Spinal joint manipulations, aka adjustments, are techniques used by chiropractors to loosen up and reduce pressure in stiff and painful spinal joints.

Manipulations involve a stretch with a controlled impulse, where sometimes a pop is felt or heard during the technique.

Mobilizations are a lighter form of manipulation, and involve a more gentle back and forth stretching and movement of the joint.

Both techniques can be helpful to reduce spinal pain in scoliosis, and the best technique is usually chosen based on exam findings and patient preference. Individuals who are very sore and stiff often do better with mobilizations than manipulations.

Muscle therapies include various soft tissue “release” techniques that all have the effect of reducing muscle tension and improving blood flow to the muscle. This leads to a reduction of any muscle-related pain coming from tight or overstretched muscles in scoliosis.

Techniques used include myofascial release, instrument assisted therapies (muscle scraping), and cupping.

Usually these techniques are chosen based on assessment findings and patient preference. They are usually used in combination with spinal joint techniques for maximum benefit and pain relief.

Curve correction exercises work by identifying and correcting the posture that individuals with scoliosis are most often adopting as a result of their curve.

The idea is that our spine functions best when joints, muscles, and discs are as close to a “neutral” position as possible. By identifying specific curves, twists, and tilts we can then go about teaching people how to correct their position and adopt a more neutral position.

SEAS (scientific exercise approach to scoliosis) is one approach that works by identifying curve angles, then teaching people how to correct them first in static positions such as sitting and standing, and then during movement.

It’s an effective treatment to help reduce pain, improve flexibility, improve posture, and reduce the scoliosis curve angle. It’s also been shown to reduce the risk of scoliosis progression.

Scoliosis leads to reduced flexibility and strength in certain areas of the spine. This is a problem since reduced flexibility and strength also leads to a higher risk of spine pain.

In addition to hands-on treatments for relief and curve correction exercises, spinal flexibility and strengthening exercises are a great addition to scoliosis treatment. They work by allowing individuals to help keep pain at bay themselves and by the reducing the risk of future pain flares and episodes.

These exercises also have the added benefit of improving daily function and quality of life, whether it be in daily movements and postures or with specific sports. In sum, they reduce the negative effect that a scoliosis has on daily function.