Common spine & neck concerns we treat
- Pain that limits walking, lifting, or sleep
- Stiffness, swelling, or reduced range of motion
- Sports injuries: acute or overuse
- Arthritis or post-traumatic joint changes
- Conditions other doctors couldn't resolve
Scoliosis
A sideways curve of the spine
Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine that develops most often during the growth spurt before puberty; mild cases need monitoring, and larger curves may need bracing or surgery. Same-day or next-week evaluations across eight LA-area offices.
See a specialist this week
Board-certified surgeons and podiatrists across eight Los Angeles area neighborhoods.
Book a visitOr call (323) 264-7600
What sets LAOSS apart
- Same- or next-day appointments at eight Los Angeles-area offices
- On-site imaging; PT coordinated with your in-network provider
- Conservative-first care, surgery only when needed
- Board-certified specialists, not generalists
Key takeaways
- Scoliosis is one of many spine & neck conditions our specialists evaluate every day.
- Mild scoliosis is monitored. Growing children with moderate curves are treated with a brace, and large or worsening curves may need surgery.
- When a procedure is the right call, we explain every option, recovery timeline, and return-to-activity milestone.
- On-site imaging at most offices and same-day appointments across eight Los Angeles-area locations.
What is scoliosis?
Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine that develops most often during the growth spurt before puberty; mild cases need monitoring, and larger curves may need bracing or surgery. Curves usually develop gradually and often without pain, so early evaluation matters as soon as a curve is noticed.
Treatment depends on the size of the curve and how much growing is left. Mild curves are monitored with periodic exams and X-rays. Moderate curves in growing children are treated with a brace, which helps keep the curve from getting worse. Large curves, or curves that keep progressing, may need surgery to straighten and stabilize the spine. In adults, treatment focuses on pain and function, starting with physical therapy.
Below, we walk through the anatomy involved, the symptoms and causes we most often see, how we diagnose scoliosis, and the full range of treatment options, from the simplest to the most involved.
Watch: Scoliosis
This condition is an abnormal curvature of the spine. It most often develops during the growth spurt just before puberty.
Inside the spine & neck.
The spine has 33 vertebrae stacked in five regions: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal. Between each vertebra sits a disc that cushions and allows motion. The spinal cord and nerve roots run through the canal, so when a disc bulges, a joint enlarges, or a vertebra slips, pain can radiate into the arms or legs.
Symptoms and causes of scoliosis
Common symptoms
- Uneven shoulders or waistline
- Visible rib or spine prominence when bending forward
- Back pain in adolescents or adults
- Reduced lung capacity in severe curves
Common causes
- Idiopathic (most common; cause unknown)
- Neuromuscular conditions (cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy)
- Congenital spinal malformations
- Adult degenerative scoliosis from spinal arthritis
How we diagnose scoliosis
You want answers, fast, and we're built to give them. Most patients leave their first LAOSS visit with a clear diagnosis and a written plan, not another referral chain.
Here's what your initial visit for scoliosis typically looks like:
- Detailed history: when it started, what makes it better or worse, what you've already tried
- Focused exam of the spine & neck: range of motion, stability, strength, specific provocation tests
- On-site imaging at most offices: X-ray for bone, MRI when the nerves or spinal cord need a closer look
- A written plan with options ranging from conservative care to surgical procedures, in plain English
Schedule your evaluation at the LAOSS office nearest you.
How we treat scoliosis at LAOSS
Once we've confirmed the diagnosis, the next step is matching the right treatment to your situation. We start with the least-invasive option that fits, and escalate only when it doesn't.
Conservative care
Step 1Conservative care first
Non-surgical options designed to relieve pain, restore movement, and avoid the OR when possible.
- Observation with periodic exams and X-rays
- Bracing for moderate curves in growing children
- Physical therapy and scoliosis-specific exercise
- Pain management for adults with degenerative scoliosis
Surgical care
When neededSurgical options when needed
Minimally invasive and reconstructive procedures performed by board-certified orthopedic surgeons.
- Spinal fusion with instrumentation for large or progressive curves
- Decompression, with or without fusion, for adults with nerve compression
- Referral to a pediatric spine center when appropriate
Why experience matters.
Why experience matters
Spine & neck care is highly technique-dependent. Volume, training, and judgment together determine the outcome you actually feel six months later.
- Precise diagnosis from imaging and exam
- Conservative-first care that avoids unnecessary surgery
- Surgical technique refined over thousands of cases
- On-site imaging + coordinated PT through your in-network provider
The LAOSS approach
Our spine & neck specialists move stepwise: start with the least-invasive option that fits your situation, escalate only when it doesn't.
