Can a Chiropractor Help With Scoliosis?

One of the first questions many people ask when they find out they have scoliosis is whether they should see a chiropractor and if a chiropractor can help with scoliosis. And it makes sense — chiropractors can help with back pain, so why wouldn’t they be able to treat scoliosis?

Unfortunately, the reality isn’t that simple. And there’s a significant amount of tension between the “chiropractic world” and the “physical therapy world” when it comes to scoliosis care. Many practitioners on one side or the other will be quick to say that you should never see the other kind of practitioner.

So can a chiropractor help with scoliosis?

The truth is that there are good and bad practitioners on both sides. Even though I’m a physical therapist, I’m not going to say that all chiropractors are bad or the wrong choice for scoliosis care. Instead, I’d like to help you figure out how to decide whether you should see a chiropractor for scoliosis. And there are some basic questions that can make it easier to decide whether chiro care is right for you and if a chiropractor you may want to see can help with scoliosis.

Question #1: Does the Chiropractor Specialize in Scoliosis?

Chiropractors aren’t all the same in terms of credentials or approach. A chiropractor can get certified in many of the same scoliosis specializations as a PT. For example, a chiropractor can become certified in the Schroth method, the Lyon method, and Siaz therapy. 

When you’re evaluating chiropractors, I’d recommend looking for someone who is certified in scoliosis care. If you can find someone in your area who can offer specialized, hands-on care, that may be the best option.

Question #2: Can the Chiropractor Explain Your Curve to You?

This might sound like an obvious question, but it’s a good place to start when you’re evaluating a provider (chiropractor or not) to treat your scoliosis. If a chiropractor has had scoliosis-specific education, they should be able to offer a detailed, accurate analysis of your curve.

If the chiropractor can’t explain your curve type to you, they might not have as much knowledge of scoliosis as you’d prefer. As follow-up questions, you could also ask how your unique curve affects your postural tendencies and/or ask the chiropractor to recommend some auto-corrections to you.

A chiropractor who can’t answer these questions or give you detailed, accurate advice might not be the best option for scoliosis care. 

Question #3: Will the Chiropractor Provide Scoliosis-Specific Exercises for In-Between Visits?

Hands-on treatment can be very helpful for your scoliosis symptoms. But if you can augment those visits with exercises and scoliosis adjustments in your daily life, you’ll see better results. A chiropractor who truly understands scoliosis should be able to give you specific exercises that help you find your neutral alignment and then build strength to maintain it. 

If the chiropractor you’re considering isn’t going to provide you with any “homework” or scoliosis exercises, it might indicate that they don’t understand the importance of auto-corrections and scoliosis exercises. In that case, you may want to look for a different expert to work with.

Question #4: Will the Chiropractor Be Performing High-Velocity Thrust Mobilizations on Your Spine?

I’d recommend asking this question before a potential practitioner starts any sort of treatment. Many chiropractors prefer this type of treatment for back pain, but it’s not ideal for scoliosis for several reasons:

• Scoliosis increases the risk of osteoporosis. If you have osteoporosis, high-velocity manipulations can cause fractures.

• Many people with scoliosis also have hypermobility conditions. This type of spinal manipulation can make those hypermobile ligaments even looser, which can increase pain, instability, and the chance that your curve will progress.

• Having scoliosis means that your vertebrae aren’t symmetrical (like they are in a symmetricall spine). These wedge-shaped vertebrae contribute to uneven spinal loading, and they cause the transition zones of your spine to be extra mobile. Those areas of the spine move the most during high-velocity manipulations, which can increase pain and potentially encourage your curve to progress.

Essentially, high-velocity thrust manipulations are not a good treatment option for scoliosis. If a chiropractor recommends this type of treatment to you, I’d encourage you to look for a different provider.

Question #5: Does the Chiropractor Have a Discharge Plan in Place?

One of the issues I see far too often with chiropractors (and physical therapists too) is a lack of planning to help the patient transition out of care. But that is a crucial part of care — you don’t want to just continue seeing a PT or chiropractor forever without an established end goal. If your chiropractor is hesitant to set a goal or tell you when you can expect to end working with them, you might want to look elsewhere. 

Additionally, make sure your practitioner has clear milestones in place so you can track your progress. That way, you can know if you are getting ready to transition out of care or if progress has stalled and you need to find a different treatment approach. 

Deciding Whether Chiropractic Care Is Right for You

A chiropractor who specializes in scoliosis may be a great choice to work with, especially if they have a deep understanding of your curve and work with you to make a clearly defined treatment plan. But if the chiro you’re considering isn’t a scoliosis specialist or suggests questionable treatments, like high-velocity thrust manipulations, it’s probably a good idea to look elsewhere. 

Remember, you are your best advocate, and it’s crucial to make sure you ask questions and understand all the aspects of a care plan before you decide to work with someone.

If you decide that in-person sessions with a chiropractor aren’t right for you but still want the benefits of working with a scoliosis expert, join The Scoliosis Strength Collective. This is my online small-group coaching program that gives you access to scoliosis-specific exercise routines, educational resources, and more. 

You’ll get coaching time and weekly exercise sessions with your curve group. Plus, homework exercises and the chance to attend monthly Q&A sessions. Get all the details and join today.

If you want more tips on managing your scoliosis, listen to my podcast, Ahead of the Curve. Subscribe to get every episode when it airs!

Resources Mentioned

The Scoliosis Strength Collective