Scoliosis-related back pain
I have scoliosis. Can physiotherapy help my back pain?
Scoliosis is a sideways curve of the spine. Exercise can help adults with back pain, and growing children need medical monitoring.
What it feels like
Back pain or stiffness in someone with a known sideways curve of the spine, sometimes with muscle fatigue on one side after standing or sitting for a long time. Many people with scoliosis have little or no pain.
What is actually happening
Scoliosis is a sideways curve of the spine with rotation. It most often develops during growth in adolescence, and some adults develop it with age-related changes in the spine. Having a curve does not mean pain is inevitable, and back pain in someone with scoliosis often has the same causes as back pain in anyone else.
When to see a doctor
A child or teenager with a newly noticed curve, uneven shoulders or hips, or a curve that seems to be changing should see their doctor, because growing children may need monitoring by a scoliosis team. Adults should see a doctor for back pain with leg weakness or numbness, bladder or bowel changes, or a curve that is clearly progressing.
How it is assessed
Assessment includes your history and any curve measurements from your medical team, movement and strength of the spine and hips, and the activities that provoke pain. It screens for nerve symptoms and warning signs.
How it is treated
A systematic review found that stabilisation exercise can reduce back pain and disability in adults with scoliosis, although the research is limited. For growing children and adolescents, the international SOSORT guidelines describe scoliosis-specific exercise and, where indicated, bracing under the care of a scoliosis medical team. For adults with pain, treatment is progressive strengthening, mobility work and staying active.
What to do first
Stay active, build general strength, and have it assessed. Keep any previous scoliosis reports or measurements to bring to your appointment.
Where this is assessed
- Athlete's Care Sports Medicine Centres Yonge & Eglinton · Mon/Wed/Fri · 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM Book at Athlete's Care
- Push Pounds Sports Medicine Downtown Toronto · Tue/Thu · 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM Call Push Pounds to book
- Country Lane Physio Home office & virtual · Sat · By appointment only Message me to book
References
This page is based on the following clinical practice guidelines and research.
- Alanazi MH, Parent EC, Dennett E. Effect of stabilization exercise on back pain, disability and quality of life in adults with scoliosis: a systematic review. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2018;54(5):647-653.
- Negrini S, Donzelli S, Aulisa AG, et al. 2016 SOSORT guidelines: orthopaedic and rehabilitation treatment of idiopathic scoliosis during growth. Scoliosis Spinal Disord. 2018;13:3.