Scoliosis in Adults: Symptoms and Management
When most people think of scoliosis, they picture teenagers wearing braces and getting screened at school because of heavy backpacks and bad posture. But scoliosis isn’t just a childhood condition. In fact, it can sneak up on you later in life, often as a result of aging or wear and tear on your spine.
In today’s modern lifestyle, prolonged sitting, sedentary habits, and poor posture from using gadgets like smartphones, pc , and laptops can place uneven stress on the spine—contributing to postural imbalances that may lead to adult-onset scoliosis or aggravate existing spinal curvature.
If you’ve noticed persistent back pain, uneven posture, or changes in how you walk or stand, scoliosis might be the reason behind it. Here’s what scoliosis looks like in adults, how it feels, and most importantly, what you can do to manage it.
If your discomfort is recurring, radiating, or worsening over time, your discs could be telling you something important.
What Causes Scoliosis in Adults?
Scoliosis in adults isn’t always something you’re born with—it can be something that develops slowly, even silently, over decades. Let’s look at the two major paths this condition can take:
1. Adult Idiopathic Scoliosis
This is scoliosis that began in adolescence but was either too mild to treat or went unnoticed. Over time, the spinal curve may worsen due to gravity, age, and daily wear and tear. You might not have had symptoms in your 20s or 30s—but by your 40s or 50s, you start to notice back pain, stiffness, or a change in posture.
A 2005 study found that up to 68% of adults over the age of 60 have some form of spinal curvature, often linked to a history of idiopathic scoliosis.
2. Degenerative (De Novo) Scoliosis
This type starts in adulthood, typically after age 50, and is caused by the natural breakdown of the spine’s discs and joints. Think of it like rust forming on a hinge—over time, one side may weaken more than the other, causing the spine to curve.
If you’ve had arthritis, osteoporosis, or a spinal injury, you may be more prone to developing this type. It’s also more common in women, particularly postmenopausal women due to bone density changes.
Other causes might include:
- Osteoporosis (which weakens bones)
- Previous spinal surgery
- Spinal injuries or trauma
Where Does Pain Usually Develop?
The location of the pain largely depends on where the spinal curve is:
Lumbar scoliosis (lower back): This is the most common form in adults. The pain tends to sit deep in the lower back and can radiate into the buttocks, hips, or even down one leg—especially if a nerve is being pinched. You might feel stiffness, a dull ache, or sharp, stabbing pain with certain movements like bending or twisting.
Thoracic scoliosis (mid-back): Less common in adults, but when present, it can cause mid-back tightness, rib pain, or even discomfort around the shoulder blades. If the curve is severe, it might affect breathing or cause ribcage asymmetry that becomes noticeable in posture.
Thoracolumbar scoliosis (where the mid-back meets the lower back): This area is a transition zone in the spine and tends to bear a lot of mechanical stress. People with curves here might feel both upper and lower back symptoms, including muscle fatigue and a feeling of imbalance when walking or standing.
What Kind of Symptoms Are Common for Adult Scoliosis?
1. Chronic Back Pain
In adults, the pain usually isn’t caused by the curve itself—but by the wear and tear (degeneration) around it. As we age, the spine naturally loses disc height, the joints become arthritic, and muscles tighten to overcompensate for imbalances. This combination leads to persistent, aching discomfort that may come and go—or linger for days.
2. Muscle Imbalance and Fatigue
When your spine curves, one side of your body works harder than the other to keep you upright. Over time, the muscles on the “compressed” side of the curve become tight and sore, while the muscles on the opposite side overstretch and weaken. The result? Constant fatigue, especially if you’re active or on your feet a lot.
3. Limited Flexibility or Stiffness
Adult scoliosis can make it harder to bend forward, twist your torso, or perform everyday tasks like tying your shoes or lifting objects. You might also notice your movements feel restricted or asymmetrical—like one side moves more freely than the other.
4. Leg Pain or Numbness
If the spinal curve causes the vertebrae to compress a nerve (especially in the lower back), it can lead to symptoms like sciatica—a shooting pain that runs from your buttock down the back of your leg. You might also experience tingling, numbness, or weakness in the legs or feet. These are signs of nerve root compression, and they shouldn’t be ignored.
5. Postural Changes
Adult scoliosis often causes visible changes in posture over time. You may notice:
- One shoulder or hip sitting higher than the other
- Your torso leaning slightly to one side
- A noticeable “hump” when bending forward
- Your clothes not fitting evenly
In more advanced cases, these changes can lead to balance problems and even a forward stoop that affects how you walk.
6. Loss of Height
Many adults with scoliosis report that they’ve become shorter over the years. This happens as the spine curves and compresses, especially if spinal discs have also started to collapse. In some cases, people can lose several centimeters in height.
7. Breathing or Digestive Issues
This is a more rare symptom. If the spinal curve is in the thoracic (mid-back) region and is severe, it can start to crowd the chest cavity. This may lead to shortness of breath, especially during physical activity. Similarly, spinal compression can affect the abdominal area, leading to bloating or digestive discomfort. These symptoms are uncommon but possible in very severe scoliosis.
Is the Pain Always From the Curve?
Interestingly, the pain in adult scoliosis usually doesn’t come directly from the curve itself, but from the structures around it—like:
- Degenerating discs
- Facet joint arthritis
- Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)
- Muscle overuse and imbalance
- Nerve root compression
That’s why two people with the same curve angle might feel very different: one might be completely symptom-free, while the other struggles with daily pain.
