Dr. Taemin Oh

01/29/2026

Kids with scoliosis deal with way more than most people realize, and a lot of unexpressed frustration and self-consciousness can unknowingly come from their friends.

Feel free to share this with someone who could use it.

Little things make a big difference. 💜

01/25/2026

There’s no shortage of scary or misleading information about kids’ brains, especially on social media and parenting forums.

As a pediatric neurosurgeon, these are some of the most common myths I hear from parents… and the truths that usually surprise them.

Save this post. Share it with another parent who might need it. 💜

01/20/2026

Winter sports are fun! ❄️ But we can't escape physics.

High speeds, hard surfaces, and falls = big forces on the head and spine, especially in growing kids.

Helmets, safe practices, and situational awareness help keep kids safe in the snow and on the slopes. 🪖

12/18/2025

Vitamin D and calcium form the bedrock of your spine and helps bones grow strong. Vitamin D and calcium deficiency can be common and often silent, but it can affect how strong and resilient the spine is during growth spurts.

While low Vitamin D levels will not cause scoliosis, studies have shown that there is some correlation (Source).

What can we do about it?
☀️ Sunlight helps
🥛 Milk and fortified foods help
🩺 Routine Vitamin D and calcium supplements can boost levels

Optimizing bone health won’t “cure” scoliosis, but it will support growth, strength, and overall spine health during critical years.

For that reason, I always encourage patients with curves of all shapes and sizes to consider taking Vitamin D and calcium supplements!

📚 Source: Balioglu MB et al. Vitamin D Measurement in Patients with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis. J Pediatr Orthop. 2017.

12/18/2025

So, your kids are home for the holidays and you want to make sure they're entertained and healthy. Got it!

Breaks from school may mean more travel (insert travel emoji), but they can also mean more screens, lounging, and long hours indoors. All of which can add up for growing spines.

Here are a few easy, low-key ways to keep kids moving and comfortable over the next few weeks.

11/24/2025

Helping your child recover from spine surgery isn’t just about rest and wait it out. It’s about creating comfort, finding balance, and adding a little love along the way.

💬 Drop a comment if you have recovery questions!

11/21/2025

11/21/2025

11/19/2025

So your pediatrician thinks your child may have scoliosis. What do you do next?

First, keep calm! 💙

Most scoliosis cases are mild and simply need monitoring as your child grows. Scoliosis can be tricky - not just to diagnose, but to help families and patients navigate and understand.

Last month, I had the chance to speak at Grand Rounds, where we did a deep dive into all things .
From early detection to diagnosis to the latest treatment options we have for kids and teens.

We’re growing something exciting here at WCMC — a dedicated pediatric spine program built to give our patients across NYC (and beyond) the highest level of care possible.

Seeing this program expand, and helping families navigate scoliosis with confidence, is what makes this work so rewarding.

Got scoliosis questions? Drop them in the comments or send me a DM. 💬

11/13/2025

Last week, I had the chance to speak with the amazing team at Cornell Pediatrics () about idiopathic scoliosis.

It's the most common type of scoliosis, and while we don't yet know exactly why it happens ("idiopathic" literally means no known cause), here's what you need to know. ⤵️

👉🏼The spine not only curves, it twists and rotates
👉🏼 It's more commonly seen in girls
👉🏼 Usually diagnosed between ages 10-18 - but sometimes even earlier
👉🏼Often painless, especially in its early stages, which makes regular checkups so important
👉🏼Can progress quickly during growth, so close monitoring matters
👉🏼It's not always about surgery - nonsurgical treatments play a huge role in keeping patients happy and safe

There's no single culprit, but genetics seem to play a part - about 1 in 3 patients can have a family history of scoliosis.

I shared some insights, case examples, and new treatment approaches during this talk - swipe through to check out a few slides!

If you or your child have idiopathic scoliosis and want to understand what it means (and what to do next), I'm happy to chat!

Shoot me a DM or comment below. 💬

10/31/2025

Straight outta Monstropolis! Powered by giggles, not screams, of course. 👻🍫🍬

Happy Halloween from our little scare squad! Boo!

10/22/2025

It was such an honor to speak at , ’s annual brain and spine review in NYC last month!

I had the opportunity to share current perspectives on vertebral body tethering for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, and to engage with so many colleagues who are pushing the boundaries of patient-centered, evidence-based care.

Grateful to be part of a program that brought together national experts, rising trainees, and thought leaders across neurosurgery, neurology, and neuroscience.

Looking forward to what we build together in the years ahead!