Here at Scoliosis SOS, we pride ourselves on our ability to provide a specifically tailored treatment plan, which addresses each individual case for the best possible results. For this reason, we have attracted a high number of patients with very specific concerns relating to their physical abilities and quality of life, including many individuals from the dance community.
For those who enjoy various disciplines of dance, being diagnosed with a spinal condition can be prove to be doubly worrying, due to the possible implications that this could have on their physical ability. Whether dance is simply a much-loved hobby, or even a choice of career, the thought of being unable to follow their passion is often more concerning for dancers with scoliosis, than the medical implications associated with a curved spine. As a form of activity which places great emphasis on posture and physical flexibility, the prospect of having these restricted by the condition itself, or by the effects of surgery, can make the period following initial diagnosis a particularly confusing and overwhelming time for dancers. Often, it can seem like a no-win situation, with the prospects of permanent surgery and the progression of the condition, sometimes seeming equally daunting. 
For these reasons, many dancers seek out an effective alternative to the more commonly prescribed scoliosis treatments, in a bid to prevent the progression of their spinal issues, without resorting to surgery. This is what has led many dancers to Scoliosis SOS, where they have managed to find a lasting treatment which places specific emphasis on movement and flexibility, for a result that is liberating, not limiting.
Here are Some of the Dancers we Have Helped:
Emily Hollingsworth
Emily was diagnosed with scoliosis at the age of 15, after noticing her uneven shoulders in a mirror, and visiting her GP. After receiving an X-ray, Emily was told that she had a Cobb angle of 34 degrees, as well as spinal rotation which caused her pain and restricted breathing. After having the possible impact of surgery explained to her, Emily felt torn, as the physical implications of both her condition and surgery, weighed heavily upon on her mind.
Soon after, Emily was brought to our clinic by her father, and began her 4 week, intensive treatment programme. Following her treatment, Emily not only found that her lung capacity had increased, but that her Cobb angle had fallen to just 12 degrees. This meant she not only gained a huge amount of confidence due to the aesthetic results of her treatment, but also peace-of-mind, as she was able to return to the dance studio!
Amy Hossain
Like many of the dancers we have treated, Amy Hossain began dancing at a young age, competing in ballroom competitions across Europe. In spite of her talent and determination, her ability to progress as a dancer was soon called into question, after she was diagnosed with scoliosis, and confronted with the possibility of surgery. This was made even worse, when she was told that her Cobb angle had progressed to 40 degrees. 
In a bid to reduce the pain and physical imbalances cause by her condition, Amy began receiving treatment at our clinic, which has allowed her to return to the dancefloor. It has not only led to a reduction in the pain that Amy was experiencing, but has also provided lasting knowledge about her condition, which she has used to maintain the results of her treatment. To find out more about Amy’s story, read her newspaper feature here.
Mia Latham 
With a passion for breakdancing, Mia performs moves which would be highly challenging for anyone, let alone an individual diagnosed with scoliosis. When she was first diagnosed at the age of 11, she was told, that surgery would be the only option to correct her two 45 degree curves (thoracic & lumbar). The prospect of undergoing major surgery at such a young age was worrying for both Mia herself, and her parents, who began performing online research in the hope of finding an alternative.
For Mia and her family, the possible restrictions and risks of surgery were a daunting and unappealing prospect, which is what brought her to our clinic. With the help of our dedicated therapists, Mia was able to correct and manage the symptoms of her condition without resorting to surgery, and without restricting her desired flexibility.
If you’re a dancer who would like to find out more about alternative treatments for your spinal condition, then please feel free to get in touch with our team today!
Scoliosis refers to a sideways (lateral) curvature of the spine, but when your spine curves forward, this is often referred to as a Dowager’s Hump. If you have Osteoporosis of the spine (a medical condition in which the bones become brittle and fragile from loss of tissue), your vertebrate can fracture, causing Kyphosis (an excessive outward curvature of the spine, causing hunching of the back) or a spinal back hump.

Where did the term originate from?

Because so many women suffered from untreated bone loss, Kyphosis was mainly associated with older women. Since the definition of dowager is “dignified elderly women”, and due to the fact that many older women developed this particular condition, people began to refer to the curvature as a ‘dowager’s hump’ – regardless of the sufferer’s age or gender.

What Causes Dowager’s Hump?

When your spinal vertebrae are impacted by osteoporosis, they can become brittle, and fracture as a result. This is more common with patients who bend forward at the waist, putting pressure on the spine. There are 3 types of spinal fractures: Wedge Fractures, Biconcave Fractures and Crush Fractures. The primary cause for developing Dowager’s hump, is a wedge fracture, which refers to the collapsing of the front vertebrae. This causes the vertebrae to tip forward, which results in the spine to becoming misaligned. As more and more vertebrae collapse, the sufferer’s back will become increasingly bowed. Quite often, you won’t realise that you have a wedge fracture, as they are a silent abnormality which rarely cause pain. If you notice slight rounding of your back, however, it’s important that you seek medical help before it increases in severity. 

