Dr. Tony Nalda

Dr. Tony Nalda His experience with patients suffering from scoliosis and their confusion and frustration led him to seek a specialty in scoliosis care.

03/16/2026

One of the biggest issues in scoliosis care is that the condition is often detected too late.

Many patients are first diagnosed when their spinal curve is already around 30 to 35 degrees. In some cases, patients are already being told they may need surgical intervention at the time of diagnosis.

Early intervention is extremely important in scoliosis care. However, early intervention can only happen if scoliosis is diagnosed early. Detecting the condition sooner creates more opportunities to reduce the curve and manage its progression before it becomes severe.

Unfortunately, many patients are advised to simply wait and monitor their curve rather than pursue further evaluation or treatment. During that time, the curve may continue to worsen.

Encouraging early screening and proper evaluation can make a meaningful difference in long-term outcomes.

03/13/2026

Many people are familiar with idiopathic scoliosis, but there are two other important types: neuromuscular scoliosis and congenital scoliosis.

Neuromuscular scoliosis develops when a condition affecting the nerves, muscles, or connective tissue contributes to spinal curvature. This can happen in patients with conditions like Marfan syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, or cerebral palsy.

Congenital scoliosis occurs when a person is born with structural differences in the vertebrae, such as a hemi vertebra or blocked vertebra, leading to scoliosis from birth.

Even though these cases can be more complex, conservative treatment may still be possible. The key is evaluating both the scoliosis and any underlying conditions to determine the most effective approach.

Understanding the different types of scoliosis can help patients and families make more informed decisions about care.

Share this with someone who wants to learn more about scoliosis.

03/12/2026

Many people think scoliosis only affects teenagers, but that’s not the full story.

In fact, over 70% of adult scoliosis cases are actually scoliosis that began during adolescence and continued into adulthood. However, some adults can develop scoliosis later in life due to spinal degeneration. This is commonly called degenerative scoliosis or de novo scoliosis.

Understanding the origin of scoliosis is an important step toward finding the right approach to treatment and management.

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with scoliosis as an adult, this is important information to know. Share this with someone who may benefit.

03/11/2026

Did you know modern scoliosis braces can now be designed using 3D modeling?

By scanning a patient’s torso, we create a digital model of their current posture. Then we design a “corrected torso” model that represents the alignment we want to achieve.

Using that information, we build a brace that guides the body toward that corrected position. The result is a brace that fits better, works more precisely, and helps improve the visual appearance of scoliosis.

Advances in technology are helping make scoliosis treatment more accurate and personalized than ever before.

03/10/2026

Many people ask if they are “too old” for conservative treatment.

The truth is, age alone isn’t the deciding factor. What matters most is function.

If someone is still able to walk, move, and use their muscles—even at 70, 80, or older—the body often still has the potential to improve. In fact, I’ve treated someone who was 97 and still functioning well.

Conservative treatment focuses on restoring and supporting the body’s natural ability to function. The key question isn’t age—it’s how much functional ability the person still has.

If you know someone who thinks they’re too old to seek treatment, share this with them.

03/09/2026

People often ask what I do when I’m not in the clinic treating scoliosis patients.

The truth is, I love spending time with my family, cooking great meals, playing sports, golfing, traveling, and even painting. Working with my hands and exploring creativity helps balance the analytical side of studying the spine every day.

Helping patients improve their health is incredibly rewarding, but enjoying life outside the clinic is just as important.

What hobbies help you unwind after work? Share below.

03/06/2026

Most people think a scoliosis brace is just a scoliosis brace. But that’s not the full story.

Traditional bracing — both hard and soft braces — is typically used during growth to try to slow down curve progression. It’s not designed to reduce the curve, and it’s rarely used in adults because slowing progression isn’t the goal at that stage.

Corrective bracing takes a different approach. When properly adjusted over time, it’s designed to actively reduce the curvature — similar to how braces straighten teeth. And it can be used not only in adolescents during growth spurts, but also in young adults and older adults.

Understanding your options matters. The right strategy depends on the goal: slow it down or correct it.

If you know someone navigating scoliosis decisions, share this with them.

03/05/2026

Adult degenerative scoliosis is often discovered incidentally on X-rays. Unfortunately, many patients are told not to worry about the curve itself — only to treat the symptoms.

The challenge? Pain and discomfort can begin at 15, 20, or 25 degrees. Yet curve-specific treatment is often delayed until the spine reaches 40–50 degrees — the surgical threshold.

During that time, the curve may continue progressing. When it reaches a severe stage, spinal fusion becomes the primary recommendation.

The real conversation should be about prevention and early management, not just symptom control. Addressing progression earlier may reduce the likelihood of invasive surgery later.

If you know someone living with adult scoliosis and chronic back pain, share this with them. Awareness can change outcomes.

03/04/2026

As parents, we’re told growth spurts are normal — but asymmetrical posture is not.

If you notice one shoulder higher than the other, uneven hips, or rib cage differences, that is never considered a normal stage of development.

Between ages 10–18, especially 10–14 for girls and 13–18 for boys, scoliosis can progress very rapidly during growth. In some cases, curves can worsen dramatically in just a few weeks.

Many families tell me they had no idea anything was wrong until summer clothes made the asymmetry visible. By then, the curve had already progressed.

The key is regular monitoring — monthly posture checks during growth, particularly if there’s a family history. Early detection provides more treatment options and may help prevent severe progression.

If you’re a parent of a growing child, this is something worth sharing.

03/03/2026

When families are told their child needs a brace for scoliosis, they often assume it will fix the curve. Unfortunately, traditional bracing methods like Boston and Providence braces are primarily designed to slow progression — not reduce the curvature.

Boston braces use a symmetrical, three-point pressure system and are often similar in appearance despite very different curve types. Customization can be limited, especially for higher thoracic curves.

Providence braces are worn only at night and rely on bending forces, which may be more effective for lumbar curves than thoracic curves. Because they’re part-time, the corrective “dose” may not be enough to significantly reduce curvature.

Many patients complete traditional bracing only to see their curves continue progressing — sometimes leading to surgery anyway.

If your goal is to help your child finish growth with a smaller curve, it’s important to understand the difference between slowing progression and actively reducing a curve.

Share this with someone navigating scoliosis bracing decisions.

03/02/2026

Scoliosis progression isn’t the same at every stage of life.

In adolescence, curves tend to worsen quickly during growth spurts. It’s not that the cause is changing — it’s that the body is growing rapidly.

In adulthood, progression usually becomes slow and steady. Gravity, time, curve size, and age all play a role.

But here’s what many people don’t realize: after about age 50, progression can begin to accelerate. I often refer to this as the snowball effect. Years of imbalance combined with gravity can cause curves to gain momentum.

This is why monitoring and proactive care matter at every age.

If you or a loved one has scoliosis, share this so more people understand how progression really works.

02/27/2026

Many people understand scoliosis as a sideways S-shaped curve of the spine. But when they hear the word kyphosis, confusion sets in.

Kyphosis most commonly refers to excessive rounding of the mid-back, which can create a hunched posture. However, the term can also apply to the neck or low back when those areas curve in the wrong direction.

In many cases, patients are told not to worry about it. Unfortunately, structural spinal deformities like scoliosis and kyphosis can progress over time if left unaddressed.

Early diagnosis often leads to more conservative treatment options and better outcomes long term.

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with a spinal curvature, this information could make a difference. Share this post to help spread awareness.

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