Treatment of scoliosis is based on the severity of the curve and the chances of the curve getting worse. There are three main categories of treatment: observation, bracing, and surgery.
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is the most common form of scoliosis. It occurs more often in girls than boys.
If the curve is small when first diagnosed, it can be observed and followed with routine X-rays and measurements. If the curve stays 40 degrees, then surgery may be recommended.
If the curve stays <40 degrees until the person is finished growing, it is not likely to get worse later in life. But, if the curve is greater than 40 degrees, it is likely to continue to get worse by 1-2 degrees each year.
Personally, I was braced for 10 mo. with a Wilmington jacket, had surgery to have my upper curve fused, and braced for another 10 mo. with a Boston brace while my lower curve stabilized. This all took about 3 yrs.
I'm as normally functioning as anyone (are any of us really "normal"?). I never got off schedule with school (had surgery over summer break when I was 14). Graduated college at 20 and have been an OR nurse for 16 years, one of the most physically demanding areas of nursing (lots of lifting and lots of standing in one place for long periods). I've had 2 children without difficulty (didn't even use an epidural). I like to travel (I don't set off metal detectors), yoga (though the fusion prevents some positions), and SCUBA dive. I can pretty much do anything I want…but don't tell my husband I use the scoliosis to get out of vacuuming 
I don't feel my rods, but my bottom curve does ache now and then, I'm supposed to take 1-2 Alleve at bed time, but us nurses are dreadful patients, so I don't do it regularly.
Speaking as a former patient and now a nurse, Shriner's Hospital/Clinic is absolutely the best place for scoliosis patients under 18! If that's your situation, question the docs/nurses if they can arrange for a visit/talk with other patients or people who will be involved in your care. Other places may do this too, but I reckon Shriner's goes above and beyond for their kids.
What Treatment Option Are There For Scoliosis Other Than Surgery?
What Treatment Option Are There For Scoliosis Other Than Surgery?
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There isn’t a lot that you can do to keep your spine from curving. You have only a few choices, assuming that you have structural scoliosis.
o You can exercise – that strengthens your core muscles which may reduce pain or help keep pain away, but it won’t treat your curve.
o You can wear a brace – Many people, myself included, have worn them. They are supposed to keep your curve from getting worse, or at least slow down the speed at which your curve is increasing. They usually don’t fix your curve. Bracing is only effective if your curve is around 25-40 degrees and you are still growing.
o pain management – pain pills or injections bring many of us with major pain to the point where most people are without the meds. There are many meds that are either taken by themselves or in combination with other meds. The key is to keep your pain doc informed when something isn’t working (after giving it a reasonable chance to work). This should be done only if surgery isn’t possible or you still have problems even after surgery.
o Surgery – This is done usually if your curve is greater than 50 degrees or it is increasing quick enough that there’s small doubt that the curve will soon be greater than 50 degrees. This is the treatment you get when all else fails.
Search “Upledger Institute” on-line here.
“CranioSacral” Therapy has been around for years and kicks scoliosis in the butt !
You can search for a “CranioSacral” practitioner near you thru that website once there. It is incredible work for many disfunctions of the body including TMJ Syndrome, Migraines and soooooooooooo much more. If you find a C.S.T. near you, you will be very pleased you went !! : )