Our Conservative Scoliosis Care Approaches
Every scoliosis case is different. Curve type, size, age, growth status, symptoms, and risk of progression all matter.
Below is an overview of commonly discussed non-surgical scoliosis approaches, explained in plain language to help you understand what each option is, who it may be appropriate for, and what the science currently supports.
ScolioBrace
What It Is
ScoliBrace is a custom rigid back brace used in non-surgical scoliosis management, most often for adolescents who are still growing.
How It’s Intended to Help
The brace is designed to guide the body into a more corrected posture while it is worn. This approach follows established scoliosis bracing principles aimed at reducing the risk of curve progression during growth.
What Care Typically Looks Like
- Wearing a custom brace for a prescribed number of hours per day
- Regular follow-up visits for adjustments as growth occurs
- In some cases, exercises may be recommended alongside bracing
Who It’s Commonly Considered For
Children and teens with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis whose curves meet standard medical criteria for bracing.
What the Evidence Shows
- High-quality research supports bracing in general as an effective way to reduce progression risk when worn as prescribed.
- There is limited high-quality research directly comparing different branded braces, so it is not possible to confirm that one specific brand is superior to others.
Key Takeaway
ScoliBrace is one of several modern rigid bracing options used within established scoliosis care guidelines.
SpineCor
What It Is
SpineCor is a flexible (dynamic) scoliosis brace that uses elastic components rather than a rigid shell.
How It’s Intended to Help
Instead of holding the spine still, SpineCor aims to guide posture and movement patterns throughout daily activity.
What Care Typically Looks Like
- Wearing a flexible harness system
- Periodic reassessment and adjustment
- Ongoing monitoring of curve changes.
Who It’s Commonly Considered For
Often discussed for younger adolescents with smaller or early-stage curves.
What the Evidence Shows
- Some studies show SpineCor performs better than observation alone in early scoliosis.
- When directly compared to rigid bracing, at least one high-quality study found higher rates of curve progression with SpineCor.
- Current evidence does not confirm that SpineCor controls progression as reliably as rigid bracing for moderate curves.
Key Takeaway
SpineCor offers a more flexible option but may not provide the same level of curve control as rigid bracing in higher-risk cases.
Chiropractic BioPhysics (CBP)
What It Is
Chiropractic BioPhysics (CBP) is a rehabilitation-based chiropractic approach focused on posture, spinal alignment, and corrective positioning.
How It’s Intended to Help
CBP is based on the idea that placing the spine into positions opposite the curve may help influence posture and alignment over time.
What Care Typically Looks Like
- Postural and corrective exercises
- Positioning or traction-based therapies
- Manual therapy, depending on the provider
Who It’s Commonly Considered For
Used in both adolescents and adults, with protocols varying by clinic and patient needs.
What the Evidence Shows
Some published reports describe improvement, but much of the scoliosis-specific evidence consists of case reports rather than large clinical trials
Key Takeaway
CBP is a posture-focused rehabilitation approach, with more limited scoliosis-specific evidence than bracing.
CLEAR Institute
What It Is
The CLEAR Institute promotes a multi-component, non-surgical scoliosis care approach used by providers trained in the system.
How It’s Intended to Help
The approach aims to improve spinal movement, muscle balance, and neuromuscular coordination to support better postural control.
What Care Typically Looks Like
- In-office therapies such as manual therapy and neuromuscular training
- Balance and coordination exercises
- A structured home care program
Who It’s Commonly Considered For
- Children, adolescents, and adults, depending on the clinic and individual presentation
What the Evidence Shows
- Some peer-reviewed publications describe the CLEAR approach, but large, high-quality outcome trials are limited.
Key Takeaway
CLEAR is a structured, multimodal conservative approach with evolving evidence.
ISICO (SEAS Method)
What It Is
ISICO is a research-driven spine institute known for developing scoliosis-specific exercise programs, particularly the SEAS method.
How It’s Intended to Help
SEAS teaches patients how to actively self-correct posture and maintain improved spinal control during daily activities.
What Care Typically Looks Like
- Individualized self-correction training
- Strength, balance, and coordination exercises
- Applying corrections during everyday movement
Who It’s Commonly Considered For
Children, adolescents, and adults, depending on curve size, growth status, and goals of care.
What the Evidence Shows
- Scoliosis-specific exercise programs like SEAS have growing scientific support, particularly as part of comprehensive conservative care.
- Exercises alone are generally not a substitute for bracing when bracing is clearly indicated.
Key Takeaway
ISICO-based exercise care emphasizes active participation and has a strong research foundation among exercise-based approaches.
Scoliosis Activity-Based Approaches
What They Are
These approaches emphasize general physical activity and sports participation, rather than a specific branded treatment.
How They’re Intended to Help
Regular activity may support strength, coordination, posture, and overall well-being during scoliosis management.
What This Typically Looks Like
- Ongoing participation in sports or physical activity
- Avoiding unnecessary movement restrictions
- Sometimes combined with scoliosis-specific exercises or bracing
Who They’re Commonly Considered For
Often recommended for mild scoliosis, or as supportive care alongside other treatments.
What the Evidence Shows
- Some studies show an association between regular activity and lower rates of curve progression, but most evidence is observational.
