“You have scoliosis” is never a phrase you want to hear uttered in your presence, whether about yourself or your child. Although scoliosis is one of the most talked-about spinal conditions out there, it is unfortunately also one of the least understood.

In severe cases of scoliosis, surgery may be the only viable treatment option, and even that may not be successful. If you catch scoliosis when its symptoms are not severe, however, other treatment options – including chiropractic care – may be possible.

What Is Scoliosis?

Superficially, scoliosis is a curvature of the spine, although the underlying pathology of the condition can be more complex than this. Individuals who have scoliosis may appear to be leaning left or right, to varying degrees of severity. Scoliosis most often manifests itself around the growth spurt of puberty, although it can occur at other times in life as well.

Scoliosis Causes and Treatments

Some cases of scoliosis are linked to chronic conditions like cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy, but unfortunately, many others  have no apparent cause. Likewise, while severe cases of scoliosis can be treated with surgery, treatment options for milder cases are less clear and, often, less effective as well.