Friday 25 October 2019 is World Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Day. This year also marks the milestone 40th anniversary of the International Federation for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus.

What is Spina Bifida?

To mark this occasion, we'd like to share the story of Samantha Joyce, a Scoliosis SOS patient who has spina bifida as well as scoliosis.

Patient Story: Samantha from Sidcup

Samantha is a woman from Sidcup, Greater London who got in touch with the Scoliosis SOS Clinic after our recent appearance on BBC One. She was diagnosed with scoliosis at 11 years old; she also has spina bifida and hydrocephalus.

Samantha was prescribed a scoliosis brace, and when she was 13, surgeons placed screws in her spine in order to correct her spinal curve. Unfortunately, this operation did not have the desired effect - after a long and arduous recovery process, Samantha had to have the screws removed at the age of 18 because they had caused an abscess and she had lost the use of her left leg!

Samantha is now in her 40s, and she was still experiencing back pain as a result of her scoliosis and her spina bifida. She came to the Scoliosis SOS Clinic in the hope that our therapists would be able to help her - watch the video below to find out how she got on.

Feedback from Samantha

"Thank you all so very much for all you have done. I'm so glad I found out about this clinic and had the opportunity to experience the wonderful work you do.

"It's amazing how I have changed since I started: pain-free, more definition in my legs, and my whole body feels freer. A friend said, without prompting, how much straighter I was sitting, and I'm able to sit and stand for longer without any pain.

"I have now been discharged from King's College Hospital after a year and a half. Thank you for being a valued part of my recovery, and keep up the fantastic work you do - it's invaluable!"

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Anyone who has scoliosis will be well aware of the importance of posture and sitting correctly when it comes to spinal comfort.

However, did you know that there is one position in particular that can be particularly damaging when it comes to children's spinal health?

That position is the so-called 'W position'.

What is the W position?

First things first, you're probably wondering what the W position is. While the name may not be familiar, the pose most certainly will be.

A favoured position for many children and even some adults, the W position is where a person sits flat on their rear with their legs folded underneath, yet spread out to each side.

The result creates a 'W' shape from foot to foot - not too dissimilar to the Virasana ('Hero Pose') in yoga.

Why is the W position problematic?

While the effect of the W position on the body is a matter of some debate. It's becoming an increasingly hot topic among parents, particularly due to its perceived impact on children's development.

A number of osteopathic experts have reported that the W position can cause the lower back to arch. It's also been said that it can put pressure on lower body joints such as the hips and knees, weakening the core muscles as a result.

The widespread concern has seen the story picked up by numerous news outlets across the UK in recent years, including national publications like the Daily Mirror and the Daily Mail.

However, conflicting reports have been published that suggest it has no bearing at all on spinal development - for example, see this article from Today.com.

Is there cause for concern?

Despite the mixture of opinions on the matter, this is one of those scenarios where it's better to err on the side of caution.

If a simple adjustment in sitting positioning might improve your child's posture and spinal health, it's undoubtedly a precaution worth taking.

A weakened core can have a notable impact on agility, sporting performance (such as running and jumping) and general balance.

Meanwhile, evidence suggests that the W position can also increase the likelihood of hip dislocation and may even lead to a curvature of the spine.

Correcting the W position

If you notice that your child is routinely sitting in the W position, try to get them out of the habit.

Encourage them to sit with their backs against a solid surface for support, and instruct them to sit with their legs out in front of them.

Ideally this would be on a chair; however, if floor sitting is preferred, provide pillows for increased comfort.

SEE ALSO: How to Check Your Child for Scoliosis >>

The Rugby World Cup is currently taking place in Japan, and as a result, global interest in rugby is running high.

Success in the Rugby World Cup often translates to an increase in the winning country's participation figures, as more and more people look to explore the sport in the wake of the tournament.

But is rugby a wise sport to take up if you have scoliosis?

Can You Play Rugby with Scoliosis?

Rugby is one of the impact sports that scoliosis patients are often advised to avoid, primarily due to the physical nature of the game.

After all, a game of rugby can be pretty hard on even the healthiest body, let alone one that's hindered by the effects of a spinal curvature.

However, with determination and a sensible approach, even high-impact sports like rugby needn't necessarily be off-limits for people with scoliosis.

Childhood Scoliosis and Rugby

In the five years after England won the Rugby World Cup in 2003, participation figures for 7 to 13-year-olds skyrocketed by an incredible 78%.

The impressionable 7-13 age group coincidentally overlaps with the age at which scoliosis is usually diagnosed (most cases of idiopathic scoliosis are diagnosed between the ages of 10 and 15).

Children and teenagers can be very receptive to sporting trends, and some parents may find themselves in a tough spot if their child wants to take up rugby yet also suffers from scoliosis.

Many scoliosis parents, in the interest of protecting their child, would simply forbid them from participating entirely. However, this isn't necessarily the only feasible course of action.

In fact, depending on the extent of the child's spinal curve, they may well be able to enjoy a fully active lifestyle, even if their preferred activity is a contact sport like rugby.

