What is scoliosis?

Answer 1

From the Mayo Clinic (see related link): Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine that occurs most often during the growth spurt just before puberty.

While scoliosis can be caused by conditions and birth defects such as Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy and Spina Bifida (which I was born with), the cause of most scoliosis is unknown.

Some with mild cases of Scoliosis are only monitored for progression while others may require bracing. In severe cases surgery may be required.

Answer 2

Most scoliosis cases are considered a multi-factorial with both genetic predisposition and environmental influences.

There are 4 basic curve patterns (double major curves, primary thoracic, thoraco-lumbar, and lumbar).

80% of cases are consider "idiopathic" scoliosis with an unknown cause, but most research is heavily favoring a neurological and hormonal link.

Idiopathic scoliosis affects females 7 times more than males for an unknown reason, but possibly due to a uncoordinated growth pattern between the neurological systems and the skeletal systems during puberty.

Many "Scoliosis BootCamp" type scoliosis exercise based treatments have recently become popular as an alternative to scoliosis brace and/or scoliosis surgery.