Conservative Care Options for Scoliosis

If you or your child has been diagnosed with scoliosis, the next step is understanding what conservative treatment options may be appropriate.

Goals of conservative scoliosis care

Conservative care typically focuses on:

• Reducing pain and stiffness

• Improving movement and function

• Addressing muscular imbalance

• Slowing progression of the curve

• In some cases, achieving modest reductions in the Cobb angle

Mild curves are commonly managed conservatively. Moderate curves may involve bracing. Curves approaching 45–50° are typically referred for surgical consultation.

Common scoliosis presentations

Scoliosis patients most often fall into one of three groups:

1. Previously diagnosed individuals, often mild to moderate

2. Adolescents recently diagnosed, typically during growth

3. Adults with scoliosis and associated pain or functional limitations

Care is individualized based on age, curve magnitude, symptoms, and goals.

Evaluation and imaging

Scoliosis is commonly screened using the Adam’s forward bend test. When indicated, a standing scoliosis X-ray is ordered to evaluate the full curve and measure the Cobb angle, which helps guide care.

Exercise-based care

Exercise is a key component of conservative scoliosis management.

Several scoliosis-specific exercise approaches (such as Schroth-based methods) exist and may be worth exploring for educational purposes, though availability varies.

A well-cited study by Loren Fishman found that performing a side plank on the weaker (typically convex) side of the curve was associated with meaningful reductions in Cobb angle in patients with idiopathic scoliosis (Global Advances in Health and Medicine).

Summary: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/283689

A commonly used framework includes:

• Side plank on the weaker side

• Performed most days per week

• Continued for approximately three months

Manual therapy and spinal manipulation

Recent research has examined spinal manipulation as part of conservative scoliosis care.

A 2025 study reported improvements in Cobb angle and functional movement patterns after six weeks of spinal manipulation (Gou et al., Scientific Reports, 2025). Another 2025 study found that combining spinal manipulation with scoliosis specific based exercise resulted in greater improvements in spinal alignment and lumbar range of motion compared with exercise alone (Chen & Zhang, Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, 2025).

A 2025 systematic review and network meta-analysis also supported manual therapy combined with exercise for improving Cobb angle compared with minimal intervention (PubMed ID: 40739527).

Adults with symptomatic scoliosis

In adults, care is typically focused on symptom management, improving function, and reducing flare-ups rather than structural correction.

What care typically looks like in our clinic

For adolescents appropriate for conservative care, we often use a short, structured course of care, commonly:

• Approximately 8 visits over ~2 months

• Emphasis on targeted exercise and manual therapy

• Reassessment and tapering based on response

Adult care is tailored to symptoms and functional goals.

Next steps

Insurance information is available on our Insurance & Billing page. New patient visits can be scheduled directly through our online scheduling system.

If you’re considering conservative care for scoliosis, the most efficient next step is to schedule an evaluation online to determine whether this approach is appropriate.