Why Let Scoliosis Limit Expectations for Yourself?

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sfsc-coughlin-lee scoliosisDoes dealing with scoliosis add limitations on what you believe you can achieve? Well, don’t let scoliosis set the bar for your expectations of yourself!

You are not alone on your journey with scoliosis.  Approximately 6 million people in the US suffer from scoliosis.

Included in that 6 million dealing with scoliosis are Olympic Swimmer Natalie Coughlin and Professional Pool Player Jeanette Lee.

Olympic Swimmer Natalie Coughlin wasn’t diagnosed with scoliosis until she was 30 years old.  When she first got an x-ray, her curve was 27°, and she was shocked at the sight of her spine. Coughlin proves you can accomplish incredible things despite scoliosis.

  • She became the first female U.S. Olympian to have won six medals in all six events, including an event she didn’t even train for.
  • She is also tied for the most all-time medals by a female swimmer along side two other Olympians.

Coughlin plans to continue pursuing her goals by attending the 2016 Games in Rio.  In preparation for the 2016 Games, Coughlin is training at UC Berkeley along side the men.  The scoliosis diagnosis has not slowed Coughlin down in the slightest.  She knows what she needs to do to achieve her goals and is not letting her scoliosis diagnosis stop her from accomplishing those goals.

Professional Pool Player Jeanette Lee was diagnosed earlier than Coughlin at the age of 13.  In hopes of alleviating the progression of the curve, Lee had scoliosis surgery.  Although the surgery was thought to be a success, Lee still dealt with the effects of scoliosis.  Around the time Lee was in college, she was introduced to the game of pool.  She immediately began pursuing her new found passion, and was often playing 20+ hours at a time.  Unfortunately, the metal rods placed in her back during her scoliosis surgery were causing Lee excessive pain.  Even though it appeared her consistent practicing was aggravating her scoliosis, Lee continued to pursue her dreams.  Her strength and drive led her to incredible achievements.

  • She became a professional pool player at the age of 21.
  • In her first year, Lee was ranked within the top ten in the Women’s Professional Billiards Association, and not long after she became the #1 ranked woman pool player in the world.
  • Lee has had countless victories throughout her career, while also acquiring tournament titles and even a gold medal in the 2001 World Games.

Through all this success, “The Black Widow,” as Lee came to be known, has still dealt with pain due to her scoliosis and has undergone several other surgeries.  Lee has not let the obstacle of scoliosis stop her from reaching her full potential.

Each of these women have not allowed scoliosis to hold them back from accomplishing their amazing feats.  If you feel like scoliosis is preventing you from reaching your dreams, think of these two strong women and know that you can accomplish anything you want. New technology and better methods are available to stop the progression of the scoliotic curve and make life with scoliosis possible.  Take a step towards your goals by understanding that scoliosis is just a part of your journey and not an end to it.

 

For more information on available methods for the treatment of scoliosis, contact us at South Florida Scoliosis Center 305-705-0777, or visit www.southfloridascoliosiscenter.com.

South Florida Scoliosis Center is the only CLEAR Scoliosis Treatment Center in the South Florida area in addition to being one in only 18 worldwide clinics to offer Intensive Care Scoliosis Treatment.

South Florida Scoliosis Center draws patients from the entire state as well as from countries abroad.

Back to School with Scoliosis: Tips for a Successful Year

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scoliosis girl back to school

Summer is over, the kids are back in school and the homework load has started to pile up; Even though It’s that time of year again, continue to be mindful of scoliosis. The number of notebooks and textbooks coming home in backpacks each day seems to grow and grow.  A child’s backpack should not exceed 10-15% of his or her body weight, according to the American Physical Therapy Association. Often times, however, children are carrying much more than that.

Besides notebooks and textbooks there’s the paper, pencils, markers, and calculators, the list goes on and on.  All of these items could result in a heavy backpack, which could lead to possible strain on your child’s spine and scoliosis curve.  The extra weight that many children deal with each day can place unnecessary strain on their spines because they are leaning forward to compensate for the heavy load.  For any child the extra strain can cause problems down the road, but if the child is dealing with scoliosis, an overly heavy backpack can aggravate the situation exponentially

Backpack Safety

In order to place less strain on the spine, it is important to distribute the different items in your child’s backpack so that the heavier items are towards the back and any smaller items are placed evenly in the compartments.  Children should also be encouraged to use both straps when wearing their backpacks so the weight is evenly distributed across their backs. If possible, rolling backpacks are ideal to relieve any stress on the spine.  In children with scoliosis, such suggestions are extremely helpful so as not to aggravate or worsen the child’s scoliosis curve.

