What is Scoliosis?
Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine.  The spine takes on a C- or S-shape so that the posture of the person may be altered.  There are three different types of scoliosis, idiopathic, condition-related and muscular scoliosis.  Scoliosis does not commonly cause symptoms in the less severe and early stages of development.  However, if left untreated, it can lead to other problems such as arthritis, disc problems, heart and lung conditions and rarely, other painful conditions. 

Who gets Scoliosis?
Scoliosis may be present at birth but it more commonly appears in children between the ages of 10 and 14 and generally becomes more severe as the child grows.  It tends to be more severe and progress further in females than in males.  Statistics are unclear in regards to the percentage of the population affected by this condition.

What Causes Scoliosis?
There are some known causes of scoliosis, such as neurofibromatiosis, congenital (born with it) bone deformities, and polio, however most cases are considered idiopathic.  In other words, the cause is unknown.  Most theories recognize that there is likely more than one contributing factor in the development of this condition.  A third type of scoliosis can be caused by posture, muscle spasms or muscular imbalances.  These are the types that respond best to chiropractic care.