Advertise on podcast: Scoliosis with Dr. Chris Gubbels
This podcast has
26 episodes
Language
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Date created
2026/05/14
Latest episode
2026/10/15
Average duration
15 min.
Release period
7 days
Description
Dr. Chris Gubbels is a scoliosis specialist at ScoliCare Denver with 18+ years of experience treating over 6,500 patients. This podcast is for parents of children with scoliosis and adults living with scoliosis or hyperkyphosis who want real answers about non-surgical treatment options.Learn about scoliosis bracing, scoliosis-specific exercises, curve progression, early detection, and how to avoid surgery. Dr. Gubbels covers what works, what does not, and what your doctor may not be telling you.New episodes weekly on scoliosis treatment, warning signs, bracing myths, and spinal health.
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Check latest episodes from Scoliosis with Dr. Chris Gubbels podcast
Over 60? This Spine Problem Could Be Making You More Likely to Fall
2026/10/15
📌 Book a free discovery call: https://scolicare.com/denver-colorado/discovery-call
If you are over 60 and you have started feeling less steady on your feet, pay attention before an actual fall happens. The real warning sign is not the fall itself. It is the small catches that happen before it, like grabbing the counter, taking extra steps to recover, or feeling like your upper body gets ahead of your feet. Most people write this off as normal aging and never mention it to their doctor until a real fall happens.
In this video, I'm going to explain why losing your margin for recovery, not just losing your balance, is often the hidden reason falls happen after 60, and what you can do about it before a serious fall occurs.
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Over 60? This Spine Problem Could Be Making You More Likely to Fall
0:45 What changes as your recovery window shrinks
1:50 The two person stumble comparison
2:55 How spine position steals your margin for error
4:00 Why your body compensates without you noticing
5:20 When fear of falling becomes its own problem
6:10 What your doctor may be missing
7:15 How we evaluate your whole spine at ScoliCare Denver
8:10 Watch the 10 second balance test next
❓ QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Why do older adults fall even when they feel steady day to day?
Falls often happen because the body's margin for recovering from a stumble has quietly shrunk over time, even though walking feels normal most days. Small compensations build up in how the spine and hips position themselves, so by the time a real stumble happens, there is almost no buffer left to catch yourself.
Can scoliosis or spine alignment affect balance after 60?
Yes, changes in spine alignment such as scoliosis or forward leaning posture can shift your body out of position before a stumble ever happens, leaving less room to recover. When the upper body leans forward or curves to one side, your center of gravity moves ahead of your base of support, so every misstep becomes harder to correct.
What early sign should I watch for before a fall happens?
If you are catching yourself more often, taking extra steps to regain balance, or constantly reaching for railings and counters, that is an early sign worth having evaluated. These near misses usually show up months or even years before an actual fall, which makes them one of the most useful warning signs you can act on.
📱 RESOURCES
Website: https://scolicare.com/denver-colorado/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ScoliCareDenverColorado
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scolicaredenvercolorado/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScoliCareDenverColorado
🔔 Subscribe for evidence-based scoliosis education, treatment updates, and patient stories from a specialist who treats scoliosis and hyperkyphosis every single day.
💬 Have you noticed yourself catching the counter or railing more often than you used to? Tell me in the comments, I read every one.
ABOUT DR. CHRIS GUBBELS: Dr. Chris Gubbels is a scoliosis specialist at ScoliCare Denver with 18 years of experience and over 6,500 patients treated. He specializes in non-surgical treatment of scoliosis and hyperkyphosis using 3D corrective bracing (ScoliBrace) and scoliosis-specific rehabilitation (ScoliBalance). His philosophy: the right treatment at the right time is the difference between staying ahead of the curve and ending up in surgery.
#Scoliosis #ScoliosisTreatment #ScoliosisExercises #ScoliosisBrace #SpinalHealth
If Your Body Does THIS After Training, Your Back Is In Trouble! — DON’T Ignore It
2026/10/08
📌 Book a free discovery call: https://scolicare.com/denver-colorado/discovery-call
Watch what happens near the end of your workout, not the beginning. You can look completely fine when you're fresh and still be hiding a problem. Once your body gets tired, the pattern you have been rehearsing for hundreds of reps starts to show.
In this episode, I'm going to explain why fatigue reveals spinal asymmetries that fresh reps can hide, and what to actually check before you keep adding weight to a compensation pattern.
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS
0:00 If Your Body Does THIS After Training, Your Back Is In Trouble! — DON’T Ignore It
0:34 The escape route your body keeps finding
1:23 What fatigue testing shows in scoliosis research
2:26 Why the last five reps look more like the real you
3:37 Getting stronger at the wrong thing
4:11 Why active self correction beats general strength training
5:01 Stop stretching the crookedness out of yourself
6:22 One ugly rep does not mean scoliosis
7:44 The simple test to run before your next workout
9:52 Don't judge your workout by the first rep
❓ QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Does getting tired during a workout mean I have scoliosis?
No. Fatigue alone does not mean scoliosis. What matters is whether your body shifts, twists, or collapses toward the same side every time you get tired and across different exercises.
Why does my form only break down on one side near the end of a set?
As muscles fatigue, your body falls back on its easiest available strategy, and if one side of your spine already works differently, that imbalance becomes harder to hide. It is often a pattern that was there all along, just masked when you were fresh.
