Live pain free with Scoliosis, Arthritis, integrative nutrition & Buteyko breathing retraining

We were made to move.

Born in Poland as young girl in her gym class, she was diagnosed with Scoliosis. At age 16 with a 48 curve she had surgery. Being curious about her own surgery, she convinced her orthopedic to let her observe a spinal fusion using Harrington rods.

Not living with any pain, pre & post surgery, life moved as it always had pain free. It wasn’t until she had her 2nd child that pain started to set in. Having a corporate job, wearing heals, life all took a toll. Not being able to support her Scoliosis, getting out of bed became painful. Cortisone shots weren’t a possibility because of her fusion. 

She worked with therapist for 4 years, she learned how use her body, firing her glutes, how to walk, building core strength. 

Living with Scoliosis & Arthritis pain free. Every day we open up, it’s like we’re blooming. Once we don’t have that message of pain in our head, there is no limit. 

Agnes shares a story about when she wanted to skate. Her daughter was scared remembering the pain her mom lived with.

It wasn’t until her 4th car accident that, her perspective changed. “It was about the work.” This will not impact me. It’s the power of mind set. With that, she said, “I’m going to be okay.”

We need kindness for ourselves. 

This is her story.

Where can you find Agnes:

Instagram: thesimplebeautifulwellness

Web: Simple Beautiful Wellness

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At age 13 Jaq was diagnosed with Scoliosis. When she was 16, the pain started. This lead her family into a deep dive of doing research to find out what the nexts would be. She would do physical therapy with no help of her curve decreasing & not being prescribed a brace.

It would be 10 years until she had surgery. She continued living her every day life playing sports & being active. In her senior year of high school, she stopped playing rugby because of the increased. She went to orthopedics, no one prescribing Schroth Method or bracing. “Here’s physical therapy, hopefully it doesn’t worsen.”

Surgery would be her next step. After many appointments & opinions, Jaq & her family found an orthopedic in West Slip, New York Dr. Sevarella.

She would have surgery that kept her in the ICU for a week.

Recovery was rough. I remember burning pain. I remember waking up crying happy that I woke up.

“You have to fight for your new spine.”

She shares, looking back, those were my second first steps.

Jaq shares one of the best post Scoliosis stories about her mom driving home being stopped by the police.

Upon getting home, we realized I wasn’t given meds. 24 hrs later she got her meds but it would take 2 weeks for life to feel normal. My mom was my rock.

It would take 2 years for my spine to feel normal.

So much more goes into surgery than having surgery. Mentally I felt like I was never prepared for what was to come.  i didn’t think about what would be like to bath myself or wash my hair or being able to walk without assistance.

Having surgery has it’s benefits.

Believe in your decisions. You are smart enough.

Where can you find Jaq:

Jaq

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Growing up Dr. Gardner liked science. In college he majored in Chemistry.  "Medicine was a way to touch peoples lives.” Dr. Gardner was drawn to Orthopedic surgery, based on the magnitude & immediacy 

He trained at Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC, graduating in 2007. It was during this time, he was optimistic, viewing the future through rose colored glasses. When he started talking with patients he learned about the health care system is in the US. He started to feel disillusioned on how the system fails patients. 

It was then, he saw specifically how the Scoliosis journey had problematic components.

Dr. Gardner still believes that a lot of these surgeries are potentially avoidable with better systems in place.

Dr. Gardner partnered with Karena Thek founder of Scoliosis Pilates, bringing Kavon Saber (an adult living with Scoliosis) to help patients solve living  with Scoliosis.

Dr Gardner shares his thoughts on Harrington Rods & Tethering. 

Some of Dr. Gardners come to him post surgery with “failed back syndrome.”

Working with Dr. Gardner & his team patients can self scan using the FDA approved app which  asses the severity of a patients scoliosis. 

“The system is not your fault.”

“Losing hope is easy but there is help out there.”

