What is Scoliosis?

Scoliosis is an abnormal side-bending curvature of the spinal vertebral column that is often discovered in:

  • Childhood during a routine school or sports physical exam or
  • Adulthood at the doctor’s office, usually when investigating low back pain

In spite of obvious physical clues, the patient, family, and friends are often caught by surprise with the diagnosis. This happens because Scoliosis usually develops so slowly over time—so slowly that the patient or others do not notice the incremental changes in the patient’s posture.

If allowed to progress, especially in children, the subsequent postural imbalances and dysfunctions of Scoliosis can be profoundly disabling—although the degree of seriousness varies from patient to patient.

CONTRARY TO POPULAR OPINION—Scoliosis most often occurs as a secondary, physical compensation for an underlying Sacroiliac Ligament sprain injury and Sacroliiac Joint misalignment/ dislocation. However, the general medical community insists on referring to Scoliosis as an “idiopathic” disease—i.e., a disease of unknown origin. In reality, Scoliosis is rarely a primary or idiopathic phenomenon. See Causes & Symptoms for details.

CONTRARY TO POPULAR OPINION—being secondary to a Sacroliac Joint dysfunction, Scoliosis is subject to remedy by treating the primary Sacroiliac Joint problem! Success depends on being able to reach an appropriate, accurate functional musculoskeletal diagnosis. See Diagnosis & Treatment for details.

Scoliosis does not have to be a lifelong condition.

Osteopathic Manual Therapy and Prolotherapy are the OTHER answer.

Boulder Scoliosis | Gary B. Clark, MD, MPA | 1790 30th Street, Suite 230, Boulder, CO | (303) 444-5131