Adult Scoliosis Care at Bay Area Scoliosis Center
Non-Surgical Options: ScoliBrace® & ScoliBalance®
Helping Adults Manage Pain, Slow Progression, Improve Posture, and Maintain Function

 

Understanding Adult Scoliosis

Adult scoliosis includes idiopathic scoliosis that continues or progresses into adulthood and de novo degenerative scoliosis, which develops later in life due to wear and tear on the spine. Common issues include:

  • Chronic back pain
  • Poor posture and spinal imbalance
  • Reduced mobility and balance problems
  • Risk of curve progression leading to increased disability

Without intervention, curves can progress (often 0.5–3° per year or more in degenerative cases), worsening pain, posture, and quality of life. Surgery is not the only option—evidence-based conservative care can help many adults.

 

Our Approach at Bay Area Scoliosis Center

We offer personalized, non-surgical treatment using:

  • ScoliBrace®: A modern, custom-made scoliosis brace created with advanced 3D scanning and design technology. Unlike outdated bracing methods that involve casting or rigid immobilization of the spine (which can lead to core muscle weakness), ScoliBrace® is specifically designed to:
    • Push the spine toward correction in all three dimensions (frontal, sagittal, and rotational).
    • Provide space inside the brace for movement, allowing patients to actively strengthen their core and postural muscles while wearing it.
    • Be lightweight, comfortable, and typically worn part-time (daytime or nighttime options available).
  • ScoliBalance®: A physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercise (PSSE) program. These targeted exercises improve posture, core strength, spinal stability, and body awareness.

Combined, ScoliBrace® and ScoliBalance® work synergistically to address pain, stability, posture, and progression while actively supporting muscle function rather than weakening it.

 

Evidence-Based Benefits

1. Pain Management

Bracing and specific exercises consistently reduce back pain in adults with scoliosis. Studies show significant short- to medium-term pain relief with custom bracing, often within weeks. Night-time and part-time options have also demonstrated strong results.

2. Slowing or Stopping Curve Progression

  • In a key study (Palazzo et al., 2017), bracing slowed progression dramatically—from ~1.28°/year to 0.21°/year.
  • Systematic reviews support curve stabilization in adults with modern bracing approaches.
  • ScoliBrace® cases frequently show stabilization or reduced progression when combined with exercises.

3. Postural Improvement and Better Balance

ScoliBrace® provides 3D correction, leading to better symmetry, appearance, and upright posture. ScoliBalance® exercises help maintain these gains long-term and improve gait and balance.

4. Reducing Disability and Improving Quality of Life

Patients often report better daily function, mobility, and reduced reliance on pain medication — with the potential to delay or avoid surgery.

 

Addressing Common Concerns About Bracing

Some orthopedic doctors, surgeons, or physical therapists tell patients that bracing is detrimental or even “disastrous” for the spine. This claim is not supported by evidence.

A major systematic review of adult scoliosis bracing (McAviney et al., 2020) examined harms data and found no adverse events reported. Studies consistently show good tolerance and limited side effects — especially with modern, part-time, custom-designed braces like ScoliBrace®.

Unlike outdated casting or full-immobilization braces that can cause muscle weakness, ScoliBrace® is engineered with room to move and strengthen musculature. When combined with ScoliBalance® exercises, it supports rather than weakens the core. Bracing is a safe, evidence-based option for many adults.

 

How Treatment Works at Our Center

  1. Comprehensive assessment with 3D body scanning.
  2. Custom ScoliBrace® design and fitting.
  3. Personalized ScoliBalance® exercise program.
  4. Ongoing monitoring with adjustments as needed.

 

Who Can Benefit?

Adults with painful, progressive, or postural scoliosis — including degenerative cases. Best results occur with consistent use and when started before severe imbalance develops. Not every patient achieves major curve reduction, but pain relief, stabilization, and functional improvement are realistic goals.

 

Important Notes

  • Results vary by individual factors (curve size, flexibility, age, adherence).
  • Bracing is generally well-tolerated with minimal side effects compared to surgery.
  • This is conservative care — regular follow-up is essential.

 

Take the Next Step

At Bay Area Scoliosis Center in Alameda, CA, we are certified providers of ScoliBrace® and ScoliBalance® and are dedicated to helping adults with scoliosis live with less pain and better function.

Contact us today for a consultation to see if this modern, evidence-based approach is right for you. Early intervention can make a significant difference!

This information is for educational purposes. Individual results vary. Please consult with your healthcare provider.

 

Hear From Our Patients

Some patients come to us feeling doubtful about bracing after hearing conflicting opinions from healthcare providers. However, modern evidence-based approaches like ScoliBrace® and ScoliBalance® have helped many individuals improve posture, reduce pain, and maintain function without surgery.

To hear from some of our patients about their experience with ScoliBrace® and ScoliBalance®, click here: Testimonials

 

References

  1. McAviney J, Mee J, Fazalbhoy A, Du Plessis J, Brown BT. A systematic literature review of spinal brace/orthosis treatment for adults with scoliosis between 1967 and 2018: clinical outcomes and harms data. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2020;21(1):87.
  2. Palazzo C, Montigny JP, Barbot F, et al. Effects of Bracing in Adult With Scoliosis: A Retrospective Study. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2017;98(1):187-190.
  3. Zaina F, Poggio M, Donzelli S, Negrini S. Can bracing help adults with chronic back pain and scoliosis? Short-term results from a pilot study. Prosthet Orthot Int. 2018;42(4):410-414.
  4. Dureigne F, et al. Barriers and facilitators to bracing in adults with painful degenerative scoliosis. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2023;24(1):32.
  5. de Mauroy JC, et al. Bracing in adult with scoliosis: experience from a 15-year prospective study. Scoliosis Spinal Disord. 2016;11(Suppl 2):29.
  6. Zaina F, et al. Bracing adults with chronic low back pain secondary to severe scoliosis: six months results. Eur Spine J. 2021.
  7. Haddas R, et al. The effect of scoliosis support orthosis bracing on adult spinal deformity patients. Stud Health Technol Inform. 2021. PMID: 34190071.
  8. Ng SY. Brace Prescription for Adult Scoliosis – Literature Review. Open Orthop J. 2022.