Spinal Curve
Scoliosis & Kyphosis — North Vancouver
A sideways curve, an exaggerated forward round of the upper back, uneven shoulders that show in photos. Physiotherapy won't straighten the spine, but it can build the strength and posture that keep you comfortable and moving well.
What it is
Understanding your scoliosis / kyphosis.
Scoliosis is a sideways curve of the spine — viewed from behind, it makes an S or a C instead of a straight line. Kyphosis is an exaggerated forward rounding of the upper back, the posture people sometimes call a hunchback. Both change the shape and balance of the spine, and while many people live comfortably with a mild curve, larger ones can bring muscle fatigue, stiffness, and aching across the back, shoulders, or neck.
The signs are often visible before they're painful: one shoulder or hip sitting higher than the other, a rib or shoulder blade more prominent on one side, or a noticeable forward stoop. Standing or sitting for long stretches can become tiring, and some people find their balance and movement feel less efficient than they'd like.
Scoliosis most often shows up during the growth spurts of childhood and adolescence, and frequently the exact cause isn't known, though genetics, neuromuscular conditions, and congenital differences in the spine can play a part. Kyphosis tends to develop differently — through years of slumped posture, weakened back muscles, or age-related changes in the vertebrae, including compression changes linked to osteoporosis. Left unmanaged, both can gradually become more pronounced.
What to expect
Managing a spinal curve is ongoing rather than a quick fix, and we're honest about that. Most people notice less fatigue and discomfort within the first several weeks of consistent strengthening and mobility work, but the real value is in a routine you keep up over months. We're managing the symptoms and supporting function — physiotherapy doesn't reverse the curve itself, and where active medical monitoring or bracing is needed, that stays with your physician or specialist.
Get a plan
Not sure if we're the right fit?
Send us a quick note about what's going on. A physiotherapist — not a receptionist — will read it and reply with what they'd recommend. No commitment to book.
Common questions
About scoliosis / kyphosis.
Can physiotherapy straighten my spine?+
No, and we won't claim it can. Physiotherapy doesn't reverse a structural curve. What it does well is build the strength, mobility, and postural control that reduce the muscle fatigue and aching a curve can cause, keep you moving comfortably, and in some cases help limit progression. For decisions about bracing or surgery, your physician or spinal specialist leads.
My teenager was just diagnosed with scoliosis. What's our first step?+
Stay connected with the physician monitoring the curve, since growth-stage scoliosis is tracked over time and sometimes braced. Alongside that medical monitoring, physiotherapy helps with posture-specific exercise, keeping the spine mobile and the supporting muscles strong, and giving an active teen a routine they'll actually do. We work as part of the team, not instead of the specialist.
I'm older and my upper back is rounding more. Is anything wrong?+
Increasing kyphosis with age can come from posture and weakening muscles, but it can also relate to bone-density changes, so it's worth having your physician assess that side of it. From the physiotherapy angle, extension strengthening, mobility work, and posture training can meaningfully improve comfort and function, and we'll tailor the load to what's safe for your bones.
Will exercise make the curve worse?+
Appropriate, supervised exercise doesn't make a curve worse — it supports the spine and tends to reduce discomfort. The key word is appropriate: we assess your specific curve and choose the strengthening and mobility work that suits it, rather than handing out a generic gym program.
This page is for general information only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individual presentations vary — assessment findings and treatment plans differ from person to person. If you are experiencing severe symptoms, neurological changes (numbness, weakness, bowel or bladder changes), or a significant trauma, contact your physician or emergency services. Physiotherapy at Medstar Sport Physio & Health is provided by physiotherapists registered with the College of Physical Therapists of British Columbia (CPTBC).