Scoliosis World w/ Dr Morningstar

Episode 33 - Scoliosis surgery is often presented as a permanent solution for spine curvature, but it may not address the underlying functional and neurological factors that influence spinal health. In this video, we explore why surgical solutions for scoliosis aren’t always ideal and what limitations they may have when it comes to long-term mobility, adaptability, and nervous system function. We...

Episode 32: Scoliosis World w/ Dr. Morningstar — Scoliosis Activity Suit Explained In this episode of Scoliosis World, Dr. Morningstar takes a close look at the Scoliosis Activity Suit — an emerging tool designed to work with your body’s movement patterns to influence spinal alignment and muscle coordination. We explore: • What the Activity Suit is and how it differs from traditional bracing • The...

Episode 31 - This video, "Scoliosis World W/ Dr. Morningstar: Hormones Part 3," is the third part of a series discussing the role of hormones in scoliosis management, focusing primarily on treatment options for hormone imbalances in both teenagers and adults. The discussion is led by Dr. Morningstar and Dr. Megan Strauchman The main focus of the episode is the critical difference between conventio...

Episode 30 - In this episode of Scoliosis World, Dr. Mark Morningstar takes a deeper dive into how hormones can influence scoliosis onset, progression, pain, and fatigue — especially during puberty and rapid growth. He and his continued special guest, Dr. Megan Strauchman, explain how factors like estrogen, progesterone, growth hormone, thyroid function, and stress hormones may impact spinal curve...

In Part 1 of our hormone series, we explore how hormonal balance influences inflammation, metabolism, and overall musculoskeletal health. Many patients do not realize how much external hormonal inputs can affect long-term wellness and how these factors interact with scoliosis risk. In this episode, we cover: • How birth control pills can contribute to inflammation • The differences between synthet...

Spinal flexibility is one of the most important factors in predicting scoliosis outcomes. It not only influences how much curve correction might be possible but also helps determine whether specific treatment approaches are worth pursuing. In this episode, we discuss: • How spinal flexibility helps set expectations for achievable improvement • Why treatment intensity should match the likelihood of...

Scoliosis is commonly viewed as a structural issue of the spine, but the visible curve is often the final expression of deeper, systemic factors. In this episode, we focus on genomics and how it shapes both the likelihood of developing a curve and the way the body responds to treatment.   We discuss how:   Scoliosis is not primarily a spine problem (the curvature is the last thing that shows up) A...

• How insulin resistance fuels whole-body inflammation and joint pain • Why it’s a major metabolic factor in scoliosis patients • How constant food availability disrupts your hormonal balance • The surprising way insulin drives fat storage and even stores your hormones inside fat cells • Practical ways to start restoring metabolic health and reducing pain

🧠 What you’ll learn in this episode: Why facial asymmetry may act as a rate-limiting factor in scoliosis progression How new studies are redefining scoliosis as a whole-body condition , not just a spinal issue The critical role of systematic reviews , the gold standard of clinical research The shared relationships between genetic, hormonal, neuromuscular, and immune pathways Why some of the most...

In this episode of Scoliosis World, Dr. Morningstar from BackGenius explores one of the most debated topics in scoliosis care: bracing. He breaks down the critical difference between bracing to hold the current posture versus bracing to actively correct it, and discusses how wear-time—whether 18 hours a day or nighttime-only—can impact long-term outcomes. Whether you’re a patient, parent, or clini...

In this powerful episode of Scoliosis World , Dr. Morningstar shares: ✅ Real data about surgery risks no one talks about ✅ Alternative treatments including hyperbaric oxygen therapy ✅ A personal story of hope that will change how you think about scoliosis care   💬 “This isn’t just another diagnosis. This is a life-and-death decision—and we can do better.” 👀 Listen. Share. Help us raise awaren...

