The Scoliosis Experience

This year we decided that every month we would have workshop where we can talk about scoliosis, answer questions, and help those dealing with this diagnosis learn what to do for treatment.   In this episode we talk about what causes scoliosis, when to get help, what to do, and what size of curves are treated in what way.  Check it out and see what you can learn.  To view this on YouTube, click on...

This was an amazing episode to record.  Terry and Rachel share some fantastic information for all those with scoliosis.   Terry is the author of Straight Talk Scoliosis  which is a great resource book for those living with and dealing with scoliosis.  She has done extensive research on the effective treatments for scoliosis and is a huge patient and parent advocate.  Rachel's scoliosis story is tr...

One of the best things for those diagnosed with scoliosis is to have support from someone who knows what they are going through.  Madeline is an amazing teen who is looking to do just that.   She is competing in Miss Northern Utah Outstanding Teen, and has decided her Social Impact Initiative is supporting teenage girls who have been diagnosed with scoliosis.   She shares her story of having scoli...

Jennifer Lee is a licensed Drama Therapist in Boston and took the time to discuss her own experience with scoliosis, as well as how she helps those struggling with scoliosis and chronic pain.   She also gives some really helpful insights into what providers can do better when talking to their patients.  Most of the time, this can be a very influential interaction and we need to do better with maki...

Skylar Stratemeyer shares her experience with scoliosis and being diagnosed at a young age.  She was 10 years old when she was diagnosed with scoliosis and spondylolisthesis.  The fear and uncertainty surrounding this diagnosis was challenging and she talks about how she addressed this in her own life.  Skylar is a Drama Therapy student as well, and she describes how Drama Therapy can help those w...

Treatment of adult spinal deformities (scoliosis, kyphosis, spondylolisthesis, etc) can be complex and confusing.  Many patients are just told to wait until it is bad enough for surgery, and then something can be done.  Dr Steinhaus and Dr Brewster of the Intermountain Spine Institute take a different approach to treatment spinal deformities in adults.   In this episode, they talk about the techni...

In this episode I talk to Cindy Marti, who is one of my main mentors in scoliosis treatment.  I first met Cindy as a student in one of her courses with the Barcelona Scoliosis Physical Therapy School (BSPTS).  In that course I spend 10 days listening to her teach and was amazed with her knowledge and insights.   I finally got the opportunity to talk to her on the podcast and she shares some crucia...

In this episode, Skylar shares her story and experience on scoliosis surgery during college. She also describes what it is like living with spinal fusion.  Being a PT student at Rocky Mountain University in Provo, UT, she has learned about the body and spine and requested an internship at my clinic.  She wanted to learn more about scoliosis treatment.  She shares some great insight into the educat...

Most scoliosis is termed "Idiopathic" which means "of unknown cause".  Sometimes though, scoliosis is caused by other things that we do know.  In this episode, I talk to Izzy and her mother, Julie, about scoliosis that came on after a neurological cause.   Izzy was diagnosed with a Chiari Malformation which caused her scoliosis.  Her experience and journey through brain surgery and then scoliosis...

In this episode, I talk to Garrett Batty who is a Film Producer/Director.  He has an amazing story of perseverance through challenges related to scoliosis.   Garrett was born with a condition called Tetralogy of Fallot resulting in multiple surgeries.  He was also born with scoliosis which progressed to where he needed scoliosis correction surgery as a teen.   During this surgery, he was paralyzed...

Scheuermann's Kyphosis is a deformity of the spine where the vertebrae develop a wedge shape which causes more of a forward curve of the back.  It can cause pain because the muscles are overloaded in the forward posture.  Heather is a great example of living life even with back pain and spinal deformity.  She has seen great results with the Schroth Method for posture correction as well as manual t...

Ever since Strat was diagnosed with scoliosis, he has been fighting against it.  He has a great story of staying motivated and consistent in doing what he needs to do.  His mother, Heather, is a great example of a parent who supports her child in this challenging diagnosis.   One thing you will hear about in this episode is what Heather has done to help motivate Strat to do his exercises and wear...

