Unfortunately it is not that simple. Scoliosis is characterized by a curving of the spine from one side to the other, but its causes vary, so there is not one treatment for it. In functional-type scoliosis, the curve in the spine is caused by an abnormality elsewhere in the body, such as one leg being shorter than the other. This type can be fixed by correcting the abnormality, such as having the patient wear special shoes to level out the leg length discrepancy. In neuromuscular scoliosis, the curvature arises from the bones in the spine which fail to develop properly prior to being born. This type is very difficult to treat, as it is the bones themselves that need to be changed. If treatment is not sought, the condition will only worsen. Braces do not usually work, and cannot correct the deformed bones. People with this type have to undergo surgery to correct the curve. During surgery rods and hooks are used to correct the curve, and then a spinal fusion is performed to hold the spine in place.The fusion takes bone from elsewhere in the body, and grafts it to the vertebrae. This makes the spine more rigid and straight.

Another type of scoliosis is degenerative scoliosis. This type, which is seen in older adults, is the result of arthritis which can weaken the tissues and ligaments associated with the spine, or from osteoporosis, which reduces bone mass. This type is difficult to treat because you would first have to treat the arthritis or osteoporosis, which may not be possible.