- Same-day imaging at most offices
- PT coordinated in your insurance network
- Board-certified surgeons performing the procedures themselves
- Direct access to your specialist between visits
Am I a candidate?
If most of these match your situation, an evaluation with a spine & neck specialist is the next step.
You may be a candidate if
These signs typically point toward an in-person evaluation with a spine & neck specialist.
- Pain or stiffness in the spine & neck that lasts more than a few days
- Swelling, instability, or noticeable change in function
- Symptoms that limit walking, lifting, sleep, or work
- Previous treatment that didn't fully resolve the problem
- Imaging or exam findings that suggest an underlying issue
What evaluation includes
Your first visit is built to give you an answer the same day, not just another referral.
- Detailed history: onset, mechanism, what makes it better or worse
- Hands-on exam focused on the affected joint or region
- On-site imaging at most offices (X-ray, ultrasound)
- Clear plan with options ranging from conservative to surgical
- Same-day or next-day scheduling for any follow-up tests
ImportantGo to the emergency room or call 911 for loss of bowel or bladder control, numbness in the groin or inner thighs, or weakness in the arms or legs that is getting worse quickly. Seek urgent evaluation for sudden severe pain, new numbness, or any sign of infection (fever, increasing redness or swelling).
Your spine & neck recovery roadmap.
Recovery is rarely a straight line, but a clear plan with measurable milestones makes the path predictable.
- Days 0 to 14
Right after care
In the first two weeks we focus on protecting the spine & neck, calming inflammation, and restoring basic motion.
- Activity modification with clear do/don't guidance
- Ice or heat and pain control as needed
- Gentle range-of-motion within safe limits
- Follow-up scheduled to track healing
- Weeks 2 to 8
Rehabilitation
Targeted physical therapy rebuilds strength, mobility, and confidence in the spine & neck.
- Progressive strengthening and neuromuscular work
- Manual therapy and soft-tissue treatment
- Sport- or job-specific movement re-training
- Coordinated PT through your in-network provider
- Months 2+
Long-term care
Once function is restored, the focus shifts to keeping you there, and catching any recurrence early.
- Return-to-activity plan with measured benchmarks
- Home program tailored to your sport or job
- Maintenance visits or imaging if symptoms change
- Direct line back to your specialist if needed
Risks & considerations
What to weigh before you decide.
We talk through the risks and benefits with every patient. Informed consent is a conversation, not a form.
General considerations
Every orthopedic intervention carries a small set of standard risks. We screen, prepare, and monitor for these on every patient.
- Infection (rare with modern technique and prophylaxis)
- Bleeding or bruising at the treatment site
- Reaction to anesthesia or medications
- Need for additional procedures in some cases
Spine and neck considerations
Some risks are tied to the structures we're treating in the spine & neck. We discuss these in detail at your visit so you can weigh them against the benefits.
- Temporary stiffness or weakness during recovery
- Incomplete pain relief in a small percentage of cases
- Nerve or vessel irritation near the treatment area
- Need for follow-up therapy to fully restore function
Meet our spine & neck doctors in the Greater Los Angeles area
At LAOSS, our spine & neck specialists are board-certified and treat these problems every day. From image-guided injections and minimally invasive spine procedures to spine surgery when it is needed, our physicians bring decades of experience to every case. We have cared for Los Angeles patients since 2007, with one goal for each: less pain, better movement, and a return to the activities you love.
Meet your spine & neck specialists.
Compare up to 34 providers
Accepting new patients
Jose Antonio Acosta, MD
Pain Management & Rehabilitation
Speaks English and Spanish
Habla español
- Glendale
- Encino
- Valencia
- +1 more
Scoliosis care starts here
Don't let scoliosis be something you just power through. With same- or next-day appointments at multiple Los Angeles locations, you'll never wait weeks or months for answers. The same team handles your diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. Whether you need physical therapy, injections, or surgery, we plan it with you and coordinate each step.
Call or schedule online today to see a spine & neck specialist in Los Angeles.
Common scoliosis questions
- We start with a focused orthopedic exam and detailed history. X-rays are usually done in-office; MRI is ordered when the nerves or spinal cord need a closer look. Most patients leave the first visit with a clear diagnosis and a written plan.
Don't wait on pain.
Book a visit with a spine & neck specialist at any of our eight Los Angeles-area offices.
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21 specialists · 8 offices
Greater Los Angeles
On-site X-raySame visit
Most insurers acceptedIn-network