We recently posted the following question on our Instagram, Twitter and Facebook pages:

Have you ever had any problems at work because of your scoliosis?

Here are some of the replies we received from our followers:

“Yes. I work as a vet nurse, so holding / carrying large dogs and being on my feet all day are very painful. I’ve had to reduce to part-time hours as I cannot cope with full-time due to constant muscular pain.”

– Amy, via Facebook

 

“I’m always in pain and feeling uncomfortable, and people think I’m faking it which is upsetting.”

– Florentina, via Instagram

 

“It makes things very difficult, I can’t sit or stand for too long.”

– Em, via Facebook

 

“I can’t do long surgeries”

– Dr Eric, via Instagram

 

“Yup, had to move desks as the desk was a wave shape and my rib cage kept catching on the desk because the wave didn’t fit with my curve!”

– Debbie, via Twitter

 

“My supervisors threatened to fire me because I wasn’t lifting heavy bins, etc.”

– Hiba, via Instagram

 

“I’ve been turned down for many jobs due to scoliosis.”

– Tanya, via Facebook

As you can see, many people with scoliosis have encountered challenges in their professional lives as a result of the condition and its symptoms.

But this doesn’t mean that scoliosis has to stand in the way of your career ambitions.

Could ScolioGold treatment help you to achieve your career goals?

Here at the Scoliosis SOS Clinic, we’ve helped thousands of scoliosis patients to manage their condition and continue following their dreams. Here are just a few examples…

Anna Russell, Solicitor

“By the end of my time [at the Scoliosis SOS Clinic] I could already feel the benefits. My posture is much better, my shoulders more level, and my spine looks straighter. Even my back doesn’t ache.”

Read Anna’s Story >>

Edie Kirkwood, Nurse

“I have now gone back to work, as a result of the treatment, which for me is such a relief. I am one of the few people who generally love their job, and the thought of being unable to continue my passion was very distressing. My life is now back to normal.”

Read Edie’s Story >>

Carol Davies, Farmer

“I suffered for a long time and now I’m standing up straight, which I certainly wasn’t before…we’re now planting broadleaf trees for conservation, hoping to help with the carbon footprint of the world.”

Read Carol’s Story >>

Craig Piepru, Tattoo Artist

“I was suffering on a daily basis, sometimes to the point where I just had to stop working. The pain really was draining the life out of me.”

Read Craig’s Story >>

Dame Anne Evans, Opera Singer

“I had been suffering from excruciating back problems for some time and had been advised that the only answer was surgery. My condition was aggravated by the physical activity that was an integral part of my career as an opera singer. I cannot explain how grateful I am to Scoliosis SOS. I was given a programme tailored to my particular needs…if I get a twinge of pain, instead of popping anti-inflammatory pills, I just go to the bars for a few exercises and it goes away.”

Read Dame Anne’s Story >>

Josie Stone, Vet

“I am ecstatic to have found these exercises. No words can describe the relief I felt when my pain started to disappear. I have always wanted to work with animals, and the idea of having to put off my dreams and go through major surgery was terrifying. I feel so lucky to have found an answer to my problems.”

Read Josie’s Story >>

And if all of those stories haven’t convinced you, consider this one final response we received to the question we posted on social media: Have you ever had any problems at work because of your scoliosis?

“All the time! Although much less after working with you legends.”

– Faye via Instagram

Use the links below to find out more about the Scoliosis SOS Clinic and how we can help you to overcome the problems some face while working with scoliosis.

About Our Treatment Method   Book an Initial Consultation

Further reading: Coping with Scoliosis When You Work at a Desk

Camping is a great way to get in touch with nature and really enjoy the great outdoors. It can help give your mental health a positive boost, and it gives you a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

For people with scoliosis, though, camping can cause a lot of worries. Will I be able to sleep? Will I be able to go on long walks? What if I need to go home?

Roughing it in the wild without any pain or discomfort might seem like an impossible dream for those of us with curved spines, but there are a few things you can do to help make your camping experience more enjoyable.

1. Keep doing your scoliosis exercises. As you know, we at the Scoliosis SOS Clinic promote an exercise-based system of scoliosis treatment. If you are able to, we recommend that you visit us for treatment before going on your camping trip. Our ScolioGold therapists will teach you some vital exercises that you can do to improve your mobility and comfort while you are away.

