Who needs scoliosis bracing? Is it really an effective treatment method?

Spinal bracing has been used to treat scoliosis for a long time, but it has evolved a lot since the early days. However, there are still many misconceptions about bracing, how it works, and who it can help.

This episode is a detailed overview of scoliosis bracing:

• A history of bracing designs and treatment approaches for scoliosis
• How bracing helps de-rotate the spine
• How to cope with bracing and get the best results
• Bracing for adolescents vs. for adults

Catch the full episode for all the details.

Resources mentioned:

A History of Bracing for Idiopathic Scoliosis in North America

Align Clinic 

Ahead of the Curve, Episode 70: Tongue Tie and Scoliosis With Dr. Laura Glazebrook 

Schedule a Discovery Call

How can your scoliosis curve cause pain in other parts of your body besides your back?

Because every part of your body is interconnected, there are many ways that your spinal curve can create pain. But once you understand the underlying cause of your chronic pain, you can treat it more effectively.

This episode dives into scoliosis pain and covers some of the less obvious causes of pain and how to address them:

• Internal organ movement
• Trapped nerves and muscle tightness
• Limited spinal mobility
• Suboptimal movement patterns

Catch the full episode for all the details.

Resources mentioned:

Stop Chasing Pain

The Scoliosis Strength Collective

Schedule a Discovery Call

Wondering if there are ways to treat your scoliosis beyond just spinal elongation exercises?

The answer is yes! In fact, there are several unconventional activities that I’ve found extremely effective in my own scoliosis care. 

This episode explains how to incorporate some non-traditional treatments into your scoliosis care routine:

• The benefits of red light therapy for scoliosis care
• How lymphatic care can help with scoliosis symptoms
• Why you might want to use a vibration plate

Catch the full episode for all the details.

Resources mentioned:

The Red Light Report

Biolight

Mito Red Light Therapy (affiliate code: scoliopt)

Ahead of the Curve, Episode 35: Scoliosis and the Lymphatic System, How They’re Connected

Stop Chasing Pain

Wondering whether you need to hire a scoliosis specialist?

Many people with scoliosis seek physical therapy for help managing their back pain and other symptoms. But there are some unique benefits to working with a scoliosis-specific practitioner.

This episode covers the main differences between general and specialized physical therapy for people who have scoliosis:

• My experience as a physical therapist who also has scoliosis
• The way that scoliosis is covered in physical therapy education
• How a traditional PT approaches scoliosis
• The additional training scoliosis specialists may receive
• The basic principles of scoliosis exercise and treatment 

Catch the full episode for all the details.

Resources mentioned:

Schedule a Discovery Call

The Scoliosis Strength Collective

Feeling like you can’t keep up with your scoliosis exercises?

Everyone goes through phases where it’s not possible to stick with the normal routine. But even if your typical scoliosis exercises are out of reach, there are still plenty of things you can do.

This episode is designed to help you find ways to keep caring for your spine when life happens. I’m covering all the essentials:

• Examples of times when you can’t exercise normally
• Alternative props you can use
• Tips for staying active (safely)
• How to care for your spine following an injury

Catch the full episode for all the details.

The Self-Paced Collective

Which is better for scoliosis — daily exercise or daily movement?

Both of these habits can help reduce back pain and other scoliosis symptoms. But which one is better? 

This episode includes all the essential information you need to answer that question for yourself:

• The definitions of movement and exercise
• The mental aspect of building a new habit
• How to incorporate more movement into your day
• The difference between motivation and discipline
• Exercises that are safe for scoliosis

Catch the full episode for all the details.

The Scoliosis Movement Bootcamp

Wondering whether you can benefit from working with a scoliosis expert?

I have scoliosis myself, and I also work as a physical therapist and virtual coach for other people with scoliosis. In this episode, I’m giving you a look at my own scoliosis journey and some of the methods I use to help my clients:

• My scoliosis diagnosis and how it impacted my ballet dancing
• Why many PTs are uninformed about scoliosis
• Why I decided to offer online scoliosis coaching
• The tools and techniques I use to help my clients feel their best

Catch the full episode for all the details.

Resources mentioned:

Ahead of the Curve, Episode 39: The Value of a Scoliosis Community

How does your pelvic floor affect your back pain?

That’s just one of the questions that I discuss with Dr. Mary Grimberg, PT, DPT, OCS in this episode. We also talk about how scoliosis and pelvic floor issues impact pregnancy and postpartum and why it’s crucial for everyone to prioritize their pelvic floor health.

This episode covers many aspects of pelvic health, scoliosis, and pregnancy: 

• How pregnancy impacts the spinal and pelvic alignment
• Why most people are underinformed about the pelvic floor
• Exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor
• How to reduce back and hip pain during pregnancy and postpartum 

Catch the full episode for all the details.

Resources mentioned:

Ahead of the Curve, Episode 18: Considerations for Postpartum Recovery with Scoliosis with Dr. Mary Grimberg

What’s the best way to manage those days when your scoliosis symptoms flare up?

These high-symptom cycles can be painful and exhausting, and they take a toll on your physical and mental health. However, a few simple coping techniques can make these challenging situations a little easier.

This episode covers some techniques to manage your physical pain and support your emotional well-being: 

• Internal narrative moderation
• Gentle movement
• Breathing exercises with props
• Self-massage

Catch the full episode for all the details.

Resources mentioned:

Ahead of the Curve, Episode 23: The Connection Between Breath and Spinal Health 

Do you ever feel like your body is betraying you?

Many people with scoliosis (and other chronic conditions) can feel like their body is an inhospitable place. And life can feel very difficult when your body doesn’t feel like home.

This episode is a heart-to-heart discussion of some of the emotional and mental aspects of scoliosis — and how to overcome them:

• The mental/emotional consequences of chronic pain
• How scoliosis impacts bodily autonomy
• How chronic pain can affect personal relationships
• How to start feeling comfortable in your own skin

Catch the full episode for all the details.

Resources mentioned:

Ahead of the Curve, Episode 32: Scoliosis and Bodily Autonomy