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One of the most common mis-conceptions I find among the general pubic in regards to understanding idiopathic scoliosis is they feel the condition is some how due to weak spinal muscles or curve progression can be halted by strengthening spinal muscles through general scoliosis exercises.  Both of these concepts couldn't be any further from the truth.

While it is true that spinal muscle strength does become unbalanced in moderate to severe scoliosis spines, this is a secondary adaptation to the structural curve in the spine, and not the cause of idiopathic scoliosis.  This is confirmed by normal EMG studies in early stage scoliosis patients that later show hyper-tonic muscles on the convexity of the curvature a substantial amount of time after the curve as already progressed.  Therefore, it is a secondary adaptation and not the cause of, nor the reason for scoliosis curve progression.

The muscles aren't weak, they are dis-coordinated.

Idiopathic scoliosis is primarily a neurological condition that has it primary effects on the spinal column.  Essentially the brain's postural feedback mechanisms aren't working correctly and they don't set off any "red flags" in the brain's automatic postural control centers.  No alarms going off in the brain's automatic postural control centers means the muscles aren't directed to self correct the abnormal posture and the spinal curve (scoliosis) is the result.

Environmental influences as scoliosis curve drivers....especially bio-mechanical.

While early stage scoliosis appears to be the result of a genetic under-development of the automatic postural control centers in the brain, the reason some curves progress to a severe degree appears to be largely dependent on both genetic and environmental influences...especially bio-mechanical influences like head position, hip rotation, and certain activities (ballet, gymnastics, ect).  This would explain the significant increase in likelihood of curve progression in scoliosis spines with a cobb angle larger than 20 degrees vs scoliosis spines with a cobb angle less than 20 degrees.

No one is arguing the value of good core strength and stability, but it probably plays little to no role in the development of, nor the progression of idiopathic scoliosis curve progression.  The only scoliosis exercise based rehab program that will have any true affect on the spinal curvature is one that is specifically designed to "re-train" the automatic postural control centers in the brain.

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I get many, many questions about what exercises are appropriate for patients with mild scoliosis (also called early stage scoliosis).  While their is no cut and dry type answer for every child with mild scoliosis on the planet, there are a few guidelines that can help in appropriate decision making.

One thing to remember is that scoliosis is the result of genetic AND environmental factors that combine to develop into the condition.  So, what are the environmental factors that should be avoided?  Well, no one knows for sure at this time but it is a safe bet  that significant spinal trauma should be avoided (duh, right?), but also activities that cause excessive compression on the spine (heavy weight lifting, trampolines, horse back riding) or activities that cause repetitive compressive shocks to the spine (like those produced by running on a hard surface for example).

Another possible key component could be "non-friendly scoliosis exercises" like repetative back bends that cause a flattening of the thoracic (mid back) spine.  This type of activity could help de-stabilize the spine's ability to deal with dorsal shear forces and cause an acceleration in the curvature.  This could explain why we see such significantly higher scoliosis rates in dancers.

Other possible "lifestyle" type activities should be avoided as well.  Stomach sleeping (sleeping on one's stomach) should be avoided due to the flattening of the thoracic curve (mentioned above) and sitting/standing in a slouched posture is never a good idea......for anyone.

There are literally thousands of environmental type things that can effect almost any size curvature and many of them we probably aren't even aware of yet, but a little common sense and some general guidelines may go a long way.