2. Take a few extra pillows with you. Having extra pillows will make it easier to support the parts of your body that are aching when you go to sleep. Try placing a pillow between your legs to help straighten your spine. Aligning your spine in this way can really help to reduce pain for the next day.

3. Take a soft, thick roll mat or blow-up bed. This will put something between your back and the ground when you lie down to go to sleep. If you’re already struggling with back pain due to your scoliosis, lying on uneven ground is likely to accentuate it further. Outdoor stores sell plenty of comfortable, lightweight mats and inflatable beds that are ideal for camping trips.

4. Pack lots of blankets and warm clothes. If you’re camping in the summertime (at a music festival, for instance), this tip may seem a little counter-intuitive. But even if it’s hot during the day, the temperature will drop dramatically after dark, and sleeping in cold temperatures can cause your muscles to tense throughout the night. Keeping warm during the night will help you to achieve a better range of motion when you wake up in the morning.

5. Ensure you have comfortable hiking boots with ankle supports. Investing in a high-quality pair of hiking boots will prevent knee and back pain during the day. It’s generally advised that you wear them in a little before embarking on your trip into the great outdoors – you don’t want to give yourself blisters!

6. Choose your backpack wisely. There are hundreds of backpacks for you to choose from. Spend some time trying different ones on and getting an idea of what’s comfortable for you. If your shoulders or hips sit unevenly, adjust the backpack straps to compensate. This will help the backpack sit straighter on your back and reduce discomfort throughout the day.

7. Take painkillers with you. One drawback of venturing into the wilderness is that you can’t just pop to the shops if there’s something you’ve forgotten. If you think your scoliosis pain will become too overbearing to sleep through, put some painkillers in your rucksack before you set off. Your doctor can advise you on the best medication to take with you on your camping trip.

8. Have a backup plan. Although you might find camping a breeze for the first night or two, things may get harder the longer you stay away from home. It’s OK to end the trip early if needs be, but be sure to have a plan in place that will enable you to get home if you decide you’ve had enough. This will put your mind at ease and allow you to enjoy your camping holiday to the maximum.

Learn Some Scoliosis Exercises >   Book a Scoliosis Consultation >

Beyond a Curved Spine is a Nigeria-based nonprofit whose goals are to raise scoliosis awareness and provide support for people with scoliosis (‘Scoliwarriors’, to borrow their term).

BACS co-founder Abimbola Oladapo very kindly agreed to answer some questions from the Scoliosis SOS team and tell us a little bit more about her own scoliosis story, as well as the past, present and future of Beyond a Curved Spine.

First of all, please tell us a little about yourself – who are you?

My name is Abimbola Oladapo and I’m such a lover (haha – that’s the one thing I like to be labelled as). I’m a happy person, scoliosis warrior and Nigerian.

I am also the co-founder of a nonprofit called Beyond a Curved Spine – where we advocate for scoliosis awareness – and I occasionally blog at onepowerwoman.com. Some of my favourite things to do include unravelling new places and making strangers smile.

What’s your experience with scoliosis?

My scoliosis story started in 2004. I was about 11 years old and in Year 9. My sister noticed my back wasn’t looking “normal” – it was slanted, and it showed in the way I walked. At first, she thought it was as a result of bad posture (“swag”) and constantly cautioned me to “stand / walk straight and stop spoiling my posture”.

Everyone thought I was trying to be cool, when it was simply all shades of scoliosis symptoms. A few months down the line…and my back was looking like a letter ‘S’. At this point, it was obviously more than bad posture. I had just returned from boarding school for the Easter holidays. I’ll never forget: my mum took me to the hospital and it was the first either of us would hear of scoliosis.

It’s been fifteen years since then. I haven’t gotten any treatment apart from bracing and exercising, although my curve isn’t mild. I think I’ve kind of gotten used to living with an ‘S’ on my back – and the good, the bad and the ugly that comes with it. Sometimes I just really want to get out of my skin; other times, I feel like I’ve got my own back.

Overall, I think I’m at that place where I’m intentionally stronger than scoliosis. I’m positive that someday and soon, I will be scoliosis-free!

You came to visit the Scoliosis SOS Clinic some years ago. What did you think?

Yes, in 2011. I was visiting family in London and we’d found the Scoliosis SOS Clinic on Google. It looked really good online, so we booked an appointment and visited the clinic – I’ve actually still got my consultation report!

The clinic looked even better in real life. The facility was great, the staff were friendly, and reading testimonials from Scoliwarriors who’d been through the treatment was really encouraging!

