Many, many, many papers on PubMed linking problems from scoliosis and obesity. I'm sure much of her pain would go away if she lost weight. For example: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23192788 and from the NY Times several years ago!  While there are no surefire ways to prevent all cases of adult scoliosis, certain conditions that are preventable increase the chances it will develop. One is being overweight or obese, and another is smoking. A third cause is a lack of physical fitness, resulting in weak core muscles of the trunk.  http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/21/a-schoolyard-scourge-grows-up/?_r=0 I have scoliosis, a mild case, and have no symptoms from it other than my posture looks a little off.