I have moderate idiopathic adolescent scoliosis (started out mild) with degenerative disc disease resulting in chronic pain issues. What almost NO ONE in the medical field will volunteer is that scoliosis tends to be a progressive disease (kind of like OP), and will contribute to the development of osteopenia/osteoporosis! Therefore, it is vital to try and retard the progression of the curve through daily targeted exercise.

Having gone through the Schroth method, I have found it helpful, but certainly not a cure-all if begun post-adolescence. One should also be mindful that strength training exercises may have to be adapted somewhat to compensate for your particular curvature. Weighted vests may not be appropriate for those of us with significant scoliosis.

It’s important to work with a Schroth-trained PT to ensure that you are doing the exercises correctly and not stressing your back all the more.