Scoliosis Treatment in Bloomington, MN
Living with scoliosis does not have to mean living with pain. Chiropractic care can help manage symptoms and support better spinal function.
Scoliosis Treatment At A Glance
Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine that ranges widely in severity and impact. Some patients in Bloomington discover their scoliosis as adolescents through a school screening. Others find out as adults, often when a routine X-ray reveals a curve that explains years of back pain, postural issues, or one-sided fatigue. Patients arrive at Riverview Spine with questions about how the curve is affecting their daily life and what conservative care can do.
At Riverview Spine, our role with scoliosis is to evaluate how the curve is affecting movement and pain, identify the muscular and joint patterns that have developed around it, and provide care aimed at function, mobility, and quality of life. We do not claim to correct scoliosis itself. We do work with patients to manage the secondary effects of the curvature and to coordinate with orthopedic providers when monitoring or specialized scoliosis-specific treatment is indicated.
Last Reviewed By: Dr. Rod Opferkew on May 21, 2026
What Is Scoliosis?
Scoliosis is a three-dimensional curvature of the spine that includes both a sideways bend and a rotational component. The spine, which normally appears straight when viewed from behind, develops an S-shaped or C-shaped curve.
Scoliosis is categorized by when it appears and what causes it. Idiopathic scoliosis is the most common form and develops without a known cause, often during adolescence. Congenital scoliosis is present from birth due to vertebral malformation. Neuromuscular scoliosis develops from conditions affecting the muscles or nerves that support the spine.
The severity of scoliosis is measured by the Cobb angle, which quantifies the degree of curvature on X-ray. Mild curves often produce no symptoms. Moderate curves can produce postural changes, back pain, and muscular imbalances. Severe curves can affect breathing, organ function, and quality of life significantly.
Adult scoliosis can develop from a previously undetected adolescent curve that worsens over time, or it can develop from degenerative changes in the spine that gradually produce curvature in adulthood. Each form has different implications for monitoring, treatment, and what conservative care can offer.
Common Symptoms Of Scoliosis
Many cases of mild scoliosis produce no symptoms and are identified through screening or incidental imaging. Moderate and more advanced cases tend to produce a recognizable set of patterns.
Postural asymmetry is one of the most common visible signs. One shoulder may appear higher than the other, the rib cage may be more prominent on one side, the waist may look uneven, or the hips may appear unlevel. A forward bend often makes a rib hump or muscular asymmetry more visible.
Back pain is a common complaint in adult scoliosis. The pain often comes from the muscular imbalances and joint stresses that develop around the curve, not directly from the curve itself. Pain typically worsens with prolonged sitting, standing, or activity.
Fatigue is another frequent pattern. The muscles working against the curve never get a full break, and patients often describe a one-sided tiredness that builds across the day.
In more advanced cases, scoliosis can affect breathing, digestion, and overall mobility. Severe progression in adolescents and adults requires orthopedic evaluation to determine whether specialized treatment beyond conservative care is needed.
What Causes Scoliosis
Scoliosis has several causes, and the cause often determines how the curve is monitored and managed.
Idiopathic scoliosis, the most common form, develops without a clear cause. It is most often identified during the growth spurts of adolescence, between roughly ten and fifteen years of age. Genetic factors appear to play a role, but the specific mechanism is not fully understood.
Congenital scoliosis develops from vertebral malformations present at birth. The curve is shaped by the underlying bony structure of the spine.
Neuromuscular scoliosis develops from conditions that affect the muscles or nerves supporting the spine. Cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and certain neurological conditions can produce this form.
Degenerative scoliosis develops in adulthood from age-related changes in the discs, joints, and ligaments of the spine. The curve forms gradually as one side of the spine wears down differently than the other.
Some adult scoliosis cases represent a previously undetected adolescent curve that has worsened with time, age, or degenerative changes added on top.
Conditions That Can Mimic Scoliosis
Some postural patterns appear similar to scoliosis but involve different mechanisms.
Functional or postural scoliosis, sometimes called nonstructural scoliosis, involves a sideways curve that is not from a fixed spinal deformity. The curve may come from a leg length difference, muscle imbalance, or chronic pain patterns. These cases can often improve significantly with conservative care addressing the underlying cause.
