Ahead of the Curve, The Scoliosis Experience

What’s the best way to care for your scoliosis curve?

It all comes down to understanding the basics of curve care. Once you know how you want to support your spine, you can incorporate effective movements and habits into your daily routine.

This episode covers the four scoliosis basics: 

• Elongation
• Stacking
• Breath
• Stabilization
• Using these basics to reduce pain, improve posture, and increase mobility

Catch the full episode for all the details.

Resources mentioned:

Scoliosis Basics Masterclass

Schedule a Discovery Call

Do other people with scoliosis have similar experiences to yours?

It’s a question that most of us ask ourselves occasionally. There’s so much value in hearing other people’s experiences and knowing that you aren’t alone!

I recently got to chat with Kerry Green, LCSW. She’s a licensed therapist and coach, and also a spinal fusion warrior! In this free-flowing conversation, Kerry and I covered a lot of ground:

• Thoughts on bracing
• How scoliosis impacts physical activities
• Fear of physical movement and activity (kinesiophobia)
• How to improve proprioception (knowledge of your body’s position and movement)
• How movement can help release emotions/trauma stored in the body
• Exercising safely with scoliosis

Catch the full episode for all the details.

Resources mentioned:

Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia

Kerry’s Website

Kerry’s Instagram 

Kim Moscatello on Instagram 

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Is your scoliosis impacting your sleep?

The position you sleep in can affect your spinal curve and contribute to back and neck pain. If you’re waking up tired or in pain, you might need to change your sleep habits. This episode covers all the essentials of sleeping with scoliosis:

• Habits that help improve sleep quality
• How spinal elongation exercises can help with sleep
• Bedtime breathing exercises
• Why sleeping on your stomach isn’t ideal if you have scoliosis
• Which sleep positions are best for different curve types
• Top reasons you might wake up with a headache or back pain
• How to choose a good pillow

Catch the full episode for all the details.

Resources mentioned:

Ahead of the Curve, Episode 53: Is Your Mattress Exacerbating Your Scoliosis?

The Scoliosis Strength Collective

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Feel like it’s impossible to keep up with a scoliosis exercise routine?

Many people feel this way because they think spending hours in the gym every day is necessary to see results.

But that’s not true! Just 10-20 minutes a day can be extremely effective in helping you build strength, improve your alignment, and reduce pain. This episode explains everything:

• Common reasons that people think they don’t have time to exercise
• Finding your motivation to change your routine
• Time management tips for fitting in exercise
• How to simplify complicated scoliosis exercise routines
• The power of structure and accountability
• How to add scoliosis-specific exercises into your current fitness routine

Catch the full episode for all the details.

Resources mentioned:

The Scoliosis Strength Collective

Schedule a Discovery Call

Are you living with chronic pain?

It can be an extremely frustrating and debilitating experience. But it’s important to remember that you’re not alone — and there are ways to address your pain.

This episode is a discussion with Agnes Szymczak, a chronic pain coach and spinal fusion warrior. Our discussion covers many different aspects of this complicated topic:

• Agnes’ scoliosis story and experience with chronic pain
• A holistic (mind/body) approach to pain management
• Lifestyle factors that can affect chronic pain
• The connection between chronic pain and mental health
• Finding a self-care routine that works for you

Catch the full episode for all the details.

Resources mentioned:

Agnes’s Website

Agnes’s Facebook

The Way Out: A Revolutionary, Scientifically Proven Approach to Healing Chronic Pain (by Alan Gordon)

The Mountain If You: Transforming Self-Sabotage into Self-Mastery (by Brianna Wiest)

Schedule a Discovery Call

Does scoliosis affect your digestive system?

Yes — probably more than you think! The truth is that your spinal curve can prevent your digestive organs from functioning optimally, which can lead to uncomfortable issues like heartburn and constipation.

But you don’t just have to live with these symptoms. This episode includes all the information you need to support good digestion and feel better:

• Gastrointestinal issues that often affect people with scoliosis
• How posture impacts digestion
• Why spinal elongation can help address digestive issues
• How breathing correctly can help improve digestion
• Practical tips to address scoliosis-related digestive issues

Catch the full episode for all the details.

Resources mentioned:

Scoliosis and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Adults

Abdominal Massage

Schedule a Discovery Call

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