Mid & Upper Back

What It Is

Line drawing of the skeleton from behind, showing the skull, the spine running straight down the middle, the ribcage, the shoulder blades and the pelvis. — Scoliosis shows up from behind, as the spine bending away from this straight line down the centre of the back.

Line drawing of the spine from the side, showing its gentle natural curves from the neck down to the tailbone. — From the side, a healthy spine already curves — these front-to-back curves are normal and aren't scoliosis.

Scoliosis is where the spine twists and curves to the side (laterally), in what would normally be a straight spine (NHS, 2023a). To see a scoliosis, you need to view the spine looking from the back.

Scoliosis is not usually a sign of anything serious, and treatment is not always needed if it is mild (NHS, 2023a).

When you view the spine from the side, the spine should end up showing a mild roundness within the upper part of the back and an arch in the lower part of the back. That's completely normal and does not refer to a scoliosis.

What Causes a Scoliosis?

In around 8 in every 10 cases, the cause of scoliosis is unknown. This is called idiopathic scoliosis. It is not thought to be linked to things such as bad posture, exercise or diet, but your genes may make you more likely to get it, as it sometimes runs in families (NHS, 2023a).

Less commonly, scoliosis may be caused by

The bones in the spine not forming properly in the womb (congenital scoliosis), which is present from birth
An underlying nerve or muscle condition, such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy (neuromuscular scoliosis)
Wear and tear of the spine with age (degenerative scoliosis), which affects older adults

(NHS, 2023a)

Scoliosis most often starts in children aged 10 to 15 (NHS, 2023a), and in a child who is still growing a curve can get worse quickly during a growth spurt (AAOS, n.d.). If you notice your child has a curvature of the spine, you should see your family doctor or nurse practitioner, who can refer you to a specialist to have this investigated (NHS, 2023a).

Not every sideways curve is idiopathic scoliosis. When examining the back, doctors also check for other possible causes, such as a difference in leg length or problems with the nerves (AAOS, n.d.).

Do I need a Scan?

This depends on the severity of your curvature. If your doctor is concerned, they will refer you to a specialist such as the orthopaedics team; if I'm concerned, I'll suggest you see your family doctor or nurse practitioner. An X-ray of your back is usually used to check how big the curve is (NHS, 2023a), and the team may decide whether you need any other scans, such as an MRI scan.

Not a diagnosis — for more information, contact me or another trusted healthcare provider.

Treatment

Self-Care & Treatment

How Scoliosis is Treated

Treatment for scoliosis depends on your age, how severe the curve is, and whether it's likely to get worse with time. Many people will not need any treatment, and only a small number will need surgery (NHS, 2023a).

1. Exercise and Therapy

I can't straighten a curve, but I can help with the aches, tight or tired muscles and stiffness that can come with scoliosis, with hands-on work, exercise and advice on everyday habits. See the My Approach tab for how I work.

General exercise is good for overall health and should not be avoided unless your doctor advises it (NHS, 2023a). Some practitioners have undertaken further or advanced training in the treatment of scoliosis. Some specialist guidelines recommend scoliosis-specific exercises, taught by specially trained therapists, to help limit a curve getting worse in growing children (Negrini et al., 2018). However, the NHS says it is not clear whether back exercises help improve scoliosis, and there is little reliable evidence that therapies such as osteopathy and chiropractic can correct a curved spine or stop it getting worse (NHS, 2023a; NHS, 2023b).

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor, nurse practitioner or specialist

Options outside my scope

Braces: for a child who is still growing and has a curve of about 25 to 45 degrees, a specialist may recommend a brace, which can help stop the curve getting worse but does not straighten a curve that is already there (AAOS, n.d.; NHS, 2023b).
Surgery: for curves greater than about 45 to 50 degrees, an operation called a spinal fusion can straighten the spine using metal rods and stop the curve getting worse (AAOS, n.d.; NHS, 2023b).
Pain treatment for adults: adults may need treatment to relieve pain, such as spinal injections or, very occasionally, surgery (NHS, 2023a).

