Condition
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is a condition where the spine curves and rotates, creating a sideways “C” or “S” shape. It can be mild and barely noticeable, or more significant and associated with pain, stiffness, fatigue, or changes in posture.
It’s common to notice:
- Uneven shoulders or hips
- One shoulder blade more prominent
- A rib “hump” when bending forward
- One side of the waist appearing more indented
- Back ache, tightness, or muscle fatigue (especially after sitting/standing)
Types of scoliosis (in simple terms)
- Idiopathic scoliosis: the most common type; often develops during adolescence, but can be present in adults too.
- Degenerative (adult-onset) scoliosis: develops later in life due to wear-and-tear changes in discs and joints.
- Functional scoliosis: the spine looks curved because of another issue (for example leg-length difference or muscle spasm). The curve may reduce when the underlying cause is addressed.
Important note
Scoliosis varies a lot from person to person. Some people have a curve with no pain; others have pain with a relatively small curve. Our focus is on understanding your symptoms, movement patterns, and goals – then building a plan that improves comfort, function, and confidence.
Condition
How We Assess Scoliosis at Aligned Wellness
Your appointment typically includes:
- A detailed case history (symptoms, triggers, lifestyle, training, work setup)
- Postural and movement assessment
- Gentle examination of spinal mobility, ribcage movement, pelvis/hip mechanics, and muscle tone
- Discussion of any previous imaging (X-ray/MRI) if you have it
If appropriate, we may suggest liaising with your GP/consultant or recommending imaging – especially if symptoms are new, worsening, or you have neurological symptoms (like numbness, pins and needles, or weakness).
Condition
How We Treat Scoliosis
Treatment is tailored to the individual and may include:
- Hands-on osteopathic treatment to reduce pain and improve mobility in the spine, ribs, pelvis, and surrounding tissues
- Use of our new traction bed – The Manuthera 242 which is a specialist treatment table designed to support precise, comfortable positioning and gentle, guided movement during osteopathic care. It helps us work more specifically on stiff or sensitive areas by assisting controlled mobilisation and reducing strain on the body, making treatment feel more supported and targeted.
- Soft tissue techniques to help overworked muscles relax and underactive areas engage more effectively
- Joint mobilisation (where appropriate) to improve movement and reduce stiffness
- Breathing and ribcage mobility work to support rotation and thoracic movement (often a key piece for scoliosis)
- Rehabilitation exercises focused on strength, control, and symmetry (as much as your curve allows)
- Advice on daily habits: desk setup, sleep positions, lifting, training modifications, and pacing
Condition
What to Expect
The goal isn’t to “straighten” the spine in a few sessions. Instead, we aim to:
- Reduce pain and muscle fatigue
- Improve posture awareness and movement efficiency
- Increase mobility where you’re stiff and stability where you need support
- Help you stay active (and keep doing the things you enjoy)
How the Manuthera 242 bed supports scoliosis care
The Manuthera 242 is a specialist treatment table that allows very precise positioning and supported movement. For scoliosis, this matters because we often need to work with rotation and side-bending in a controlled, comfortable way.
Condition
Why It Can Help
- Targeted positioning: The table can help place your spine and ribcage in positions that make treatment more specific to your curve pattern.
- Comfort and support: Many people with scoliosis feel guarded or sensitive in certain positions. The Manuthera 242 can support the body so you can relax, which helps treatment be more effective.
- Assisted mobilisation: It enables gentle, guided movement through ranges that may be difficult to access on a standard treatment couch.
- Reduced strain: It can reduce pressure on areas that feel compressed, while allowing us to work on areas that feel “stuck.”
How we use it in practice
Depending on your presentation, we may use the Manuthera 242 to:
- Encourage movement through the thoracic spine and ribcage
- Support pelvic positioning to reduce compensations
- Improve spinal mobility in a controlled way
- Help calm protective muscle tension around the curve
Condition
Who Scoliosis Treatment Can Be Suitable for
We commonly support:
- Adults with longstanding scoliosis who want less pain and stiffness
- People with degenerative scoliosis and “wear and tear” back pain
- Active people who want to keep training safely
- Postnatal clients noticing new asymmetries or back pain
When to seek urgent medical advice
Please seek urgent assessment if you have:
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Saddle numbness (numbness around the groin area)
- Progressive weakness, severe numbness, or significant unexplained weight loss
- Severe night pain or pain that is rapidly worsening
Next steps
If you’re unsure whether scoliosis is contributing to your symptoms, we can assess you and explain what we’re seeing in plain English – then create a plan combining hands-on care, the Manuthera 242 where appropriate, and simple rehab to support long-term results.
To book, choose Osteopathy via Jane App, or contact us if you’re not sure which appointment is best.
