When Judy’s sister used to sew dresses for her, she’d tell her to stand up straight. “I would wonder why she would say that,” says Judy, “because I would say to her, I am standing straight.”
Unaware of her scoliosis, Judy found this instruction hurtful and confusing. Standing “straight” seemed to come naturally to everybody else, so what was wrong with her? When Judy was twenty-four, she realized her spine had a curvature.
“I put my bikini on and a relative of mine said that she noticed my back was crooked,” says Judy. Although she didn’t feel any physical pain or discomfort, she found it difficult to find clothing that fit, and was concerned about the appearance of her curve. “I used to sew all my own clothes and crochet them to fit my figure,” says Judy. “It was sometimes very hard buying off the rack.”
It wasn’t until 2019 that Judy began experiencing pain in her back and waist. “I could hardly walk a block,” says Judy. She went to a spinal specialist who arranged for an X-Ray and MRI scan. The specialist told Judy to prepare herself for the likelihood she will need an operation to fuse her spine. The X-Ray revealed there was a curvature difference of nine degrees compared to her previous X-Ray one year before. “And so what he suggested was that I didn’t have another option but to go in and have my spine fused,” says Judy.
Adults with scoliosis: a common misconception
It’s a common misconception that adults with scoliosis cannot make changes to their alignment, since they are skeletally mature. Scoliosis curves consist of two components: structural (the physical changing of the vertebrae shapes) and postural (how one holds their body when sitting, standing and moving).
Postural components can always be worked on, and improvements may be made in adults and seniors regarding their posture, strength, function and symptoms. Further, conservative management such as scoliosis-specific physiotherapy and bracing may also be helpful to slow age-related curve progression.
Seeking an alternative
Fearful of the prospect of major surgery, Judy was determined that if there was an alternative, she would explore it. A google search led her and her husband to The ScoliClinic, where a client coordinator booked her an appointment for a consultation with a physiotherapist. The physiotherapist recommended Judy attend a series of ten to twelve sessions, at which point they would assess her progress.
“It was a one-on-one basis, which I was so impressed by because my figure is so different from everybody’s figure and curve,” says Judy. “It was catered to just me, with the physiotherapist telling me exactly what to do and which side to emphasize.”
Judy was introduced to the Schroth Method — a physical therapy treatment approach for scoliosis and Scheuermann’s Kyphosis. The treatment consists of curve-specific exercises that help retrain the body and brain to correct the alignment of the spine as much as possible, while strengthening the surrounding muscles into their newly corrected position. Schroth exercises are carried out using a variety of positions and pieces of equipment. “I was so impressed by that,” says Judy. “They even gave my husband the blueprints to build the wall ladder apparatus for me!” (Don’t worry — building wall ladders isn’t necessary to take part in treatment. We have them at the clinic!)
When she went back to her specialist three months later, her spine was back where it was before the pain began. “The nine degrees was no longer there,” says Judy. “And that pinched nerve feeling was completely gone.”
Self-care
Every night, Judy spends 15 minutes working on exercises assigned to her by her physiotherapist, followed by one or more workout classes available on TSC Connect (yes, Judy is an A* student!) “The great thing about TSC [Connect] is that you don’t have to go to a group session. You can do it at home in your own time,” says Judy.
Judy regrets she didn’t start treating her scoliosis sooner. She used to attend regular physiotherapy and yoga classes, which she says didn’t help her “because they didn’t understand my curvature,” she says. “I can imagine having started sooner, it could have solved a lot of my health problems,” says Judy.
It’s never too late to seek treatment for scoliosis, and although goals may change (we’re not expecting to drastically change the shape of someone’s spine), treatment can also help improve quality of life, confidence, and offer a feeling of empowerment that can have a significant, positive impact on yours and your family’s lives.
Judy’s advice for people living with scoliosis?
“First of all, they should learn about their curves,” says Judy. “And then persevere, and think positive.”
Judy says she feels more confident in herself. “People have told me I’m walking taller and I don’t seem to lean on one side anymore,” she says.
You do not need an X-Ray to book an appointment at The ScoliClinic. Waitlists for observation by a spinal surgeon in B.C. can be up to two years, and although they do offer a higher level of detail about your spine, it may be helpful to start on a curve-specific treatment program while you wait, especially if pain or other symptoms are present.
Our team of scoliosis-trained physiotherapists can also help you navigate the medical system, send updates to surgeons and other physicians on your care team. More details can be found on our FAQ page.
Have a question? Speak with a Scoliosis Physio.