Case Studies: Our Rugby-Playing Patients

At Scoliosis SOS, we've encountered numerous rugby enthusiasts who were faced with the unenviable proposition of giving up their beloved sport due to scoliosis. Here are some of their stories...

Marcus Pond, 20

"I knew I didn't want the surgery and was terrified of losing my flexibility at such a young age...why would you have major risky surgery if you can just do a few simple exercises?"

Read Marcus's Story >

Hannah Chapman, 15

"Since being at the clinic I have benefited immensely. My pain has decreased and I know how to stand with a corrected posture."

Read Hannah's Story >

Patrick O'Kane, 37

"I feel stronger and more confident about how my back looks, and I am looking forward to getting my life back on track. My pain has gone and I have been able to go back to playing rugby, something I never thought would be possible."

Read Patrick's Story >

Patient Video: Ben from Australia

Ben Stanton, another keen rugby player, came to the Scoliosis SOS Clinic from Sydney in 2016. Watch the video to find out what he had to say about his Scoliosis SOS experience.

Scoliosis Treatment with Scoliosis SOS

Whether you're a young aspiring sportsperson longing to take to the field or an older veteran of the sport eager to keep playing, the Scoliosis SOS Clinic has a proven track record for helping rugby lovers with scoliosis and other curvatures of the spine.

We don't believe that scoliosis should be a life sentence that banishes you to the sidelines. While it may be an obstacle, it can often be overcome if you tackle it head-on with the help of Scoliosis SOS.

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These days, the calendar is overflowing with specific dates dedicated to a cornucopia of themes, recognising everything from 'World Chocolate Day' to 'Talk Like a Pirate Day'.

While events like those may seem a little unnecessary (although any excuse to eat chocolate is fine by us), one date that's likely to be of particular interest to scoliosis patients is World Spine Day.

What is World Spine Day?

Celebrated annually on the 16th of October, World Spine Day aims to raise awareness of back pain and spinal conditions.

World Spine Day is a recognised date on every continent, with health professionals, schoolchildren and patients alike taking part across the globe.

A key part of World Spine Day is promoting the importance of physical activity, good posture and healthy working conditions - all in aid of maintaining a healthy spine.

A Global Issue

According to World Spine Day's own statistics, it's estimated that a billion people worldwide suffer from back pain, and that it's the single biggest cause of disability on the planet.

Anyone with scoliosis will likely be well aware of the importance of spinal health, and so this special day dedicated to raising awareness is a welcome addition to the diary.

Get Involved with World Spine Day

World Spine Day has over 500 official organisational supporters across the globe, ranging from the NHS to the Hong Kong International Hula Association.

However, you don't need to be part of a larger organisation to participate. In fact, just about anyone can show their support and help to raise awareness of scoliosis and spinal health in general.

How Can I Support World Spine Day?

If you have scoliosis or have seen the effects of scoliosis first-hand, why not share your story with others?

Tales of triumph over adversity are great for providing hope and inspiration to others in a similar situation.

Simply sharing your own success story or telling people what living with scoliosis is really like can have a profound effect on others and could provide motivation to someone in need.

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Celebrated annually on 11 October, International Day of the Girl Child is a globally-recognised date that marks the achievements of young women all over the world and promotes female empowerment while also highlighting the challenges that girls face.

Scoliosis in Girls

There are many different types of scoliosis, but overall, the condition is significantly more common in females than it is males. This is particularly true of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

According to the Scoliosis Association (UK), roughly 5 out of 6 AIS patients are female - that's over 80% of recorded cases.

Scoliosis Women Worldwide

While scoliosis does affect a disproportionate number of females in relation to men, women globally have managed to overcome their spinal curves and live healthy, normal lives. We know because we've seen it first-hand!

Women from all over the world have come to the Scoliosis SOS Clinic to benefit from our non-invasive treatment methods.

Take mother and daughter Pia and Lova, who travelled all the way from Sweden to our clinic in London, UK. Despite a 33-year age gap, both Pia (47) and Lova (14) both returned to Sweden with dramatic improvements, proving that you can always improve your quality of life, regardless of age.

Active Women Worldwide

Our non-surgical treatment courses haven't just helped our female patients to live more comfortably. We've also helped women across the UK to hang onto their sporting passions and live a more active lifestyle.

From footballers and rugby players to jockeys and kickboxers, Scoliosis SOS has helped all sorts of young sportswomen to overcome their condition and stay active.

Live a Better Life

But you don't need to be an athlete to feel the benefits of our ScolioGold treatment programme. Many girls and women have come through our doors simply looking to better their health and improve their quality of life.

Sara Capacchione came to our clinic when she was 9 years old. Her older brother had already been diagnosed with scoliosis, and when Sara's spine started to develop a curve, her family were keen to nip it in the bud. Here's her story:

By actively battling back against the negative effects of scoliosis, young women across the world have been able to live their best lives in spite of their spinal curvatures.

If you'd like to find out more about ScolioGold treatment, please call the Scoliosis SOS Clinic on 0207 488 4428.

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