Traditionally there has been the opinion that “exercise and physiotherapy does not work for scoliosis”.

While this may be true for general physiotherapy or general exercise programs, there are now scoliosis specific exercise programs that are supported by published evidence and are regarded as effective when delivered by certified providers.

For example in a small adolescent idiopathic curve i.e. less than 20 degrees where there is a family history of scoliosis, a specific scoliosis physiotherapy program such as SEAS may be the most suitable treatment. Another example can be when a curve is non progressive i.e. in late adolecents or middle age. With CBP or CLEAR alone it maybe be possible to help improve posture, manage pain and stabilise the spine.

In cases of a progressive idiopathic scoliosis where the curve is greater than 20 degrees, rehabilitation, exercise programs and physiotherapy are not considered strong enough treatments and their main benefit is when used in conjunction with bracing.

Research has shown that when specialised scoliosis rehabilitation and exercise programs have been used in conjunction with bracing it has improved the results of hard bracing. In this case the exercise programs seem to help to strengthen the muscles supporting the spine and keep the spine flexible during brace treatment and to help maintain the correction achieved with bracing.

It is important to understand that only specialised scoliosis rehabilitation and exercise programs that are specifically designed to treat scoliosis, such as the SpineCor exercise program, SEAS, Schroth, Chiropractic BioPhysics and CLEAR, have been shown to be helpful.