Most cases of scoliosis develop when the patient is between 10 and 15 years old. While the spine's curvature may be relatively mild to begin with, it can continue to get worse over the years that follow.

Currently, scoliosis tests are not compulsory in UK schools, but you can still check whether your child has scoliosis yourself. The Adams forward bending test is relatively easy to perform, but if you do think your child has scoliosis, you should get a second opinion from a GP.

Helping Your Child Cope with Scoliosis in School

School can be a stressful time for young children and teenagers alike, with friends, teachers and parents all contributing to the pressure in their own ways. A curved spine can make the average school day even more challenging - pupils with scoliosis might find sitting down or standing up for long periods uncomfortable, plus they might feel insecure about their appearance.

Here are a few suggestions that might make coping with scoliosis in school a little easier.

Communication

Start by speaking to your child to find out what issues their scoliosis is causing them at school. If you can establish an open line of conversation with your child, you'll be more likely to know right away if something's wrong.

Encourage your child to discuss their condition with their classmates so that they can understand what is going on and offer their support. Many of our patients have given in-class presentations about their treatment experiences, giving their peers an opportunity to learn about scoliosis and ask questions in a safe, relaxed environment.

Speak to Staff Members

Notify teachers about your child's condition. They might make allowances for your child to move around during lessons. PE teachers, in particular, might be able to make tweaks to their lesson plan so that your child's condition can be handled discreetly during PE lessons.

Pain Relief

If your child says that their scoliosis is causing them pain while they're at school, speak to your GP about pain relief. The doctor may be able to provide medication to help your child get through each school day comfortably. Also, where possible, make sure your child has comfortable shoes, feels comfortable in their uniform, and periodically ask them if their pain has got worse. If so, it might be time to pursue scoliosis treatment.

Exercises

If your child is embarrassed about wearing a scoliosis brace to school, or if the prospect of scoliosis surgery is too frightening, we encourage you to explore the exercise-based treatment options that we offer here at the Scoliosis SOS Clinic. Always inspire and allow time for your child to do exercises to improve their scoliosis after school.

We've helped lots of children and young adults to improve their curved spines. Call 0207 488 4428 to speak to one of our expert Patient Care Coordinators, or use the links below to find out more!

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Did you see the Scoliosis SOS team on TV earlier this week?

A Matter of Life and Debt is a BBC One documentary series that focuses on credit unions, responsible moneylenders, and the people whose lives have been transformed by ethical loans.

The third episode of A Matter of Life and Debt's current series aired on Wednesday (21 August 2019), and it featured a segment about our Clinic Principal Erika Maude and the loan that helped her to set up the Scoliosis SOS Clinic back in 2006.

Having been let down by a high-street bank, Erika instead sought assistance from Foundation East, a responsible lender that provides finance and support for businesses. They approved Scoliosis SOS for a loan of £50,000 - a sum that, thanks to the clinic's instant success, was repaid within just nine months!

If you missed our appearance on A Matter of Life and Debt, don't worry - you can watch it below!

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Consistency is key, especially when it comes to your scoliosis exercises. When you come to the Scoliosis SOS Clinic for a treatment course, our ScolioGold therapists will teach you a set of therapeutic exercises that you'll need to complete every day once you've left us. This will help you to stay on top of your condition and continue reducing your Cobb angle measurement as time goes on.

Now, performing those exercises at home is one thing, but some of our patients find it difficult to keep up with their scoliosis stretches when they go on holiday. Reasons vary, but perhaps the most common problem is packing - it often isn't possible to fit all the necessary equipment in a suitcase.

But that doesn't mean you have to neglect your exercise routine while you're away!

Ellie's holiday scoliosis exercises

19-year-old Eleanor Ham is one of our past patients, and she understands the importance of consistently completing her scoliosis exercises, regardless of where she is.

As you can see in the video below, Ellie recently took a trip abroad, where she recorded herself completing a selection of stretches right where she was staying. In addition to demonstrating how easy it can be to complete your scoliosis exercises while on holiday, Ellie also provides a great example of how you can use common household objects as substitutes for any exercise equipment you've had to leave at home.

If you've been diagnosed with scoliosis, use the links below to get in touch with the Scoliosis SOS Clinic and find out how we can help you!

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Disclaimer: The information and video on this page should not be treated as medical advice. The scoliosis exercises described may not be suitable or beneficial for everyone. You should not begin any exercise routine without consulting a qualified health practitioner, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, elderly, or if you have any chronic or recurring conditions. Any application of scoliosis exercises suggested is at the viewer's sole discretion and risk. Scoliosis SOS accepts no responsibility or liability for any loss or injuries caused directly or indirectly through performing any of the exercises described here. If you feel any discomfort or pain during exercise, stop immediately. Always consult your own GP if you are in any way concerned about your health or anything associated with it.

It can be absolutely crushing when your health prevents you from doing the things you love. Here at the Scoliosis SOS Clinic, we frequently treat people who have found themselves in that demoralising position, and we've met a number of people whose passion is bowls (also known as lawn bowls).

Bowls is a very social sport, and when the symptoms of scoliosis - primarily back pain - threaten to stop you playing, it's easy to feel like you're losing friends as well as your favourite pastime.

Fortunately, it doesn't have to be that way. Here are the stories of two people who came to the Scoliosis SOS Clinic and, with the help of our ScolioGold treatment programme, overcame their pain to get back on the green.

Dora Howard

from Barnet, North London

"When playing bowls, you often get slightly sore on one side, but the pain I was experiencing was entirely different - and much more painful - than anything I'd experienced before. I genuinely thought I was going to have to give up my bowls, and for me that would have been devastating. So I am delighted with the outcome of my treatment."

Read Dora's Story >>

Gloria Templeton

from Coventry, West Midlands

"Living life as 'Gloria with scoliosis' has not been easy, and I was devastated when I had to give up playing bowls. But the Scoliosis SOS consultants have been great - I have been able to start playing again, and have made a great new group of friends from the clinic."

Read Gloria's Story >>

If your scoliosis is threatening to keep you from doing what you love, Scoliosis SOS may be able to help you. Call our clinic on 0207 488 4428 or use the links below to find out more.

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Idiopathic scoliosis tends to start developing between the ages of 10 and 15 - in other words, around puberty. Unfortunately, this is also when most young girls start menstruating.

As many women will tell you, this stage of your life can make you feel insecure and confused even without the added complication of a curved spine. If you're developing idiopathic scoliosis at the same time, it can make those negative feelings even more intense.

Will scoliosis affect my periods?

There has been very little formal scientific research into how or why scoliosis affects menstruation, although we do have plenty of anecdotal accounts from girls with scoliosis who claim to have experienced irregular periods.

That being said, there is some research to suggest that girls with idiopathic scoliosis may (on average) start having periods slightly later than girls without scoliosis.

The female body can be confusing at the best of times, and the experience of one girl with scoliosis might be completely different from the next. If you do feel that your period is irregular, speak to your GP to see what they can do to help you.

Does scoliosis increase period pain?

It has been suggested that scoliosis can amplify the amount of period pain one experiences. Brooklyn Abortion Clinic lists scoliosis among a number of skeletal conditions that may increase feelings of period pain.

It's not especially clear why this should be the case, but it may have something do with the amount of pressure placed the spine as your uterus contracts and swells during menstruation. This, along with hormonal changes, is what causes back pain even for girls with healthy spines when they're menstruating, so it stands to reason that it could be even worse for girls who already experience back pain as a result of scoliosis.

Do you feel like scoliosis is interfering with your life, causing you pain and making you feel insecure? If so, the Scoliosis SOS Clinic may be able to help.

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