Ahead of the Curve, The Scoliosis Experience

Do other people with scoliosis have similar experiences to yours? It’s a question that most of us ask ourselves occasionally. There’s so much value in hearing other people’s experiences and knowing that you aren’t alone! I recently got to chat with Kerry Green, LCSW. She’s a licensed therapist and coach, and also a spinal fusion warrior! In this free-flowing conversation, Kerry and I covered a lot...

Is your scoliosis impacting your sleep? The position you sleep in can affect your spinal curve and contribute to back and neck pain. If you’re waking up tired or in pain, you might need to change your sleep habits. This episode covers all the essentials of sleeping with scoliosis: Habits that help improve sleep quality How spinal elongation exercises can help with sleep Bedtime breathing exercises...

Feel like it’s impossible to keep up with a scoliosis exercise routine? Many people feel this way because they think spending hours in the gym every day is necessary to see results. But that’s not true! Just 10-20 minutes a day can be extremely effective in helping you build strength, improve your alignment, and reduce pain. This episode explains everything: Common reasons that people think they d...

Are you living with chronic pain? It can be an extremely frustrating and debilitating experience. But it’s important to remember that you’re not alone — and there are ways to address your pain. This episode is a discussion with Agnes Szymczak, a chronic pain coach and spinal fusion warrior. Our discussion covers many different aspects of this complicated topic: Agnes’ scoliosis story and experienc...

Does scoliosis affect your digestive system? Yes — probably more than you think! The truth is that your spinal curve can prevent your digestive organs from functioning optimally, which can lead to uncomfortable issues like heartburn and constipation. But you don’t just have to live with these symptoms. This episode includes all the information you need to support good digestion and feel better: Ga...

Who needs scoliosis bracing? Is it really an effective treatment method? Spinal bracing has been used to treat scoliosis for a long time, but it has evolved a lot since the early days. However, there are still many misconceptions about bracing, how it works, and who it can help. This episode is a detailed overview of scoliosis bracing: A history of bracing designs and treatment approaches for scol...

How can your scoliosis curve cause pain in other parts of your body besides your back? Because every part of your body is interconnected, there are many ways that your spinal curve can create pain. But once you understand the underlying cause of your chronic pain, you can treat it more effectively. This episode dives into scoliosis pain and covers some of the less obvious causes of pain and how to...

Wondering if there are ways to treat your scoliosis beyond just spinal elongation exercises? The answer is yes! In fact, there are several unconventional activities that I’ve found extremely effective in my own scoliosis care.  This episode explains how to incorporate some non-traditional treatments into your scoliosis care routine: The benefits of red light therapy for scoliosis care How lymphati...

Wondering whether you need to hire a scoliosis specialist? Many people with scoliosis seek physical therapy for help managing their back pain and other symptoms. But there are some unique benefits to working with a scoliosis-specific practitioner. This episode covers the main differences between general and specialized physical therapy for people who have scoliosis: My experience as a physical the...

Feeling like you can’t keep up with your scoliosis exercises? Everyone goes through phases where it’s not possible to stick with the normal routine. But even if your typical scoliosis exercises are out of reach, there are still plenty of things you can do. This episode is designed to help you find ways to keep caring for your spine when life happens. I’m covering all the essentials: Examples of ti...

Which is better for scoliosis — daily exercise or daily movement? Both of these habits can help reduce back pain and other scoliosis symptoms. But which one is better?  This episode includes all the essential information you need to answer that question for yourself: The definitions of movement and exercise The mental aspect of building a new habit How to incorporate more movement into your day Th...

Wondering whether you can benefit from working with a scoliosis expert? I have scoliosis myself, and I also work as a physical therapist and virtual coach for other people with scoliosis. In this episode, I’m giving you a look at my own scoliosis journey and some of the methods I use to help my clients: My scoliosis diagnosis and how it impacted my ballet dancing Why many PTs are uninformed about...

