No cure exists for this spinal deformity that affects millions of people in the world. Scoliosis, or kyphoscoliosis, which causes an abnormal curvature of your spine, can result from the improper formation of your spinal bones before birth as well as from diseases that cause muscle weakness and paralysis, such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and spina bifida. Another form of scoliosis, called idiopathic scoliosis, occurs for unknown reasons in a number of adolescents.

Scoliosis can also result from the age-related breakdown of your spinal column. Symptoms of this spinal deformity include low-back pain, uneven hips or shoulders, a spine that curves abnormally to your side or, in some cases, an abnormal front-to-back spinal curvature. Moreover, you might experience fatigue in your spine after sitting or standing for long durations. Traditional treatments for scoliosis, which depend on its cause and severity, can include a back brace or surgery. However, acupuncture might also decrease symptoms of this deformity.