Scoliosis treatments which work?

I have scoliosis. I found out when I was about 11 or 12 years old and I am not sure what degree it was at that point since that was the last time I saw someone who did an x ray to find out. It was roughly 12 degrees to 15. No more than that. Anyway, they didn't do a brace because they didn't think it was that severe I guess, and I only went to some physical therapy. The physical therapy was a hassle and at twelve or so years old was not something I could get myself to really like doing.

Now I'm 21 and wish I had a straight back. People constantly tell me to "sit straight" but it's hard to unless all I'm thinking of is sitting straight and I'm repeating it in my mind. Also my back doesn't look like other people's backs. If I have my arms in the air and I'm standing the most straight possible, there's still a C looking curve that can be seen. Is there anything I can do that would fix my scoliosis? I think i'm too old for a brace to do anything.

I was about the same age when my skoliosis was diagnosed. That's why they sent me twice a week to special exercises.
If your skoliosis was severe, means a certain percentage, they might have put you in a straightening brace. As you did not end up with such extreme measures, I assume it is within an ok range.

All you know now is that some part of your back is an area you have to take care of. You have back pain, that's why it is essential that you keep your back exercised and the muscles strong.
Besides an exercise that is working all muscles, like swimming, I would highly recommend yoga. I actually do running which really built my back muscles, however you have to balance it with swimming and or yoga. Running by itself is too hard on your back.
A good Yoga can also be very balancing when your back is not straight. Go to a place that specially focusses on your back issues and gives you personal attention and correction.
It seems that you have to strenghten all back muscles and abs, so above exercise is a good idea.

When people tell you to sit straight as you are slouching, that usually can not be excused with skoliosis; As skoliosis is usually going sideways, not a forward leaning. In this case, you are really slouching, which is maybe a bad habit, but maybe also a result of weak muscles and bad furniture. Ask your parents as you already have a back issue to buy you a good medical approved desk chair.

In any case above mentioned exercise is a great to strengthen the muscles that hold your spine.
Depending where you are located, there are chiropractors who practice The Directional Non-Force Technique. They can adjust painlessly to a certain degree the shorter leg, uneven hip and shoulders which you see with skoliosis. Something I can highly recommend.

You're right. Even at 12, a 12-15 degree curve is too small for bracing. And as a 21-year old, you're done growing which means that bracing won't do any good.

Unfortunately, nothing can *fix* scoliosis. Surgery can keep the curve from getting worse, and in most cases, will reduce the curve but most likely your spine won't be straight (unless you are very flexible in the area to be fused, then you might be lucky). There are cases where the surgery is less invasive than other cases, but having the usual posterior incision isn't too bad.

You didn't say what kind of doctor you were seeing. If you're seeing a scoliosis specialist, great! If you're not, then see your family doctor for a referral and then let him/her examine your back. He/she will be able to give you appropriate recommendations. (A doctor that is not a scoliosis specialist is *not* qualified to treat scoliosis.)

If your curve is over 30 degrees, even though you've stopped growing, it is possible for the curve to slowly increase. Mine did, going from about 50 degrees to 60 degrees over a 20-year period.

Email me if you wish to talk some more.

Chiropractors, message therapists, acupuncturists, etc., also can't fix scoliosis. These people adjust the soft, connective tissues and that may (or may not, you can't tell ahead of time) make you feel better, but remember, scoliosis is not a connective tissue disease. Your spine is growing curved.