Researchers examined 13 high-quality studies involving over 700 teenagers with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS)—a sideways curvature of the spine that develops during the teenage years—to compare non-surgical treatment options. The question matters for many Singapore families: if your teen is diagnosed with AIS, does surgery have to be the answer?
The study, published in Frontiers in Pediatrics, looked at five different non-surgical approaches: bracing (wearing a supportive corset), Schroth therapy (specialized exercises), general scoliosis-specific exercises, core strengthening, and traditional Chinese medicine rehabilitation methods.
Bracing and Schroth therapy showed the strongest results
Bracing and Schroth-related therapies demonstrated the most promise for controlling how quickly the spine curves progress, which is often the main goal of treatment in growing teenagers. The research suggested these approaches could help slow curve progression in the short term, offering a real alternative to families anxious about surgical intervention.
The evidence has real limits you should know about
While bracing and Schroth therapy showed "a trend toward better results," researchers were careful to note that the evidence isn't yet strong enough to confidently say one treatment works better than all others. The quality of research varied across studies, and there weren't enough direct head-to-head comparisons between different treatment types. Additionally, most studies focused on controlling the physical curve itself—not on how these treatments affect your teenager's quality of life, confidence, or ability to manage daily activities alongside schoolwork and social life.
These treatments require real commitment from your teenager
Schroth therapy and scoliosis-specific exercises demand consistency and regular practice. They're not quick fixes, and success depends on your teenager's ability to stick with the program despite competing demands from school, activities, and social commitments—a genuine challenge for many Singaporean teens managing high academic pressure.
Start the conversation with your child's doctor
- Ask specifically whether bracing or Schroth therapy are appropriate options for your teen's curve severity and stage of growth.
- Discuss what regular practice would realistically look like for your family before committing to specialized exercise programs.
- Request information about how different treatments might affect your teenager's daily functioning and confidence, since research on this area remains limited.