Pediatric Scoliosis Treatment in New York City
A gentle, hands-on approach to scoliosis in children, in Midtown Manhattan. Dr. Alex Kaminsky sees the spinal curve as a whole-body pattern. It's shaped by muscle tension, the movement of the skull bones and the flow of fluid around the brain and spine. His care aims to release that pattern, so the body can move back toward balance.
Dr. Alex Kaminsky, D.C. · Certified Craniosacral Therapist · Licensed chiropractor since 2000
Craniosacral therapy and supportive methods, fit to your child. Gentle, non-invasive care that works with your child's medical care, never a substitute for it.
Was your child flagged at a school screening?
New York schools screen girls in grades 5 and 7 and boys in grade 9 for scoliosis. They send a letter home if a follow-up is needed. If you get that letter, start with your pediatrician for an exam and any imaging. Then a visit with Dr. Kaminsky can help you decide if his gentle approach is a good fit along with your child's medical care.
Scoliosis as a whole-body pattern
In Dr. Kaminsky's approach, scoliosis in children does not start in the spine, even though it shows up there. He sees it as a pattern that forms when hard emotions or experiences get "stuck" in the body. Even mild physical or emotional trauma can do this. In his view, this sets off a chain reaction in the muscles that hold posture.
Muscles attach to bone through tendons. He believes that when some muscle groups shorten and stay that way, they put steady pressure on the spine. That pulls it off center. The spine itself is passive. Bone, disc and ligament can't bend or twist on their own. In this view, the muscles attached to the spine control its movement and position.
The pattern this approach looks for
- Stored emotions or trauma are seen as creating patterns of muscle tension.
- Short, tight muscle groups are seen as pulling the spine off center through their tendons.
- An imbalance in the nervous system is seen as keeping muscles in spasm.
- Releasing that pattern is meant to help the body return toward balance and alignment.
Many of these ideas are explained further on the How the Body Works page. It describes how the nervous system and the body's energy system are seen as one.
Why muscle tension is seen as the driver
This approach sees scoliosis forming when some muscle groups tighten and stay short, pressing on the spine. The key question is: what makes those muscles tighten in the first place?
Dr. Kaminsky's answer is trauma, or emotions and experiences that were never fully worked through or processed. He says these carry a negative "energetic charge." It gets stuck in the fascia and other tissues and upsets the muscles that control posture. In his view, the result is a locked holding pattern that pulls on one area of the spine. Over time, a second curve forms to balance the first. This is a reflex: the body works to keep the eyes and head as centered as possible.
- Muscles move the spine. The spine itself is passive.
- Tight muscle groups on both sides are seen as holding the curve in place together.
- Muscles can stay tight even without pain, including hidden trigger points and slow shortening.
- Balance between the "rest and digest" and "fight or flight" sides of the nervous system is seen as helping muscles let go.
The craniosacral mechanism and fluid flow
The autonomic nervous system keeps the body's functions in balance, including the muscles. It has two sides. In scoliosis, this approach describes an imbalance between them. That imbalance keeps some muscle groups tight and in constant spasm, pulling the spine off center.
- Cerebrospinal fluid is described as the driving force of the craniosacral system.
- The body's energy system is seen as overlapping with the nervous system.
- Problems in that system are seen as affecting muscle tone and posture.
- Restoring flow is meant to support muscle and skeletal balance.
Because the head always tries to stay upright and level, this approach notes that an "S"-shaped curve is the most common pattern. It forms as the body makes up for the first curve.
Skull movement, fluid flow and spinal alignment
In this approach, the small movements between the skull bones at their seams (sutures) matter a great deal. Dr. Kaminsky describes this motion as helping pump cerebrospinal fluid through the body. This fluid is made in a part of the brain called the choroid plexus.
When that motion is limited, he describes less fluid flow, which can affect muscle tone and posture. He cites two osteopathic doctors. Dr. William G. Sutherland described natural movement between the skull bones in the 1930s. Decades later, Dr. Harold I. Magoon wrote that "spinal scoliosis and cranial scoliosis are inseparable."
What this means for care
- Pressure during birth is seen as able to jam the skull's seams and limit their motion.
- Limited skull movement is seen as reducing fluid flow and overall balance.
- Cranial and spinal scoliosis are seen as inseparable.
- Restoring skull movement is meant to help release muscle tension and support alignment.
To work toward reversal, this approach has three goals. First, help the body release stored trauma and stuck emotions. Second, loosen the tight muscle groups. Third, make sure the skull bones move freely and fluid flows well.
Baby scoliosis and early checks
In Dr. Kaminsky's view, most babies are not born with a curved spine. He believes baby scoliosis most often traces back to labor and delivery. He also believes babies diagnosed with it most often have a misaligned skull from birth.
