Hello friends, it's been a while. I return to bring you a blog that is very close to my heart.
June is Scoliosis Awareness Month in the U.S. Scoliosis is a condition of the spine that causes it to curve abnormally from side to side. There are several types, but the most common is adolescent idiopathic (no known cause) scoliosis. It is most common among pre-teen and teen girls, although boys get it too. You may have scoliosis. If not, you probably know someone who does… even if you don't know it.
Treatment for scoliosis range from exercises to body braces to surgery, usually in that order. Surgery is avoided if possible, because the surgery is quite invasive and serious. Surgery is even more invasive and serious for adults than it is for teens. I thought this would be the perfect time to share some advice, plus my own story.
I have lived with scoliosis my whole teen and adult life. So first, the advice, to kids with scoliosis (and kids who want to understand kids with scoliosis) from someone who knows:
1) DO THE EXERCISES. WEAR THE BRACE. Just do it. You can whine, curse, cry in pain and embarrassment, but do what the docs tell you to do. You may need surgery someday anyway, but you don't know that… and you want to do ANYTHING you can to prevent surgery. When you feel like taking the brace off early because you think it hurts, just think about how it will feel to have titanium rods screwed into your spine.
2) I know you may feel embarrassed, ashamed, and may think "Why me?" but you are NOT alone. Scoliosis is fairly common, especially among adolescent girls. Many famous people have scoliosis. Want to know who? http://www.scoliosis-world.com/famous_people_with_scoliosis.htm
3) You can have scoliosis and still have a life! :) Yes, it is very serious, but there is a lot YOU CAN DO to improve the way you feel. Good diet, rest and exercise are a must… I have found that exercise always makes my back feel better, even if I was reluctant to do it at first because of pain.
4) If it's OK with your doctors and your parents, try a TEAM approach. Consider help from other specialists… I have found that chiropractic adjustments and podiatrist-prescribed orthotics have greatly improved my quality of life and helped my spine stay healthy despite the curve. You can have a full and healthy life!
Here are some Web resources:
Scoliosis Research Society
National Scoliosis Foundation resources (includes fashion advice for girls with scoliosis)
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And now, if you want to read it: my own story with scoliosis. :(
I was diagnosed with scoliosis shortly before my 12th birthday. It was the most common type- adolescent idiopathic (no known cause) scoliosis. I went through many months of exercises and an extremely uncomfortable, but all-too-necessary plastic and foam brace. Unfortunately, the brace was so painful that I did not wear it as often as I should—I wore it for sleeping and during waking hours when I was at home, but I was supposed to wear it for a minimum of 23 hours a day.
My curve improved slightly at first, but then began to get worse again, and my parents decided not to pursue further treatment. I had back pain throughout high school and college, but it never stopped me from doing anything I wanted to do.
Fast-forward many years. After my son was born, I began to experience incapacitating lower-back pain, so I went to see another specialist. Turns out my scoliosis had gotten much worse and would eventually need surgery. However, a combination of back strengthening exercises, chiropractic care and orthotics for my shoes helped to alleviate the pain.
I am in my late 30s and have yet to have surgery. If you could see my X-rays, my spine looks like a reverse "S" from the back. I am actually VERY blessed to have lasted this long without serious spinal disk wear or other health issues. I anticipate having corrective surgery within 1-2 years. The surgery will likely be a massively invasive procedure (or procedures, more likely) that may or may not give me a good result. It will take a month just for the anesthesia to wear off, and I will be unable to lift anything heavier than a milk jug for several months. I plan to start exercising very seriously in the next month, and if it turns out I need surgery in a year, I will soon have to start donating my own blood to store up for the procedure.
AAAAUAUUUUUGGGGGHHH! 
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