Stay Focused

Even while in school there are a few steps your child can take throughout the day to avoid aggravating their scoliosis.  Encourage your child to sit with both legs on the floor while in school instead of crossing them.  This way they will not be leaning to one side or the other and will have their weight evenly distributed.  Being mindful of one’s posture can also take stress off of the back and spine.

Make the Time

Being back to school doesn’t just consist of heavy backpacks, it also means less free time for kids.  They spend a large portion of their day sitting in classrooms, and then at home they are completing homework and other school projects.  Some children also have after school activities that take up a decent amount of their time.  However, don’t let being back in school take away the focus from other important aspects of life like your child’s health.  It is important for children with scoliosis to find time to work on correcting their scoliosis curve.

Along with making sure your child’s backpack is not adding to the situation, certain exercises are available to aid in the correction of a child’s scoliosis curve.  Such exercises can be done two to four times a day depending on how busy the day’s schedule is looking.  The time allocated to these exercises can range from a minimum of fifteen minutes to a maximum of an hour.  Busy schedules go hand in hand with being back in school, but taking time out to focus on the health and well-being of your child is extremely important.

For more information about taking on the school year with scoliosis, contact us at South Florida Scoliosis Center 305-705-0777, or visit www.southfloridascoliosiscenter.com.

South Florida Scoliosis Center is the only CLEAR Scoliosis Treatment Center in the South Florida area in addition to being one in only 18 worldwide clinics to offer Intensive Care Scoliosis Treatment.

South Florida Scoliosis Center draws patients from the entire state as well as from countries abroad.

A letter about Scoliosis from one concerned parent to another:

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concerned-scoliosis-mother-and-daughterDear Parent,

I want to share my experience with my 10 year old daughter, so it may help other parents going through the process of Scoliosis.

My daughter was diagnosed with Scoliosis and we as a family where completely shocked. We didn’t know what scoliosis was and nor the severe complications that could arise in a person’s life if the right steps are not taken on time.

We immediately started searching for opinions locally in our country and each doctor we visited gave us a completely different opinion. Each one was making us more and more nervous. We arrived at a point that we really didn’t know what to do.

Searching on the web we found South Florida Scoliosis Center and after getting all the information we needed, we made a decision in less than two weeks to fly to Miami and take the Intensive Care treatment program. I have to admit that we had our doubts – since in our country the doctors told us “not to do anything related with chiropractics since there where no scientific studies that proved it worked in Scoliosis cases.”

Anyway, we left everything in God’s hands and decided to start the treatment.

Today I can say, thank God we made that decision!

On our daughter’s first Xray she had a curve of 43 degrees. And after 2 weeks of intensive treatment we got a reduction of 10 degrees and now she is at 33 degrees. We are in the process of the 90 days of at home exercises  but even though we haven’t received further xrays (we will get then after the 90 days home treatment), I can see she keeps improving.

So far we are very happy with the results and I look forward to writing a final review after the 90 days outcome.

About our experience at the Clinic I can say that we are more than pleased with the staff attendance, they are just GREAT, extremely kind, very professionals and always willing to help you or inform you of any doubt or concern you could have.

Dr. Greaux is just amazingly professional and makes you feel very comfortable during the whole process and is always available even with the at home follow up, and most importantly, he explains anything you need to know to understand that scoliosis is a condition that can really be treated without surgery.

I want to thank you all once again for your kind attention and if you have any parent that needs to get feedback from the treatment, I will be more than happy to help her.

Best regards!

JM

* To protect the privacy of our patients the images used in this post are not actual pictures of our patient but a representation of the same.

Ask me about:

For more information, contact us at South Florida Scoliosis Center 305-705-0777, or visit www.southfloridascoliosiscenter.com.

South Florida Scoliosis Center is the only CLEAR Scoliosis Treatment Center in the South Florida area in addition to being one in only 18 worldwide clinics to offer Intensive Care Scoliosis Treatment. South Florida Scoliosis Center draws patients from the entire state as well as from countries abroad.

 

HOP TO IT! It’s time to stop waiting… Scoliosis

HOP TO IT! It’s time to stop waiting…

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HOP TO IT! It’s time to stop waiting… ScoliosisHas your child recently been diagnosed with Scoliosis and you’re in the “Wait and See if it progresses” mode? Well you’re not alone!

Every year 15% of all grade school kids screened for scoliosis result in a positive diagnosis and yet many physicians still suggest three basic methods of treatment: observation, bracing, and/or surgery – based on the severity of the curve. However, new research now shows that alternative non-invasive options are more effective in the treatment of scoliosis.