I think the treatment Scoliosis SOS provide is gold (ScolioGold – ha!), and I’ll advise anyone who can afford it to give it a try.

What inspired you to start Beyond a Curved Spine?

A number of things, actually. After being diagnosed with scoliosis in high school, I was pretty much left alone, with no resources, no information, nothing. I’d gotten a back brace from the national orthopaedic hospitals here in Nigeria, but that was about it. And it was pretty awful! I didn’t know how to care for my brace or what activities to avoid. I resorted to emailing doctors abroad and reading stuff on Google.

Fast-forward to many years later, after I’d finished university. I started to notice more people with scoliosis symptoms. I also realised there was a huge gap! No one was talking about scoliosis in Nigeria, yet many people suffered from it. Also, there was (and still is) a cultural belief that scoliosis patients – popularly referred to as ‘hunchbacks’ – are suitable candidates for money rituals, because the ‘hump’ on their backs is as a result of stored-up mercury that creates money. I pondered a lot about these issues.

Back in high school, I noticed a schoolmate’s back was looking ‘funny’ while in the bathroom. I alerted her immediately, and because of this, her parents were able to immediately seek information and help, which resulted in a significant control in curve growth. This schoolmate became the co-founder of Beyond a Curved Spine.

All of the above factors, I believe, make up the foundation upon which BACS was established. We are driven by the notion that:

• Spreading awareness will dispel cultural myths.
• Early detection gives the best prognosis.
• Every scoliosis warrior needs a support community rooted in love and strength – no one should walk this journey alone.

You’ve made it your mission to raise scoliosis awareness. How are you achieving this?

Raising scoliosis awareness is such a broad objective! However, we do try to take it one step at a time. Following our famous slogan – “raising scoliosis awareness, one city at a time” – we execute awareness projects in selected communities each time. For example, in 2018, we targeted secondary schools (based on the target age group 10-16) in some Local Government Areas in Lagos, Nigeria. We did a tour around a number of schools in the Yaba region alone, and we reached over 5,000 students.

This year, we’re running a ‘5,000 for 5,000’ campaign with the goal of distributing 5,000 infographics across 5,000 public spaces (schools, primary health centres, etc.) in Nigeria.

Apart from these targeted projects, we raise awareness via social media, traditional media (radio, newspapers, blogs and TV features), and at events/gatherings where we’re given the opportunity to share.

What are Beyond a Curved Spine’s goals for the future?

Although plans may be subject to future tweaks, our goals can be summarised into three:

• To ensure that every household in Nigeria is scoliosis-aware.
• To facilitate support – mental support, resource materials, and accessibility to quality treatment – for scoliosis warriors in this part of the world.
• To advocate for improved and affordable healthcare on behalf of Scoliwarriors in Nigeria.

Finally, what advice would you give to someone who has just been told they have scoliosis?

Don’t panic! You will be fine, you will still look good, you will meet someone who adores you silly, and you will inspire other people with your story!

Now that you’ve been diagnosed, seek knowledge! Talk to your doctors and other professionals. Ask questions. Get to know all you can about your condition, and get treatment early! I like to say early diagnosis is a life saver – literally!

Also, be sensitive to your body and your curve. Take note of changes, pain, and how you feel. Be serious with your treatment and medical appointments. And never ever underestimate the power of a support system! Join a scoliosis support group – surround yourself with positive vibes and positive people who are readily available to walk you through this journey.

And what advice would you give to that person’s family and loved ones?

Being present is healing! As much as you can, be there for the person. Listen when they need to share. Listen when they say they’re tired. It’s nice to do some research in order to better understand what they might be going through. Hold their hands through treatment. Just stay supportive and loving!

Be careful with words. Avoid using words like ‘hunchback’, ‘deformity’, ‘disease’ or ‘bent’. ‘Curvy’ is a safe word to use, all the time.

Be caring, not pitying. While it’s awesome to always watch out for Scoliwarriors and help them with physical tasks, you should never throw a pity-party around them. Treat them like ‘normal’ human beings, because they are normal – only curvy (and curvy is beautiful, by the way!). The keywords are compassion and thoughtfulness, not pity or condescension.

Thanks so much to Abimbola for her thoughtful, insightful answers. Be sure to follow @beyondacurvedS on Twitter.

