Explore every episode of the podcast 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 supporting function, balance, and movement may be an important part of scoliosis care. This video is intended for those seeking to understand non-surgical and conservative approaches to scoliosis, and why surgery may not always be the first or best option depending on the individual.

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 understand their practical role in movement.

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 integrative and holistic approach when treating teenagers to correct hormone imbalances. [01:15] The goal is to encourage normal hormone output by utilizing natural substances like: Enzymes, precursors, or amino acids. Over-the-counter pregnenolone or DHEA. [01:29], [01:55] Lifestyle modifications are also recommended, such as minimizing exposure to environmental sources of xenoestrogens (estrogen-mimicking chemicals in plastics). [02:00] Hormone Imbalance and Adult Scoliosis In adult females, hormone problems related to perimenopause and menopause can lead to bone density issues. [02:49] These issues can cause existing scoliotic curves to progress or result in the de novo onset of degenerative lumbar scoliosis (which affects almost two out of three women over age 60). [02:56], [03:04] Proper hormone management is also linked to the brain's ability to maintain postural muscle memory, which is key for long-term success with scoliosis-specific exercises and bracing. [28:06] Conventional vs. Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) The hosts dedicate a significant portion of the video to contrasting the two main types of hormone therapy: Conventional HRT (Synthetic) Bio-Identical HRT (BHRT) HRT Hormones that have been altered (e.g., with a methyl group) to make them patentable and profitable. Comes in set doses that cannot be modified to fit the individual patient's needs. [07:59] Studies, such as the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) in 2002, found an increased risk of blood clots, heart attack, stroke, endometrial cancer, and breast cancer. [10:34] BHRT Hormones that are molecularly identical to what the body once made (often plant-derived). [07:06] Is personalized and tailored to the individual patient's symptoms and blood test results. [08:55], [15:33] Perceived as safer and more effective by patients; studies show that non-oral estradiol does not increase blood clot risk and bio-identical testosterone can reduce the risk of breast cancer. [15:23], [26:09] Hormone Administration Routes The method of delivery is crucial for safety and efficacy: Estrogen and Testosterone are administered transdermally (as a cream applied to the skin). Oral administration is discouraged as it can increase the risk of blood clots (estrogen) or glucose levels (testosterone). [31:36] Progesterone is often given orally (capsules) because topical progesterone is less effective for improving sleep. [32:02] Testosterone Replacement in Males For male patients, testosterone replacement is typically done via injection (or sometimes pellets). [33:30] Topical creams are generally discouraged due to the large required doses being "goopy" and the high risk of transference to partners or family members. [34:19] Injectables should be dosed more frequently (e.g., twice a week) to avoid large "peak and trough" fluctuations in hormone levels. [35:38] You can watch the full video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NI0UxWpT4T8 #Scoliosis #HormoneReplacementTherapy #BioIdenticalHormones #BHRT #Menopause #WomensHealth #HormoneHealth #ScoliosisTreatment #DrMorningstar #HormoneImbalance #FunctionalMedicine #IntegrativeMedicine #BoneDensity #Perimenopause #AdultScoliosis

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, sleep, and mood The role of advanced hormone and lab testing in creating a more personalized scoliosis treatment plan Practical ways parents can ask better questions and advocate for more comprehensive care 🔗 Watch now: https://youtu.be/gEdyT_vQegs Hashtags: #ScoliosisWorld #ScoliosisPodcast #HormonesAndScoliosis #AdolescentScoliosis #IdiopathicScoliosis #ScoliosisAwareness #SpineHealth #FunctionalMedicine #BackGenius #ScoliosisCare #HormoneHealth #ScoliosisMom #ScoliosisDad #TeenHealthIn www.scoliosispractice.com #scoliosis #functionalmedicine #spinehealth

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 estrogen-mimicking properties

• How birth control pills may provide symptom relief while potentially suppressing natural hormone production

• Why most children diagnosed with scoliosis have low body fat

• Why having low adipose tissue does not rule out metabolic or insulin-related problems

This episode sets the foundation for understanding how the endocrine system, metabolism, and environmental influences work together to shape long-term health outcomes.

