Spine & PostureGonstead Method

Chiropractic Care for People with Scoliosis

Scoliosis is more than a curve, as it can affect posture, comfort and movement, so we offer careful Gonstead assessment and hands-only care alongside your medical monitoring.

Understanding the Condition

What Is Scoliosis?

Scoliosis is a sideways curve of the spine of 10 degrees or more, measured as the Cobb angle on a standing X-ray, usually with a twist of the vertebrae that creates a rib hump and uneven posture. Most cases are idiopathic, meaning no single cause is found, and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis typically appears between ages 10 and 18. Common signs are uneven shoulders or hips, a rib prominence when bending forward, and the trunk shifting to one side; mild curves are often painless. Curves can progress, especially during growth spurts, so they are diagnosed and monitored by a doctor. Chiropractic care does not straighten a scoliotic curve. At Bewell's Novena clinic, opening soon, a Gonstead chiropractor checks your posture and each spinal segment by hand, and adjusts by hand only where a segment is not moving well, with care focused on comfort and mobility alongside your doctor's monitoring. If a curve is new or changing fast, or back pain comes with numbness, weakness or night pain, see a registered doctor for diagnosis.

About this page

Before you book

Prepared by the Bewell Chiropractic team.

Care at Bewell Chiropractic Novena is led by DC Michiko Liew, founder and principal chiropractor and Ambassador of the Gonstead Chiropractic Society Australia, with DC Lim C. Y. Both hold Doctor of Chiropractic qualifications and are not registered medical practitioners in Singapore.

This page is educational and not a diagnosis. Seek urgent medical care for severe weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, fever, or trauma.

Root Causes

What Causes Scoliosis?

Scoliosis has several subtypes with different origins, and knowing which type is present helps shape the right care and monitoring.

Idiopathic (Unknown Cause)

The most common type. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) typically appears between ages 10–18 and has a strong genetic component. The exact trigger remains unknown.

Congenital Vertebral Anomaly

Malformed vertebrae present from birth — hemivertebrae, wedge vertebrae, or fused ribs — create structural imbalance that forces the spine to curve as the child grows.

Neuromuscular Conditions

Cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and spinal cord injury impair the muscle balance that normally keeps the spine upright, allowing curvature to develop progressively.

Degenerative (Adult Onset)

Asymmetric disc and joint degeneration in adults — particularly post-menopausal women — creates uneven vertebral collapse that produces a de novo lateral curve.

Leg Length Discrepancy

A structural difference in leg length tilts the pelvis, and the spine curves to compensate. This is called functional scoliosis, because the curve comes from the pelvis rather than the spine itself.

Postural & Muscular Imbalance

Prolonged one-sided postures, such as a heavy schoolbag on one shoulder or one-sided sport, can produce a functional curve, which is worth having checked during the growing years.

Progression

How Scoliosis Is Classified

Scoliosis is classified by its Cobb angle, the degree of curvature measured on a standing X-ray. The angle, together with age and growth, guides how closely a doctor monitors the curve and which medical options are discussed.

Stage 1Mild

Mild Curve (10°–⁠24°)

Most curves are found at this stage, and pain is usually absent. Doctors typically monitor these curves every 4–6 months, especially during growth. Chiropractic care at this stage focuses on spinal mobility and comfort alongside that monitoring.

Stage 2Moderate

Moderate Curve (25°–⁠39°)

Visible postural asymmetry: uneven shoulders, rib prominence, a raised hip. Fatigue and back pain begin, and doctors typically recommend bracing for growing adolescents. Chiropractic care can sit alongside bracing, with a focus on mobility, muscle balance and comfort.

Stage 3Severe

Severe Curve (40°–⁠59°)

Significant deformity with a pronounced rib hump and measurable trunk shift, and lung capacity can start to fall. A surgical consultation is usually recommended. Where chiropractic care is appropriate, it focuses on keeping you mobile and comfortable.

Stage 4Critical

Very Severe Curve (60°+)

Heart and lung function can be affected, with marked deformity and chronic pain, and spinal fusion surgery is the standard recommendation. After surgery, chiropractic care, where appropriate, looks at the unfused segments above and below the fused levels.

Scoliosis found early gives you and your doctor the most options.

Curves found before growth is complete have the most time to be monitored and managed medically. Gonstead chiropractic care can sit alongside that monitoring, focused on comfort and how your spine moves.

Recognition

Do You Experience These Symptoms?

Scoliosis is often painless early on, and parents usually notice uneven posture before any discomfort. If you see the signs below, have the spine checked by a doctor, even without pain.

Uneven shoulders or hips

One shoulder or hip sitting visibly higher than the other in a standing position

Rib prominence (hump)

One side of the back appears raised when bending forward — the classic Adams forward bend sign

Trunk shift

The upper body appears to lean to one side relative to the pelvis when standing upright

Back or rib pain

Aching or fatigue along the curve, often worse after prolonged standing or activity

Reduced breathing capacity

In larger curves, rib cage rotation compresses lung space, limiting full deep breaths

Visit Us

Where to find us in Singapore

Bewell offers precise, hands-only Gonstead chiropractic care at Novena Regency on Thomson Road, opening soon.

Bewell Chiropractic Novena

275 Thomson Road #01-19
Novena Regency
Singapore 307645

+65 8859 7326 Get directions

Book ahead

Opening soon in Novena

Bewell's Gonstead clinic opens soon at Novena Regency, 275 Thomson Road. WhatsApp or call +65 8859 7326 to enquire or book ahead.

WhatsApp us Find us

Bewell Chiropractic Novena · 275 Thomson Road #01-19, Novena Regency · near Novena MRT (NS20)

Frequently Asked

Common questions

Chiropractic care does not straighten a scoliotic curve. Our focus is comfort and mobility: we assess the spine carefully and adjust by hand only where a segment is not moving well, alongside the monitoring and medical care your doctor recommends.

No. Some people have scoliosis for years without symptoms, while others may feel stiffness, imbalance or discomfort.

It depends on the type of scoliosis, your age, the size of the curve and any spinal degeneration. Regular monitoring by your doctor is important, especially if your posture changes or pain increases.

A physical examination, such as the forward bend test, can suggest scoliosis, but the curve (the Cobb angle) can only be measured accurately on a standing X-ray. If you already have X-rays or a scoliosis report, please bring them to your first visit.

Bewell Chiropractic is opening soon at 275 Thomson Road #01-19, Novena Regency, Singapore 307645, near Novena MRT station (NS20). Call +65 8859 7326 to enquire.

Back to home