The Scoliosis Playbook: Curves, Causes, and Care with Dr. Lise Stolze

A scoliosis diagnosis can feel like a verdict — especially for a parent watching their child's spine curve, or an adult told their pain is "just" asymmetry. But what does that diagnosis actually mean, and what can be done about it? Dr. Brent Anderson sits down with Dr. Lise Stolze, a doctor of science in orthopedic physical therapy, Schroth educator, and owner of Stolze Therapies in Denver, Colorado, to unpack the real story behind scoliosis. Dr. Stolze breaks down the difference between structural (idiopathic) and functional scoliosis, explains how Cobb angle and vertebral rotation determine diagnosis and progression risk, and reveals why the curve you can't see from behind — the loss of lumbar lordosis in the sagittal plane — often matters more than the one you can. She and Dr. Brent walk through what parents should watch for during growth spurts, how bracing combined with the Schroth method changes outcomes for adolescents, and why postmenopausal women make up so much of her adult caseload. They also dig into surgical options like vertebral tethering and spinal fusion, and how people with significant curves can still run marathons, play golf, and live full, active lives. IN THIS EPISODE: The difference between structural and functional scoliosis, and why it matters for treatment How Cobb angle, vertebral rotation, and wedging are used to diagnose and stage scoliosis Why sagittal plane posture and lumbar lordosis loss predict disability more than the visible curve The evidence behind combining bracing with Schroth therapy for adolescents What causes adult-onset scoliosis and why postmenopausal women are especially at risk The core principles of the Schroth method: axial elongation, decompression, and rotational breathing How to weigh sport and activity participation against curve progression risk RESOURCES MENTIONED: Stolze Therapies, Scoliosis, Spine and Movement Arts (Denver, CO) Pilates Adaptations for People with Scoliosis, a course by Dr. Lise Stolze and Hagit Bedeshevsky, offered through Polestar Pilates SSOL Schroth educator training SOURCES & CITATIONS: Weinstein SL, et al. BrAIST (Bracing in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Trial), referenced by Dr. Stolze as a landmark study on bracing effectiveness in adolescents.  Schwab F, et al. Retrospective study of approximately 600–800 adult scoliosis patients identifying sagittal plane alignment, lumbar curve presence, and trunk shift as predictors of surgical need, referenced by Dr. Stolze. Use the code DRBRENT to save 10% off any Polestar Pilates Teacher Trainings sold on polestarpilates.com. Applies only to Pay in Full.