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 discuss how spinal fusion and other surgical interventions can restrict natural movement, shift stress to surrounding areas, and sometimes lead to compensatory patterns elsewhere in the body. From a holistic and natural spine health perspective, we look at why su...

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 theory behind muscle firing pattern retraining and rotational challenge • Real-world applications for patients, families, and clinicians • Who may benefit most and key clinical considerations This is essential viewing if you’re evaluating active vs. passive scoliosis management tools and want to understa...

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 conventional and bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (HRT), especially in relation to adult scoliosis patients dealing with bone density issues related to perimenopause and menopause. Key Topics and Takeaways Hormones and Teenage Scoliosis The hosts emphasize a preference for an...

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 curves, bone density, muscle tone, and treatment results, and why standard “wait and see” approaches often miss these root causes. You’ll learn: Why some kids’ curves worsen dramatically during puberty while others remain stable How hormone imbalances can affect bone strength, posture control, s...

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 synthetic hormones and the hormones produced naturally by the body

• Research showing that certain synthetic hormones may be associated with increased cancer risk (contextual discussion, not individualized medical advice)

• Glyphosate as an environmental compound with est...

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 meaningful results

• How lying-down x-rays provide a clearer picture of true flexibility

• Why these specialized x-rays often need to be taken at specific imaging centers

• How Back Genius tools help identify w...

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 collection of genetic variants can increase the likelihood of curve development during rapid growth

Melatonin and se...

• 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:

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 clinician, this episode offers valuable insights into how bracing decisions are made and what truly influences success. 🔗 Learn more at BackGenius.com

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 awareness for the families who feel like they have no voice.
📞 Contact us anytime at mmorningstar@backgenius.com or visit www.treatingscoliosis.com for help.

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 + K2 Dr. Morningstar pulls from peer-reviewed studies and his clinical experience at ScoliSMART Clinics to offer actionable insights backed by data.

⸻ 📌 Resources Mentioned: – European Spine Journal (2008) – Asian Spine...

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 maintain a positive mindset. #ScoliosisWorld #DrMorningstar #ScoliosisSupport #MentalHealth #SpinalHealth #ChronicPain #ScoliosisAwareness

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 valuable insights on managing and improving scoliosis naturally. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications to stay updated on future episodes of Scoliosis World! (810) 694-3576 scoliosispractice.com #ScoliosisWorld #ChiropracticCare #ScoliosisTreatment #SpinalHealth

Part of the cholesterol pathwayEvery hormone in our body is made from cholesterolLowering cholesterol can be taken too far, to the point that a person cannot make hormones, leading to premature aging and neurodegenerative diseasesYour brain runs on cholesterolPregnenolone is one of the first byproducts of cholesterol metabolismCholesterol rises in the winter monthsPregnenolone converts into progesterone and DHEA; both importantProgesterone is implicated in scoliosisFemales with scoliosis have about half of the available progesterone that those without scoliosis have

- 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 density loss is critical in achieving success when addressing scoliosis

- Most women require a vitamin D level of 90 or higher to address bone...

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/

#scoliosis #backgenius

Historically, scoliosis treatment is based on the curve measurementThe curve measurement is not the only thing effecting quality of life issues and pain levelsGiven 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 because they have more growth ahead of themWhat we see on an x-ray that we call scoliosis is not really the entire condition, It is the end-stage cascade of things going wrong in scoliosisWe seek lasting-outcomes and to prevent anyt...

What is scoliosis bootcamp?What does bootcamp entail? The Michigan office has had patients from 11 countries & 32 statesBootcamp is for patients with scoliosis, either children or adultsBootcamp Day 1 consists of formulating a custom, patient-specific physical therapy routineThe patient spends the remainder of the week mastering that routineDivided between 1/2 prehab/rehab and 1/2 warm down1 - 2 weeks longLimited to 4 patients per week 
 

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

Menopause leads to bone density declineMenopause is an isolated life-stage where women go through a lot of hormone changesMen experience andropausePerimenopause is a more accurate termThe process can take ten yearsThere 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 scoliosisThe chief impact of scoliosis in adults is musculoskeletal painExtra stress & leverage on the spine generates painBack muscles are anti-gravity muscles, which spasm when fatigued and cause painImproving the curve or vertical balance will relieve pain Metabolic aspects can dramatically increase pain via an inflammation responseDr. Morningstar lists these metabolic aspects & how to tackle them1lb of body weight = 3 lbs of force on your joints

People often consider the impacts of hormonal imbalance on reproductionThe impact on mood & sleep should be front & centerFor scoliosis patients, the accompanying hormone imbalances will influence the behavior of children & adults alikeEstrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, & metabolic pathwaysDiscusses options for restoring normal physiology

Scoliosis is a whole condition, not just a curvature40 years of research has evolved our understanding of scoliosis, some as far back as the 1980sScoliSMART has internal research, but a large amount of research is already published externallyThe curvature is the predominate symptom of a much bigger pictureSerotonin and melatonin levels play a role is scoliosis

Topics include: 

Scoliosis pain management requires a multi-dimensional approachThe pain is often chronicThe curvature balance is more important than the degree of the curve as it relates to painFactors other than the curvature itself also contribute to the painTo learn more, visit us at treatingscoliosis.comJoin our Facebook group "Scoliosis Warriors"

Hormones are signaling moleculesConventional wisdom is that hormone decline is normal with agingIn fact, we are aging because our hormones are decliningHormones affect bone densityMany adult scoliosis patients get marginalizedOne of the biggest things to help adult scoliosis patients is to test hormones with saliva testingTo learn more, visit us at treatingscoliosis.comJoin our Facebook group "Scoliosis Warriors"

To learn more, visit us at treatingscoliosis.comJoin our Facebook group "Scoliosis Warriors"

To learn more, visit us at treatingscoliosis.comJoin our Facebook group "Scoliosis Warriors"

Most people suppose that the scoliosis that shows up on the x-ray is all there is to the pictureIf the condition continues to decline with bracing, surgery is often recommendedChildren who develop scoliosis have differences in bone density, neurotransmitter status, hormone ratios, and micronutrientsTo learn more, visit us at treatingscoliosis.comJoin our Facebook group "Scoliosis Warriors"

One of the biggest thing to come out of scoliosis diagnostics is that many things feed into the onset of a scoliosis curvatureAddressing the underlying aspects of the condition are important to long-term successful treatmentGenetic testing to help address some of these factors is now an affordable optionTo learn more, visit us at treatingscoliosis.comJoin our Facebook group "Scoliosis Warriors"

There are dozens of studies that have identified singular genes associated with scoliosisThe brain and the body are an intelligent design, and curvatures are not random, but adaptive responsesTo learn more, visit us at treatingscoliosis.comJoin our Facebook group "Scoliosis Warriors"