Where can you find Dr. Gardner: 

Instagram: National Scoliosis Clinic

wwwNationalScoliosisClinic.com

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Crystal’s journey with Scoliosis started at age 2. At age 2, her mother noticed that Crystal was walking differently than her friends. Being concerned, her mother searched for answers. Remembering that a cousin had Scoliosis, she thought maybe Crystal has Scoliosis as too. 

They found the Princess Elizabeth Orthopedic treatment center in Trinidad. After having X-rays, it was confirmed Crystal had Scoliosis.  Every 6 months, Crystal would have her assessment. During one of her assessments, it was found she had a heart defect. The focus shifted from her Scoliosis to her heart. 

At ages 2-6 she was wore the Wilmington brace (a brace that is still used today in Trinidad) wearing it 23 hrs a day for the 1st year. The brace would rub against her chest. Because of an already existing heart problem, the brace affected her breathing.

This caused her to stop wearing the brace. At age 14 her curves increased to 70-80 degrees. At the doctors suggestion, she would wear the brace. During this time she would be diagnosed with Multi neuron disease. 

At age 18, with a 90 degree curve, she had surgery. Her surgery was a success but she lives with occasional pain. Her curve post surgery is 60 degrees.  

Through the foundation her parents instilled in her, Crystal lives in a world of always finding the positives. Having Scoliosis at such a young age, was sensitive. She had the belief that her treatment would give her a straight spine & no more pain. Though life didn’t go as planned, she never let her situation bring her down. This drives Crystal to help people. 

“My past experience has fulled me to do better.” Her mother instilled the belief of being optimistic.”

It’s an invisible illness

I am unique. You cannot allow your circumstances out way the rest of your life & so started Woman of Steel. 

You're stronger than you think

Listen to her story & how her journey has changed the lives of others

Where can you find Crystal: 

Instagram WomanofSteel97

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Emily, a friend,  a client with a spinal fusion

Emily's Scoliosis was diagnosed when they did the toe touch test In high school, Being a very active teenager playing field hockey and other sports, her back started to hurt. Her mother thought the pain might be associated to sports. At age 14, Emily had a growth spurt.

During this time, her curves increased. Though her curve increased, it was never recommended that she wear a brace.

She started to live with consistent pain, “turning off the emotional side.” I was a kid who wanted to keep living life.”

In 2007 Emily would have a spinal fusion. Having her mother, brother & friends group, she had continuous supported.

The day after surgery, they orthopedic team had her up & walking.

I asked Emily if she had an physical therapy? She went to a chiropractor pre surgery even before she was diagnosed. One of the memories that stays with her, she used was the arm bike.

When she got home, she noticed she had gained an 1” - 2” in height.

It would take years until Emily would open herself to the emotional impact of having a spinal fusion.

“I have to work with myself, not ignore myself.’

Where can you find Emily?

Instagram: Emily

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Based in Columbia South Carolina, Abbey shares her passion of becoming a Schroth specialist. 

Graduating from Medical University of Charleston South Carolina, she knew she wanted to specialize in something where she could make an impact. Expanding her medical knowledge working on the trauma team in Columbia South Carolina, she got a call from a friend who worked in outpatient pediatrics saying that they were hiring.

In 2016, she started the journey of working with kids. She had a few patients who she helped & others who she would refer for more specific treatment. This opened her eyes. She did her research finding that everything led to treating the spine from a three dimensional standpoint in the Schroth & BSPTS (Barcelona Scoliosis Physical Therapy School) methods.

Wanting to help patients, she signed up for an intro course in Boston. 

During this time, she found out a colleague at another clinic also wanted to help people in the scoliosis community.  They joined forces, getting certified in Levels 1 & 2 in BSPTS.

Our clinics open in 2021 & we are now blowing up with patients! However she started to question why some patients were being diagnosed in the late stages of Scoliosis. She found out there are 20+ states that no longer do screenings in schools. 

Abby shares her wins & pains that keep her driven to continue working with the Scoliosis community. 

