Scoliosis Chiropractic
Scoliosis: What is it?
Scoliosis is a condition characterised by a lateral (side-to-side) curvature of the normally straight spine, often forming an “S” or “C” shape. It is a three-dimensional spinal condition that involves changes in the spine’s alignment and rotation. Scoliosis can affect people of all ages, but is most commonly diagnosed during periods of rapid growth in childhood and adolescence.
Within Singapore, approximately 1.4% of schoolgirls aged 11-12 and 2.2% of schoolgirls aged 13-14 have adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
Therefore early diagnosis and consistent management is key in optimising outcomes, preventing the progression and ultimately reducing the need for more invasive interventions.
Types of Scoliosis
In Children and Adults:
- Idiopathic scoliosis: The most common type, with no known cause.
- Congenital scoliosis: Present from birth due to spinal abnormalities.
- Neuromuscular scoliosis: Associated with conditions like cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy.
In Adults:
- Degenerative Scoliosis:Permanent Curvature of the spine, occurs in adults due to wear and tear from incorrect weight distribution over the years.
- Functional Scoliosis: This is a temporary curvature often caused by muscle imbalances, leg length inequality or poor posture.
Causes & Types of Scoliosis
There are various types of scoliosis and causes for spinal curvature, including:
- Idiopathic scoliosis: The most common type of scoliosis and develops without a known cause. While it often appears to run in families, a specific genetic cause has not been identified. Idiopathic scoliosis is classified by age of onset as infantile (under 3 years), juvenile (3–10 years), or adolescent (over 10 years), with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis being the most common form.
- Degenerative scoliosis: Develops later in adulthood as a result of age-related wear and tear of the spine, including disc degeneration and arthritic changes in the spinal joints.
- Functional Scoliosis: Occurs when the spine develops a temporary curve due to postural and biomechanical imbalances rather than structural changes in the spine. It may be associated with factors such as leg length differences, muscular imbalances, pelvic tilt, or poor posture.
Signs and Symptoms of Scoliosis
Recognising the early signs of scoliosis early is crucial. Common signs and symptoms include:
- Uneven shoulders or hips
- One shoulder blade appearing more prominent
- A visible curve in the spine
- Back pain or neck pain at a younger age
- Change in posture
- Waist that is uneven
- One side of the hip having a higher position than the other
- One side of rib cage pushing forward
A simple test you can do at home to identify Scoliosis
I think I have Scoliosis, what to do next?
If you suspect you have scoliosis, it is important to have your spine assessed early. Early detection allows any spinal curvature to be properly evaluated and monitored, particularly during periods of growth.
Our chiropractors are trained to assess scoliosis and postural concerns through a comprehensive examination and, where appropriate, imaging such as X-ray. Based on your findings, we may recommend a personalised care plan that combines chiropractic adjustments, scoliosis-specific rehabilitation exercises, postural correction, and lifestyle advice to support spinal function and posture.
A review has shown that up to 90% of patients who participated in a chiropractic rehabilitation programme for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, and were followed through to skeletal maturity, achieved curve stabilisation or improvement. The aim of chiropractic care is to support spinal health, improve function, and help manage progression of scoliosis where possible.