Scoliosis is a chronic condition in which your spine is more curved in places than what's typical. Mild scoliosis affects about 3% of the population, and it often doesn’t include any noticeable symptoms other than the atypical spinal curvature. However, some people with scoliosis may have symptoms such as an uneven posture, pain in their back or shoulders, and weakness in their back or legs. 

No spine is perfectly straight, but people with scoliosis have more significant curvature than people without scoliosis, often more than 10 degrees out of alignment. These curves are called S-curves or C-curves, depending on their shape.

Many people with mild scoliosis have no symptoms aside from this visible spinal curve, but some may have an uneven posture that's noticeable in several other ways.

Symptoms of atypical posture with scoliosis can include:

A shoulder or hip that's higher than the other

A shoulder blade that sticks out more on one side

One side of the rib cage is higher than the other 

The head that doesn’t appear centered over your spine

A body that appears to be leaning to one side

Difference in the lengths of your legs

A healthcare provider may notice these symptoms during a physical exam, either while you are standing up straight or while you are bent forward with your back rounded as though you were trying to touch your toes. 

Scoliosis can make it uncomfortable to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time. Some people with scoliosis experience pain in their back, legs, or shoulders. In fact, about 25% of children with scoliosis report back pain, which can include lower back pain and pain down the legs. You may also have chest pain, if your rib cage is affected by the curvature of your spine. 

A particular type of scoliosis, called degenerative scoliosis, affects older adults. Many people with degenerative scoliosis report pain, including back pain, leg pain, muscle fatigue, and nerve pain or sensitivity. 

Although posture abnormalities and back pain are the most common symptoms of scoliosis, other, rarer symptoms can also occur, especially if your scoliosis is more moderate or severe. For instance, some people with more advanced forms of scoliosis have breathing difficulties because their spinal curvature compresses or changes the size of their chest. This is called thoracic insufficiency syndrome (TIS). 

Other symptoms may also be more likely if another health condition is causing your scoliosis. These include:

Scoliosis is typically not an emergency medical situation. However, you should still make an appointment with a healthcare provider if you suspect you or your child may have scoliosis.

If you notice any physical symptoms of scoliosis, like uneven posture, back pain, weakness, poor coordination, or balance, seeking medical care is a good idea. Your provider can evaluate your case, help treat your spine's curvature, help relieve symptoms like pain, or refer you to a specialist, if needed.

Questions to Ask Your Provider

Take note of these questions to get information about scoliosis from your healthcare provider:

What treatments are available for scoliosis, and how will you decide which one I need?

Do you think my scoliosis could be caused by another health condition?

What can I do to make my back, shoulders, or hips appear more even?

Scoliosis is the medical term for an atypically curved spine. Everyone’s spine curves somewhat, but people with scoliosis have one or two significant curves that are 10 degrees or more out of alignment.

In most cases, scoliosis is mild, occurs in adolescence during puberty, and has no clear cause or symptoms. In other cases, you may experience physical symptoms such as uneven posture, back pain, poor coordination or balance, and breathing difficulties (in severe cases). Your symptoms may also depend on whether an underlying cause led to scoliosis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you live normally with scoliosis?

Yes, you can live a normal life with scoliosis. Many people with scoliosis experience no symptoms and can engage in physical activity just as easily as people without scoliosis. Physical activity can help strengthen your muscles and prevent complications.

If you have scoliosis symptoms like pain or severe atypical posture, some interventions and treatments can help you maintain a high quality of life.

How can you fix scoliosis naturally?

Mild scoliosis can often be improved without surgery or other invasive treatments. Certain posture techniques, physiotherapy treatments, muscle stretching, and strengthening exercises can prevent worsening of any spinal curving and sometimes reduce the need for future treatments.

It’s important to remember that you should work with your healthcare provider to find the right treatments for you. Treatments may not make your scoliosis go away completely.

What should you avoid doing if you have scoliosis?

There are no specific restrictions if you have scoliosis, but you may want to avoid activities that counteract your treatments. Treatments for scoliosis are designed to prevent worsening of any spinal curves, decrease pain, improve posture, and prevent complications. This means you should generally avoid anything that may cause back pain, weaken your back muscles, or contribute to poor posture.

Try to get regular exercise, avoid lifting heavy objects, avoid slouching when sitting or standing, maintain a healthy weight, and incorporate muscle stretching and strengthening exercises into your routine.