Finding out your child may have scoliosis can feel overwhelming. You might have questions, worries and a strong urge to “fix it” right away. That’s completely natural.

The good news is that scoliosis in children is often manageable, especially when it’s caught early.

This guide will walk you through what scoliosis is, how it’s diagnosed, what you can do to help, and how chiropractic care can help. 

Firstly, let’s identify what exactly is Scoliosis?

Scoliosis is a condition where the spine curves sideways instead of growing in a straight line.

When looking at the back, the spine may form an “S” or “C” shape.

It’s more common than many parents realise, especially during growth spurts in late childhood or early adolescence.

Fig 1. What a scoliosis looks like from a P-A postural analysis. You can compare what a normal spine looks like vs. a scoliotic spine. 



What Causes Childhood Scoliosis?

In most cases, the exact cause is unknown. This is why it’s often called idiopathic scoliosis and it’s the most common type in children.

Other, less common causes include:

• Congenital conditions (present at birth)
• Neuromuscular conditions (like cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy)
• Genetic factors (where it often runs in families)



How is Scoliosis diagnosed?

If scoliosis is suspected, your Chiropractor will

Perform a thorough medical history & thorough physical exam; this can include a posture check, important neurological tests, checking reflexes, and another important test called the Forward Adam Bend Test.

Fig 2. Forward Adam Bend test- a routine test performed by Chiropractors to assess for any potential sign of scoliosis. 

They may discuss ordering a specialised X-ray called an EOS scan to measure the curve and to check how much growth your child has.

The curve is measured in degrees using something called the Cobb angle, which helps determine how serious it is and what to do next.



So, what can you do to help!

Early Detection is Key and Regular checks are important.

It’s important to understand that if you suspect your child may have scoliosis, early detection is key!

Our Chiropractors are trained to identify, refer and manage scoliosis. So if something just feels “off” don’t leave it, come in and let us work this through with you. Meet our team!

Here’s some signs that parents usually notice

Scoliosis can be subtle at first, here are a few things to look for:

• Uneven shoulders
• One hip higher than the other
• A rib cage that appears more prominent on one side
• Clothes that don’t hang evenly
• Leaning slightly to one side

Sometimes, it’s picked up without even knowing!

Interestingly we see an increase in the amount of cases seen during summer as clothing changes and spinal changes are more obvious.

Scoliosis isn’t just physical, it can affect how a child feels about their body.

You can help by:

• Keeping conversations open and supportive
• Normalising their experience
• Celebrating what their body can do
• Connecting with support groups if needed
• Sometimes just knowing they’re not alone makes a big difference



So, how can Chiropractic care help my child if they have scoliosis?

Chiropractors aim to maintain the alignment of the spine, making sure all the vertebrae are stacked up on top of each other.

This means all the joints, muscles and ligaments are of equal tension, and there aren’t any muscles that are tighter, causing the vertebra to be rotated and pulled to one side, potentially causing a curve development.

The bigger picture with Chiropractic care is helping the brain and body communicate.

Your child's spinal growth is a direct influence on how your child’s brain and body are talking. 

How does that work, you might be thinking?

Well, it’s the position of the vertebrae, the tension on the muscles and ligaments that provide information to the brain about how the body is growing. So, we can use poor posture as an example.

No matter how many times you’ve told your child to sit up straight and they keep slouching, it’s not because they don’t want to sit up straight ( although you question a teenager's motives sometimes) but it’s because their body is telling their brain to be in that position.

So, if the vertebrae are not in the right alignment if there’s tension and tightness in the muscles (plus a family history of scoliosis too) then you can see how that may influence the spine to grow into a scoliosis.

There are other factors to consider with scoliosis too, especially hormone involvement, which is often why scoliosis is more common in females than males, as female hormones can be a stronger influence on the body.

What makes our Chiropractors, at Chiropractic On Winston unique to scoliosis management?

Not every case of scoliosis is the same and as Chiropractors we are focused on providing treatment that is specific to your child.

We will take the time to listen and provide safe, gentle adjustments. 



We’re here to look after the whole family 

There is lots of mis information about Scoliosis, so let us be your guide to helping you understand it step by step.

 

We’re university trained and experienced. 

All our chiropractors have many years of clinical experience, meaning they know what usually works and what doesn't and we know when to refer if necessary.



We also have postgraduate paediatric training.

We’re trusted in the community. 

Here’s some of the other common questions we get asked as Chiropractors, when it comes to Scoliosis and these might be on your mind too!

Not necessarily. Treatment depends on:

• The size of the curve
• Your child’s age
• How much growing they still have left

If your child needs a brace, it can feel like a big adjustment, for both of you.

A few things to keep in mind:

• Braces are usually worn for many hours a day
• They’re more effective when worn as prescribed
• Kids can still go to school, play, and stay active

The emotional side matters too. Some kids feel self-conscious at first, so support and reassurance go a long way.



Can My Child Still Be Active?

Yes, absolutely. In fact, staying active is encouraged.

Most children with scoliosis can:

• Play sports
• Run and exercise
• Participate in normal daily activities

Some may even benefit from specific physical therapy programs designed for scoliosis.



Final Thoughts

Hearing the word “scoliosis” can be scary at first, but many children with scoliosis go on to live completely active, healthy lives.

With the right monitoring, ongoing Chiropractic care and support, your child can continue to grow, move and thrive just like any other kid. And remember, you don’t have to navigate this alone.

At Chiropractic On Winston, our Chiropractors are all there to help you and your child every step of the way.

Call (08) 7222 8701 or Book Online