Hearing the word “scoliosis” attached to your child’s name can stop you in your tracks. Maybe it was found during a routine pediatrician visit, a school screening, or because you noticed one shoulder sitting higher than the other. Whatever led you here, we want you to know something important right away: you have time, you … Read more
If you or someone you love has scoliosis, you’ve probably done some research. Maybe you’ve searched for braces, physical therapy, or even surgeons. And chances are, you’ve come across a lot of providers who say they “treat scoliosis.” But here’s an important question you may not have thought to ask: How often do they actually … Read more
If you or someone you love is living with scoliosis, you’ve probably done your research. A quick search brings up dozens of options promising to “correct,” “reverse,” or “fix” a curve—often without surgery, without bracing, and without much explanation of how. It’s an appealing idea. Who wouldn’t want a simple, painless solution? But here’s the hard truth we want to share with you, gently and honestly: not all scoliosis treatments are created equal, and some popular “alternative” approaches simply don’t have the research behind them to back up their claims. When patients spend months or even years pursuing these options, precious time can pass—time during which a curve may quietly progress. By the time they find their way to evidence-based care, the curve has often become harder to manage.
The diagnosis usually arrives from an unexpected direction. A school screening. A pediatrician noticing something during a routine check. A parent spotting that one shoulder sits higher, or that a shoulder blade sticks out more on one side, or that a swimsuit does not hang evenly. Then comes an X-ray, a number, and a word that most families have only vague associations with. And almost immediately, a lot of searching online, most of which is either terrifying or trying to sell something.
Last week, we hosted a workshop on healing plantar fasciitis, walking a room full of frustrated, foot-pain-weary attendees through what actually helps this stubborn condition heal. Afterward, one woman came up to me with a story I’ve heard more times than I can count. She’d been seeing a therapist for seven months. Same stretches. Same orthotics. Same routine week after week. And yet, her pain was virtually unchanged from where it started. When I asked what she planned to do next, she said she thought she’d stick with her current therapist a little longer to “see if it changes.” If you’re 45 or older and living with a chronic pain condition — whether it’s plantar fasciitis, a stubborn shoulder, or nagging back pain — this story might sound familiar. And if it does, this post is for you.
If you or your child has been diagnosed with scoliosis, you’ve probably already discovered an uncomfortable truth: your insurance company’s priority isn’t finding you the best possible treatment. Its priority is managing costs. Those two goals sometimes overlap, but often they don’t. This puts families in a tough spot. Do you go with what’s covered, or do you go with what’s actually going to work best for your spine? Understanding the difference between these two paths can change the entire trajectory of a scoliosis journey.
If you or your child has scoliosis, you’ve likely heard us talk about the power of early, proactive care. We believe in it. We’ve seen it change the trajectory of curves, build strength and confidence, and help people avoid or delay more invasive interventions. But this week, we had an experience that reminded us of something important — one we want to be honest with you about.
One of our scoliosis patients is preparing for spinal correction surgery.
The question people actually want answered about heel pain isn’t what causes it. It’s this: what am I going to lose? The race you signed up for. The training block you’d been building. The hiking you’d planned. The ski season. The fitness you spent eighteen months accumulating. That fear drives two equally unhelpful responses — pushing through and making it considerably worse, or stopping everything and watching months of work evaporate.
If you’re over 35 and living with scoliosis, there’s a good chance you’ve heard some version of this sentence from a doctor: “Your scoliosis isn’t causing your back pain.” Maybe it was said reassuringly. Maybe it left you feeling confused, dismissed, or wondering why you’re hurting if your spine “isn’t the problem.” Here’s the good news: you’re not imagining your pain, and you’re not alone in questioning what you’ve been told. Let’s unpack where this statement comes from, why it’s not the whole story, and — most importantly — what you can actually do about it.
If you or your child has been diagnosed with scoliosis, you’ve probably heard it described as a “curve” or “sideways bend” in the spine. That description isn’t wrong—but it’s incomplete. It leaves out one of the most important parts of the condition: rotation. Understanding this rotational component is the key to understanding why scoliosis isn’t treated like a typical case of back pain, and why working with a physical therapist who has specialized scoliosis training can make such a meaningful difference.