Can lifting heavier weights fix a spinal imbalance?
Not on its own. Getting stronger while repeating the same compensation pattern can actually reinforce it, so the position and control you train in matters as much as the strength itself.
📱 RESOURCES
Website: https://scolicare.com/denver-colorado/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ScoliCareDenverColorado
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scolicaredenvercolorado/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScoliCareDenverColorado
🔔 Subscribe for evidence-based scoliosis education, treatment updates, and patient stories from a specialist who treats scoliosis and hyperkyphosis every single day.
ABOUT DR. CHRIS GUBBELS: Dr. Chris Gubbels is a scoliosis specialist at ScoliCare Denver with 18 years of experience and over 6,500 patients treated. He specializes in non-surgical treatment of scoliosis and hyperkyphosis using 3D corrective bracing (ScoliBrace) and scoliosis-specific rehabilitation (ScoliBalance). His philosophy: the right treatment at the right time is the difference between staying ahead of the curve and ending up in surgery.
#Scoliosis #ScoliosisTreatment #ScoliosisExercises #ScoliosisBrace #SpinalHealth
They Were Wrong About Why Walking Gets Harder After 60 (It’s Not Aging)
2026/10/01
📌 Book a free discovery call: https://scolicare.com/denver-colorado/discovery-call
If you can't walk as far as you used to after 60, that is not automatically just aging. If your back gets tired, your legs feel heavy after 10 to 15 minutes, and sitting down is the only relief, something else may be going on. Most people blame their legs, their weight, or their age, but the real cause is often how your spine is positioned over your pelvis and feet with every single step.
In this episode, I'm going to explain why declining walking tolerance after 60 is often not about weak legs or normal aging, and what is actually causing it.
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Why walking gets harder after 60
0:41 The first mistake: assuming your legs are just weak
1:51 How your body sits over your legs matters
3:25 Why curve size is not the whole story
4:13 When tests find something but miss the real reason
5:19 The shopping cart clue that changes everything
6:35 Why just walk more is not a real treatment plan
8:16 What we evaluate at ScoliCare Denver
9:34 How limitations quietly take over your life
10:52 When to stop blaming age for walking problems
❓ QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Q: Why does walking get harder after 60 even if my legs feel strong?
A: Fatigue and weakness are not the same thing. Your legs can get stronger while spinal imbalance from scoliosis or degeneration forces your body to work much harder just to stay upright with every step, so the tiredness you feel is really your postural muscles fighting to hold you steady, not a sign your legs have gotten weak.
Q: Why can I walk farther with a shopping cart or walker?
A: Leaning on support reduces the amount of muscle work needed to keep your torso balanced over your pelvis and feet. This tells you the real limitation is how your body is positioned, not simply your age, because the moment you take away that support your spine and hips go right back to fighting gravity on their own.
Q: Is telling someone to just walk more good advice for improving walking tolerance?
A: Not if walking itself is the thing they cannot sustain. The real question is what is limiting them at minute fifteen, whether that is a curve, a collapsed posture, or a hip that has quietly stopped extending, and that limiting factor needs to be identified before walking more will help rather than just reinforcing the same compensations.
📱 RESOURCES
Website: https://scolicare.com/denver-colorado/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ScoliCareDenverColorado
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scolicaredenvercolorado/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScoliCareDenverColorado
🔔 Subscribe for evidence-based scoliosis education, treatment updates, and patient stories from a specialist who treats scoliosis and hyperkyphosis every single day.
ABOUT DR. CHRIS GUBBELS: Dr. Chris Gubbels is a scoliosis specialist at ScoliCare Denver with 18 years of experience and over 6,500 patients treated. He specializes in non-surgical treatment of scoliosis and hyperkyphosis using 3D corrective bracing (ScoliBrace) and scoliosis-specific rehabilitation (ScoliBalance). His philosophy: the right treatment at the right time is the difference between staying ahead of the curve and ending up in surgery.
#Scoliosis #ScoliosisTreatment #ScoliosisExercises #ScoliosisBrace #SpinalHealth
Can You Pass This 10-Second Balance Test?
2026/09/24
📌 Book a free discovery call: https://scolicare.com/denver-colorado/
Can you really pass the 10 second balance test? Most people think standing on one leg for 10 seconds means they pass. But how your body gets through those 10 seconds matters far more than whether the clock runs out. Two people can both make it to 10 seconds and still be telling completely different stories about what is happening inside their body.
In this episode, I'm going to walk you through the real 10 second balance test, show you what to actually look for beyond just staying up, and explain why one sided compensation can point to something much bigger going on with your spine.
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Can You Pass This 10-Second Balance Test?
0:53 Try the 10 second balance test with me
1:44 What your upper body reveals about balance
2:53 Checking your hips and pelvis during the test
3:13 Why one side often looks totally different
4:05 Why this matters for walking every day
5:00 The mistake people make about weak legs
6:12 How the spine changes your balance over your feet
9:01 Why you cannot just train the bad side
10:19 When to stop testing and get expert help
QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Q: What does the 10 second balance test actually measure?
A: It measures more than whether you can stay up for 10 seconds. It reveals how much your upper body, hips, and pelvis have to compensate to keep you steady, which can expose hidden imbalances in your body.