At South Florida Scoliosis Center our work and successes have proven that treating Mild Scoliosis curves- those between 10° to 25 can significantly reduce and many times halt the progression of scoliosis. Using a CLEAR™ certified approach our physicians are able to assist our patients, young and old, in actively reducing the curvature of the spine without invasive surgical procedures and unsightly braces. Our unique non-bracing, non-surgical plan has proven time and again an effective advance in the treatment of scoliosis. We offer customized plans to fit our clients including: Scoliosis and Adult Scoliosis Treatment plans, Teen Curves Summer Camp, Scoliosis Boot Camp and Intensive Care Treatment – South Florida Scoliosis Center is one of only 16 certified CLEAR Intensive Scoliosis Care Clinics in the world.

So don’t you think it’s time to stop waiting?

Hop to it and give us a call – let us take care of those curves while they’re small!

305-705-0777

Facts About Mild Stage Scoliosis:

Scoliosis curve 10° to 25° – Mild Scoliosis has a significant risk of progression: up to 22%. Once the scoliosis passes 20°, risk of progression more than triples to 68%.Scoliosis Awareness T-Shirt

  • Scoliosis curve is less than 25°
  • May have tilted head, uneven shoulders or hips
  • Head may appear forward of shoulders when viewed from the side
  • Clothing may hang unevenly
  • May have uneven leg lengths
  • May go unnoticed, even by medical doctors or school screeners
  • May or may not be associated with pain
  • Most common in young, premenstrual girls, but can be seen in boys or adults.

To purchase one of our Scoliosis Awareness Tshirts for $10 click here.

Scoliosis and Shoes

SOLE SURFING- What you wear on your feet can have an impact on your scoliosis

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Scoliosis and ShoesWhat we wear on our feet can say a lot about who we are. Shoes are often an exciting channel to express personality, but we can’t forget about why we wear them in the first place.

While footwear exists first and foremost to protect our feet, they can also have a significant effect on our balance and posture. Since posture improvement is such a large part of living with scoliosis, it’s important to select the best shoes for your body.

The footwear fashion popular on the runway or even among kids are very appealing, but don’t always have your best interest in mind. If you know what to watch out for you can look good and feel good at the same time.
Following, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best features to provide you support while staying trendy.

What to look for in a shoe:

Soles – A commonly overlooked source of back pain can be worn out shoe soles. Often times simply replacing old shoes can alleviate pain. It’s important to look for a shoe with a balanced sole so that you are landing neutrally on your foot when walking or running, creating a stable base for the rest of your body.

Arch support – Foot arch shapes are variable from person to person. They are generally categorized by height, assorted between flat, low, and high arches. Look for footwear with adequate arch support, avoiding very flat shoes. The stability provided by arch support helps prevent compression of the lower spine.

Toes – Our feet are naturally designed so that our toes span wider than our heels with an arch that supports the foot and the rest of the body. A wide and flexible toe box is beneficial to allow your toes to respond to surfaces in the way they were intended.

Laces – While shoe laces are crucial in adjusting a shoe to your unique foot, the way you tie them can also impact your body. Contrary to some shoe fads, it’s best to lace shoes completely and tightly to increase stability and decrease the load on your foot and by extension, your back.

When should you buy new shoes?

Shoe replacement,has a lot to do with the wearing of the soles. For athletic or everyday shoes, the general lifespan is about 500 miles or 3-6 months. The feet of kids and teens are often growing at astonishing rates, so size comfort should also be considered when looking for replacements. Their shoes should be replaced anywhere from one to four times per year.

No matter what shoes you wear, it’s important to know whether you’re getting the support you need to maintain your health. Talk to shoe store associates about what is available and best for you and your family. With millions of people in America living with scoliosis today, it’s certainly easy to find a shoe that fits your functional and fashion needs.

Ask me about:

For more information, contact us at South Florida Scoliosis Center 305-705-0777, or visit www.southfloridascoliosiscenter.com.

South Florida Scoliosis Center is the only CLEAR Scoliosis Treatment Center in the South Florida area in addition to being one in only 18 worldwide clinics to offer Intensive Care Scoliosis Treatment. South Florida Scoliosis Center draws patients from the entire state as well as from countries abroad.

 

Scoliosis and backpacks

When the honeymoon is over does your child’s backpack stand up to the challenge?

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Ahhhhh… the new school year is now in full gear – new school shoes have been broken in, uniforms have endured their first stains, and everyday more and more it seems the shiny new back pack begins to suffer the effects of whopping homework overload!

Why should I be concerned?Scoliosis and backpacks

Did you know (as per the American Physical Therapy Association) your child’s backpack should never exceed 10-15% of his or her body weight? For the average 10 year-old child it’s the equivalent of 10 lbs!

These days it is not uncommon for the average child to carry 22-27% of their bodyweight in their backpack – an excess of 12-15% over the recommended guidelines.

This extra weight creates unnecessary strain on a child’s spine, can lead to serious health issues down the line and, in the case of children with scoliosis – can worsen a childs’ scoliosis curve.

How does this happen?

