Signs to look out for
- One shoulder higher than the other
- One shoulder blade sticking out more than the other
- Uneven waistline, or the hips looking shifted to one side
- A hump on one side of the back when bending forward (rib hump)
- Clothes hanging unevenly, with a skirt or trouser hem not level
- In adults, back or low back pain and tiring when standing for a long time
Causes and risk factors
In idiopathic scoliosis, the most common type, no specific cause is found; the idea that poor sitting posture or carrying a heavy school bag causes scoliosis isn't true. Less commonly, scoliosis can be caused by congenital differences in the spine, muscle and nervous system conditions, or age-related changes in the spine in adulthood. The curve can progress fastest during the rapid growth of adolescence. That's why, in children, noticing it early and following regular check-ups as your doctor advises matters when deciding on treatment options. Once growth has finished, mild and moderate curves usually progress very slowly.
- A family history of scoliosis
- A greater tendency to progress in girls
- The rapid growth period (adolescence)
- Age-related changes in the spine in adults
- Some muscle and nervous system conditions
How I work with scoliosis
Physiotherapy doesn't replace follow-up with your orthopaedic doctor; it works alongside it. Your doctor decides whether a brace is needed and whether surgery is appropriate.
Assessment
I assess your posture, shoulder and hip balance, the forward bend test, spinal mobility and muscle strength. If you have X-rays and doctor's reports, we review the degree of the curve and the monitoring plan together.
Exercise therapy
I teach scoliosis-specific exercises planned around the direction and type of the curve, including breathing and posture correction. The aim is to strengthen the trunk muscles evenly and carry the corrected posture into daily life.
Manual therapy
Especially for adults with pain, soft tissue and mobilisation techniques for tight muscles and joints can help ease pain. Manual therapy doesn't correct the curve; I use it as a tool to support exercise.
Education
With both the patient and the family, we talk about what scoliosis is, why continuing sport is usually safe and beneficial, and — if a brace is being used — why sticking to it matters.
How many sessions will I need?
Physiotherapy for scoliosis isn't a short course; it's an ongoing process built on regular home exercise. We usually meet more often in the first weeks so you learn the exercises correctly, then continue with spaced-out check-in sessions. The number of sessions depends on age, the degree of the curve and your doctor's monitoring plan.
What you can do at home
- Do the exercises you've been taught every day — short but regular; consistency matters more than duration.
- Don't stop your child from playing sport; unless your doctor says otherwise, staying active is beneficial.
- During the growth years, keep to the check-up schedule your doctor recommends.
- If a brace has been prescribed, try to stick to the recommended daily wearing time.
When to see a doctor first
In the following situations, see an orthopaedic doctor before — or alongside — physiotherapy:
- Scoliosis has just been noticed and hasn't yet been assessed by a doctor
- The curve clearly increases over a short time during the growth years
- Severe back pain in a child, or pain that wakes them at night
- Numbness, weakness or walking problems in the legs
- Changes in bladder or bowel control
- A progressing curve together with shortness of breath
Frequently asked questions
Can exercise correct scoliosis?
Can a child with scoliosis play sport?
Is physiotherapy helpful for scoliosis in adults?
Can I have physiotherapy while wearing a brace?
This page is for general information only and does not replace a medical diagnosis or examination. If your symptoms are severe or getting worse quickly, see a doctor first.