September 18, 2018

Professional Dancer from Los Angeles Avoids Scoliosis Surgery

erika Scoliosis SOS Patients

Dancer from Los Angeles with Scoliosis

Faye Warren, now aged 29, was just 8 years old when she was diagnosed with scoliosis. Following her diagnosis, she wore a brace between the ages of 10 and 16, and she suffered from daily pain as a result of her spinal curvature. Faye was unable to continue with gymnastics, but fought hard to continue with her love of dancing. At school, carrying books and sitting down for long periods caused her great discomfort, and no form of chiropractic treatment or acupuncture seemed to make any difference. Faye was adamant that she wanted to avoid undergoing scoliosis surgery at all costs, and she was determined to find a treatment option that would allow her to continue dancing professionally. When Faye came across the Scoliosis SOS Clinic, she knew that our non-surgical treatment programme was exactly what she had been looking for. The small matter of our location – London is more than 5,000 miles from Los Angeles – didn’t deter Faye, and after making all the necessary arrangements, she booked herself in for a 4-week treatment course.  

How we help people with scoliosis

The exercises we teach here at Scoliosis SOS are designed to strengthen the muscles surrounding the spine, bringing the patient into a more central upright position. This prevents progression, improves cosmetic appearance, decreases pain, and gives our patients the best possible chance of avoiding spinal fusion surgery.  

Feedback from Faye

Here’s what Faye had to say at the end of her treatment course:
“I am so glad I found the Scoliosis SOS Clinic. Other treatments would help to temporarily decrease my pain, but it would always return. I knew I needed to find a permanent solution, and it was going to be a complete change of lifestyle. “I have learnt a great deal about my back and how I can help myself. My pain has been dramatically reduced and I have gained so much confidence. “My advice to other scoliosis patients looking to travel from overseas is not to hesitate – it is the best decision you will ever make. I cannot put into words how much better I feel.”
Book your Scoliosis SOS consultation today – we can provide remote consultations via Skype or telephone call if you can’t come to our clinic for an appointment.  

Further reading

September 10, 2018

Scoliosis Treatment at Home

erika Our Scoliosis Courses

Did you know that our therapists can provide ScolioGold therapy in your own home?

Scoliosis Treatment at Home

ScolioGold treatment is a non-invasive, exercise-based alternative for patients who are suffering from scoliosis and other spinal problems. The therapy course is specifically tailored to the size and shape of the individual’s curve, and it helps to:
  • Prevent further progression
  • Improve cosmetic appearance
  • Reduce pain
  • Give patients the opportunity to avoid spinal fusion surgery
The Scoliosis SOS Clinic is located in central London, and although patients do travel from all over the world to receive treatment here, we understand that it is not always possible for patients to travel to London. In these cases, our staff will travel to you.  

Home treatment with your ScolioGold therapist

Our highly-experienced therapists have travelled all over the world to treat patients in their own homes. The USA and East Asia are just two of the locations they have visited for this purpose. Although we encourage our patients to attend the clinic where possible, intensive one-to-one treatment on location has proven to be just as successful. Our ScolioGold consultants give the patient a full medical assessment over the telephone to confirm their suitability, and a personalised course of treatment is prescribed. If a patient decides that they would like to be treated in their own home, we then discuss suitable dates and make accommodation and travel arrangements. Patients are required to have some equipment sent to their home address in order to get the most out of their treatment.  

Who is eligible for home treatment?

Treatment on location is available to patients of all ages as long as they are able to follow instructions and have enough mobility to get up off the floor unaided. Our therapists will travel to most countries to treat patients, and have also travelled to other parts of the United Kingdom to treat patients who were unable to travel to London. ScolioGold treatment isn’t just for patients with scoliosis and hyperkyphosis – it is also suitable for patients with postural problems, as well as for those who suffer from chronic back pain.  

What level of treatment will be provided?

The amount of 1:1 treatment required will depend on the patient’s age and the severity of their spinal curve. This will be discussed prior to booking. On-location treatment means that our therapists can work around your school/work commitments. To discuss treatment options and arrange an initial telephone consultation, please contact us online or call 0207 488 4428.
September 6, 2018

Playing Musical Instruments with Scoliosis

erika Living with Scoliosis

Playing the violin with scoliosis

Standing for long periods and holding bulky musical instruments can cause problems for musicians with scoliosis. Heavy instruments, such as the cello and the tuba, can be especially difficult to play (not to mention carry around!) if you suffer from back problems. Playing the violin, meanwhile, has a tendency to place asymmetrical stress on the muscles down one side of the spine. But don’t be alarmed – your scoliosis doesn’t mean you have to give up your musical activities. Many people with scoliosis worry about having to give up the hobbies they enjoy, but here at Scoliosis SOS, we help patients to manage their symptoms and keep doing whatever they enjoy most. Your therapist will ensure that you are given adequate education in addition to your tailored exercise programme, and you should continue to see improvements even after you have left the clinic.

