Ahead of the Curve, The Scoliosis Experience

In this week’s episode of Ahead of the Curve, I am again joined by Kerry Green, a licensed therapist and scoliosis advocate, for another chapter of our Curve Convo.  In this particular conversation, we talk about trying new workouts, specific tips for doing Pilates with scoliosis, and the emotional side of scoliosis. You’ll hear practical tips on managing anxiety, improving body awareness, and our favorite anti-aging techniques that we're using currently.  Catch the full episode for all the details.

Resources mentioned:

Kerry’s Website

Kerry’s Instagram

Kathryn Romine's IG - Anti-Aging Face Taping

Schedule a Discovery Call

Does sleeping with a nightlight cause scoliosis?

That’s just one of the questions that I discussed recently with my friend and nervous system expert Kerry Green, LCSW. This chapter of Curve Convos is all about answering questions we’ve received from listeners:

• Whether rebounding exercise is safe for scoliosis and spinal fusion
• How to safely use a vibration plate
• Exercises that are better/worse for specific curve types
• Best bags and accessories for scoliosis
• How scoliosis affects mental health and the nervous system
• The link between thoracic spine mobility and anxiety
• How scoliosis can impact the digestion system
• Whether melatonin levels can cause scoliosis
• The connection between eye muscles and posture

Catch the full episode for all the details.

Resources mentioned:

Kerry’s Website

Kerry’s Instagram 

Schedule a Discovery Call

Feeling bored with your exercise routine?

Keeping the same workout routine for months or years can sap motivation and make exercise less effective. In this episode, I’m sharing advice on how to shake up your exercise routine in a scoliosis-safe way:

• Reasons why workouts start to feel boring
• Why brain engagement is important during exercise
• Tips for overcoming exercise boredom
• How to incorporate scoliosis-specific movements 

Catch the full episode for all the details.

Resources mentioned:

Ahead of the Curve, Episode 60: Foods to Add to Your Diet for Better Spinal Health With Anna Peluso Simonson

The Scoliosis Strength Collective

Scoliosis Strength Self-Directed

Schedule a discovery call

Are sports and PE classes dangerous for kids with scoliosis?

In most cases, physical exercise is beneficial for children with scoliosis. In this episode, I’m covering some of the most common questions I get from parents of kids who have scoliosis:

• Why physical activity is important for people with scoliosis
• Which sports are best for spinal health
• Activities that should be approached with caution
• Reliable resources for learning more about scoliosis
• How to advocate for your child at school

Catch the full episode for all the details.

Resources mentioned:

Schroth Boss

National Scoliosis Foundation

Online community for parents of kids with scoliosis

Information about spinal anatomy and conditions

Schedule a discovery call

Is your scoliosis care plan customized for your unique curve?

The shape and severity of your curve should dictate how you exercise and care for your spine. In this episode, I’m explaining how I develop scoliosis exercises and treatment plans for clients with different types of curves:

• The different types of scoliosis curves
• Why certain movements and exercises are best for specific curve types
• How to care for your curve type in daily life
• Finding the best positions for sitting, walking, and lying down
• The connection between the spinal curve and other part of the body

Catch the full episode for all the details.

Resources mentioned:

Primitive Movement Video

Ahead of the Curve, Episode 81: The Connection Between Your Gut and Your Spine

Ahead of the Curve, Episode 88: Cranial Nerves and Scoliosis

Schedule a Discovery Call

Have you ever felt guilty or ashamed about your scoliosis?

It’s actually a common experience for many people with scoliosis! And there are several ways to respond to it, which is one of the topics I discussed with Kerry Green, LCSW, in this month’s edition of Curve Convos.

We also covered many other aspects of living with scoliosis:

• Finding a better perspective on aging
• Feeling shameful, fearful, or guilty for back pain
• Physical and mental tools for dealing with a scoliosis pain flare-up
• The dorsal vagal shutdown nervous system response
• Potential connections between scoliosis and concussion/traumatic brain injury
• The link between procrastination and burnout
• Using a rock mat for nervous system regulation and pain management
• Fun (and random) summer jobs

We also discussed some of our favorite jump-roping Instagram accounts. Catch the full episode for all the details.

Resources mentioned:

Kerry’s Website

Kerry’s Instagram

Rock Mat

Do you have a chronic condition in addition to scoliosis?

If so, you’re not alone. It’s actually quite common for people with scoliosis to experience other conditions that cause chronic pain, physical limitations, and mental health challenges.

I recently talked with Kim Moscatello about her experience with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and her work with clients who have various chronic conditions. Our conversation covered a lot of ground:

• What it’s like to live with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome 
• The mental and emotional benefits of exercise
• Kinesiophobia, what it means, and how to cope with it
• Hypermobility in Pilates and yoga
• Warning signs of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
• How nutrition impacts chronic illness symptoms

Catch the full episode for all the details.

Resources mentioned:

Kim’s YouTube

Kim’s Instagram

Schedule a Discovery Call

Have you ever tried water therapy for scoliosis?

Water-based exercises can help you elongate and strengthen your spine in a fun, comfortable way. In this episode, I explain how to use pool time for scoliosis care: 

• The benefits of water-based exercise for scoliosis
• The science behind water therapy
• The best water exercises and rotations for scoliosis
• How to build core strength, balance, and coordination in the pool
• Finding your alignment corrections in the water
• The importance of weight-bearing exercises outside the pool

Catch the full episode for all the details.

Resources mentioned:

Pool Floating Equipment

Virtual Scoliosis Coaching Services

Schedule a Discovery Call

How do hormones affect your scoliosis curve?

The hormones in your body can impact your scoliosis symptoms and even accelerate curve progression. This can be especially true for women, who experience significant hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause.

However, there are several ways to counteract those hormonal effects and prevent your curve from progressing. This episode covers how hormones impact scoliosis and what to do about it:

• Statistics about scoliosis in men vs. women
• How hormonal changes can accelerate curve progression
• The importance of early scoliosis diagnosis
• The link between melatonin and scoliosis
• How the menstrual cycle influences scoliosis pain
• How and why scoliosis can progress during pregnancy
• Menopause, bone density, and curve progression

Catch the full episode for all the details.

Resources mentioned:

The Scoliosis Research Society

Virtual Scoliosis Coaching Services

Schedule a Discovery Call

Which summer activities are good for scoliosis?

There are plenty of dire warnings about the dangers of roller coasters and jet skis for people with scoliosis. But the truth is that summer offers far more opportunities than restrictions.

In this short and sweet episode, I’m sharing a bit about all the summer activities that can be safe, enjoyable, and even beneficial for scoliosis:

• Hiking outdoors
• Taking mini walks throughout the day
• Swimming (and just floating in the pool)
• Standup paddleboarding
• Other activities that feel good for your body!

I’ve also got some practical advice on how to determine if/when certain activities aren’t right for your curve. Catch the full episode for all the details.

Resources mentioned:

Scoliologic Fitness

Schedule a Discovery Call