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Dr. Kevin Tomassini DC
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Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a sideways curve in the spine. The question I get most is "surgery or chiropractic?" — and for a lot of cases, conservative care is where you start.

▶︎ Scoliosis — Surgery or Chiropractic? — from Dr. Tomassini's YouTube channel

What’s actually going on

Scoliosis is a sideways curve of the spine. From behind, the spine should be straight with a level pelvis — with scoliosis, it curves to one side, and often one shoulder or one side of the pelvis sits higher than the other.

That curve can change how your whole spine loads, and that can lead to muscle imbalances, tightness on one side, and pain. The earlier we assess it and start corrective work, the more we can do.

Surgery or chiropractic?

This is the big question. Here’s the honest answer: severe, progressing curves need surgical evaluation, and I’ll tell you straight if that’s you. But surgery should be the last resort, and a lot of mild-to-moderate curves respond really well to conservative care. I’ve had great results with scoliosis patients.

What you’re going to do about it

  1. Thorough assessment — measure the curve, check posture and pelvis, find the muscle imbalances.
  2. Adjustment — improve joint movement and reduce the tension and nerve pressure.
  3. Corrective exercise — specific, curve-tailored strengthening and stretching. Not generic — tailored.
  4. Posture and ergonomics — so daily life isn’t reinforcing the curve.

Every person is unique, so every plan is. Consistency, consistency, consistency — that’s what moves the needle.

Common questions

Can chiropractic help scoliosis? +

For many cases, yes — especially mild to moderate curves. We can't straighten a structural curve like surgery, but with adjustments, corrective exercise, and posture work we can improve function, reduce pain, slow progression, and help you move better. I've had great results with scoliosis patients and I'm trained in Clear Scoliosis methods.

Do I need surgery for scoliosis? +

Severe, progressing curves sometimes do need surgical evaluation. But surgery should be the last resort, and many milder curves are managed well conservatively. A proper assessment tells us which path makes sense for you.

Is scoliosis exercise safe? +

The right exercise is not just safe — it's part of the treatment. We prescribe specific corrective and strengthening exercises tailored to your curve. Generic workouts can sometimes make things worse, which is why the assessment comes first.

Stop masking it. Let's find the cause.

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