We never had any screenings when I was in school, my daughter never had any when she was in school, and I taught for twenty years and never heard of any in the district, so I guess not every school screens.
We had it through middle school? Ninth grade? in the 80s. Sort of a poor district-- perhaps it’s something that schools do in places where family medical care is less dependably regular?
The screening was done just once when I was in the second grade. I was found to have it. They called it a curvature of the spine. Nothing was ever done till I was a senior in high school. They placed me in a special gym class, where an instructor had me doing exercises to ‘stretch’ my spine. I don’t believe those exercises corrected it at all. I’ve never been to a doctor in regards to scoliosis. When I wear a bathing suit it is obvious, and I’ve received comments and questions about my back. I’ve also had intimate partners notice my back and make inquiries. There haven’t been any health issues for me such as backaches, so I’m fortunate. I’m not sure why the screening isn’t done at a more appropriate time and why when it is diagnosed there isn’t immediate, standard treatment… such as a back brace.
We had it every other year for women, but not the guys. At least until high school–I distinctly remember it being in the junior high gym.
I can’t remember for sure what they tested on the guys. But they had both going on simultaneously, with the girls being tested behind a partition.
Also, correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe the exercises aren’t about straightening your spine, but about developing the musculature to counteract it. I remember that a girl I knew apparently had really good back muscles from horse riding.
For what it’s worth, my daughter’s case was not found in a school screening but one at her regular physician. I’m not sure her school ever performed this screening. (Southeaster NH)
Thankfully, we have a great orthopedist that specializes in this condition, and my daughter is 100% on board with the treatment. This might change as she actually enters her teens or the really hot weather comes. 20 hrs/day in the brace is no fun, but I give her full marks for her acceptance.