Q: Why does one leg feel more unstable than the other during a balance test?
A: A weaker feeling leg is not always about leg strength. It can be caused by your pelvis, hips, or spine sitting out of alignment, which forces one leg to work much harder to keep you centered.
Q: Can scoliosis affect your balance test results?
A: Yes. Scoliosis can shift your spine and torso out of alignment over your pelvis and feet, forcing your body to compensate more on one side, which often shows up clearly in a one leg balance test.
📱 RESOURCES
Website: https://scolicare.com/denver-colorado/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ScoliCareDenverColorado
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scolicaredenvercolorado/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScoliCareDenverColorado
🔔 Subscribe for evidence-based scoliosis education, treatment updates, and patient stories from a specialist who treats scoliosis and hyperkyphosis every single day.
ABOUT DR. CHRIS GUBBELS:
Dr. Chris Gubbels is a scoliosis specialist at ScoliCare Denver with 18 years of experience and over 6,500 patients treated. He specializes in non-surgical treatment of scoliosis and hyperkyphosis using 3D corrective bracing (ScoliBrace) and scoliosis-specific rehabilitation (ScoliBalance). His philosophy: the right treatment at the right time is the difference between staying ahead of the curve and ending up in surgery.
#Scoliosis #ScoliosisTreatment #ScoliosisExercises #ScoliosisBrace #SpinalHealth
If Your Child’s Posture Keeps Getting Worse, Watch This
2026/09/17
📌 Book a free discovery call: https://scolicare.com/denver-colorado/
If you keep telling your child to sit up straight and they just don't listen, this episode is for you. Sometimes kids aren't ignoring you. Sometimes they physically can't fix their posture, and there's a window of time where that's much easier to correct before it becomes a permanent structural change. Waiting until it looks bad enough to worry about is often the exact moment you lose your best chance to catch it early.
In this episode, I'm going to show you exactly what I check for at home, how to tell the difference between normal slouching and a real structural problem, and when it's time to get a professional evaluation.
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS
0:00 If Your Child’s Posture Keeps Getting Worse, Watch This
0:47 Normal teen slouching versus a real pattern
1:31 The home test to check if they can self correct
2:35 What parents always assume wrong
3:23 Checking your child's back from behind
4:03 The forward bend test explained
5:26 Why no pain doesn't mean no problem
7:14 The critical growth window parents miss
10:07 What happens when curves are caught early
11:08 What I did when I noticed it in my own son
❓ QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Q: Can a child with scoliosis have no pain at all?
A: Yes. Most children and teens with scoliosis feel no pain or discomfort at all, even with a moderate curve. Waiting for pain before getting checked is one of the biggest mistakes parents make, because by the time pain shows up, the curve has often already progressed significantly.
Q: How can I check my child's posture for scoliosis at home?
A: Have your child stand naturally, then ask them to stand up as straight as they can on their own. If their shoulders, torso, or back still look uneven after they try to correct it, that is a sign to get a professional evaluation, and you can also try the forward bend test, watching for one side of the ribcage or lower back to sit higher than the other.
Q: Why does timing matter so much with scoliosis in kids?
A: A curve can barely change in one year for some kids, but the same size curve can progress dramatically during a rapid growth spurt in a pre teen or young teen. Catching it early, while curves are small and flexible, leads to far better outcomes and often means avoiding surgery entirely.
📱 RESOURCES
Website: https://scolicare.com/denver-colorado/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ScoliCareDenverColorado
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scolicaredenvercolorado/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScoliCareDenverColorado
🔔 Subscribe for evidence-based scoliosis education, treatment updates, and patient stories from a specialist who treats scoliosis and hyperkyphosis every single day.
ABOUT DR. CHRIS GUBBELS: Dr. Chris Gubbels is a scoliosis specialist at ScoliCare Denver with 18 years of experience and over 6,500 patients treated. He specializes in non-surgical treatment of scoliosis and hyperkyphosis using 3D corrective bracing (ScoliBrace) and scoliosis-specific rehabilitation (ScoliBalance). His philosophy: the right treatment at the right time is the difference between staying ahead of the curve and ending up in surgery.
#Scoliosis #ScoliosisTreatment #ScoliosisExercises #ScoliosisBrace #SpinalHealth
Back Specialist Warns: Avoid This Mistake If You Have One-Sided Back Pain
2026/09/10
📌 Book a free discovery call: https://scolicare.com/denver-colorado/discovery-call/
If the same side of your back keeps hurting, there is one mistake you need to avoid. It can make one sided back pain drag on for months or even years, even when treatment seems to be working. You keep getting just enough relief to think you found a solution, then the same pain comes right back, sometimes worse than before. Most people never find out why, because the usual exams only look at the spot that hurts instead of the whole spine.
In this episode, I'm going to explain why one side back pain keeps getting mistreated and what causes your doctors may have missed entirely.
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Back Specialist Warns: Avoid This Mistake If You Have One-Sided Back Pain
0:41 The mistake most treatments make
1:24 Why chasing short term relief backfires
1:56 What causes one sided back pain to keep returning
2:40 Adult scoliosis and one sided back pain
3:09 The stretching mistake to avoid
4:16 When one sided pain needs a free discovery call
5:01 Warning signs your back pain is changing your life
6:12 Does one sided back pain always mean scoliosis
7:15 Why scoliosis gets missed on standard exams
❓ QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Does one sided back pain mean I have scoliosis?
