Have Scoliosis? STOP Believing These Myths

How rare is scoliosis? It’s rare and you’d know if you had it, right?

Alright you guys, let’s set the record straight. Scoliosis is one of those conditions that has a ton of myths floating around it, and honestly, those myths keep a lot of people from getting real answers and real relief. So today, I want to break down the three biggest myths about scoliosis—and show you why they’re not the whole story.

Myth #1: “Scoliosis is rare, and you’d know if you had it.”

Not true. The numbers you usually hear, about 2 to 3 percent of the population, are only talking about structural scoliosis. That’s the kind that shows up on an x-ray, often diagnosed in kids and teens, where you actually see vertebrae rotated.

But here’s the thing nobody talks about: functional scoliosis.
This looks similar, a C-curve or S-curve in the spine, but it’s different because it’s caused by muscle imbalances, postural habits, or one-sided movement patterns. And here’s the kicker: it’s reversible.

The frustrating part? It doesn’t usually show up on x-rays, which means it gets overlooked a lot. Some studies say 60–80% of functional scoliosis cases go undiagnosed in medical settings. That’s huge. Rehab and movement specialists catch it more often because they look at how your body moves, not just what an image says.

Think about it this way: If you always cross the same leg, carry your kid on the same hip, or spend years swinging a golf club from just one side, your spine is going to adapt. That adaptation can show up as a lateral curve, and yes, that can lead to back or neck pain.

Personal note: I can’t tell you how many times I’ve worked with someone who came in saying, “But my x-ray was clear.” Then I watched them move, spotted the curve right away, and within weeks of retraining their posture, they felt a massive difference.

So no, scoliosis is not as rare as you’ve been led to believe. Functional scoliosis is way more common than you think.

Myth #2: “Bad posture causes scoliosis.”

This one’s a half-truth. Let’s clear it up.

Bad posture does not cause adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), the structural kind that shows up in puberty due to genetics and internal factors. That’s not about how you sit or stand. Research even shows vertebral rotation happens before the spine curves, which means posture isn’t the cause.

But posture does play a role in other ways. It can:

• Create functional scoliosis when imbalances build up over time.
  
  
• Worsen both functional and structural scoliosis if left unchecked.
  
  

Here’s an example: if you always lean on your right hip while standing, that imbalance shifts the forces through your spine. Do it long enough, and your ligaments and even bones start adapting. Over decades, what started as functional scoliosis can turn into structural changes.

Common mistake: Thinking posture doesn’t matter because it “didn’t cause” your scoliosis. It may not have caused AIS, but it absolutely shapes how your spine adapts day after day.

Personal note: I used to slouch into one hip every time I was standing and talking to someone. It felt comfortable… until my back started reminding me daily that it wasn’t. Fixing that habit alone made a world of difference.

So no, bad posture doesn’t cause all scoliosis,but it is a contributing factor.

Myth #3: “If you have scoliosis, you’ll need surgery.”

This one really frustrates me because it scares people unnecessarily. Surgery is only considered in extreme, severe cases,usually progressive adolescent scoliosis where bracing hasn’t helped, or if there’s organ compression. That’s a very small percentage.

For the vast majority of people, especially with functional scoliosis, surgery is not on the table. In fact, research shows most cases respond really well to conservative care. One well-known method is the Schroth method, which uses curve-specific postural work and special breathing techniques to literally open up collapsed areas of the ribcage.

And if we’re talking functional scoliosis? Movement correction, muscular balancing, and core training can often fully resolve the curve.

Example: a teen who always leans to one side while sitting may develop a compensatory curve. Correct their posture, restore core support, and the spine realigns. Or take an athlete, let’s say a tennis player with years of one-sided loading. Balance out the other side through training, and the curve can reduce or disappear.

Personal note: I’ve seen people walk into the clinic with pain and a visible curve, convinced they were “stuck with it.” Six months later, their spine looked different, and more importantly, they felt free to move again. That’s why I’m so passionate about busting this myth.

The Bottom Line

Don’t let the myths scare you. Scoliosis isn’t always rare, it’s not always caused by posture, and it doesn’t automatically mean surgery. What it does mean is that you need to pay attention to your posture, your habits, and your movement.

Here at Core Balance Training, our whole mission is to restore balance in the body, front to back, left to right, so you can step out of the cycle of pain. The power to change your spine and your movement is in your hands.

So here’s my challenge: if you’ve been told “there’s nothing you can do,” don’t buy it. Start with small, consistent movement habits that open your body back up. You might be surprised at how much your spine is capable of.

And as always, get down on the floor and connect to your core.