Episode 163: What is Idiopathic Scoliosis?

🎙️ Podcast Show Notes: Scoliosis Treatment with Dr. Tony Nalda

Episode: What Is Idiopathic Scoliosis?

✅ Key Takeaways

• Idiopathic scoliosis means “unknown cause” and makes up about 80% of all scoliosis cases.

• It’s defined as a three-dimensional spinal curve—with both sideways bending and rotation—measuring ≥ 10° Cobb angle.

• Four subtypes based on age:

  • Infantile, Juvenile, Adolescent (most common, ages 10–18), Adult Idiopathic

🧬 Idiopathic vs Non-Idiopathic Scoliosis

• Idiopathic: No identifiable structural cause.

• Other 20% include:

  • Neuromuscular (e.g. cerebral palsy)

  • Congenital (spinal malformations at birth)

  • Degenerative (due to wear and tear)

  • Traumatic (caused by injury)

🚨 TIP: A proper workup by a scoliosis specialist is essential—sometimes non-idiopathic causes are missed.

👦 Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

• Highly progressive during growth spurts, sometimes swinging from mild to severe quickly.

• Early curves around 10–25° can escalate to 50°+ if overlooked.

• Diagnosis often begins with posture checks—shoulder/hip height, rib prominence, etc.

👩 Adult Idiopathic vs Degenerative Scoliosis

• Many adults discover scoliosis via pain and X-rays, even without adolescent diagnosis.

🧱 Why "Idiopathic" Doesn’t Mean Untreatable

Dr. Nalda offers a powerful analogy:

“Like rebuilding a building after an earthquake—even if we don't control the quake, we can still fix the structure.”

Though the cause may remain unclear, structural rehabilitation—via chiropractic care, bracing, exercises, and therapy—can realign the spine, reduce curve size, and manage progression.

🌱 Early Intervention Is Key

• The earlier the treatment, the better the results.

• Smaller curves respond more effectively to non-surgical methods.

• Even severe or painful idiopathic cases can often be managed successfully with a tailored, multimodal care plan.

📌 Final Thoughts

• Idiopathic scoliosis is common—but it's manageable, not mysterious.

• Don't wait for symptoms—early assessment and intervention offer the best outcomes.

• Treatment is available, structured, and backed by proven spinal care strategies.

📗 Free Guide — Want to explore scoliosis care options without surgery?
Download How to Effectively Treat Scoliosis

🎧 Explore More — Visit ScoliosisReductionCenter.com to discover our conservative scoliosis treatments.

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