Back pain can result from muscle strain, prolonged poor posture, spinal joints or conditions such as scoliosis. If the pain keeps returning, gets worse with movement, or is accompanied by noticeable asymmetry in the shoulders or waist, a spinal assessment is recommended.
Pay particular attention to pain that worsens by the end of the day if you work at a desk, one shoulder appearing lower than the other, or one side of the back rising when you bend forward. Bornova Skolyoz can assess your back pain in relation to spinal posture and scoliosis, helping determine the right next step for you.
What causes back pain?
Back pain most commonly develops when the muscles, joints and tissues around the spine are strained. Sitting hunched over a computer, carrying a heavy bag on one shoulder or making a sudden movement can cause pain, especially between the shoulder blades.
However, the cause is not always simply muscle fatigue. Spinal curvature, poor posture, uneven shoulder height, and mechanical problems in the lower back or neck can also place extra strain on the back.
- Muscle strain: Begins after exercise, lifting or a sudden twist.
- Posture-related pain: Gets worse with prolonged sitting and may ease when you change position.
- Scoliosis-related pain: May occur alongside uneven shoulders, an asymmetrical waistline or an imbalanced posture.
- Joint- or spine-related pain: May recur with certain movements and continue for a long time.
When the pain started, which movements make it worse and how it changes throughout the day are important during an assessment. For example, pain that occurs only after sitting for a long time is not approached in the same way as recurring pain that continues at night.
Could back pain be related to scoliosis?
Back pain can be associated with sideways curvature of the spine and changes in the body’s balance. With scoliosis, the shoulders, shoulder blades or waist contours may not look the same on both sides; this asymmetry can cause some muscles to work harder.
For a home check, look for a bulge on one side of the back when bending forward, whether the shoulders are level and whether clothing hangs evenly on the body. These observations cannot provide a diagnosis, but they offer useful information to share at your appointment.
Scoliosis does not always cause pain. Even so, a spinal assessment should not be delayed if back pain keeps returning, there is noticeable postural asymmetry, or the appearance of the torso changes quickly during childhood or adolescence.
When should back pain be assessed?
You should arrange an assessment if your back pain does not improve within a few days, keeps returning or affects your daily activities. If the pain is accompanied by uneven shoulders, a curved waistline or asymmetry that becomes more noticeable when bending forward, a scoliosis-focused assessment is a suitable starting point.
Spinal asymmetry noticed during growth is especially important in children and teenagers. During the school years, one side rising during a forward-bend test, trouser legs hanging differently or a schoolbag constantly slipping to the same side are all reasons to seek an assessment.
When arranging an appointment, make a detailed note of:
- When the pain started and how it changes during the day
- Sitting, bending or lifting movements that make it worse
- Asymmetry in the shoulders, shoulder blades or waistline
- Any previous falls, sports injuries or spinal assessments
This information helps make your consultation more productive. It also ensures that the overall alignment of the spine is considered, rather than focusing only on the painful area.
What steps are involved in assessing back pain?
The assessment begins with a detailed discussion of your symptoms. The location and duration of the pain, its relationship with movement and any associated postural changes are identified; the balance of the shoulders, waist, pelvis and torso is then examined.
What is checked during the examination?
Your standing posture, forward bend and side-to-side balance are observed. Details such as shoulder height, the position of the shoulder blades, the curves of the waist and any difference in leg length are assessed together.
When necessary, imaging results are also included in the assessment. The aim is not to consider the pain in isolation, but to clarify the direction of any spinal curvature, its effect on posture and whether follow-up is needed.
What is decided after the assessment?
Depending on the findings, options may include monitoring, an exercise plan, physiotherapy or further orthopaedic assessment. In children and teenagers, growth status is important; in adults, work routines, daily physical demands and pain duration also influence the plan.
What treatment options are available for back pain?
Treatment is determined by the cause of the pain and the spinal findings. For posture-related symptoms, adjusting your desk setup, scheduling regular sitting breaks and doing personalised exercises may be recommended.
When scoliosis is involved, the focus is not only on reducing pain but also on spinal balance. Depending on your needs, the plan may include monitoring, scoliosis-specific exercises, physiotherapy and, where appropriate, bracing or assessment by the relevant specialist.
The following everyday changes can help reduce strain on your back:
- Positioning the screen close to eye level
- Carrying your bag with two straps instead of on one shoulder
- Breaking up long periods of sitting with movement breaks every 30–45 minutes
- Choosing an exercise programme based on your spinal assessment
Rather than exercising at random, a programme tailored to your spinal findings provides a better starting point. Bornova Skolyoz can help you understand whether your back pain is connected to scoliosis and create a practical plan forward.
How do you choose the right scoliosis assessment?
When choosing a service, do not look only at the appointment length or a single measurement; check which steps are included in the assessment. Considering your symptom history, postural analysis, forward-bend observation and existing imaging together provides a more complete picture.
Before your appointment, prepare any reports and scans, note which positions make the pain worse and share any previous scoliosis measurements. If you are arranging an appointment for a child or teenager, also mention their stage of growth, schoolbag use and any postural changes in recent months.
A well-planned process explains not only your current condition, but also the follow-up interval, what to watch for at home and the next assessment step. This means you will know what information to track if your back pain returns.
How does the process begin with Bornova Skolyoz?
At Bornova Skolyoz, the process begins with a detailed assessment of your back pain and spinal posture. During your appointment, we discuss the location and duration of the pain, how it relates to daily life and any asymmetries associated with scoliosis.
Before your visit, prepare a pain diary, any imaging reports and notes from previous examinations. When requesting an appointment, providing your age, how long the pain has lasted and whether you have noticed shoulder or waist asymmetry can help speed up the process.
If your back pain keeps returning or you notice significant postural asymmetry, book an assessment with Bornova Skolyoz. Take the right step today and let us start the process that suits you and your spinal balance.