Can Dowager’s Hump be Treated?

If you suffer from Dowager’s Hump, you’ll be happy to know it can be treated without the need for surgery. Here at Scoliosis SOS, we treat a variety of spinal conditions using our carefully developed ScolioGold method, including those suffering from kyphosis. This treatment programme is our own, unique approach to spinal therapy, which combines a wide range of proven, non-surgical techniques, to provide the best possible results for our patients.
If you wish to learn more about the methods included in our ScolioGold treatment programme, click here. To book an initial consultation, or to approach us with any additional questions, simply click here to get in touch.
Here at Scoliosis SOS, we have spent a number of years developing our sophisticated ScolioGold treatment method, to ensure that you receive an unrivalled level of treatment success, that is not available anywhere else. The Schroth Method has been an essential part of our non-surgical treatment process since our clinic first opened, and remains a vital aspect of our treatment programme. 
Unfortunately the Schroth Method has its limitations, so we have combined this treatment approach with an array of other scientifically-proven and established techniques, in order to ensure that every aspect of each patient’s condition is fully addressed. 
One such technique is the FITS Method, which stands for Functional Independent Treatment for Scoliosis. This method usually consists of an individually adjusted programme of exercises, depending on the degree of spinal curve and following a clinical examination of a patient.

Why the FITS Method is included in our treatment programme

The FITS Method consists of two stages, the detection and elimination of myofascial restrictions, and the construction of a series of new corrective posture patterns in everyday activities. The FITS method is an individually tailored therapy, which can be used on patients of any age, with varying degrees of Cobb Angle. It is required that patients take an active part in the process of therapy, by ensuring that they maintain their correct posture in everyday activities, be it at the work desk, or at home watching television.
In scoliosis treatment, the main aim is to correct the primary structural curve in three planes, which is why we include the FITS method in our ScolioGold programme. As previously mentioned, the technique has been thoroughly researched and scientifically proven, which means that each patient can be assured that they are in safe and experienced hands when receiving their treatment. 
If you would like to learn more about the methods included in our ScolioGold treatment, please click here. For those with further questions, and those who would like to book a consultation please click here to get in touch today.
Living with scoliosis can be an ordeal even in the best circumstances, but managing a spinal curve while simultaneously going through puberty and striving to stay on top of schoolwork is a challenging feat indeed. Unfortunately, since most cases of idiopathic scoliosis develop during adolescence, many young people are forced to learn how to live with scoliosis just as they’re also trying to navigate the general turbulence that tends to accompany one’s teenage years.
Here at the Scoliosis SOS Clinic, we’ve helped countless teenagers and pre-teens to manage their scoliosis and achieve a higher quality of life. Today, we’d like to share the story of a young woman from Cardiff named Louiselle, who came to our clinic for treatment around ten years ago. Back then, Louiselle was an intelligent, high-achieving 14-year-old girl who was suffering enormously due to her dramatically curved spine.
Louiselle
Photo of Louiselle by David Hurst (originally published in the Western Mail, 10 September 2007)
Louiselle’s scoliosis first began to assert itself when she was just 9 years old. Unfortunately, doctors misdiagnosed her early symptoms, dismissing her pains as ‘growing pains’ and incorrectly attributing her compromised breathing to asthma. When Louiselle hit puberty, things got even worse: she experienced heavy, painful menstruation and a dramatic reduction in her ability to take part in activities such as swimming and running. She was eventually diagnosed with scoliosis when she visited the doctor for a minor chest infection, but this diagnosis sadly did not signal the end of Louiselle’s suffering.
At the age of 14, Louiselle was admitted to hospital, where an X-ray revealed the true severity of her spinal curve:
Scoliosis X-Ray
Soon afterwards, she was told that the best course of action would be to wait for another 6 months, then go back to the hospital for a surgical procedure that would involve the removal of several ribs and the insertion of metal rods into her spine. This is a terrifying prospect for anyone, let alone a 14-year-old, but Louiselle was not offered any alternative.
As time passed, Lousielle’s severe abdominal pain continued to worsen. She became addicted to painkillers, and was bullied in school for her increasing reliance on medication. To make matters even more desperate, medical professionals often dismissed her symptoms entirely, suggesting that she was simply ‘making a fuss’. At one point, Louiselle was referred to a psychologist in the hope that this would help her to overcome her ‘imaginary’ pain.
And then, one day, a glimmer of light appeared at the end of the tunnel. Louiselle’s mother was watching BBC Breakfast one morning when she witnessed this interview with Erika Maude, founder of the Scoliosis SOS Clinic:
Not long after that, Louiselle and her mum arrived at our clinic, which at the time was located in Suffolk. Lousielle was desperately hoping that our exercise-based treatment would help to relieve her suffering and enable her to live well without the need for surgical intervention; not only was the pain practically unbearable at this point, she was also missing a lot of school time (and just before her GCSEs!) in order to get treated.
Fortunately, this last-ditch attempt to beat scoliosis was not in vain. Here is what Louiselle looked like before and after her 4-week course at the Scoliosis SOS Clinic:
Scoliosis Before & After Treatment
Here’s what Louiselle had to say after completing her scoliosis treatment course:
“Scoliosis SOS were able to explain all my symptoms. They could sympathise with me, and I really felt I was around people who could related to my experiences! After my trip to the Clinic, my legs now feel like they’re the same length. I am walking straighter and taller, and – importantly – I don’t feel like the freak that the surgeons made me feel like before. The way I was seeing myself was that image of a twisted spine: completely wrong.”
Scoliosis SOS helped Louiselle to achieve a better posture, kick the painkillers, and see her own body in a far more positive way – and all without surgery! Back in Cardiff, Louiselle’s story was featured in two local newspapers (the South Wales Echo and the Western Mail), and Louiselle herself went on to earn a degree in psychology. She still comes back to see us every so often – she even appeared alongside Erika on BBC Breakfast in 2010 – and we were overjoyed to learn that she is now set to embark upon a career that will see her helping people just like her younger self to live with scoliosis.
If you or a loved one suffer from scoliosis and you’re looking for an alternative to spinal fusion surgery, we at the Scoliosis SOS Clinic may be able to help. Click here to arrange a consultation.
Scoliosis Symptoms
 