How Is Adult Scoliosis Diagnosed?
If your back feels stiff, you’re leaning to one side more than usual, or you’re starting to notice an uneven posture in the mirror, these might be subtle signs of scoliosis. In adults, scoliosis often develops gradually, which makes a clear and accurate diagnosis essential—not just for peace of mind, but for managing symptoms before they worsen.
Getting diagnosed usually starts with a physical examination. A professional will observe your posture and spine alignment from different angles—front, side, and back—while you’re standing upright and bending forward. This helps spot any abnormal curves, rib humps, or signs of muscle imbalance. They may also gently press along your spine to check for tenderness, stiffness, or areas of tension.
Getting X-rays of Your Spine for Diagnosis
Physical checks only tell part of the story. To confirm scoliosis and assess its severity, imaging tests come next. The standard method is a full-spine X-ray with pelvic view taken in a standing position.
Standing X-rays are crucial because they provide the most accurate visualisation of your spinal curvature under the natural weight and posture of your body. When you’re standing, gravity affects your spine the way it does in everyday life—revealing the true degree of curvature, vertebral misalignment, and any compensatory postural changes.
In contrast, X-rays taken while lying down may underestimate the curvature, as the spine is no longer bearing your body weight and the deformity can appear less severe. This reveals the shape and curve of your spine, and whether the curve resembles a C-shape or an S-shape. Importantly, it shows how far the vertebrae have rotated or shifted out of alignment—details that aren’t visible from the outside.
One of the most critical measurements your chiropractor will calculate from your X-ray is called the Cobb angle. This number indicates your degree of your spinal curvature. A Cobb angle of 10 degrees or more confirms scoliosis. Curves between 10 and 20 degrees are considered mild scoliosis, while anything over 40 degrees is viewed as severe scoliosis and more likely to cause pain or limit mobility as you age. For adults, even moderate curves can lead to problems if the spine is also affected by age-related degeneration, such as disc thinning or arthritis.
Why Early Diagnosis Matters
You don’t need to be in agony to benefit from a scoliosis check. The earlier it’s caught, the more conservative options are available—like posture retraining and lifestyle changes.
And even if you’re not a surgical candidate, tracking progression over time is crucial. A small curve today can become a bigger problem in 5 or 10 years if left unmanaged.
Adult Scoliosis Treatments and Management Options
The good news? Most adults with scoliosis don’t need surgery. In fact, many people manage just fine with a combination of physical therapy, lifestyle changes, and targeted pain relief.
Chiropractic Treatments
A skilled chiropractor can create an treatment program that helps realign the spinal curvature, strengthen the muscles supporting your spine—especially your core, hips, and spinal stabilisers. Weak core muscles are a common culprit in scoliosis-related pain, and by reinforcing them, you can reduce pressure on the curved areas of your spine.
Spinal Decompression
Spinal decompression therapy is designed to relieve pressure on compressed nerves, reduce disc bulges, and improve spinal alignment. It’s often used for conditions like herniated discs, sciatica, or spinal stenosis.
In adults with scoliosis, these problems often occur alongside the curvature. The abnormal curve can narrow the spaces between vertebrae or pinch nearby nerves, especially in the lower back. That’s where decompression can help.
You might benefit from spinal decompression if you have scoliosis and:
- Sciatica-like symptoms (pain radiating down the leg)
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs
- Spinal stenosis caused by degeneration around the curve
- Chronic lower back pain that gets worse with standing or walking
In these cases, decompression (especially non-surgical types like traction therapy or flexion-distraction) may relieve nerve pressure, reduce pain, and improve mobility. Your chiropractor may recommend spinal decompression as part of your treatment plan.
Scoliosis Bracing for Adults
While bracing is more common in children and teens with scoliosis, some adults can benefit from it too.
A soft or semi-rigid lumbar brace can offer support during daily activities, especially if you experience fatigue, instability, or discomfort after standing or sitting for long periods. It’s not going to correct the curve permanently, but it may help you to prevent the curve progression getting worse, move with less pain and more confidence—particularly during flare-ups.
Bracing is usually considered on a case-by-case basis. It works best when used alongside other therapies, rather than as a standalone solution.
Lifestyle Changes Recommended by a Spine Expert
You don’t need a complete lifestyle overhaul—but small changes can make a huge difference. If you sit at a desk all day, try using a standing desk or schedule regular breaks to walk around. Even a 15-minute walk every few hours can help decompress your spine and get your blood flowing.
Supportive furniture matters too. Swapping out that old chair for an ergonomic one with lumbar support can reduce strain on your lower back. Wearing cushioned, supportive shoes—especially if you’re on your feet all day—can also reduce impact on the spine and hips.
Sleep posture, mattress quality, and even how you lift groceries can all add up over time. So don’t overlook the little things—they’re often the most sustainable habits.
Get Support for Adult Scoliosis with Osso Bone Care
Adult scoliosis is more common than you might think. Whether your curve is mild or severe, there are ways to manage pain, improve your posture, and get back to living life on your terms.
If you’re newly diagnosed or have been managing spinal curvature for years, Osso Bone Care is here to help you take control of your spine health—with support, expertise, and compassion every step of the way. You don’t have to wait for the pain to get worse. Book your consultation today and discover what life can look like with the right scoliosis management plan.
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