How I can help (see the My Approach tab)

Hands-on work for aches, tight muscles and stiffness
Stretching and strengthening, with a home programme
Advice on posture habits, workstation set-up and staying active

Tips

Scoliosis has been known to run in families. About 30% of young people with idiopathic scoliosis have a family history of the condition (AAOS, n.d.).
Both boys and girls can be affected, but girls are more likely than boys to develop larger curves that need treatment (AAOS, n.d.).
Some babies are born with scoliosis because the bones in the spine did not form properly in the womb (NHS, 2023a).
Idiopathic scoliosis is not caused by posture, exercise or one-sided sports (NHS, 2023a; AAOS, n.d.).
Most people with scoliosis are able to live normal lives and can do most activities, including exercise and sports (NHS, 2023a).

Treatment

My Approach

Massage and exercise can't straighten a curve or stop it changing; checking and treating the curve belongs with your doctor and specialist team. My aim is to help with how it feels: the aches, tight or tired muscles and stiffness that can come with scoliosis, so you stay comfortable and active.

I start by assessing your posture, how your spine, ribcage and hips move, and which muscles are short and tight and which are long and tired. If you have symptoms in your arms or legs, I'll also check sensation, reflexes and strength. If your curve hasn't been checked by a doctor, I'll suggest you have that done.

Hands-On Treatment

Myofascial, trigger point and massage work on the tight side of the curve, through the low back, hips, ribcage, shoulders and neck
Gentle, low-velocity joint mobilisation for stiff areas of the spine and ribs, never quick thrusts
Assisted stretches where you push gently against my hand and then relax
Brisk, stimulating work on the long, tired side rather than stretching it, one area at a time over several visits

Exercise and Home Care

Stretches for the tight side, breathing into the stiff ribs
Strength for the tired side and your core, from side-lying lifts to standing work and, if you lift, gym training adapted to your back
A look at habits like always standing on the same leg, and your workstation

Work around the buttocks and hips is only with your informed consent and a written consent form. Parents are welcome to sit in with children, with the child's agreement, and I'll show you the home exercises. After a spinal fusion, I need your surgeon's okay before we start, and I won't mobilise the fused area or the joints next to it, or use heat over the metal rods.

If you notice the curve changing, or new numbness, tingling or weakness in your arms or legs, see your family doctor or nurse practitioner.

What to Expect

Typical Course

Typical course: Most people come once or twice a week at first, then weekly, with a reassessment at about six weeks, then less often as you manage more on your own. Scoliosis itself is long-term; our aim over those first six weeks or so is easing aches and stiffness, then occasional visits to keep you comfortable.

What I Focus On

Assessment

Release the Tight Side

Strengthen the Tired Side

Gentle Spinal Mobility

Home Programme & Habits

Sources

References

NHS (2023a) Scoliosis. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/scoliosis/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (n.d.) Idiopathic scoliosis in children and adolescents. OrthoInfo. Available at: https://www.orthoinfo.org/diseases--conditions/idiopathic-scoliosis-in-children-and-adolescents/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
NHS (2023b) Scoliosis: treatment in children. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/scoliosis/treatment-in-children/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
Negrini, S. et al. (2018) '2016 SOSORT guidelines: orthopaedic and rehabilitation treatment of idiopathic scoliosis during growth', Scoliosis and Spinal Disorders, 13, p. 3. doi: 10.1186/s13013-017-0145-8

Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooScoliosis

What It Is

What Causes a Scoliosis?

Do I need a Scan?

Self-Care & Treatment

How Scoliosis is Treated

1. Exercise and Therapy

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor, nurse practitioner or specialist

Tips

My Approach

Hands-On Treatment

Exercise and Home Care

Typical Course

References

Related Conditions

Book a session

Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooScoliosis

What It Is

What Causes a Scoliosis?

Do I need a Scan?

Self-Care & Treatment

How Scoliosis is Treated

1. Exercise and Therapy

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor, nurse practitioner or specialist

Tips

My Approach

Hands-On Treatment

Exercise and Home Care

Typical Course

References

Related Conditions

Hyperkyphosis

Hyperlordosis

Lower Back Pain

Cervical Kyphosis

Book a session