Ahead of the Curve, The Scoliosis Experience

Tired of scoliosis limiting your life? This week on Ahead of the Curve, I talk about safe spinal elongation techniques for scoliosis, which I believe can help to alleviate 80% of scoliosis-related issues.  You’ll hear why some common methods for spinal elongation might be doing more harm than good, including inversion tables.  I’ll also give you some very simple ways that you can work on elongatio...

This week on Ahead of the Curve, I’m joined by Kerry Green for another Curve Convo.  We dive into specific recommendations for people with scoliosis including dining room chairs and sprots bras.  You’ll also hear us talk about scoliosis curves and their progressions as well as how to manage them with exercise and other techniques.  Lastly, you’ll hear us talk about our current fitness routines and...

In this week’s episode of Ahead of the Curve, I’m talking all about the common issue of winging scapula associated with scoliosis.  You may have heard the common cue of “shoulders down and back,” to help with winging scapula, but that could actually be making your winging scapula worse with scoliosis.  You’ll hear me talk about specifics as to why winging scapula occurs with scoliosis and give you...

Can you weightlift with scoliosis? Absolutely! But there are some important things to keep in mind before you start.  In this week’s episode of Ahead of the Curve, I’m talking all about weightlifting with scoliosis and why it’s vital for those living with scoliosis. You’ll hear about the benefits of weightlifting for scoliosis as well as common exercises that you may need to modify.  I’ll also pro...

Whether you're dreaming of a far-off destination or simply planning a weekend getaway, don’t let your scoliosis symptoms stop you. In this week’s episode of Ahead of the Curve, you’ll hear invaluable insights that I learned from my recent trip to Australia.  You’ll hear how I managed my scoliosis symptoms on a 15-hour flight, the challenges of lost luggage, and the tools & techniques I ut...

We have another Curve Convo with Kerry Green on this episode of Ahead of the Curve.  In this episode, we talk about our holiday travels, coping with scoliosis during travel, and an exciting new addition to Meg’s family - a puppy! You’ll also hear how Meg dealt with lost luggage on her trip to the other side of the world, our holiday wish lists, and get insightful tips for managing your scoliosis d...

In this week’s episode of Ahead of the Curve, I am again joined by Kerry Green, a licensed therapist and scoliosis advocate, for another chapter of our Curve Convo.  In this conversation, we discuss supplements, participating in functional patterns as our workout routine, and travel tips for maintaining spinal health on long flights.  You'll also hear about essential tools for workouts and ho...

In this week’s episode of Ahead of the Curve, I am again joined by Kerry Green, a licensed therapist and scoliosis advocate, for another chapter of our Curve Convo.  In this particular conversation, we talk about trying new workouts, specific tips for doing Pilates with scoliosis, and the emotional side of scoliosis. You’ll hear practical tips on managing anxiety, improving body awareness, and our...

Does sleeping with a nightlight cause scoliosis? That’s just one of the questions that I discussed recently with my friend and nervous system expert Kerry Green, LCSW. This chapter of Curve Convos is all about answering questions we’ve received from listeners: Whether rebounding exercise is safe for scoliosis and spinal fusion How to safely use a vibration plate Exercises that are better/worse for...

Feeling bored with your exercise routine? Keeping the same workout routine for months or years can sap motivation and make exercise less effective. In this episode, I’m sharing advice on how to shake up your exercise routine in a scoliosis-safe way: Reasons why workouts start to feel boring Why brain engagement is important during exercise Tips for overcoming exercise boredom How to incorporate sc...

Are sports and PE classes dangerous for kids with scoliosis? In most cases, physical exercise is beneficial for children with scoliosis. In this episode, I’m covering some of the most common questions I get from parents of kids who have scoliosis: Why physical activity is important for people with scoliosis Which sports are best for spinal health Activities that should be approached with caution R...

Is your scoliosis care plan customized for your unique curve? The shape and severity of your curve should dictate how you exercise and care for your spine. In this episode, I’m explaining how I develop scoliosis exercises and treatment plans for clients with different types of curves: The different types of scoliosis curves Why certain movements and exercises are best for specific curve types How...

