is to help manage any associated pain and to support comfortable movement. At Back in Action in Penwortham, we care for people across Preston and Lancashire who are living with scoliosis-related discomfort.
Understanding scoliosis
Instead of running straight down the middle of the back, a spine with scoliosis curves to one side, sometimes in an “S” or a “C” shape, and the spine may also be slightly rotated. The degree of curvature varies enormously: many curves are mild and cause no symptoms at all, and are sometimes only discovered by chance, while larger curves can affect posture and, in some cases, comfort and function. Scoliosis can develop in childhood or adolescence, often without a known cause, or appear later in life as the spine changes with age.
It is worth saying plainly that having scoliosis does not automatically mean a life of back pain — many people with a curve are entirely comfortable and active. Where scoliosis is associated with pain or stiffness, that discomfort is often mechanical and can be helped, even though the curve itself remains. Understanding this distinction — between the curve and the symptoms — is central to a sensible, honest approach.
It also helps to set aside some of the anxiety that the word “scoliosis” can carry. A curve is not, in itself, something to be frightened of, and for the majority of adults a mild or moderate curve is simply a feature of how their spine is shaped. The goal is to live well and comfortably, staying active and strong, rather than to fixate on the curve itself.
An important note on assessment and monitoring
Scoliosis, particularly in children and adolescents whose spines are still growing, needs appropriate medical assessment and monitoring, because curves can sometimes progress during growth and may require specialist input. If you have concerns about scoliosis in a child or young person, or if a curve appears to be changing, it is important to see your GP so that proper monitoring and, where needed, specialist referral can be arranged. We see our role as complementary to, and never a substitute for, this medical oversight.
What scoliosis can feel like
Scoliosis itself is often painless, especially in younger people. Where it is associated with symptoms, these may include:
- Aching or discomfort in the back, particularly after prolonged sitting or standing
- Muscular tension and fatigue, sometimes more on one side
- Stiffness and a feeling of reduced or uneven movement
- Visible asymmetry, such as one shoulder or hip appearing higher than the other, or a more prominent shoulder blade
- Discomfort that varies with activity and posture
- Self-consciousness about appearance, which is worth acknowledging and supporting
How much trouble a curve causes is not simply a matter of its size, and many people manage very well with the right support. Two people with similar curves can have completely different experiences, which is why we focus on you and your symptoms rather than on a measurement alone.
Common causes
Scoliosis arises in several ways:
- Most commonly without a clear identifiable cause, often developing during adolescence
- As part of the natural changes of the spine in later life, alongside degenerative changes
- Less commonly, in association with other underlying conditions
Whatever the origin, our focus is on the symptoms a person experiences and how to help them live comfortably, rather than on the curve in isolation.
When to seek help
See your GP if you notice a new or changing curve, particularly in a child or teenager, so that it can be properly assessed and monitored. As with any back problem, please seek urgent medical attention if you develop difficulty controlling your bladder or bowels, numbness around the back passage or inner thighs, severe or progressive weakness in the legs, or if you feel generally unwell with a fever or unexplained weight loss.
How chiropractic care can help
We want to be honest and clear about this: chiropractic care is not a treatment to straighten the spine or reduce a scoliosis curve, and we make no such claim. What it can do, for people whose scoliosis is associated with back pain or stiffness, is help manage that discomfort and support better movement and function. Following a thorough assessment, our hands-on, drug-free care may include gentle mobilisation of stiff areas, soft-tissue work to ease muscular tension, and a programme of rehabilitation exercise to build strength and maintain mobility. Because we are a multi-practitioner clinic, we can also draw on physiotherapy. The aim is comfort, movement and confidence, alongside appropriate medical monitoring.
What to expect at Back in Action
Your first visit is mostly about understanding your symptoms and how scoliosis is affecting you, rather than the curve alone. We will take a careful history and carry out a physical examination of your posture, movement and the affected areas. We will explain what we have found in plain language, including being clear and honest about what care can and cannot do, and we will encourage appropriate medical monitoring where relevant. Our aim is to be a useful, realistic part of how you manage life with scoliosis — helping with comfort and movement — rather than to make claims that cannot be kept. You can read more on our new patients page, with current charges on the fees page, and we will review your progress as we go.
Helping yourself: self-care and wellbeing
Staying active and strong is one of the most helpful things you can do when living with scoliosis-related discomfort:
- Keep generally active, which supports the muscles around the spine
- Build and maintain strength and flexibility over time
- Pay attention to posture during prolonged sitting, while not forcing rigid positions
- Balance activity with rest to manage flare-ups of discomfort
- Keep up any monitoring or exercises advised by your GP or specialist
- Choose activities you enjoy and will sustain, since consistency matters more than intensity
If you would like guidance tailored to you, we can build self-care and exercise advice into your care plan, complementing any specialist input. Staying active and strong, and keeping a positive, matter-of-fact attitude to the curve, tend to be among the most valuable things for living well with scoliosis over the long term.
Related conditions and treatments
Scoliosis-related discomfort overlaps with back pain, low back pain, upper back pain and the degenerative changes of lumbar spondylosis. The care we provide draws on approaches such as chiropractic manipulation, posture analysis and exercise and rehabilitation, and may form part of a wider plan alongside our chiropractic and physiotherapy services.
Take the first step
If scoliosis-related back pain or stiffness is affecting your life, we are happy to talk it through honestly and help you understand how we may — and may not — be able to help. You can get in touch to book an appointment, or to ask any questions before your first visit.