The Scoliosis Experience thescoliosisexperience

In this episode, I talk to Dr Michael Gardner from Stanford about some awesome new options for treatment.  Historically, conservative treatment for scoliosis has been limited by distance, training, and referral.  Dr Gardner is looking to help those with scoliosis navigate those challenges and get the care they need. 
He and his colleagues have developed a way for those with scoliosis to receive conservative treatment online.  They have even developed a way to scan the back and produce a 3D image of the back to aide treatment.  
Check out this episode if you have scoliosis and are looking for conservative treatment.  Maybe you have felt let down with your options, or you don't have anyone in your area that does Schroth or other scoliosis specific exercise.  This would be a great place to start. 
Check out his website at:
https://nationalscoliosisclinic.com/

In this episode we discuss scoliosis bracing with Adam Waugh, CPO.  Adam is an orthotist who works for Goal Pediatric Orthotics here in Utah.  He has been a great resource for bracing, and he has a great philosophy of how to get the best results possible.  
Check out this episode if you are looking at doing scoliosis bracing, or if you are braced.  He gives some tips and tricks on how to get the best results, as well as some insights into how providers can improve our treatment as well. 
We are excited to have him as part of our multidisciplinary team, and will be using him for scoliosis bracing in the future. 
To find out more about Goal Pediatric Orthotics, check out their website:
https://www.goalpediatrics.com/

In this episode, I go over a recent research article looking at what the trends are with Google Searches related to scoliosis treatment.  This might seem like it doesn't apply to what we do, but it was fascinating to see what the trends are on Google for Scoliosis Treatment. 
One thing this brought to light was the terms "Chiropractic Manipulation" and "Schroth Method Exercises" are both trending upward in search terms.  I am glad people are searching for treatments and trying to educate themselves.  The problem is, while there is growing and good evidence to support Schroth Method Exercises, there is only very weak evidence to support Chiropractic Manipulation for the treatment of scoliosis.  
This is a problem where people are searching for Chiropractic Manipulation for scoliosis and trusting the sources they find on Google, but that treatment method doesn't have support in the literature.  It is concerning that people might be doing treatments they think are effective that aren't.  
In contrast, the growing evidence for Schroth Method Exercises is on an upward trend as well as searches for this.  This is a good thing and I hope people will continue to search for that and grow that Google Trend.  The truth with Google is that if more people search for a term, they bring that up in search results more often.  
If you have questions regarding this research study, check out the PubMed link:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37288184/

One of the things that sets Align Therapy apart is the specialized training we receive on Scoliosis Specific Exercise.  All of our therapists are trained in The Schroth Method now that Char and Janessa received training this last year.  
In this episode they talk about how they were trained to treat patients before and after scoliosis certification.  They talk about their experience with current patients and how they feel this training has benefitted their practice. 
Janessa and Char are amazing therapists that have helped many patients with spinal deformities, including scoliosis and kyphosis, improve and live lives with less pain and less imbalance.  They are experienced in all kinds of scoliosis and kyphosis and would be great for any patient to work with. 
To contact them, you can email or call the clinic (801-980-0860)
janessa@aligntherapyutah.com
char@aligntherapyutah.com 

In this episode, I talk to Gary Huntington who is one of the few Schroth Method physical therapists in Utah.  He is located in St George, Utah and has been treating scoliosis and other spine patients there for 10 years.  He shares his experience and introduction to scoliosis and why he loves treating this condition. 
He also shares some exciting news that he will be opening a scoliosis specific clinic in Southern Utah in St George, and is really excited to start treating patients with more of a multidisciplinary approach. 
One of the struggles with scoliosis specific exercise, is the lack of support from the other members of the scoliosis team.  Many times we struggle to get the support or buy in of the surgeons and orthopedic doctors, even though this treatment has been found to be effective.  
Being able to work more with all disciplines within the scoliosis treatment realm will be a huge benefit from him as he branches out in his own clinic.  
To reach out to Gary, you can email him at gary@aligntherapyutah.com. 
You can also check out the St George page on our website at:
https://aligntherapyutah.com/contact-information-physical-therapy-services-in-st-george-utah/ 

Kyra Condie is a professional rock climber who had a spinal fusion as a teen to stop a rapidly progressing scoliosis curve.  On this episode, Kyra discusses what it was like to have scoliosis progress to needing surgery when her climbing career was starting to take off. 
Fast forward to the Tokyo Olympics and Kyra is the first athlete to compete in the Olympic Games with a spinal fusion.  
She shares a great story about the first surgeon she went to telling her that climbing wasn't going to be a big part of her life, so she should just not worry about it.  She ended up having a second opinion from a surgeon who took her goals into account when doing the surgery.  
One of the huge takeaways from this episode is to advocate for yourself...even if you are a teenager discussing with your parents.  If you are looking at surgery for scoliosis, Kyra also recommends getting a second, and maybe even a third, opinion.  
You can find out more about Kyra's journey and story by following her on Instagram:
@Kyra_condie
or on her website:
www.kyracondie.com
Kyra continues to do some awesome things in climbing, so watch for her on the world stage.  She was also such a cool person to get to know on this podcast.  Thanks Kyra!