Have you ever felt guilty or ashamed about your scoliosis? It’s actually a common experience for many people with scoliosis! And there are several ways to respond to it, which is one of the topics I discussed with Kerry Green, LCSW, in this month’s edition of Curve Convos. We also covered many other aspects of living with scoliosis: Finding a better perspective on aging Feeling shameful, fearful,...

Do you have a chronic condition in addition to scoliosis? If so, you’re not alone. It’s actually quite common for people with scoliosis to experience other conditions that cause chronic pain, physical limitations, and mental health challenges. I recently talked with Kim Moscatello about her experience with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and her work with clients who have various chronic conditions. Our co...

Have you ever tried water therapy for scoliosis? Water-based exercises can help you elongate and strengthen your spine in a fun, comfortable way. In this episode, I explain how to use pool time for scoliosis care:  The benefits of water-based exercise for scoliosis The science behind water therapy The best water exercises and rotations for scoliosis How to build core strength, balance, and coordin...

How do hormones affect your scoliosis curve? The hormones in your body can impact your scoliosis symptoms and even accelerate curve progression. This can be especially true for women, who experience significant hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. However, there are several ways to counteract those hormonal effects and prevent your curve from progressing. This episode covers...

Which summer activities are good for scoliosis? There are plenty of dire warnings about the dangers of roller coasters and jet skis for people with scoliosis. But the truth is that summer offers far more opportunities than restrictions. In this short and sweet episode, I’m sharing a bit about all the summer activities that can be safe, enjoyable, and even beneficial for scoliosis: Hiking outdoors...

How can you be comfortable at the pool with spinal fusion? Can you safely perform myofascial release if you have scoliosis? Can you pass scoliosis to your kids? These are just a few of the topics I recently discussed with my good friend Kerry Green, LCSW. I always learn so much talking with Kerry, and this month’s Curve Convos discussion was no different. Our conversation ran the gamut: Items we’v...

Ever feel extra sore after an exercise session? Your joints might be jammed! And the best way to reduce pain and encourage optimal movement is to unjam those joints as soon as possible. This episode is all about jammed joints. I’m explaining how they happen and what to do about them. Listen for details: The difference between tight muscles and jammed joints How a jammed joint impacts your movement...

Would scoliosis coaching benefit you? It helps to hear what a coaching program is actually like. In this episode, I’m talking with Laura Figueroa about her experience in The Scoliosis Strength Collective. Our conversation covers all the essentials: How to know which scoliosis care program is right for you The challenges of exercising consistently Developing a self-care mindset How to identify self...

Are you so focused on healing your scoliosis that it’s doing more harm than good? If you’re not seeing the results you want from your scoliosis care, it’s easy to think that you should just “try harder.” But doing so often has a negative effect.  This short episode covers mindset from a different perspective: How being too focused can be detrimental Recognizing mindset challenges impacting your re...

Is cycling safe if you have scoliosis? What about doing twisty yoga stretches? These are just a few of the topics I recently discussed with Kerry Green, LCSW. Kerry is a nervous system expert who has scoliosis, and she provides fascinating insights into living with chronic pain and other scoliosis symptoms. I always learn so much during our conversations. This episode of Curve Convos with Kerry co...

Are your eyes contributing to your back pain? They might be! But there’s an upside — strengthening your eye muscles can help reduce back pain and improve your mobility. This episode is all about how the connection between your cranial nerves and scoliosis: Why a holistic approach to care is so effective The body’s hierarchy of self-protection The connection between your cranial nerves and other bo...

What should you do when you feel like you aren’t seeing results from scoliosis physical therapy? Change your approach! Every person is completely different, and it’s crucial to find a treatment approach that works with your body and addresses your unique needs. That’s just one of the things I’ve learned from working with Anna Hartman, founder of MovementREV. She’s my guest in this episode, and we’...

What’s the best way to care for your scoliosis curve? It all comes down to understanding the basics of curve care. Once you know how you want to support your spine, you can incorporate effective movements and habits into your daily routine. This episode covers the four scoliosis basics:  Elongation Stacking Breath Stabilization Using these basics to reduce pain, improve posture, and increase mobil...