Not necessarily. Muscles, joints, discs, or even the hip can cause pain on one side, so a proper spinal evaluation is needed before assuming scoliosis is the cause.
Why does stretching the tight side of my back not fix the pain long term?
If your spine is shifting or rotating, that side works harder just to keep you upright, so stretching it repeatedly treats a symptom instead of the actual cause. The pain returns because the underlying imbalance was never addressed.
Why do doctors sometimes miss scoliosis in adults with back pain?
Most evaluations focus only on the exact spot that hurts using a lying down MRI, while scoliosis often shows up only on standing full spine X-rays that reveal how the spine is balanced under gravity. Without that specific view, the true cause of the pain can go unnoticed for years.
📱 RESOURCES
Website: https://scolicare.com/denver-colorado/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ScoliCareDenverColorado
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scolicaredenvercolorado/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScoliCareDenverColorado
🔔 Subscribe for evidence-based scoliosis education, treatment updates, and patient stories from a specialist who treats scoliosis and hyperkyphosis every single day.
ABOUT DR. CHRIS GUBBELS:
Dr. Chris Gubbels is a scoliosis specialist at ScoliCare Denver with 18 years of experience and over 6,500 patients treated. He specializes in non-surgical treatment of scoliosis and hyperkyphosis using 3D corrective bracing (ScoliBrace) and scoliosis-specific rehabilitation (ScoliBalance). His philosophy: the right treatment at the right time is the difference between staying ahead of the curve and ending up in surgery.
#Scoliosis #ScoliosisTreatment #ScoliosisExercises #ScoliosisBrace #SpinalHealth
7 Types of Back Pain Ranked From Harmless to Serious
2026/09/03
📌 Book a free discovery call: https://scolicare.com/denver-colorado/
Some back pain feels awful but turns out to be minor. Other back pain barely registers on a pain scale, yet it is the type that should worry you the most. How much your back hurts does not always tell you what is actually going on or what you should do about it.
In this episode, I'm going to rank seven types of back pain from harmless to serious, so you know exactly which kind needs attention and which kind you can safely let settle on its own.
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS
0:00 7 Types of Back Pain Ranked From Harmless to Serious
0:48 Pain after overdoing it at the gym or yard
2:12 Pain that changes with sitting or standing
4:13 Morning stiffness that keeps getting worse
6:13 Pain that keeps returning to the same spot
9:45 Pain that worsens the longer you stand or walk
13:09 Sciatica and nerve pain down the leg
16:00 Back pain with major warning signs
17:14 When to stop chasing pain and check your whole spine
❓ QUESTIONS ANSWERED
What does it mean when back pain keeps coming back in the exact same spot?
Pain that returns to the same area after repeated treatments usually means the underlying cause was never addressed, only the symptom. It often points to an imbalance elsewhere in the spine that keeps overloading that one area.
Is sciatica a diagnosis or just a symptom?
Sciatica just describes which nerve is being irritated, not what is causing the irritation. The real cause could be a disc issue, spinal narrowing, or an adult scoliosis curve compressing the nerve space.
What back pain symptoms mean you should seek immediate medical care?
Sudden loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the groin or saddle area, or rapidly worsening leg weakness are medical emergencies. Severe pain after major trauma, or pain with fever or unexplained weight loss, also needs urgent evaluation.
📱 RESOURCES
Website: https://scolicare.com/denver-colorado/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ScoliCareDenverColorado
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scolicaredenvercolorado/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScoliCareDenverColorado
🔔 Subscribe for evidence-based scoliosis education, treatment updates, and patient stories from a specialist who treats scoliosis and hyperkyphosis every single day.
ABOUT DR. CHRIS GUBBELS: Dr. Chris Gubbels is a scoliosis specialist at ScoliCare Denver with 18 years of experience and over 6,500 patients treated. He specializes in non-surgical treatment of scoliosis and hyperkyphosis using 3D corrective bracing (ScoliBrace) and scoliosis-specific rehabilitation (ScoliBalance). His philosophy: the right treatment at the right time is the difference between staying ahead of the curve and ending up in surgery.
#Scoliosis #ScoliosisTreatment #ScoliosisExercises #ScoliosisBrace #SpinalHealth
CAN STRETCHING MAKE SCOLIOSIS WORSE?
2026/08/27
📌 Book a free discovery call: https://scolicare.com/denver-colorado/
Can stretching actually make your scoliosis worse? The exact same stretch can help one person with scoliosis while making another person's curve worse. Feeling good during a stretch is not enough proof that it is the right stretch for your spine. Many patients are handed a generic sheet of stretches without anyone checking if those movements match their specific curve pattern, and that mismatch can quietly reinforce the imbalance you are trying to fix.
In this episode, I'm going to explain why generic scoliosis stretches can backfire, and the one thing you need to know about your curve pattern before you ever start a stretching routine.
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Can stretching make scoliosis worse?