Where can you find Abby: 

Instagram: Abbyroad919 

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In middle school around age 13 Kerry noticed she started to have pain. After doing a few toe touch tests, nothing was noticed, though she had a significant curve. In high school, she was playing a lot of sports, during which she was given a brace & told “wait & see.” Not understanding what was happening, she & her friends would make a joke out of it. She wore her brace at night though she was told to wear it 24/7.

While in college her pain became so significant that surgery became her only choice, though she wanted to put it off. She decided that Christmas break would be the best time to have surgery, thinking it was no big deal. Break was over & she flew back to school & was carrying her books living her every day college life. 

She started to notice after being fused T1- T11, her pain patterns hadn’t changed. The continued when she was in grad school. The pains kept her frozen, including where she was fused. It was during this time that she learned about the nervous system & the things she could do to help her Scoliosis, Schroth  Scoliosis Pilates just to name a few. When she started working on these, techniques, her pain started to “melt away.”

After talking with Erin Meyers, from Spiral Spine,  hearing other peoples stories, Kerry started to  learn about the ways to take control through her nervous system. She believes that taking some of the trauma out of Scoliosis will lesson the pain.

This is something that resinates with her. Take the darkness, fight or flight “Dorsal Vagal” out. Kelly started to notice that what she was sharing with her clients, she wasn’t applying to herself. She heard a repetitive voice that kept playing on a cassette player. This voice kept triggering her.  As she explored, she discovered that her triggers came from doctors language.

She found Vivian DaywithViv on Instagram. Through Viv’s program, her world opened up. 

Kerry learned how to change that language started got certified in neurological fitness-short somatic exercises that make you feel safe. 

Through her own work, she created an 8 week program, Nerve to Sour. Master anxiety & heal your nervous system. 

Where can you find Kerry:

Instagram Kerry Green

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Practicing for almost 4 decades as a Chiropractic Orthopedist and author of 'Healing The Human Machine.’

Dr. Hargis, a graduate from Palmer College, he wanted to specialize in Orthopedics because that was most germain to patient population he was seeing. 

Once making the decision into Orthopedics, he went through an 3 1/2 year orthopedic program at NY chiropractic college. 

Along the way, he started treating people with Scoliosis. During this time, he saw X-ray of patients, noticing leg length discrepancies. To his surprise, radiologists never commented on these. 

Dr Hargis shares his a rational perspective. X-rays are taken from a standing position. This should be an easy observation to see as a leg length discrepancy. Dr. Hargis explains. The spine made up of 24 moveable vertebra sitting on a pelvis. If one leg is shorter, you’re going to have a pelvic tilt. In Dr. Hargis, opinion the leg length discrepancy is never discussed. If a lift were put in the show, while tracking the scoliotic patient, 

“there would be no money to be made.”

Dr Hargis, questions “why Scoliosis isn’t evaluated properly.”He breaks this down. 

Dr. Hargis dives deeper into the connection of body balance in his book, Healing the Human Machine along with equipment he has designed to help patients. There is a way to balance & correct the body if you understand how to do it. 

He emphasize’s how important exercise is.

“Balance them from the ground up.” Good spinal mobility is important. One way to get them is through spinal manipulation. 

“Doing the right therapy avoiding the wrong procedures.”

Where can you find Dr. Hargis:

⁠https://www.facebook.com/DrCalHargis⁠

⁠https://www.youtube.com/@healingthehumanmachine8014⁠

www:https://healingthehumanmachine.com

LEAVE A REVIEW: if you enjoy this episode, we’d to hear what was your take away. Be sure to do over to Apple Podcasts & leave a review. If you know someone who this can help please share. Take a screen shot & share it with us on instagram @⁠T3fitt.⁠

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This is a guest you don’t want to miss! Dr. Hagit started at Hospital for Special Surgery in NY after finishing her education in Physical therapy. There she met, one of the greatest spinal surgeons Dr. Boachie, lead Chair of Scoliosis Society. She asked to follow him to help in his foundation going to Ghana helping to rehabilitate children with complex spinal surgeries. 