Book an Initial Consultation >

 

How ScolioGold therapy can help musicians

ScolioGold therapy is our own highly effective combination of non-invasive scoliosis treatment techniques. Among other things, this programme is designed to strengthen the muscles surrounding the spine, bringing the patient into a more central upright position while also decreasing pain and preventing further progression. We use a range of different methods to help our patients, including the Schroth technique, which has been used to successfully treat scoliosis patients for decades. Exercise and appropriate education gives our musically-inclined patients the tools and knowledge they need to manage their condition at home and avoid invasive operations that can rob them of the flexibility their instrument requires.  

Case Study: Jasmine from Northwood

One of our patients, 12-year-old violinist Jasmine Turner, feared that she would have to give up music because of her scoliosis. Violinists often have to twist into awkward positions while playing, and Jasmine’s rapidly-progressing spinal curve made this challenging. However, following a four-week treatment course at the Scoliosis SOS Clinic, she has managed to avoid spinal fusion surgery and get back to playing the violin. Read Jasmine’s story at getwestlondon.co.uk. If you’re interested in attending a ScolioGold treatment course, please call us on +44 (0)207 488 4428 or contact us online.
August 29, 2018

Treating Your Child's Mild Scoliosis

erika Our Scoliosis Courses

Mild Scoliosis in Child

If your child has recently been diagnosed with mild scoliosis, you have probably been given two options. Option 1 is usually observation, which means that your child will attend check-up appointments every 6 months so that the doctor can track the progress of their condition. In other words, do nothing and wait for the size of the curve to increase. Scoliosis does tend to be a progressive condition, and an adolescent with scoliosis will usually get worse very quickly, especially if they still have lots of growing left to do. So what’s option 2? Well, depending on your child’s age and the severity of their curve, they may be offered a scoliosis brace. Braces do vary, but they are usually hard, corset-style shells that must be worn for 23 hours a day in order to achieve the maximum benefit. Wearing a scoliosis brace can be an effective way of preventing the curve’s progression, but only if used in combination with exercise. If the patient doesn’t exercise, bracing can lead to muscle wastage, and patients often flop back into their scoliotic posture once they’re out of the brace because certain muscles weren’t being used and are no longer able to support the spine.

ScolioGold: A Third Option

The specific scoliosis exercises taught here at Scoliosis SOS are geared towards strengthening the muscles surrounding the patient’s spine. Our ScolioGold exercise programme works extremely well in combination with bracing – not only does it help patients to keep their muscles strong in preparation for coming out of the brace, it also educates them and helps them to understand their condition, enabling them to help themselves going forward. If your child has recently been diagnosed with scoliosis, please contact us today for advice and information on the treatment we provide.
August 15, 2018

Travelling with Scoliosis

erika Living with Scoliosis

Travelling with Scoliosis

If you have scoliosis, you have probably suffered from back and/or shoulder pain in some form over the course of your life. People with scoliosis often experience increased discomfort when they have to sit down for long periods of time. This means that long-haul flights and even long car journeys can become logistical nightmares – scoliosis-related pain can occur at any age, and even a mild spinal curve can cause a lot of pain.

Preparation is key!

When you book your flight, try to plan a schedule that will minimise your stress:
  • Consider taking a flight where there will be fewer people on board (and thus more room for you to lie across the seats if necessary).
  • Contact the airline prior to booking your flight and let them know that you suffer from back pain. They may be able to provide you with more information on which flights are least crowded.
  • If possible, try to limit your down time between in-flight connections or layovers.
  • If you can help it, don’t schedule a flight that will require you to wake up extremely early.

During the journey

Once you’ve done some preparation, you can start thinking about how you will keep pain at bay during the flight itself:
  • Some kind of lower back support – e.g. a back roll or a couple of pillows from the flight attendant – can be a good way to prevent slouching and keep your spine straight, minimising lower back pain.
  • Bring a pillow to support your neck. Travel pillows can often be purchased at the airport if you forget to bring your own.
  • If you are unable to position your legs at a right angle while seated on the plane, ask for something (pillows, blankets) to prop your feet up and keep your knees at a right angle. Doing so keeps stress off the lower back.
  • If you have long legs, request an exit row or bulkhead seat, as these generally offer more leg room.
  • Ask for an upgrade! Occasionally, airlines will have additional seats with extra leg room available in first / business class, and if you explain your situation, they may upgrade you free of charge.
  • Move around during the flight. Staying still for prolonged periods stresses the spine and can make back pain much worse.
  • See if there is room at the back of the plane to do some quick stretches – these can improve flexibility and ease stiffness. Just make sure you stay in your seat during turbulence!
If you are a Scoliosis SOS patient and you’re planning to go on a long car journey or flight, make sure you speak to your ScolioGold therapist and get some advice on what you can do to make your journey as comfortable as possible.

Contact Scoliosis SOS >

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