Key Takeaway
Staying active is generally encouraged as supportive care, but activity alone is not considered a primary treatment for higher-risk curves.
How We Help You Decide
No single approach is right for everyone. Our role is to:
- Assess curve type, size, and progression risk
- Consider age, growth stage, symptoms, and lifestyle
- Review evidence-based options clearly and honestly
- Build a personalized care plan aligned with your goals
Scoliosis-Specific Exercises
Scoliosis-Specific Exercises: What They Are, How They Work, and
Who They’re For
Scoliosis-specific exercises (SSEs) are individualized, curve-pattern–based therapeutic exercises used in the conservative management of scoliosis. Unlike general exercise or fitness programs, scoliosis-specific exercises are designed to address the three-dimensional nature of scoliosis, including spinal curvature, rotation, and postural imbalance.
Scoliosis-specific exercises are not a cure for scoliosis, and they are not intended to replace medical monitoring, bracing, or surgery when those are clinically indicated. When prescribed appropriately and performed under professional guidance, SSEs may help improve posture, function, and spinal control, and may support conservative care goals.
What Makes an Exercise “Scoliosis-Specific”?
An exercise is considered scoliosis-specific when it meets all of the following criteria:
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It is customized to the patient’s unique curve pattern
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It addresses spinal deviation in three dimensions (side-bending, rotation, and sagittal balance)
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It emphasizes active self-correction, not passive stretching
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It integrates postural control and neuromuscular re-education
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It is taught and progressed under trained clinical supervision
General core exercises, yoga, Pilates, or gym-based strengthening are not scoliosis-specific unless adapted to the individual curve pattern.
How Scoliosis-Specific Exercises Work
Scoliosis is not simply a sideways curve. It involves asymmetrical muscle activity, altered proprioception, spinal rotation, and uneven loading of the spine. Scoliosis-specific exercises aim to influence these factors through three primary mechanisms.
1. Active Self-Correction
Patients are taught how to consciously move their spine out of its habitual curved posture and into a more neutral or corrected alignment. This correction is actively maintained during exercise and daily activities.
2. Neuromuscular Re-education
SSEs retrain the nervous system to recognize and support improved spinal alignment by enhancing balance, coordination, and postural awareness.
3. Muscle and Breathing Asymmetry Management
Targeted exercises address muscle imbalance and often incorporate directed breathing techniques to improve rib cage mobility and thoracic expansion on the concave side of the curve.
Common Components of Scoliosis Specific Exercise Programs
Curve-Specific Postural Exercises
Patients practice maintaining corrected posture in standing, sitting, and transitional movements, helping transfer correction into daily life.
Targeted Strengthening and Stabilization
Exercises are selected to support the spine in its corrected position rather than reinforcing existing asymmetries.
Rotational and Asymmetrical Breathing
Breathing is directed into restricted or collapsed areas of the rib cage to encourage expansion and improve thoracic mobility.
Balance and Proprioceptive Training
Improves the body’s ability to sense and maintain spinal alignment without constant conscious effort.
Who Are Scoliosis-Specific Exercises For?
Scoliosis-specific exercises may be appropriate for:
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Children and adolescents with mild to moderate scoliosis
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Patients being monitored for curve progression
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Individuals wearing a scoliosis brace, to support active correction
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Adults with scoliosis seeking improved posture, function, or pain management
Evidence Transparency
Scoliosis-specific exercises alone may not prevent curve progression in all patients. Research suggests benefit when SSEs are individualized, supervised, and consistently performed, but outcomes vary based on age, curve magnitude, skeletal maturity, and adherence.
What Scoliosis-Specific Exercises Do Not Do
To avoid common misinformation:
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They do not cure scoliosis
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They do not guarantee curve reduction
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They do not replace bracing or surgery when medically necessary
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Generic exercise programs are not equivalent to scoliosis-specific care
SSEs are best viewed as one component of a comprehensive conservative care plan.
Why Professional Supervision Matters
Because scoliosis patterns differ significantly between individuals, scoliosis-specific exercises must be:
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Individually assessed and prescribed
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Periodically re-evaluated as growth or symptoms change
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Progressed appropriately to avoid reinforcing asymmetry
Unsupervised or non-specific exercise programs may be ineffective or, in some cases, counterproductive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are scoliosis-specific exercises evidence-based?
There is moderate-quality evidence supporting scoliosis-specific exercises for improving posture, function, and quality of life, particularly when supervised. Evidence for structural curve reduction exists in select populations but is not universal.
Can adults benefit from scoliosis-specific exercises?
Yes. While structural correction is more limited in adults, SSEs may help with pain management, postural control, breathing mechanics, and daily function.
How long do scoliosis-specific exercises take to work?
Functional improvements may be noticed within weeks, while postural or structural changes—if they occur—typically require months of consistent, guided practice.
Summary: The Role of Scoliosis-Specific Exercises
Scoliosis-specific exercises are personalized, active, and clinically guided movements designed to address the unique three-dimensional characteristics of scoliosis. When used appropriately, they may support posture, neuromuscular control, and overall function—but they are not a stand-alone treatment or cure.
A comprehensive evaluation is essential to determine whether scoliosis-specific exercises are appropriate and how they should be integrated into an individualized care plan.
