Scoliosis Awareness Month: A Reference Guide for Patients and Families
Written by: Dr. Justin Dick, DCOrganization: Clear Life Scoliosis And Chiropractic CenterResearch profile: Author and PublicationsPublished: April 25, 2026Medically reviewed: April 25, 2026Reviewed by: Corrine Holdridge, M.S.Research and publications: Scoliosis Research Hub
What to Know First
Scoliosis Awareness Month is observed every June.It is an opportunity to act — not just to post.Scoliosis affects an estimated 2 to 3 percent of the population.Most people with scoliosis have no significant symptoms early on.Awareness without evaluation leaves families without answers.June is Scoliosis Awareness Month — an annual opportunity to reach the families, teens, coaches, school nurses, and adults who may be living with scoliosis and not yet know it, or who know about it and have not yet found the right help.
What Is Scoliosis?
Scoliosis is defined as a structural spinal curve of 10 degrees or more measured on standing radiographs using the Cobb method. Current literature describes adolescent idiopathic scoliosis as a three-dimensional spinal deformity — not simply a side-to-side curve (1, 2). For the complete explanation, read understanding your scoliosis pattern.
Who Gets Scoliosis?
Scoliosis affects an estimated 2 to 3 percent of the general population. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis typically presents between ages 10 and 18 (1, 3). Adults can also develop scoliosis or experience progression of a curve carried from adolescence. For the adult picture, read adult scoliosis: pain, balance, and function.
What Are the Signs of Scoliosis?
uneven shouldersuneven waistlineone hip appearing higher than the otherrib prominence on one sidetrunk shift to one sideasymmetry when bending forwardposture that appears off-center
Why Does Awareness Matter?
Scoliosis Awareness Month matters because the window for the most impactful intervention is time-limited. For growing patients, the period of highest progression risk is during active skeletal growth. For the full framework on what happens when scoliosis is not addressed, read what happens if we do nothing about scoliosis.
What Should Families Do During Scoliosis Awareness Month?
The most useful action during Scoliosis Awareness Month is not sharing an infographic. It is getting an evaluation if one has not been done, or getting a second opinion if the first evaluation left questions unanswered.If your child has not had a scoliosis screen since starting middle school, ask for one.If your child had a positive screen and no follow-up has happened, schedule one now.If you are an adult with unexplained back pain, postural change, or balance difficulty, ask whether scoliosis has been evaluated.If you were told your curve was "too small to treat" without being told what you were being monitored for, ask for clarification.
What Is the CLEAR Institute Approach?
At Clear Life Scoliosis And Chiropractic Center, Dr. Justin Dick is a certified doctor through the CLEAR Scoliosis Institute — the only scoliosis organization whose doctors are trained through an accredited university program. The CLEAR protocol actively targets curve reduction rather than passive progression control. It is available for both adolescents and adults.For how CLEAR treatment differs from conventional bracing, read what a brace cannot do for scoliosis.
Our Published Research
Cross-sectional study — abnormal cervical mechanics in scoliosis: Dick JM. Cureus. 2025. PMID: 41018459Case report — sagittal alignment and neurological changes after motor vehicle collision in a patient with pre-existing scoliosis: Dick JM, Paige P. Cureus. 2026. PMID: 41783554Geriatric scoliosis case series — kinetic-chain alterations in older adults: Whelan JP, Dick JM. Cureus. 2026.
Serving Charlotte, Fort Mill, and Surrounding Communities
Clear Life Scoliosis And Chiropractic Center provides specialized scoliosis evaluation and CLEAR Institute treatment for families in Charlotte, Fort Mill, Ballantyne, Waxhaw, Weddington, Pineville, Huntersville, Mooresville, Concord, Tega Cay, and Indian Land.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Scoliosis Awareness Month?Scoliosis Awareness Month is observed every June.What is the best thing to do during Scoliosis Awareness Month?Get an evaluation if one has not been done, or schedule a follow-up if a previous screen came back positive and nothing happened after. Awareness without action is incomplete.Who should be screened for scoliosis?Adolescents between ages 10 and 18 are at highest risk for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Adults with unexplained back pain, postural change, or balance difficulty should also consider evaluation.Is CLEAR Institute treatment available for adults?Yes. Clear Life Scoliosis And Chiropractic Center provides CLEAR Institute evaluation and treatment for adults as well as adolescents.
Related Pages in This Series
Scoliosis awareness: what every family should knowUnderstanding your scoliosis patternScoliosis screening in CharlotteTeen scoliosis: what parents should knowAdult scoliosis: pain, balance, and functionWhat happens if we do nothing about scoliosis?What a brace cannot do for scoliosisScoliosis Research Hub
References
1. Weinstein SL et al. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Lancet. 2008;371(9623):1527-1537. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18456103/2. Cheng JCY et al. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2015;1:15030. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27188385/3. Hresko MT. Idiopathic scoliosis in adolescents. N Engl J Med. 2013;368(9):834-841. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23445094/4. Weinstein SL et al. Effects of bracing in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis. N Engl J Med. 2013;369(16):1512-1521. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24047455/
