Exploring the Genetic Link and Why It May Not Matter for Treatment

Receiving a scoliosis diagnosis often sparks a cascade of questions:
“How did I get this?”
“Did I inherit it?”
“What can I do about it?”

In this episode of the Scoliosis Treatment podcast, Dr. Tony Nalda breaks down one of the most common concerns—whether scoliosis is hereditary—and explains why discovering the “why” may not always impact how we treat the condition.

Patients frequently share that scoliosis “runs in the family.” But does that mean it’s genetic?

Dr. Nalda explains that scoliosis tends to cluster in families, but no single gene has ever been definitively linked to idiopathic scoliosis. Even identical twins—who share the exact same DNA—may have different outcomes, with one developing scoliosis and the other not. This strongly suggests that while there may be hereditary tendencies, scoliosis is not directly caused by genetics alone.

To understand where heredity may play a role, it's important to look at the four main types of scoliosis:

Idiopathic Scoliosis

Makes up 80% of cases

Cause: Unknown (idiopathic)

Most often seen in adolescents

Believed to be multifactorial, possibly involving environmental, developmental, and minor genetic influences

Neuromuscular Scoliosis

Associated with conditions like cerebral palsy, Marfan syndrome, or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

More likely to have a genetic or systemic origin

Congenital Scoliosis

Present at birth due to malformed vertebrae (e.g., hemivertebra)

Truly genetic/developmental in nature

Degenerative or Traumatic Scoliosis

Caused by injury or wear and tear

Often appears in adulthood

Not hereditary—these result from physical changes over time

Dr. Nalda uses a powerful analogy:

“If an earthquake causes a building to collapse, we may study the cause—but the most urgent need is to rebuild the structure.”

Similarly, scoliosis—regardless of the cause—becomes a structural problem that must be corrected. Many cases are diagnosed long after the original cause (if any) occurred, and chasing the “why” doesn't usually change how the curve affects the spine today.

Yes.
Dr. Nalda emphasizes that effective scoliosis treatment doesn’t depend on knowing the exact cause. At the Scoliosis Reduction Center, idiopathic cases are treated with a multimodal approach, including:

Scoliosis-specific chiropractic care

Customized physical therapy and rehab

Scoliosis-specific exercises

Corrective bracing

These strategies focus on correcting the structural changes in the spine—not just the symptoms—and help stop curve progression over time.

While the question "Is scoliosis hereditary?" is understandable, the better question might be: What can I do now to manage it? Whether the root is genetic, environmental, or unknown, scoliosis can be treated effectively—especially when addressed early and proactively.

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