0:38 What you're actually trying to stretch
1:50 Why the same stretch helps one curve and hurts another
3:57 Why symmetry cannot be assumed with scoliosis
5:23 Is yoga or Pilates safe for scoliosis
9:09 Why comfort does not equal correction
13:00 When stretching becomes a problem
15:00 Stretching is one tool, not the whole treatment
16:31 How to tell if a stretch is actually helping
❓ QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Can stretching make scoliosis worse?
Yes. Stretching in the wrong direction for your specific curve pattern can reinforce the imbalance instead of correcting it, especially when it increases mobility without adding stability. This is why a stretch that helps a friend's curve can actively work against yours.
Is yoga or Pilates safe for someone with scoliosis?
Both can support strength, breathing, and mobility, but general classes are not designed around an individual curve pattern, so movements may bend or rotate the spine in a direction that does not help. Working with someone who understands your specific curve makes these practices far more useful.
How do I know if a scoliosis stretch is actually helping?
A helpful stretch opens the compressed side of your specific curve and is followed by work to stabilize the spine in that improved position, not just a feeling of looseness. If a stretch only feels good without any follow up stability work, it is unlikely to be creating real correction.
📱 RESOURCES
Website: https://scolicare.com/denver-colorado/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ScoliCareDenverColorado
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scolicaredenvercolorado/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScoliCareDenverColorado
🔔 Subscribe for evidence-based scoliosis education, treatment updates, and patient stories from a specialist who treats scoliosis and hyperkyphosis every single day.
ABOUT DR. CHRIS GUBBELS:
Dr. Chris Gubbels is a scoliosis specialist at ScoliCare Denver with 18 years of experience and over 6,500 patients treated. He specializes in non-surgical treatment of scoliosis and hyperkyphosis using 3D corrective bracing (ScoliBrace) and scoliosis-specific rehabilitation (ScoliBalance). His philosophy: the right treatment at the right time is the difference between staying ahead of the curve and ending up in surgery.
#Scoliosis #ScoliosisTreatment #ScoliosisExercises #ScoliosisBrace #SpinalHealth
When Should You Worry About Scoliosis?
2026/08/20
📌 Book a free discovery call: https://scolicare.com/denver-colorado/
A 25 degree curve can mean almost nothing for one person and everything for another. Same number, completely different level of concern. The size of the curve is only part of the story.
In this episode, I'm going to break down three people with the exact same size scoliosis curve and explain why one needs urgent treatment while another can safely just be monitored.
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS
0:00 When Should You Worry About Scoliosis?
0:53 Person one, a stable curve that's safe to monitor
2:38 Person two, a growing child with a progressing curve
5:00 Why pain is a bad way to judge a child's scoliosis
7:03 Person three, an adult losing function to scoliosis
9:14 Is the curve actually changing over time
10:12 Is the body staying balanced
11:17 How flexible is the spine
13:00 Warning signs you should never ignore
13:22 When it's actually safe to just monitor
❓ QUESTIONS ANSWERED
What size scoliosis curve is dangerous?
There is no single dangerous number. A 25 degree curve can be safe to monitor in one person and urgent in another, depending on whether it's progressing, whether the body stays balanced, and whether the person is losing function.
How do you know if scoliosis needs treatment or can just be monitored?
Scoliosis can usually be monitored when the curve has stayed stable, the body is balanced, and there is no meaningful loss of function. It needs active treatment when the curve is documented to be progressing or when it is starting to affect balance, mobility, or daily activities.
Why do doctors say wait and watch for scoliosis?
Many doctors focus only on the size of the curve rather than tracking whether it is progressing, which can lead to a wait and watch approach even when the curve is actively getting worse. A proper monitoring plan should specify exactly what changes would trigger a different course of action.
📱 RESOURCES
Website: https://scolicare.com/denver-colorado/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ScoliCareDenverColorado
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scolicaredenvercolorado/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScoliCareDenverColorado
🔔 Subscribe for evidence-based scoliosis education, treatment updates, and patient stories from a specialist who treats scoliosis and hyperkyphosis every single day.
ABOUT DR. CHRIS GUBBELS:
Dr. Chris Gubbels is a scoliosis specialist at ScoliCare Denver with 18 years of experience and over 6,500 patients treated. He specializes in non-surgical treatment of scoliosis and hyperkyphosis using 3D corrective bracing (ScoliBrace) and scoliosis-specific rehabilitation (ScoliBalance). His philosophy: the right treatment at the right time is the difference between staying ahead of the curve and ending up in surgery.
#Scoliosis #ScoliosisTreatment #ScoliosisExercises #ScoliosisBrace #SpinalHealth
Chiropractic Care That Can Make Your Child's Scoliosis Worse
2026/08/13
🎁 Book a free discovery call: https://scolicare.com/denver-colorado/
A chiropractor told a mother he could fix her daughter's 36 degree curve with adjustments alone and said to skip the scoliosis brace. That advice put a growing child at nearly 100% risk of progression. Feeling better after an adjustment does not mean the curve stopped moving.
In this episode, I'm going to explain why that advice was so dangerous, how chiropractic adjustments can look like they are working while a curve keeps progressing, and the exact question every parent should ask before trusting anyone who claims they are correcting scoliosis.
