June 2026 Is Scoliosis Awareness Month
Know the signs and get checked.
Schools provide screenings, but some curves can be missed especially in the lower back (lumbar)spine, an Xray is the standard method of conformation. Scoliosis affects juvenile females and males equally and around 5% of the adolescent population and over 30% of those over 60 years. Females will progress to a moderate or severe stage more often than males. About a third of individuals with a scoliosis will have a family member within generations or a secondary family member relationship.
Why more ladies; we don’t know! We do know curves progress during growth spurts in both males and females, some more than others. With adult women curves may progress during pregnancy due to the release of relaxin during pregnancy. Many scoliotic patients have osteopenia, women lose an additional 30% of bone mass after menopause accounting for some of the increase incidence with later years.
The cause of scoliosis is unknown, there are many theories. Genetic, neurotransmitter and hormonal testing dose not have enough quality evidence to provide a guideline from SOSORT, the international community’s professional academic / provider organization. Some with a neurologic or congenital alteration the scoliosis is directly related to the condition (MD, CP, syringomyelia, Klippel-Feil syndrome, hemiverterbrae). Everyone with a scoliosis will need treatment through out their life to avoid complications of pain and progression in a office or at home. That is determined by age, location, severity and number of curves along with current symptoms and concerns.
Each individual needs at a minimum an exercise program designed specifically for their unique scoliotic pattern. Physiotherapeutic scoliosis specific exercises provided by trained providers; like ScoliBalance®, SEAS, BSPTS, CBP have been proven to reduce pain and halt the progression of scoliosis. General PT, Pilates and yoga have not according to SOSORT. Active and passive care like bracing could be recommended at various stages during ones life journey with scoliosis.
Bracing in the BRAIST study was found to be 72 % effective; halting the study so the control group could benefit from bracing treatment if desired. Ranging from soft dynamic braces to traditional TLSOs (thoracic-lumbo-sacral orthoses) these off the shelf customizable braces provide 3 point pressure, like a cast. ScoliBrace® is the world’s leader in customized bracing unique to the individuals body and scoliotic pattern. Utilizing the coupled motion of the spine, creating a 3 dimensional correction to reduce or halt the curve progression. The 100 % custom made brace uses state of the art three dimensional scanning, CAD/CAM along with X-rays, posture photos and ATR (angle of trunk rotation) specific measurements to create a truly individualized brace.
As Summer approaches and we wear less clothing, if you see Younger individuals with uneven shoulders or hips, a prominent shoulder blade or asymmetrical folds in the waist these are strong Indications of a scoliosis. In older adults they my be slumping forward, leaning to one or side have balance issues and a loss of standing or sitting height. Get checked. A life with scoliosis is a marathon. Don’t get a late start.