Scoliosis is a debilitating condition that often has a very adverse impact on the lives of those it affects, which is why it is important that the scoliosis symptoms are spotted early. Many scoliotics suffer from chronic pain, limited flexibility, and muscular imbalance, and more severe cases of spinal curvature can even lead to even harsher scoliosis symptoms, such as compromised breathing. Furthermore, the medical treatments that some scoliosis sufferers undergo in order to correct their curved spines frequently make for rather unpleasant experiences; back braces can be uncomfortable and restrictive, while spinal fusion surgery is a daunting prospect that carries several risks and tends to necessitate a long recovery period even when it goes perfectly.
However, it is possible to avoid all of this hardship, and your chances of doing so are greatly increased if your scoliosis symptoms are spotted, diagnosed, and treated as early as possible – that is, before the curve has a chance to progress too far. In order to spot spinal problems early and nip them in the bud (so to speak), you need to know the early scoliosis symptoms and act as soon as you notice them developing. Here are some of the main scoliosis symptoms to look out for:
  • Shoulders sitting at different heights
  • One shoulder blade being noticeably more prominent than the other
  • Body leaning to one side
  • Uneven hips, legs, waist, and/or rib cage
Many people worry that they have scoliosis because they experience chronic back pain. However, as discussed here, back pain alone is not a reliable indicator that scoliosis is present (although it is certainly worth seeking treatment for back pain, regardless!).
 

What should I do if I notice these scoliosis symptoms?

If you or your child display any of the scoliosis symptoms listed above, you would be well advised to attend a scoliosis screening as soon as possible. It may be nothing to worry about, but if these symptoms are traced back to scoliosis or a similar spinal condition, early detection will give you (or your child) the best possible chance of beating the condition with minimal difficulty.
 
 

Case Study: Sara from Hertfordshire

Sara is a nine-year-old girl from Hitchin who came to the Scoliosis SOS Clinic shortly after being diagnosed with scoliosis. Sara’s family had a history of scoliosis, including her brother who needed scoliosis surgery. Due to this, Sara’s mother was on the lookout for scoliosis symptoms in Sara and as soon as she noticed the symptoms in her daughters back, she took her for a consultation. Sara was then diagnosed with a 17-degree curvature in her spine.
Even though 17 degrees is not the most debilitating case of scoliosis, Sara’s mother recognised the need to improve her daughter’s condition before the curvature had the chance to progress even further and cause more severe scoliosis symptoms. Eager to avoid the same path Sara’s brother had taken with scoliosis surgery, Sara’s mother decided to bring her to our Scoliosis SOS clinic for physical therapy.
They decided to split up the course into two-week bouts at different times to fit around Sara’s schooling. Sara found she was a bit nervous at first but became accustomed to the course after the first couple of days. After the first two weeks, Sara and her mother continued practicing the exercises at home which made it easier for Sara when she returned for another 2 weeks.
After the completion of the course, they had some incredible results and found that the Cobbs angle had been reduced from 17 degrees to just 7.
 
 
“The therapists are nice and friendly, and really help you get on the way to straightening your back.”
– Sara, 9 years old
 
Sara’s story proves that keeping an eye out for the early symptoms of scoliosis can prove incredibly beneficial in the long run. The sooner you spot the spinal condition, the quicker and more efficiently it can be treated. 
 
If you would like to book a scoliosis consultation for yourself or a loved one, please call the Scoliosis SOS Clinic on 0207 488 4428 or get in touch here. Consultations can be conducted via Skype or over the phone if you are unable to attend our clinic in person.