What it feels like
Pain on one side of the spine. Uneven shoulders or hips. Tightness that's always worse on one side. Stiffness and reduced range of motion. Fatigue in the back from standing or sitting.
What’s actually causing it
I'll be upfront: I'm not a scoliosis specialist, and I can't straighten a scoliotic curve with my hands. But here's what I can do — and what makes a real difference for people living with scoliosis. The curve itself isn't usually what causes the pain. The pain comes from the muscles around the curve. On the concave side, muscles are chronically shortened and tight. On the convex side, muscles are overstretched and often inhibited. That imbalance creates compression that can actually push the curve further over time. My focus is reducing the tightness in the muscles that are compressing things. When those muscles release, the spine has more room, the pain decreases, and in some cases the curve stops progressing as fast. I'm not claiming to fix scoliosis — I'm claiming I can make it hurt less and function better.
How I treat it
I test the muscles around the affected area individually, find which ones aren’t firing, and reset the connection using gentle techniques. No cracking, no popping.
How long it takes
Most patients feel a difference after one session. Chronic cases typically resolve in 4–6 sessions.
Why Scoliosis Hurts (When It Hurts)
Plenty of people have scoliosis and don't know it. A mild curve with balanced muscles can be completely asymptomatic. Pain shows up when the muscular imbalance around the curve gets bad enough — tight muscles on one side compressing the spine, weak muscles on the other side failing to provide support. The curve creates an uneven playing field, and your muscles have to work harder to keep you upright. Eventually the overworked side fatigues and hurts.
What I Focus On
I use muscle testing to find which muscles are locked tight on the concave side and which are inhibited on the convex side. Then it's hands-on work to release the tight muscles that are adding compression to the curve. This isn't about trying to force the spine straight — it's about giving the spine as much room as possible to function within the curve it has. I also work on the muscles that have shut down on the stretched side, because without them, the tight side just pulls everything further.
What to Expect
Most scoliosis patients feel relief from the muscle work fairly quickly — reduced tightness, less pain, better range of motion. The curve itself won't change significantly in adults, but the pain and stiffness around it can improve dramatically. For ongoing management, periodic visits help keep the muscular imbalance from building back up. How often depends on the severity of your curve and how your body responds.
Honest Expectations
If someone tells you they can cure your scoliosis with adjustments, be skeptical. What I can do is reduce the muscular compression around the curve, decrease your pain, and help prevent progression. For severe scoliosis (curves over 40-50 degrees), you should also be working with an orthopedic specialist. For mild to moderate curves, the muscle work I do makes a meaningful difference in how you feel day to day.
“I had been suffering for years and was unsuccessfully treated by others. In one visit, Dr. Ladd was able to find and address the real issue.”
Patient review · Scoliosis patient
Techniques I use for scoliosis
Common questions
Can you fix my scoliosis?
I can't straighten the curve. But I can significantly reduce the pain and tightness around it by releasing the muscles that are compressing things. Most patients feel meaningfully better.
Will my curve get worse?
Mild curves in adults usually don't progress much. Reducing the muscle tightness that pushes the curve further can help slow progression. Severe curves should also be monitored by an orthopedic specialist.
How often should I come in?
Initially 1-2 times per week to get the muscle imbalance under control. Then periodic maintenance — every 4-6 weeks — to keep things from building back up. Scoliosis is ongoing management, not a one-time fix.
Is this the same treatment as regular back pain?
Similar tools, different focus. With scoliosis I'm specifically targeting the asymmetrical muscle patterns around the curve. The goal is decompression and balance, not just pain relief.
Ready to find real relief?
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