As a scoliosis chiropractor known worldwide for his expertise, Dr. Tony Nalda shares insights and hope for patients and parents who have received a scoliosis diagnosis. Traditional scoliosis treatments prescribe years of "watching and waiting" instead of decisive action. Patients can be told to wear cumbersome, embarrassing braces for 20 or more hours a day. Eventually, expensive, invasive surgery often becomes the only option for treatment. It doesn’t have to be this way! The chiropractic-centered approach to treating scoliosis is proactive, effective and hopeful. In this podcast, Dr. Tony Nalda describes the realities of scoliosis and busts some of the more prevalent myths about treating the condition. But my primary goal is to give patients and parents hope. Surgery can often times be avoided. Treatment can be proactive and effective. Spinal curvatures can be reduced. Patients can live rich, full, and active lives.
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As a scoliosis chiropractor known worldwide for his expertise, Dr. Tony Nalda shares insights and hope for patients and parents who have received a scoliosis diagnosis. Traditional scoliosis treatments prescribe years of "watching and waiting" instead of decisive action. Patients can be told to wear cumbersome, embarrassing braces for 20 or more hours a day. Eventually, expensive, invasive surgery often becomes the only option for treatment. It doesn’t have to be this way! The chiropractic-centered approach to treating scoliosis is proactive, effective and hopeful. In this podcast, Dr. Tony Nalda describes the realities of scoliosis and busts some of the more prevalent myths about treating the condition. But my primary goal is to give patients and parents hope. Surgery can often times be avoided. Treatment can be proactive and effective. Spinal curvatures can be reduced. Patients can live rich, full, and active lives.
Is Scoliosis Hereditary?
Exploring the Genetic Link and Why It May Not Matter for Treatment
Receiving a scoliosis diagnosis often sparks a cascade of questions:“How did I get this?”“Did I inherit it?”“What can I do about it?”
In this episode of the Scoliosis Treatment podcast, Dr. Tony Nalda breaks down one of the most common concerns—whether scoliosis is hereditary—and explains why discovering the “why” may not always impact how we treat the condition.
Family History vs. Genetic Cause
Patients frequently share that scoliosis “runs in the family.” But does that mean it’s genetic?
Dr. Nalda explains that scoliosis tends to cluster in families, but no single gene has ever been definitively linked to idiopathic scoliosis. Even identical twins—who share the exact same DNA—may have different outcomes, with one developing scoliosis and the other not. This strongly suggests that while there may be hereditary tendencies, scoliosis is not directly caused by genetics alone.
Different Types of Scoliosis (And Their Causes)
To understand where heredity may play a role, it's important to look at the four main types of scoliosis:
Idiopathic Scoliosis
Makes up 80% of cases
Cause: Unknown (idiopathic)
Most often seen in adolescents
Believed to be multifactorial, possibly involving environmental, developmental, and minor genetic influences
Neuromuscular Scoliosis
Associated with conditions like cerebral palsy, Marfan syndrome, or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
More likely to have a genetic or systemic origin
Congenital Scoliosis
Present at birth due to malformed vertebrae (e.g., hemivertebra)
Truly genetic/developmental in nature
Degenerative or Traumatic Scoliosis
Caused by injury or wear and tear
Often appears in adulthood
Not hereditary—these result from physical changes over time
Why “Cause” Doesn’t Always Change the Outcome
Dr. Nalda uses a powerful analogy:
“If an earthquake causes a building to collapse, we may study the cause—but the most urgent need is to rebuild the structure.”
Similarly, scoliosis—regardless of the cause—becomes a structural problem that must be corrected. Many cases are diagnosed long after the original cause (if any) occurred, and chasing the “why” doesn't usually change how the curve affects the spine today.
Can Idiopathic Scoliosis Be Treated Without Knowing the Cause?
Yes.Dr. Nalda emphasizes that effective scoliosis treatment doesn’t depend on knowing the exact cause. At the Scoliosis Reduction Center, idiopathic cases are treated with a multimodal approach, including:
Scoliosis-specific chiropractic care
Customized physical therapy and rehab
Scoliosis-specific exercises
Corrective bracing
These strategies focus on correcting the structural changes in the spine—not just the symptoms—and help stop curve progression over time.
Bottom Line: Focus on the Solution, Not Just the Source
While the question "Is scoliosis hereditary?" is understandable, the better question might be: What can I do now to manage it? Whether the root is genetic, environmental, or unknown, scoliosis can be treated effectively—especially when addresse...
Scoliosis Treatment with Dr. Tony Nalda
As a scoliosis chiropractor known worldwide for his expertise, Dr. Tony Nalda shares insights and hope for patients and parents who have received a scoliosis diagnosis. Traditional scoliosis treatments prescribe years of "watching and waiting" instead of decisive action. Patients can be told to wear cumbersome, embarrassing braces for 20 or more hours a day. Eventually, expensive, invasive surgery often becomes the only option for treatment. It doesn’t have to be this way! The chiropractic-centered approach to treating scoliosis is proactive, effective and hopeful. In this podcast, Dr. Tony Nalda describes the realities of scoliosis and busts some of the more prevalent myths about treating the condition. But my primary goal is to give patients and parents hope. Surgery can often times be avoided. Treatment can be proactive and effective. Spinal curvatures can be reduced. Patients can live rich, full, and active lives.