He describes how pulling, twisting and pressing on a baby's head during birth can jam the skull's seams. This can throw off the head and neck, slow fluid flow and add to spinal curving. A careful hands-on check of the head helps him look for this. When he finds jammed or overlapping skull bones, the aim is gentle release and realignment. He expects the spine will then straighten. For gentle newborn care, see infant craniosacral therapy.
- Pressure during delivery is seen as able to jam the skull's seams.
- A misaligned skull is seen as influencing spinal curves.
- Gentle realignment of the skull is meant to help the spine straighten.
- A careful hands-on check guides each child's plan.
Signs of infant scoliosis
Dr. Kaminsky looks for uneven features in the head and face. As a parent, you might ask yourself:
- Does one ear stick out more than the other?
- Is one ear higher than the other?
- Is the forehead uneven?
- Does the mouth look even on both sides?
- Is the jaw uneven?
- Does one side of the head look flatter than the other?
- Does the baby's head look uneven?
- Is one eye smaller than the other?
- Are the nostrils shaped differently, or is one smaller than the other?
Did you answer yes to any of these? If your child also has a scoliosis diagnosis, this approach suggests the skull's seams may be jammed or overlapping. A flat spot on the head can also be a sign of plagiocephaly.
A scoliosis-focused approach in Midtown Manhattan
Dr. Kaminsky knows the standard options for scoliosis. These include CLEAR, Schroth, all bracing systems and all surgical options, including vertebral body tethering (VBT). His own approach focuses on the trauma, emotional and cranial factors he believes must be addressed to change the spine. His goal is complete curve reversal.
He has studied and worked with scoliosis patients for many years. He reports halting curve progression in three children, ages 11, 13 and 15. They received care over four months, six months and a year and a half. A visit is the best way to learn if his approach is right for your child.
For an exercise-based option, see the Schroth Method program. It pairs Schroth exercises with gentle craniosacral therapy. Scoliosis found in adults is covered on our adult scoliosis page.
Related reading
- Craniosacral Therapy: the main gentle, hands-on method used in this work.
- Myofascial Release: soft-tissue work for tight muscles.
- How the Body Works: the nervous system, cerebrospinal fluid and the craniosacral system explained.
- Schroth Method: exercise-based scoliosis care paired with CST.
- Gentle care with no cracking from a chiropractor in Midtown Manhattan, for kids, teens and adults.
Results on this page reflect Dr. Kaminsky's experience and reports. Results vary from person to person and are not guaranteed. Craniosacral therapy is gentle and non-invasive, and it works with medical care. It does not diagnose, cure or replace medical exams, monitoring or treatment of scoliosis. Always keep your child under a doctor's care.
Pediatric scoliosis: common questions
What does Dr. Kaminsky believe causes scoliosis?
He sees scoliosis as a whole-body pattern. In his view, hard emotions, experiences or trauma get stored in the body. Then some muscle groups shorten and stay in spasm. Muscles attach to the spine through tendons, so that steady pull draws the spine off center.
How is craniosacral therapy used for pediatric scoliosis?
Care is gentle and hands-on. It starts with a check of the skull and a careful hands-on exam. Then comes craniosacral therapy and other supportive methods. These aim to release tight muscle groups, restore skull movement and support healthy fluid flow and spinal balance.
What signs of infant scoliosis should parents look for?
Dr. Kaminsky looks for uneven features in the head and face. These include one ear sticking out or sitting higher, an uneven forehead or jaw, or a mouth that doesn't look even. Other signs are one eye or nostril smaller than the other, or one side of the head looking flatter. If several signs appear and a child has a scoliosis diagnosis, the skull's seams may be involved.
My child was flagged at a school screening. What should we do?
New York schools screen girls in grades 5 and 7 and boys in grade 9. If you get a letter, see your pediatrician first for an exam and any imaging. After that, a visit here can help you decide if this gentle approach fits with your child's medical care.
Is this approach a guaranteed cure for scoliosis?
No. Craniosacral therapy is gentle and non-invasive, and it works with medical care. Results vary from child to child, and no result is guaranteed. It does not replace a medical diagnosis, monitoring or treatment. A doctor should check and monitor scoliosis, especially in growing children.
Does Dr. Kaminsky know about conventional scoliosis treatments?
Yes. He knows the standard options, including CLEAR, Schroth, all bracing systems and surgical options such as VBT. His own approach focuses on the trauma, emotional and cranial factors he believes affect the spine.
Do you have after-school appointments?
Yes. The office is open Monday to Thursday until 9pm and Friday until 6pm, by appointment. Call or text 212-328-1180 to find a time.
Do you take insurance?
The office doesn't take insurance. You'll get an itemized superbill to send to your plan. HSA and FSA payments are accepted.
Talk with Dr. Kaminsky about your child
Call or text the office, or send a request. The office will follow up about your questions, open times and whether this gentle approach is a good fit for your child. The office is at 36 East 36th Street, Suite 201 in Midtown Manhattan.