More Q&A posts:

• Leah Stoltz, Founder of Curvy Girls Scoliosis
• Rachel Mulvaney, VP of Curvy Girls Scoliosis
• Louise Laurie, Scoliosis Blogger
• @scolilife, Scoliosis Tweeter

The World Wide Web makes it relatively easy to find factual information about scoliosis, its symptoms, and the available treatment options. But fictional tales about people with scoliosis are a little harder to find.

Today (11 June) is Empathy Day, and with the accompanying #ReadForEmpathy campaign, the organisers are hoping to highlight the power of stories to help us understand each other’s lived experiences. In that spirit, then, here’s our all-ages guide to stories about scoliosis and what it’s like to live with a curved spine:

Scoliosis Books for Children

Ideal for younger readers, these books can be a great aid for parents who are looking to help their young children understand scoliosis and the effects it can have on one’s body. Better still, they also help to highlight the fact that a scoliosis diagnosis isn’t the end of the world, and that courage and perseverance can help to overcome even the biggest obstacles.

Being Grace by June Hyjek

Ideal for educating young children about the ins and outs of scoliosis, Being Grace follows the story of a Grace, a young giraffe who has a curved neck.

As in the Christmas story of Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer, Grace the Giraffe is singled out and ridiculed for being different. Despite this, Grace’s crooked neck allows her to do things the other giraffes can’t.

Grace ultimately learns to be happy in her own skin, accept her differences, and appreciate the way they make her unique. The author June Hyjek has scoliosis herself, adding authenticity to the story and its message.

View on Goodreads >>

The Bravest Thing by Donna Jo Napoli

The Bravest Thing centres around pet-loving 10-year-old Laurel and her pet rabbit. When the rabbit has babies, the rabbit’s unwillingness to feed her offspring leaves Laurel (who has scoliosis) to take the lead and keep them healthy herself.

The book focuses on optimism in the face of adversity, providing a good introduction to the effects of scoliosis for children.

View on Goodreads >>

There’s an S on My Back by Mary Mahony

Mary Mahony’s 1999 book There’s an S on My Back is a great way to educate pre-adolescent readers about the implications of scoliosis while also reinforcing hope, instilling courage, and dispelling anxiety.

Written as a first-person narrative from the perspective of lead character Maisey MacGuire, There’s an S… provides children with an enlightening insight into scoliosis, from diagnosis to treatment, including brace fitting and the social situations around it.

View on Goodreads >>

Scoliosis Books for Older Kids & Teens

For older children who have just entered their teenage years (or soon will), the following books provide a more mature analysis of scoliosis while still effectively maintaining engagement in younger readers. Centred around early adolescent characters, these books are a great way to improve a child’s knowledge of scoliosis while still capturing their imagination.

Abby’s Twin by Ann M. Martin

Part of the Baby-Sitters Club series, Abby’s Twin tells the story of twin sisters Abby and Anna. Anna is diagnosed with scoliosis after a routine school screening, and the twins are left to come to grips with the revelation in their own way, with Abby’s excessive attempts to comfort her sister ultimately leading to a falling out.

Bridging the gap between children’s literature and teen reading, Abby’s Twin is a good introduction to scoliosis for young teens and pre-adolescents, highlighting the importance of communication and family.

View on Goodreads >>

Braced by Alyson Gerber

Braced is the debut novel from Alyson Gerber (who has scoliosis herself). It tells the tale of Rachel Brooks, a 7th-grade student with a place on the school soccer team, a crush on a boy named Tate, and a great year ahead of her…until she’s told that she has to wear a scoliosis brace for 23 hours a day.

Told from an authentic and honest perspective, this heartfelt story recounts the trials and tribulations of a maturing teen coping with scoliosis, with great underlying messages of compassion and triumph over adversity.

Published in 2017, Braced came as a welcome modern addition to the realm of scoliosis fiction, and it has been repeatedly praised online as a great read for teens and young adults alike.

View on Goodreads >>

Dear Isaac Newton, You’re Ruining My Life by Rachel Hruza

Another recent publication to add to the growing list of scoliosis novels, Dear Isaac Newton… was originally published in early 2018 and follows the story of Truth Trendon, a 12-year-old with scoliosis.

The main protagonist in this scoliosis story aims to keep her scoliosis a secret from her classmates. Of course, the lies soon start to snowball, and disaster looms…

Touching and quick-witted, this book is full of adolescent angst and important life lessons, with the scoliosis theme prevalent throughout. Another great read for early teens.

