College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC) Practice Exam

How would you classify scoliosis if a spinal curvature disappears during forward flexion of the spine?

1. Thoracic

2. S- curve

3. Structural

4. Functional

The correct answer is: Functional

Scoliosis that disappears during forward flexion indicates a functional curvature rather than a structural one. In functional scoliosis, the spinal curvature is often the result of temporary issues, such as muscle imbalances, postural habits, or positioning rather than a permanent alteration in the structure of the spine itself. When a person bends forward, this motion can redistribute tension in the soft tissues, allowing the spine to realign and the curvature to dissipate. This flexibility suggests that the underlying cause is not a fixed anatomical distortion but rather something that can change with movement or positioning. In contrast, structural scoliosis is characterized by a fixed curvature that remains even with changes in position or movement, indicating a more permanent alteration in the spinal anatomy, which might be due to issues like congenital deformities or degenerative changes. While thoracic refers to the specific section of the spine where the curvature can occur, and S-curve describes a specific type of curvature pattern, they do not address the temporary nature of the curvature identified in the question. Therefore, functional is the appropriate classification for this scenario.