A heavy backpack can pull a child backwards making him or her overcompensate by bending forward or arching their backs, in turn compressing the spine. If your child likes to wear his or her backpack in the “over one shoulder sling” your child may tend to lean far to the one side to offset the weight of the heavy backpack. Repeated use overtime leads to poor posture, muscle strain and pain in the back, neck and shoulder areas.

Additionally, backpacks with tight narrow straps that dig into the skin can block circulation and nerve function, resulting in tingling, numbness and weakness in your child’s arms and hands.

What should I look for?

Check your child’s backpack for the following safety elements:

  • Make sure the backpack is lightweight- many backpacks, though fashionable, may be made of much heavier construction than is necessary, i.e. chains and other adornments
  • Padding- a padded back can make the load more comfortable while protecting from sharp objects poking out of the back
  • Waist straps- a backpack with a waist strap helps the weight distribute more evenly
  • Multiple compartments- help the weight of a backpack distribute more evenly
  • Padded shoulder straps – Make sure the backpack has two wide padded shoulder straps this will protect the skin in the shoulder area and lessen any blocking of circulation

What else can I do?

  • Weigh your child’s backpack- make sure it doesn’t exceed 10-15% of his or her body weight
  • When packing your child’s backpack- pack heavier items towards the back and evenly distribute smaller items in compartments
  • Adjust the straps to fit tight against the body

Always encourage your child to tell you about any discomfort concerning his backpack and pay attention to any symptoms he or she may be experiencing.

 

Think Scoliosis Doesn’t Affect You? think again…

Think Scoliosis Doesn’t Affect You? Think Again…

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Think Scoliosis Doesn’t Affect You? think again…

 

  1. An estimated 6 million people in the US alone suffer from scoliosis
  2. Scoliosis affects both men and women of all ages, races and socio-economic classes
  3. The onset of scoliosis is usually between 10 and 15 years of age
  4. More females than males are affected with Scoliosis
  5. It’s recommended that children be screened yearly! Early detection is the key to correcting Scoliosis curves
  6. Florida Legislature 381.0056 now mandates scoliosis screenings to be performed annually for students in grade six
  7. 15% of kids screened in school programs result in a positive diagnosis
  8. Research shows that alternative non-invasive options are more effective in the treatment of Scoliosis
  9. There are currently 40,000 scoliosis fusion surgeries performed annually in the United States with an estimated 25% rate of complications
  10. Currently, there are only 16 certified CLEAR Intensive Scoliosis Care Clinics in the world and South Florida Scoliosis Center is one of them

June is National Scoliosis Awareness Month

National Scoliosis Awareness Month endeavors to highlight the growing need for education and early detection of scoliosis by uniting patients, families, physicians, and related businesses in collaborative events throughout the month of June.

The Scoliosis Research Society has sent requests to all US governors asking them to proclaim June as National Scoliosis Awareness Month.

Click here to see if your state has proclaimed June as National Scoliosis Awareness Month.

We invite all scoliosis patients, family members and advocates to send their own letters of support.

Click here for the National Scoliosis Awareness Month Support Letter

Click here to find your governor – National Governors Association (NGA)

Click here for free Scoliosis Screening!

 

Text Neck! Does Your Teen Have it?

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The following patient is seen pre and post-treatment after one month of care.

Her original curve was 100% loss from normal and is currently at  29% loss after one month.

That’s a 71% improvement/correction.

Her chief complaint: Fatigue and Headaches.

05-15-14-loss-of-cervical-curve

Why should I care?

Loss of the cervical curve has been shown to be the common factor in not only pain and degenerative changes such as arthritis and disc herniation but also as a direct effect on the spinal cord and nervous system.

This particular finding has become popular now due to our continuous use of modern technology- including: uncomfortable office work stations, texting, or other uses of tablets and or smartphones that require constantly looking down, and sleeping with more than one pillow behind your head.

Common symptoms include:

  • Neck pain
  • Stiffness
  • Pins and needles in the arms
  • Tingling and/or numbness (commonly misdiagnosed as carpal tunnel)

The lack of the cervical spine curvature causes tension on the spinal cord and carotid arteries as they ascend into the brain to feed it oxygen and nutrients.  This can cause dizziness, headaches, nausea, fatigue, tinnitus, pain, nervousness, insomnia, high blood pressure, and confusion.

The shocking part is we are finding this in young kids now due to technology. Doctors have even called this text neck!

Ask me about:

For more information, contact us at South Florida Scoliosis Center 305-705-0777, or visit www.southfloridascoliosiscenter.com.

South Florida Scoliosis Center is the only CLEAR Scoliosis Treatment Center in the South Florida area in addition to being one in only 18 worldwide clinics to offer Intensive Care Scoliosis Treatment.

South Florida Scoliosis Center draws patients from the entire state as well as from countries abroad.