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Chiropractic Care That Can Make Your Child's Scoliosis Worse
1:22 What this episode will cover
2:04 Why "I've seen it work" is not proof
3:02 The biggest misunderstanding chiropractors have
4:08 How adjustments can look like they are working
5:12 Where families get fooled by before and after photos
6:04 Book a free discovery call
6:21 The real cause of progressive scoliosis
9:03 How treatment delays make curves harder to fix
13:17 The one question every parent should ask
❓ QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Can chiropractic adjustments fix scoliosis?
No. Adjustments can reduce pain and improve movement, but there is no valid scientific evidence they can stop or control progressive idiopathic scoliosis on their own.
Why does my child look better after a chiropractic adjustment if the curve isn't improving?
Muscles relax and posture can temporarily improve, but this does not change the actual shape of the spine.
What should I ask a provider who says they are correcting my child's scoliosis?
Ask for full spine standing x ray measurements before and after treatment, how much growth remains, and the specific risk of curve progression.
📱 RESOURCES
Website: https://scolicare.com/denver-colorado/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ScoliCareDenverColorado
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scolicaredenvercolorado/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScoliCareDenverColorado
🔔 Subscribe for evidence-based scoliosis education, treatment updates, and patient stories from a specialist who treats scoliosis and hyperkyphosis every single day.
ABOUT DR. CHRIS GUBBELS:
Scoliosis specialist at ScoliCare Denver with 18 years of experience and over 6,500 patients treated. Specializes in non-surgical treatment of scoliosis and hyperkyphosis using 3D corrective bracing (ScoliBrace) and scoliosis-specific rehabilitation (ScoliBalance).
#Scoliosis #ScoliosisTreatment #ScoliosisExercises #ScoliosisBrace #SpinalHealth
THIS Overlooked Spine Problem Can Trigger Back Pain After Menopause
2026/08/06
🎁 Book a free discovery call: https://scolicare.com/denver-colorado/
Your back pain keeps coming back no matter what you try. Physical therapy helped for a few weeks, then it returned. There is one cause that may have never been checked, and it frequently gets missed on a standard MRI. Many women are told this is just aging or arthritis, when the real issue is a spinal curve that nobody looked for.
In this episode, I'm going to explain why scoliosis is so often overlooked in women whose back pain started or worsened after menopause, and what to do about it.
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Your Back Pain After Menopause Could Be Scoliosis
0:50 Why women don't realize they have scoliosis
1:57 What an MRI misses about your spine
3:17 The worn tire analogy explained
5:36 Why menopause triggers adult scoliosis
7:24 Why standing x-rays matter more than MRIs
9:12 The three questions I ask about every curve
11:33 Why the same curve size means different pain levels
13:31 What to ask your doctor next
❓ QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Can menopause cause scoliosis?
Menopause does not directly cause scoliosis, but hormonal changes and bone density loss during menopause can accelerate uneven disc and joint wear, which allows adult degenerative scoliosis to develop or worsen over time. This is why many women notice their back pain shifting or intensifying during this life stage.
Why would an MRI miss scoliosis?
MRIs are usually taken lying down and focus on one section of the spine, so they often miss the full standing alignment picture that reveals a scoliosis curve. A standing x-ray of the entire spine is needed to see how gravity affects the curve and confirm the diagnosis.
Does the size of a scoliosis curve predict how much pain someone will have?
No, curve size is not the best predictor of pain. Two people can have the exact same curve measurement and experience very different levels of pain and mobility, which is why a full evaluation matters more than the number alone.
📱 RESOURCES
Website: https://scolicare.com/denver-colorado/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ScoliCareDenverColorado
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scolicaredenvercolorado/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScoliCareDenverColorado
🔔 Subscribe for evidence-based scoliosis education, treatment updates, and patient stories from a specialist who treats scoliosis and hyperkyphosis every single day.
ABOUT DR. CHRIS GUBBELS:
Dr. Chris Gubbels is a scoliosis specialist at ScoliCare Denver with 18 years of experience and over 6,500 patients treated. He specializes in non-surgical treatment of scoliosis and hyperkyphosis using 3D corrective bracing (ScoliBrace) and scoliosis-specific rehabilitation (ScoliBalance). His philosophy: the right treatment at the right time is the difference between staying ahead of the curve and ending up in surgery.
#Scoliosis #ScoliosisTreatment #ScoliosisExercises #ScoliosisBrace #SpinalHealth
Diagnosed with Scoliosis in Denver? A Specialist's Action Plan
2026/08/04
📌 Book a free discovery call: https://scolicare.com/denver-colorado/
If you or your child just left a scoliosis diagnosis appointment with nothing but a number on a piece of paper and no real plan for what comes next, this episode is built for that exact moment.
The 30 days between that first diagnosis and your next appointment are some of the most critical in the entire process, and most families spend that window on Google getting more confused, not less.
I'm going to walk you through what your diagnosis actually means, what imaging you may still need, and the exact questions to bring to your next appointment so you get real answers instead of a wait-and-see instruction.
In this episode, I break down what a standard scoliosis diagnosis does and does not tell you, why full spine standing X-rays matter more than a sectional film, and why the provider who diagnosed you may not be the right one to treat you. Whether you're a parent navigating a new pediatric diagnosis or an adult who was just handed a Cobb angle and sent home, this gives you a clear checklist for the next 30 days.
A scoliosis diagnosis on its own only tells you what you have, not whether it's likely to progress or what your treatment options actually are.