You’ll learn:  ✔️ Why kids with scoliosis often have low bone density  ✔️ The role of Vitamin D deficiency in scoliosis progression ✔️ How Vitamin D affects dopamine and norepinephrine levels ✔️ The difference between Vitamin K1 vs. K2, and why K2 matters ✔️ Ideal supplement levels and safe dosing ranges ✔️ What recent data says about cancer risk, bone health, and cardiovascular benefits of D3 + K...

Living with scoliosis goes beyond physical challenges—it can also have a significant impact on mental health. In Episode #21 of Scoliosis World, Dr. Morningstar explores neurotransmitters and the emotional and psychological effects of scoliosis. If you or a loved one are navigating the challenges of scoliosis, this episode offers valuable insights and expert advice to help you build resilience and...

Welcome to Scoliosis World, the podcast dedicated to all things scoliosis! In this episode, Dr. Morningstar, a chiropractor specializing in scoliosis treatment, sits down with his business partner and fellow scoliosis expert, Dr. Stitzel. Together, they discuss the emergence of disruptive technologies. Whether you’re a patient, parent, or healthcare professional, this conversation is packed with v...

Part of the cholesterol pathway Every hormone in our body is made from cholesterol Lowering cholesterol can be taken too far, to the point that a person cannot make hormones, leading to premature aging and neurodegenerative diseases Your brain runs on cholesterol Pregnenolone is one of the first byproducts of cholesterol metabolism Cholesterol rises in the winter months Pregnenolone converts into...

- The incident of D3 insufficiency and deficiency is elevated in scoliosis patients - Met analyses are the gold standard of studies - It’s mostly people who are ill to begin with who have their vitamin D levels checked, and that influences what’s considered the normal level - Studies suggest a positive correlation between Vitamin D levels above 70 and being cancer-protective - Addressing bone dens...

Links to referenced articles:   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36892518/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35999823/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19646383/   Ballet, gymnastics, and volleyball tend to have more children and young adults with progressive curves   #scoliosis #backgenius

Historically, scoliosis treatment is based on the curve measurement The curve measurement is not the only thing effecting quality of life issues and pain levels Given that, why do anything based on the curve measurement alone? At ScoliSMART, we treat patients based upon a “risk assessment” Example: Younger children with the same degree curve as older children need to have more aggressive treatment...

What is scoliosis bootcamp? What does bootcamp entail?  The Michigan office has had patients from 11 countries & 32 states Bootcamp is for patients with scoliosis, either children or adults Bootcamp Day 1 consists of formulating a custom, patient-specific physical therapy routine The patient spends the remainder of the week mastering that routine Divided between 1/2 prehab/rehab and 1/2 warm down...

Scoliosis patients have lower bone density in general than their non-scoliosis peers Bone density is related to vitamin D levels The average level of vitamin D in patients with idiopathic scoliosis is 24 nanograms The labs consider >30 nanograms to be normal, but the healthy range is really >50 nanograms

Menopause leads to bone density decline Menopause is an isolated life-stage where women go through a lot of hormone changes Men experience andropause Perimenopause is a more accurate term The process can take ten years There is a difference between what is normal and what is common

Getting together around the holidays & eating too much can aggravate the back pain of someone with scoliosis The chief impact of scoliosis in adults is musculoskeletal pain Extra stress & leverage on the spine generates pain Back muscles are anti-gravity muscles, which spasm when fatigued and cause pain Improving the curve or vertical balance will relieve pain Metabolic aspects can dramatically in...

People often consider the impacts of hormonal imbalance on reproduction The impact on mood & sleep should be front & center For scoliosis patients, the accompanying hormone imbalances will influence the behavior of children & adults alike Estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, & metabolic pathways Discusses options for restoring normal physiology

Scoliosis is a whole condition, not just a curvature 40 years of research has evolved our understanding of scoliosis, some as far back as the 1980s ScoliSMART has internal research, but a large amount of research is already published externally The curvature is the predominate symptom of a much bigger picture Serotonin and melatonin levels play a role is scoliosis

Topics include:  How ScoliSMART came to be  Why it exists now  What you can expect from ScoliSMART in the near future