Dr Hachi, was a believer of not operating on children but instead conservatively doing research that could help. He would prefer to operate on 1 out of 10 children. It is the guidance & help of Dr. Boachie that Dr. Hagit was able to reach her education for conservative management.

Dr. Hagit found the Schroth Clinic in Germany & signed up for the 10 day course. Continuing her education, she studied the Barcelona method with Dr. Rigo. 

With her education, Dr. Hagit has since opened her own school with her partner, of online learning Scoliosis and Spine Online Learning  (SSOL)

How does Dr. Hagit work. She’s based out of NY & Israel but she has patients from all over the word. Dr. Hagit dives into what happens if you’ve have a spinal fusion & what you should do post surgery depending on what type of surgery you’ve had (tethering vs. rods). How far along are they post surgery. 

Some of the techniques for curves & spinal fusions can be the same, breath expansion, lengthening. It’s similar but individual in many ways. 

Dr Hagit shares a story of her 87 year old client. The devotion of her client has with her mat and mattress marked for alignment. She practices 7 days a week. “She will forever be my role model of compliance.”

"Compliance is number in success!”

Dr. Hagit shares another story, a teenager in NY with a 51 degrees. With 6 opinions she was told to have surgery. At the last orthopedic appointment, her surgeon suggested Schroth & bracing. “You’ve got nothing to lose” 

With Dr. Hagit’s exercises, her curves went from a 51 to a 30 & NO SURGERY! Dr. Hagit emphasizes how important the family support is. It’s crucial for the success. 

It was Dr. Hagit that brought Schroth to NY. She brakes down the process of why it took so long to come to the states. “When there is more experience, there will be more documents.

We are an adjunct to the patient. Deliver the hope through your voice, your hands & your education. 

Where can you Dr. Hagit:

Instagram: SchrothNYC

https://www.schrothnyc.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hagitberdishevsky6821

LEAVE A REVIEW: if you enjoy this episode, we’d to hear what was your take away. Be sure to do over to Apple Podcasts & leave a review. If you know someone who this can help please share. Take a screen shot & share it with us on instagram @⁠T3fitt.⁠

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Kay has lived with various conditions since his teens. One of those is Ulcerative Colitis. He had been consistent going to the gym. Noticing the progress he had made. One day he noticed, he stopped. It had been a month, then 2. He was weak that he had to use crutches. Kay, went to the hospital. He had a 50% blood loss. He stayed in the hospital for 3 weeks. Slowly he gained his strength. He started to train while in the hospital.

Sara’s story starts around Christmas when she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Starting with Chemotherapy, they installed a port under her skin. This was the first operation she had since her fusion. Not having flash backs but remembering what it felt like to have surgery the emotions felt familiar. While this is going on, she was also getting certified in Steel mace flow.

It took a while to get used to training with her mace while having the port under her skin.

They share how the mace has helped with recovery.

Sara shares the emotional space is huge. I’m the strongest I’ve ever been. The mace gives me a habit to move & think positively.

Kay the mental as well physical were huge. Once I discovered the rotational line of movement, I discovered it heals entire body.

His determination kept him motivated to revisit his training with the mace, no matter what the weight.

When we have to take baby steps, it’s an opportunity to self reflect.

To hear more of their stories with Scoliosis, you can her Sara’s here & Kay here.

Where can you find Sara & Kay?

Sara Instagram: Sarandipitous_life

Kay Instagram: Kayola885

3 Free tips for back stretches created by Teresa for Scoliosis back pain. Grab your free tips here

Do you follow Teresa on Instagram yet? Head over to T3Fitt on Instagram and follow her and her team for additional content.

LEAVE A REVIEW: if you enjoy this episode, we’d to hear what was your take away. Be sure to do over to Apple Podcasts & leave a review. If you know someone who this can help please share. Take a screen shot & share it with us on instagram @T3fitt.