Is Back Surgery my Only Option?
Is back surgery my only option? This email question comes from 59 year-old woman from Kentucky. She’s lived with scoliosis her entire life, but after her latest doctor’s visit, she’s...
Idiopathic vs. Functional Scoliosis and Exercise
This question outlines the differences between idiopathic and functional scoliosis and how it dictates different exercise. Laura, a physical therapist in Iowa asks: “Do those with idiopathic scoliosis respond differently to movement...
Scoliosis Early Detection Screenings
I’m sure your mouth just dropped open in amazement to find out I’m not thrilled about early detection screenings. Well, I guess that’s not the total truth. Under the current system, I think it may do more harm than good to find out you have scoli if you are simply told to “watch and wait”. So you’re sent home with a sheet of paper from the school nurse telling your parents you have scoliosis. Your parents immediately freak out and rush to the pediatrician who then sends you to an orthopedist who again confirms you have scoliosis. He either gives you the therapy of “watch and wait” (i.e. do nothing, let your scoliosis get worse, so then he can do a huge, unnecessary surgery and put rods and screws in your back) or prescribes a hard plastic brace for you to wear. Unfortunately not all braces are created equal and most run-of-the-mill braces don’t produce positive results. Even if it does halt the scoli from progressing, the emotional harm it does on a teenager is horrible.
Q&A: Can I try Pilates for Scoliosis? Absolutely!
A concerned parent in Wisconsin wants to know if Pilates is a suitable, pro-active treatment for her daughter with scoliosis. She’s currently seeing a chiropractor an hour-and-a-half away and their...
Side Plank Theory for Scoliosis Raises Questions
A recent, widely-reported research article* reports that the act of doing a yoga side plank on one specific side will actively decrease the curves in people with scoliosis. As a...