Severe muscle tightness on one side can produce a visible curve that looks like scoliosis on a screening exam but resolves when the muscle pattern is addressed. Acute injuries can produce a temporary protective posture that mimics scoliosis until the injury resolves.
A careful exam with appropriate imaging when warranted helps separate true structural scoliosis from postural patterns. The distinction matters because the treatment, monitoring, and prognosis are different.
When To Seek Urgent Care For Scoliosis
Most scoliosis is monitored over time and does not require urgent care, but certain signs warrant prompt medical evaluation. Seek urgent care for scoliosis paired with rapid progression of the curve, new neurological symptoms including weakness or numbness, significant changes in bowel or bladder function, severe pain that does not respond to conservative measures, signs of cardiopulmonary compromise in severe curves, or sudden curve development after trauma. Adolescents with rapidly progressing curves need orthopedic evaluation.
What Our Patients Are Saying
How We Evaluate Scoliosis
Evaluating scoliosis at Riverview Spine begins with a thorough history. When was the curve identified? Has it changed over time? What symptoms are present? Has there been prior treatment, bracing, or surgery?
The physical exam includes postural analysis, range of motion testing, neurological screening, and assessment of the muscular patterns that have developed around the curve. The forward bend test and observation of the rib cage and shoulder height help characterize the curve visually.
X-rays may be ordered to evaluate the curve and measure the Cobb angle when imaging is not already available. The pattern of compensatory changes throughout the spine is also relevant for planning care.
When the exam suggests a curve that requires monitoring beyond conservative care or specialized scoliosis-specific intervention, referral to an orthopedic specialist is part of the process. Coordinating with a treating orthopedic provider when one is already involved is also part of the workflow.
What to Expect From Your Care at Riverview Spine
Your care at Riverview Spine begins with a detailed consultation and physical examination, followed by X-rays to give Dr. Rod a clear structural picture. From there, he builds a personalized care plan that may include chiropractic adjustments, spinal decompression for disc-related causes, and guidance on movement and posture. Many patients notice meaningful improvement within the first few visits. Your progress is tracked throughout, and the plan is updated as your condition responds.
How We Treat Scoliosis-Related Pain At Riverview Spine
Care at Riverview Spine for patients with scoliosis is focused on function, mobility, and managing the muscular and joint patterns that develop around the curve. We do not claim to correct structural scoliosis. The goal is to reduce pain, improve range of motion, and support quality of life within the realities of the existing curvature.
Why Early Care For Scoliosis-Related Pain Matters
Scoliosis-related pain and dysfunction often respond best when addressed early. The muscular imbalances and joint stresses that develop around a curve tend to worsen over time without attention, and the secondary issues they create can become more limiting than the curve itself.
Early care also supports better long-term function. Patients who maintain mobility, strength, and balanced muscle patterns through consistent care often manage their scoliosis with fewer flare-ups and less daily impact than those who let the compensations build for years.
For adolescents, early identification and appropriate orthopedic coordination is critical for monitoring progression.
Meet The Team Behind Your Care
Dr. Rod Opferkew
Dr. Rod Opferkew has over 23 years of chiropractic experience and focuses on identifying the root cause of pain before building a care plan around your needs.
Serving Bloomington And The Surrounding Twin Cities Communities
Riverview Spine is located in Bloomington, Minnesota, and provides scoliosis-related care for patients across Bloomington, Edina, Richfield, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Hopkins, St. Louis Park, and the surrounding south Twin Cities communities. Adults with longstanding scoliosis and patients managing scoliosis-related pain are welcome for evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Scoliosis
Related Conditions
Begin Scoliosis Evaluation At Riverview Spine
Living with scoliosis often means managing the muscular patterns, pain, and functional impact that develop around the curve over time. Riverview Spine evaluates how the scoliosis is affecting your daily life and provides chiropractic adjustments, rehabilitation, and selective spinal decompression aimed at function, comfort, and mobility. We coordinate with orthopedic providers when monitoring or specialized care is appropriate. Book an appointment to start the evaluation, or call the clinic to talk through your situation first.