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS
0:00 What Your Scoliosis Diagnosis Doesn't Tell You
0:45 Meet Dr. Chris Gubbels: 18 Years Treating Scoliosis
1:53 The Standard Scoliosis Treatment Playbook Explained
2:45 Why Full Spine X-Rays Matter for an Accurate Diagnosis
4:46 Why You Shouldn't Return to the Doctor Who Diagnosed You
6:57 4 Things to Bring to Your Scoliosis Specialist Appointment
7:44 4 Questions Every Scoliosis Specialist Should Answer
11:20 Your First 30 Days Action Plan After Diagnosis
❓ QUESTIONS ANSWERED
What should I do after my child is diagnosed with scoliosis?
In the first 30 days after a scoliosis diagnosis, gather any prior X-rays, get full spine standing films from the front and side if you don't already have them, and schedule an evaluation with a provider who specializes exclusively in non-surgical scoliosis treatment. This window matters because curve progression and treatment options are time sensitive, especially in a growing child.
What Cobb angle requires bracing or surgery for scoliosis?
Most providers work from a general framework of monitoring curves under 25 degrees, considering bracing between 25 and 40 degrees, and recommending surgery above 40 to 45 degrees. That number alone does not account for curve rotation, skeletal maturity, or whether the goal should be stabilizing the curve or actually reducing it.
What X-rays are needed to diagnose scoliosis correctly?
A complete scoliosis workup requires full spine standing X-rays taken from the front and the side, not a sectional image of just one area. Full spine films show the Cobb angle, the apex of the curve, and spinal balance, and should include lateral bending X-rays, with an MRI added if there are any neurological red flags.
📱 RESOURCES
Website: https://scolicare.com/denver-colorado/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ScoliCareDenverColorado
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scolicaredenvercolorado/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScoliCareDenverColorado
🔔 Subscribe for evidence-based scoliosis education, treatment updates, and patient stories from a specialist who treats scoliosis and hyperkyphosis every single day.
ABOUT DR. CHRIS GUBBELS:
Dr. Chris Gubbels is a scoliosis specialist at ScoliCare Denver with 18 years of experience and over 6,500 patients treated. He specializes in non-surgical treatment of scoliosis and hyperkyphosis using 3D corrective bracing (ScoliBrace) and scoliosis-specific rehabilitation (ScoliBalance). His philosophy: the right treatment at the right time is the difference between staying ahead of the curve and ending up in surgery.
#Scoliosis #ScoliosisDiagnosis #ScoliosisTreatment #ScoliosisDenver #SpinalHealth
Why Hunching Over Can Shorten Your Life
2026/07/23
📌 Book a free discovery call: https://scolicare.com/denver-colorado/
Severe hunching can reduce your lung function as much as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. That is not from smoking. That is just from the shape of your spine. If you have never smoked a single cigarette but you are hunched over, your posture could be doing what cigarettes would.
In this episode, I'm going to break down the three different types of hyper kyphosis, what causes each one, and exactly what treatment actually works for each type.
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Why Hunching Over Can Shorten Your Life
0:32 What is hyper kyphosis and why it's not just posture
1:06 The 3 types of hyper kyphosis explained
2:19 Scheuermann's kyphosis in teenagers
2:51 Age related structural kyphosis and disc breakdown
4:06 Why "just work on your posture" advice fails
6:22 Why elastic posture braces don't fix the problem
7:00 The flexibility window and why timing matters
7:59 Custom bracing versus general exercise
10:26 How x rays diagnose and measure hyper kyphosis
❓ QUESTIONS ANSWERED
What is hyper kyphosis?
Hyper kyphosis is an abnormal, excessive forward curve in the mid back, diagnosed when the curve measures beyond 50 degrees on a standing x ray. It can come from postural habits, a genetic condition called Scheuermann's disease, or age related disc and joint degeneration.
Can hyper kyphosis be reversed without surgery?
Yes, in many cases. Flexible postural curves often respond well to kyphosis specific exercise, while more rigid structural curves usually need custom corrective bracing combined with targeted exercise to reduce the curve and regain lost height.
Does posture really affect lung function?
Yes, research from the Framingham Heart Study found that severe hyper kyphosis reduces lung function by an amount comparable to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, independent of any actual smoking history.
📱 RESOURCES
Website: https://scolicare.com/denver-colorado/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ScoliCareDenverColorado
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scolicaredenvercolorado/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScoliCareDenverColorado
🔔 Subscribe for evidence-based scoliosis education, treatment updates, and patient stories from a specialist who treats scoliosis and hyperkyphosis every single day.
ABOUT DR. CHRIS GUBBELS:
Dr. Chris Gubbels is a scoliosis specialist at ScoliCare Denver with 18 years of experience and over 6,500 patients treated. He specializes in non-surgical treatment of scoliosis and hyperkyphosis using 3D corrective bracing (ScoliBrace) and scoliosis-specific rehabilitation (ScoliBalance). His philosophy: the right treatment at the right time is the difference between staying ahead of the curve and ending up in surgery.