View on Goodreads >>

Straight Talk with the Curvy Girls by Theresa E. Mulvaney and Robin Stoltz

Billed as ‘a journey into the trials, tribulations and triumphs of child and adolescent scoliosis’, Straight Talk features contributions from a number of young people with scoliosis (and their parents). Most of the other books on our list are fictional, but if you’re looking for real-life tales of what it’s like to grow up with scoliosis, this one is a must-read.

You can order a copy of Straight Talk with the Curvy Girls from straighttalkscoliosis.com. We’d also strongly recommend reading our interviews with Curvy Girls founder Leah Stoltz and vice president Rachel Mulvaney, both of whom have been living with scoliosis since childhood.

View on Goodreads >

Young Adult Books About Scoliosis

These books focus on a variety of themes and plotlines, and while they are predominantly aimed at young adults, they are just as suitable for those that fall outside of that category, providing a good literary experience for adults too – particularly those with an interest in scoliosis.

Deenie by Judy Blume

Perhaps the most famous book on this list, Deenie is considered somewhat of a cult classic, achieving both critical acclaim and controversy.

First published back in 1973, Deenie has seen its fair share of controversy, primarily due to its sexual references. As a result, Deenie has been banned in countless schools, even landing on the American Library Association’s list of the ‘100 Most Frequently-Challenged Books’ in the 1990s.

However, this was nothing new for author Judy Blume, who has had numerous other books on the same list over the years. And none of this has impacted the book’s popularity; Deenie is still held in high regard and frequently cited as a ‘coming of age’ classic, and it’s a great scoliosis story to boot.

View on Goodreads >>

Mannequin Girl by Ellen Litman

The second novel from Ellen Litman, Mannequin Girl is another coming-of-age story, but this one is set in 1980s Moscow.

The action – which takes place within a boarding school that’s specifically for children with scoliosis – centres around lead character Kat, who enters first grade at the age of six as the book begins. We then see Kat’s experiences over the eight years that follow.

Themes of identity, independence and rebellion emerge; Litman herself grew up in Moscow, allowing her to draw upon her real-life experiences for a narrative that’s authentic, engaging and heartfelt despite being written in third person.

View on Goodreads >>

Heaven Sent by S.J. Morgan

The most recent entry on this list, Heaven Sent is the debut novel of British ex-pat S.J. Morgan. A trained occupational therapist, Morgan has real knowledge of scoliosis, and she uses this knowledge to great effect throughout Heaven Sent.

Another coming-of-age novel, relationships are the key theme here, with particular focus on friendship, family and love. The well-developed characters and thought-provoking narrative make Heaven Sent a solid read that’s even more appealing to those with firsthand experience of scoliosis.

View on Goodreads >>

Scoliosis SOS is a specialist clinic in London, UK for people with scoliosis and other spinal conditions. Learn more about us here, and if you’d like to arrange a consultation, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Scoliosis can affect the body in a number of different ways and with varying severity.

For example, significant spinal curvature and rotation can sometimes affect lung function, leaving the patient short of breath.

How does spinal rotation affect lung function?

According to the Thoracic Institute at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital, “spine rotation causes a windswept thorax, with both restriction of the volume of the convex hemithorax and restriction of the motion of the involved ribs”.

In other words, scoliosis and other curvatures of the spine can limit your movement and inhibit the inflation of your lungs.

As a general rule, the more severe the angle of trunk rotation (ATR), the more severely your respiratory system may be affected. This can be particularly noticeable during periods of activity and exercise, which may leave you feeling short of breath.

Can lung function be improved?

Despite this correlation between spinal rotation and lung function, there may be light at the end of the tunnel. Our ScolioGold treatment programme can provide relief for people with scoliosis, even when it is so severe as to affect the patient’s lungs.

The Scoliosis SOS Clinic’s own research has shown that treatment via the ScolioGold programme can improve a patient’s forced vital capacity (i.e. the amount of air that can be forcibly exhaled from the lungs after taking the deepest breath possible).

However, due to the retrospective nature of the study along with other contributing outside factors, the improvements cannot be fully attributed to decreasing ATR. Nevertheless, it’s an encouraging statistic and shows how ScolioGold can be beneficial for scoliosis patients seeking non-surgical help.

What is ScolioGold?

ScolioGold therapy is a treatment programme that combines the Schroth method with myriad other tried and tested therapeutic techniques from across the globe.

Continuously monitored, modified and developed, the ScolioGold programme is constantly evolving to include the latest advancements in non-surgical treatment.

Learn More About ScolioGold   Book a Consultation