Ahead of the Curve, The Scoliosis Experience

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

How can you be comfortable at the pool with spinal fusion? Can you safely perform myofascial release if you have scoliosis? Can you pass scoliosis to your kids?

These are just a few of the topics I recently discussed with my good friend Kerry Green, LCSW. I always learn so much talking with Kerry, and this month’s Curve Convos discussion was no different. Our conversation ran the gamut:

• Items we’ve been excited to purchase but then never use
• Whether scoliosis is hereditary
• The mental health aspects of a scoliosis diagnosis
• How to reframe negative thoughts about scoliosis
• Our favorite sources for swimsuits and athletic clothing
• Validating/debunking common scoliosis fears

Catch the full episode for all the details.

Resources mentioned:

Kerry’s Website

Kerry’s Instagram

Schedule a Discovery Call

Ever feel extra sore after an exercise session?

Your joints might be jammed! And the best way to reduce pain and encourage optimal movement is to unjam those joints as soon as possible.

This episode is all about jammed joints. I’m explaining how they happen and what to do about them. Listen for details:

• The difference between tight muscles and jammed joints
• How a jammed joint impacts your movement capabilities
• How ground reaction forces cause pressure on your joints
• The arthrokinetic reflex and how it supports healthy joints
• How to unjam various joints effectively

I also have some thoughts about the pros and cons of online scoliosis communities and groups. Listen to the full episode for all the details.

Resources mentioned:

Missy Bunch MIQ Mentorship

Unhamming Your Joints Video

Schedule a Discovery Call

Would scoliosis coaching benefit you?

It helps to hear what a coaching program is actually like. In this episode, I’m talking with Laura Figueroa about her experience in The Scoliosis Strength Collective. Our conversation covers all the essentials:

• How to know which scoliosis care program is right for you
• The challenges of exercising consistently
• Developing a self-care mindset
• How to identify self-corrections 
• The benefits of knowing your unique body and curve
• The importance of accountability
• How effective breathwork is for scoliosis care

Catch the full episode for all the details.

Resources mentioned:

Laura’s Website

Laura’s Instagram

The Scoliosis Strength Collective

Schedule a Discovery Call

Are you so focused on healing your scoliosis that it’s doing more harm than good?

If you’re not seeing the results you want from your scoliosis care, it’s easy to think that you should just “try harder.” But doing so often has a negative effect. 

This short episode covers mindset from a different perspective:

• How being too focused can be detrimental
• Recognizing mindset challenges impacting your results
• Taking a big-picture approach to your scoliosis care

Catch the full episode for all the details.

Resources mentioned:

Dr. Cassie Huckaby’s Instagram

The Scoliosis Strength Collective

Schedule a Discovery Call

Is cycling safe if you have scoliosis? What about doing twisty yoga stretches?

These are just a few of the topics I recently discussed with Kerry Green, LCSW. Kerry is a nervous system expert who has scoliosis, and she provides fascinating insights into living with chronic pain and other scoliosis symptoms. I always learn so much during our conversations.

This episode of Curve Convos with Kerry covers everything from heatless curls to overcoming our fears, and so much more:

• Whether cycling/spinning is a safe exercise for scoliosis
• How to know whether an exercise or movement is right for you
• Modifying exercise routines based on what your body needs
• Conquering personal fears about movements, exercises, or activities
• How trying new things can positively impact your nervous system
• Tips for regulating your nervous system

Catch the full episode for all the details.

Resources mentioned:

Kerry’s Website
Kerry’s Instagram
Schedule a Discovery Call

Are your eyes contributing to your back pain?

They might be! But there’s an upside — strengthening your eye muscles can help reduce back pain and improve your mobility.

This episode is all about how the connection between your cranial nerves and scoliosis:

• Why a holistic approach to care is so effective
• The body’s hierarchy of self-protection
• The connection between your cranial nerves and other body systems
• How to identify and address eye issues impacting posture
• Caring for your cranial nerves and exercising your eye muscles
• The check/re-check protocol for self-assessment

Catch the full episode for all the details.

Resources mentioned:

Ahead of the Curve, Episode 69: Scoliosis and Your Nervous System

Scoliologic Fitness

Schedule a Discovery Call

What should you do when you feel like you aren’t seeing results from scoliosis physical therapy?

Change your approach! Every person is completely different, and it’s crucial to find a treatment approach that works with your body and addresses your unique needs.

That’s just one of the things I’ve learned from working with Anna Hartman, founder of MovementREV. She’s my guest in this episode, and we’re diving deep into the essentials of physical therapy and scoliosis care:

• The importance of listening to your body and believing yourself
• Forcing the body into specific shapes vs. meeting the body where it is
• How to take a flexible approach to traditional scoliosis treatment protocols
• The impact of negative internal messages about scoliosis
• Figuring out your personal underlying reason for pain, which may not match someone else’s
• How to stop blaming yourself for your scoliosis pain
• The value of prioritizing goals and actions in your life

Catch the full episode for all the details.

Resources mentioned:

Anna Hartman, The Movement Rev

Anna’s Instagram

Anna’s podcast

The Scoliosis Strength Collective

Schedule a Discovery Call