In this episode, we talk to Lisa who is an amazing example of being active and strong even with being braced and having multiple surgeries and back pain.  Lisa was diagnosed with scoliosis as a teenager, like most of those with scoliosis, and her curve progressed to where she has needed a brace, then surgical fusion, and then a fusion later in life because of some nerve issues.   She has learned t...

In this episode, Kristen shares an amazing story of her daughter's journey with scoliosis.  Here are a few highlights of her story: What she did at diagnosis to advocate for her daughter. How she was able to stay consistent with bracing and scoliosis specific exercise.  How bracing went and challenges.  How they dealt with progression to surgery when they thought she was out of the woods.  How the...

In this episode, I talk to Eva Butterly from Dublin.  When I first started this podcast, I noticed there weren't many other scoliosis podcasts, but one kept popping up when I would search.  Eva started The Scoliosis Warrior Podcast to share what she has learned from her experience with scoliosis.  Eva was diagnosed with a fast progressing scoliosis curve as a young teenager. After 6 months of mism...

One of the hardest things for those diagnosed with scoliosis is being in a rigid scoliosis brace.  Most of the time, they feel alone, like they are the only one with scoliosis.   In this episode, Megan Glahn, who is a certified orthotist shares with us a way these kids can get connected with a mentor/friend who also has experience with bracing.  Being connected with someone who knows what you are...

Many of those living with scoliosis wonder what they are still able to do.  Alayne Wadsworth is a great example of reaching for the stars, even though you have the diagnosis of scoliosis.  She was diagnosed as a teenager and wore a scoliosis brace for 5 years! After coming out of the brace, she continued to dance and used this as a way to escape from the diagnosis of scoliosis.   During that time,...

Bracing is a very large component of many people's journey and experience with scoliosis.  Because of this, the orthotist is a key member of the team in treating scoliosis.  Jared Larson is an orthotist in Salt Lake City at Hanger Clinic.  He does more scoliosis braces than almost any other orthotist in Utah.  In this episode he discusses the process of bracing and what patients go through as they...

Lauren is the owner and founder of Higgy Bears.  This amazing brand and company was born out of an amazing scoliosis experience.  In this episode, Lauren shares her story of scoliosis and what led her to start Higgy Bears.   Higgy Bears is a company whose goal is to help kids who are braced, mostly with scoliosis, feel like they are not alone.  The bears have braces custom made to match the brace...

This is an awesome episode talking to Kristen Davis about Yoga Therapy, specifically for scoliosis.  For those who don't know what Yoga Therapy is, it is a way to use Yoga to do individualized treatment for scoliosis while improving the mind body connection.  She explains more about this and also about her own journey with it.  To contact Kristen, you can email her at bomiwellness@gmail.com to fin...

In this episode, we talk to one of our amazing adult scoliosis patients, Kristen Davis.  She is a great example of taking control of your health and your scoliosis while exploring different treatment options.  She discusses her experience as an adolescent as well as an adult and helps to shed some light on how to manage scoliosis throughout life.  She is also a Yoga Therapy instructor working spec...

In this episode, Dr John Smith shares his background with scoliosis, what made him interested in treating the spine, and what surgery is like.  He is an amazing surgeon and is well-known in the US.  He specifically explains who is appropriate for Vertebral Body Tethering, and what that surgery is like.  He also gives some great insight into spinal fusion for scoliosis correction.  Great episode fo...

As with most things in life, consistency is key for getting results with scoliosis treatment.  In this episode, I interview Isaac, who had a great result with scoliosis specific exercise.  He was diagnosed later in his teenage years, but was able to bring a progressive curve down from 25 to 18 degrees in a few months. The key to his success was being consistent! Check out his experience in this ep...

A common question I get recently is about VBT surgery.  Zaylei went through VBT surgery recently because of a progressive curve and she shares her experience of surgery, Schroth Therapy, and bracing, along with just the experience of being diagnosed with scoliosis.  This is a great episode for anyone diagnosed with scoliosis, as well as anyone considering surgery.  To find out more information abo...

Juvenile Scoliosis is not quite as common as Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.  In this episode I talk to Ava, who was diagnosed at age 6 and her father Ryan.  She gives us some great insights into what it is like to have to deal with scoliosis for many years.  She also talks about her experience with bracing and scoliosis specific exercise.  If you, or someone you know, have scoliosis, this is a g...