SCOLIOSIS

Scoliosis Care

A sideways curvature of the spine can affect how your body moves, balances, and bears load. At Northwest Chiropractic in Olympia, we provide individualized support for patients with scoliosis — not to promise miracles, but to help reduce pain, improve mobility, and support posture over time. Many of our patients stay active in daily life — walking local trails, gardening, or working long hours — and our goal is to help them keep doing those things comfortably and confidently.

What Is Scoliosis?

Scoliosis is defined as a spinal curve greater than 10 degrees (using the Cobb angle), often visible as an “S” or “C” shape. But it’s more than just a curve: the vertebrae may rotate, soft tissues adapt, and compensations develop above and below the curve. In many cases, it begins in adolescence, but scoliosis can also develop or worsen later in life.

Common Causes & Contributing Factors

There is no single cause for most cases of scoliosis. Contributing factors may include:

Idiopathic causes (genetic, unknown)
Growth asymmetry during development
Muscle imbalances or tension forces on one side
Structural compensation (curves forming to maintain balance)
Degenerative changes in adults (disc wear, joint changes)
Postural, lifestyle, or movement asymmetries

Because scoliosis is complex and unique to each person, no two care plans look exactly alike.

How We Evaluate Scoliosis

When you come in, we take a full history (growth, symptoms, prior treatment) and perform a structural and neurological exam: posture, range of motion, muscle balance, gait, and spinal alignment tests (e.g. Adam’s forward bend). If needed, we may review your imaging (X-rays) or refer for updated views to measure curve magnitude and monitor progression.

This layered evaluation helps us understand your specific pattern of curve, support demands, and risk factors.

How We Approach Care

Our goal is not to promise curve reversal, but to support your body in functioning as best it can. Our care may include:

Gentle adjustments targeted to segments above, below, or adjacent to the curve
Soft tissue and myofascial work to ease tension on concave/convex sides
Postural training, stabilization, and corrective movement exercises
Asymmetry-targeted stretches and muscle balancing
Ongoing monitoring and reassessment
Coordination with other providers (orthopedics, physical therapy) when needed

This collaborative, conservative approach helps reduce pain, improve mobility, and slow potential progression.

What You Can Expect

Some patients notice improvements in comfort, posture feeling “easier,” or reduced stiffness in weeks. True structural change is more gradual (if it happens), and your response depends on age, curve severity, flexibility, and consistency with your program. We continually reassess and adapt your plan.