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 whether bracing is likely to work or whether a patient may need other corrective strategies

• How a history of bracing can sometimes negatively impact surgical outcomes

• How Back Genius conservative programs may improve flexibility prior to surgery (potentially improving the results of surgical intervention)

Understanding flexibility early allows patients and families to make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary or ineffective treatment paths.

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 serotonin pathways play a role in both postural reflex control and bone modulation

Genomic patterns help explain why two people with the same curve type often respond very differently to braces, exercise, therapy, or surgery

Long-term correction requires addressing the underlying reasons the curve formed, not just the visible structure

 

 

Genomics allows us to evaluate predetermined risk, personalize treatment strategies, and understand the origin of the curve rather than only managing its appearance.

• 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 promising treatments fall outside the conventional scope of spinal medicine

 

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 Journal (2018) – Journal of Medicine and Life (2020) – Nutrients Journal (2020, 2023) – Clinical Nutrition (2024) – Systematic reviews & meta-analyses on osteoporosis and cancer prevention

⸻ 👨‍⚕️ Hosted by: Dr. Mark Morningstar 📍 Founder, Back Genius & ScoliSMART Clinics (Michigan)

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 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 progesterone and DHEA; both important
• Progesterone is implicated in scoliosis
• Females 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 density issues

- Vitamin D toxicity is difficult to ascertain

- Vitamins D varies with the seasons; best to get a baseline at summer and winter

- Vitamin D and K2 both have half lives which mean you don’t have to take them everyday

 

#scoliosistreatment #scoliosis

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 because they have more growth ahead of them
• What 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 scoliosis
• We seek lasting-outcomes and to prevent anything from sabotaging that
• We assess biochemical and genomic risk factors
• Treatments are tailored to the individual

• 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
• 1 - 2 weeks long
• Limited to 4 patients per week 
   

• 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 increase pain via an inflammation response
• Dr. Morningstar lists these metabolic aspects & how to tackle them
• 1lb of body weight = 3 lbs of force on your joints

• 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

• Scoliosis pain management requires a multi-dimensional approach
• The pain is often chronic
• The curvature balance is more important than the degree of the curve as it relates to pain
• Factors other than the curvature itself also contribute to the pain
• To learn more, visit us at treatingscoliosis.com
• Join our Facebook group "Scoliosis Warriors"

• Hormones are signaling molecules
• Conventional wisdom is that hormone decline is normal with aging
• In fact, we are aging because our hormones are declining
• Hormones affect bone density
• Many adult scoliosis patients get marginalized
• One of the biggest things to help adult scoliosis patients is to test hormones with saliva testing
• To learn more, visit us at treatingscoliosis.com
• Join our Facebook group "Scoliosis Warriors"

• To learn more, visit us at treatingscoliosis.com
• Join our Facebook group "Scoliosis Warriors"

• To learn more, visit us at treatingscoliosis.com
• Join our Facebook group "Scoliosis Warriors"

• Most people suppose that the scoliosis that shows up on the x-ray is all there is to the picture
• If the condition continues to decline with bracing, surgery is often recommended
• Children who develop scoliosis have differences in bone density, neurotransmitter status, hormone ratios, and micronutrients
• To learn more, visit us at treatingscoliosis.com
• Join 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 curvature
• Addressing the underlying aspects of the condition are important to long-term successful treatment
• Genetic testing to help address some of these factors is now an affordable option
• To learn more, visit us at treatingscoliosis.com
• Join our Facebook group "Scoliosis Warriors"

• There are dozens of studies that have identified singular genes associated with scoliosis
• The brain and the body are an intelligent design, and curvatures are not random, but adaptive responses
• To learn more, visit us at treatingscoliosis.com
• Join our Facebook group "Scoliosis Warriors"