#scoliosisawareness #ScoliosisTreatment #ScoliosisExercises #ScoliosisBrace #SpinalHealth
Before You Get Scoliosis Surgery, Watch This
2026/07/16
📌 Book a free discovery call: https://scolicare.com/denver-colorado/
If a surgeon just told you that your child needs scoliosis surgery, stop and read this first. Most patients never hear the real complication numbers, and most never learn that a "successful" surgery on an x ray does not always mean a happy, pain free patient. What you find out in the next few minutes could save you tens of thousands of dollars, months or years of recovery, and possibly a surgery that was never actually necessary.
In this episode, I'm going to break down the real complication rates behind scoliosis surgery, explain why success on an x ray is not the same as being fixed, and give you the exact questions to ask your surgeon before you ever agree to an operation.
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Before You Get Scoliosis Surgery, Watch This
1:00 Real scoliosis surgery complication rates
2:00 Why success on an x ray does not mean fixed
3:18 Why patients still hurt after a successful surgery
3:47 Problems that show up years after spinal fusion
4:31 What is adjacent segment disease
6:00 Why one fusion often leads to another
8:19 Real patient case, 33 degrees avoided surgery
9:25 Four questions to ask your surgeon before surgery
10:31 Why general physical therapy fails scoliosis patients
❓ QUESTIONS ANSWERED
What is the complication rate for scoliosis surgery?
Complication rates vary widely by scoliosis type, ranging from around 20 percent in idiopathic scoliosis in teens to as high as 44 percent in adult scoliosis and up to 78 percent in some adult surgical studies.
Why do patients still have pain after a successful scoliosis surgery?
A successful surgery usually means the x ray shows improved alignment and solid hardware, but that is not the same as being pain free or having full function. Many patients still struggle with stiffness, limited movement, and pain years later even when the surgery is considered a technical success.
What is adjacent segment disease after spinal fusion?
It happens when the spine, which is designed to spread movement across all its joints, gets forced to dump extra motion into the segments directly above and below a fusion. Those segments break down faster, which is why many fusion patients eventually need additional surgery years later.
📱 RESOURCES
Website: https://scolicare.com/denver-colorado/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ScoliCareDenverColorado
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scolicaredenvercolorado/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScoliCareDenverColorado
🔔 Subscribe for evidence-based scoliosis education, treatment updates, and patient stories from a specialist who treats scoliosis and hyperkyphosis every single day.
💬 ABOUT DR. CHRIS GUBBELS: Dr. Chris Gubbels is a scoliosis specialist at ScoliCare Denver with 18 years of experience and over 6,500 patients treated. He specializes in non-surgical treatment of scoliosis and hyperkyphosis using 3D corrective bracing (ScoliBrace) and scoliosis-specific rehabilitation (ScoliBalance). His philosophy: the right treatment at the right time is the difference between staying ahead of the curve and ending up in surgery.
#Scoliosis #ScoliosisTreatment #ScoliosisExercises #ScoliosisBrace #SpinalHealth
The Complete Guide to Adult Scoliosis After 50 (A Specialist Explains Everything)
2026/07/09
📌 Book a free discovery call: https://scolicare.com/denver-colorado/
Your doctor said arthritis. That's probably not wrong, but it's likely incomplete. The real reason your back pain keeps coming back after every treatment might be a condition almost nobody checks for after 50.
In this episode, I'm going to explain exactly what causes adult scoliosis, how to know if yours is likely to get worse, and which treatments actually work once you're past 50.
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Why your back pain keeps returning after every treatment
1:21 How common adult scoliosis really is after 50
3:22 The two types of scoliosis adults actually have
4:57 What your X-ray and MRI reports leave out
9:03 The risk factors that predict a curve will get worse
10:13 Where scoliosis pain in adults actually comes from
11:26 The single biggest predictor of correction potential
12:01 What real treatment results look like after 50
14:24 Two non-surgical treatments proven to work
18:37 Three steps to take from home right now
❓ QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Is scoliosis in adults the same as scoliosis in children?
No. In children, scoliosis develops because the spine grows unevenly. In adults, it is caused by degeneration, the spine breaking down under gravity over time, so it needs a different kind of treatment.
Can scoliosis get worse after you stop growing?
Yes. About 60% of adolescent curves keep progressing into adulthood, and the rate of adult scoliosis climbs with age, from roughly 9% of people over 40 to 38-40% by age 60 and up to 70% beyond 70.
Can adult scoliosis be treated without surgery?
Yes. Scoliosis-specific exercise and custom 3D bracing have both been shown to reduce pain and slow curve progression in adults, and in more flexible spines the curve itself can sometimes be reduced.
📱 RESOURCES
Website: https://scolicare.com/denver-colorado/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ScoliCareDenverColorado
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scolicaredenvercolorado/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScoliCareDenverColorado
🔔 Subscribe for evidence-based scoliosis education, treatment updates, and patient stories from a specialist who treats scoliosis and hyperkyphosis every single day.
ABOUT DR. CHRIS GUBBELS:
Dr. Chris Gubbels is a scoliosis specialist at ScoliCare Denver with 18 years of experience and over 6,500 patients treated. He specializes in non-surgical treatment of scoliosis and hyperkyphosis using 3D corrective bracing (ScoliBrace) and scoliosis-specific rehabilitation (ScoliBalance). His philosophy: the right treatment at the right time is the difference between staying ahead of the curve and ending up in surgery.
#Scoliosis #AdultScoliosis #ScoliosisTreatment #SpinalHealth #NonSurgicalScoliosis
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