How does your pelvic floor affect your back pain? That’s just one of the questions that I discuss with Dr. Mary Grimberg, PT, DPT, OCS in this episode. We also talk about how scoliosis and pelvic floor issues impact pregnancy and postpartum and why it’s crucial for everyone to prioritize their pelvic floor health. This episode covers many aspects of pelvic health, scoliosis, and pregnancy:  How pr...

What’s the best way to manage those days when your scoliosis symptoms flare up? These high-symptom cycles can be painful and exhausting, and they take a toll on your physical and mental health. However, a few simple coping techniques can make these challenging situations a little easier. This episode covers some techniques to manage your physical pain and support your emotional well-being:  Intern...

Do you ever feel like your body is betraying you? Many people with scoliosis (and other chronic conditions) can feel like their body is an inhospitable place. And life can feel very difficult when your body doesn’t feel like home. This episode is a heart-to-heart discussion of some of the emotional and mental aspects of scoliosis — and how to overcome them: The mental/emotional consequences of chr...

Is there a connection between your spinal curve and your tongue physiology? It’s possible! Evidence shows that having a tongue tie can be linked to scoliosis — and treating a tongue tie can have a positive impact on scoliosis symptoms. This episode features my recent conversation with Dr. Laura Glazebrook where we talked all about this connection: Side effects of tongue ties Details about tongue t...

What does functional neurology have to do with scoliosis? Everything! Understanding how your brain perceives pain can help you find ways to reduce scoliosis symptoms and improve your overall well-being. This episode covers the basics of the link between the nervous system and scoliosis: Your brain’s “threat bucket” Information processing and pain The importance of visual input How movement and fle...

What does it really mean to have scoliosis? Is it all movement restrictions and worrying about curve progression? It doesn’t have to be. In this episode, I’m covering three of the most important things that every scoliosis patient should know about  Caring for scoliosis Movement and activity restrictions Curve progression Catch the full episode for all the details. Resources mentioned: Pilates for...

What are your goals for next year? I’m making some resolutions to improve my personal life and my scoliosis care. And I’ve got some goals for my work as well. This episode covers some of my goals and resolutions for 2024:  Listening to what my body needs Making time to see my friends Disconnecting (partially) from social media Cultivating hygge Catch the full episode for all the details. Resources...

What does the latest research say about scoliosis? It’s often hard to find scholarly articles about scoliosis, and it can be even more difficult to decipher what they say. This episode covers some of the latest scientific research about scoliosis in an easy-to-understand discussion about key topics:  The effects of Pilates and Schroth exercises How Basic Body Awareness Therapy can help  The connec...

What should you get as a holiday gift for someone with scoliosis? Scoliosis-specific tools, like a pull-up bar or wedges, are always good ideas. But those aren’t your only options. This episode includes a complete list of gifts that can make it easier to live life with scoliosis:  Tools and props for scoliosis Self-care items Health and wellness gifts Outside-the-box ideas Catch the full episode f...

Can a chiropractor treat scoliosis? Some chiropractors specialize in scoliosis care and can offer effective treatment plans. But many chiropractors don’t understand the unique challenges of a spinal curve or realize that traditional chiro treatments can be dangerous for scoliosis patients. This episode covers everything you need to know to decide whether to choose a chiropractor for scoliosis trea...

Want to get the best results from scoliosis exercises and adjustments? The key is to incorporate them into your daily routine. In this episode, you’ll learn how to build healthy habits that help you support your curve and minimize pain and other scoliosis symptoms. I’m showing you how to make scoliosis management a realistic part of your daily routine: The disadvantages of time-intensive scoliosis...

Is yoga or Pilates better if you have scoliosis? Both types of movement can help you manage your curve and improve your overall health. But one of them offers more benefits and fewer disadvantages — and this episode tells you why: The history of Pilates and yoga How they approach movement Breathwork that helps with scoliosis Which movement practice is better for people with scoliosis Catch the ful...

What can you expect from a small-group scoliosis coaching program? How do you know whether it’s the right fit for you? There are many ways to get support to help you manage your scoliosis better. And it’s important to choose the one that’s right for you. It’s easy to dismiss group programs as being “less personalized” than 1:1 coaching. However, these community-based programs have many unique bene...