A method for performing minimally invasive surgery to reduce lumbar scoliosis in a patient is disclosed. The method involves performing an orthopedic exercise or maneuver on a patient to reduce scoliosis, and anchoring the ilioposoas muscles to a region of the femur to permanently reduce the scoliosis. During the exercise or maneuver, a lumbar x-ray is taken on both sides of the patient to determine which side the scoliosis reduction is greatest. The side with the greatest reduction is the side where the surgery takes place.