The hidden key to shoulder relief for people with scoliosis
Many people I’ve worked with over the years who experience shoulder and upper back pain have been told that they have scoliosis—an unusual curvature of the spine that is, they’re told, the root cause of their discomfort.
It can feel reassuring at first to have a name or diagnosis. Our minds crave reason, and having something to “pin the pain on” can offer a sense of understanding or control. In fact, the shape and function of the spine do impact how our shoulders move and feel.
But here’s where it gets tricky: a label like scoliosis doesn’t actually help your shoulder feel better. Often, it does the opposite—it plants a seed of fear. We may begin to feel flawed and needing to be fixed.
In Week 2 of my shoulder workshop, we explored a different approach. Instead of viewing scoliosis as a "problem to fix," we unpacked it as a function of the spine—something that can be gently explored, understood, and even unwound with movement, curiosity, and care. (If you missed it, check out week 1 where I unravel the secret stagehand that makes your arms strong and free)
So, what is scoliosis, really?
Scoliosis is often described as an S- or C-shaped sideways curvature of the spine. But let’s take a step back. One of the normal functions of the spine is side-bending—along with flexion (forward bending), extension (backbending), and rotation (twisting).
Side-bending happens all the time in everyday life:
When you reach to one side to pick up your dog’s leash
When you lean over to one side to load the dishwasher
When you grab a bag from the passenger seat of your car
It’s not inherently problematic. In fact, it’s vital to our mobility.
The issue arises when the spine develops a habitual preference—a strong, one-sided tendency that it gets "stuck" in. Over time, this can lead to muscular imbalances, persistent tension, and, yes, pain—especially in connected areas like the shoulders.
According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, scoliosis affects about 2–3% of the U.S. population, which is roughly 6 to 9 million people. And while many of these curves are mild, they still influence posture and function in ways worth paying attention to. Over the past 10 years of my practice, I’ve yet to see someone whose spine is a perfect, textbook shape.
The problem with "correcting" scoliosis
The typical therapeutic mindset tends to focus on correction—trying to straighten the spine or force it into symmetry. But here’s the rub: these efforts often leave the nervous system behind.
Think about a time someone gave you unsolicited advice—perhaps about parenting, your career, or your health. Remember that inner pushback, that “you don’t get me” resistance? Our nervous systems react the same way when we try to “fix” them without understanding or compassion.
When we impose correction without curiosity, the body may tense up even more. Research on neuroplasticity shows that the brain and nervous system are highly adaptable—movement patterns can be reinforced or softened depending on the input we give. Forced corrections often feel threatening, causing the nervous system to dig in deeper. The result? A tug-of-war between your spine’s propensity and the imposed correction—rarely a recipe for long-term relief.
What if we tried befriending instead of fixing?
So how do we befriend the nervous system?
Well—how do you befriend a kind stranger at your child’s school or at the dog park? You listen. You show genuine interest. You find shared experiences. You don’t rush in to change them—you allow space for connection to unfold.
We can offer that same respectful curiosity to our own bodies. With gentle, exploratory movement, we can listen to the preferences in our spine instead of fighting them. We can be curious:
What does it feel like to move in this direction?
Can I playfully exaggerate it, just to see what happens?
What happens when I simply notice, without trying to fix?
This is the heart of what we explored in our workshop. As we met scoliosis not as an enemy but as a pattern of movement, we discovered something powerful: when the nervous system feels safe and heard, it opens to new possibilities. When the spine feels understood, it softens, becomes more nimble, and explores movement it may have resisted before.
From stuck to supple
The shift from “correction” to “curiosity” creates real change—not just in the body, but in how we relate to ourselves. Our spine isn’t defective. It’s adaptive, intelligent, and shaped by everything from posture to emotion to habit.
When we acknowledge this—and meet it with gentleness—we move from stuckness to suppleness, from tension to freedom.
If you've been carrying the weight of a scoliosis diagnosis like a burden, know this:
You are not broken.
Your spine is listening.
And it may just be waiting for you to listen back—with kindness, attention, and curiosity.
Want to join the next Shoulder Workshop?
The current round of my Shoulder Workshop is already underway and sign-up is now closed (yes, it filled up fast!). If reading this post sparked something in you—curiosity, recognition, a desire to move differently—I’d love for you to be part of the next round.
💌 Join the waitlist here to be the first to know when enrollment opens again. This way, you won’t miss your chance to explore shoulder health in a way that’s empowering, gentle, and deeply effective.
👉 Spots tend to go quickly, so being on the waitlist gives you early access and the best shot at grabbing your spot when the doors open next time.