The Scoliosis Experience

Adult Scoliosis and Spinal Deformity Surgery and Treatment with Dr Steinhaus and Dr Brewster

Treatment of adult spinal deformities (scoliosis, kyphosis, spondylolisthesis, etc) can be complex and confusing.  Many patients are just told to wait until it is bad enough for surgery, and then something can be done. 

Dr Steinhaus and Dr Brewster of the Intermountain Spine Institute take a different approach to treatment spinal deformities in adults.  

In this episode, they talk about the techniques they do surgically to relieve pain and improve function, but they also talk about those they recommend.  

One of my favorite discussion points in this episode is they do the LEAST amount of surgery necessary to improve as much function as possible.  This is really helpful when you think they are not looking to do a large surgery if it is not needed.  

These are two surgeons who are improving the way adult spinal deformities are treated.  If you are looking for more information on them, you can check out the Intermountain Spine Institute's Website at https://www.intermountainspine.com/  

You can also call their office at 801-314-BACK (2225).

To see more information on adult scoliosis and spinal deformity treatment, check out our website at https://aligntherapyutah.com/adult-scoliosis/

Cindy Marti, PT Talks about Teaching and Practicing Scoliosis Treatment

In this episode I talk to Cindy Marti, who is one of my main mentors in scoliosis treatment.  I first met Cindy as a student in one of her courses with the Barcelona Scoliosis Physical Therapy School (BSPTS).  In that course I spend 10 days listening to her teach and was amazed with her knowledge and insights.  

I finally got the opportunity to talk to her on the podcast and she shares some crucial insights into scoliosis, scoliosis treatment, the Schroth Method, and how to get the most out of treatment. 

One of my favorite things she says is "Why not try and see?" in reference to trying conservative treatment for scoliosis.  This is in contrast to the common thought of lets "wait and see if it gets worse" that is so common these days.  

Cindy is an instructor with the BSPTS and you can learn more about getting training in the Rigo Method by going to BSPTS.org, or you can go to https://www.schroth-barcelonainstitute.com/ to learn more as well.  

If you want to contact Cindy directly, her email is cmarti@sdwpt.com.

To learn more about scoliosis specific treatment, and how we do this in Lehi, Utah, check out https://aligntherapyutah.com/ . 

A PT Student‘s Scoliosis Experience: with Skylar Fenton

In this episode, Skylar shares her story and experience on scoliosis surgery during college. She also describes what it is like living with spinal fusion. 

Being a PT student at Rocky Mountain University in Provo, UT, she has learned about the body and spine and requested an internship at my clinic.  She wanted to learn more about scoliosis treatment. 

She shares some great insight into the education PT's receive about scoliosis and specifically treatment, as well as her experience with PT after surgery.  

Skylar is a great example of working hard and not letting a large scoliosis curve, or fusion, get you down.  She is still a runner and athlete and has learned how to address her scoliosis as well. 

This is a great episode for anyone who is diagnosed with scoliosis or who has had surgery and is wondering what their outlook will be.  

One of the main things she talks about that helped her was to get in touch with others who also have scoliosis or who have been through surgery.  Hopefully this episode helps those going through similar things. 

To learn more about scoliosis treatment at Align Therapy, check out https://aligntherapyutah.com/

Stay Positive and Ask Questions: Chiari and Scoliosis with Izzy

Most scoliosis is termed "Idiopathic" which means "of unknown cause".  Sometimes though, scoliosis is caused by other things that we do know.  In this episode, I talk to Izzy and her mother, Julie, about scoliosis that came on after a neurological cause.  

Izzy was diagnosed with a Chiari Malformation which caused her scoliosis.  Her experience and journey through brain surgery and then scoliosis treatment is inspiring.   

Even with brain surgery and faithfully bracing, Izzy is now looking at having VBT surgery to reduce the size of her curve as she continues to grow.  In this episode you can hear how she has stayed motivated and optimistic. 

Her advice is to stay positive and ask questions.  Listen to the rest of her story to learn more about what you can do to help your own curve.  

 

You can learn more about scoliosis in children by going to our website at  https://aligntherapyutah.com/child-teen-scoliosis/

Don‘t Limit Yourself with Garrett Batty

In this episode, I talk to Garrett Batty who is a Film Producer/Director.  He has an amazing story of perseverance through challenges related to scoliosis.  

Garrett was born with a condition called Tetralogy of Fallot resulting in multiple surgeries.  He was also born with scoliosis which progressed to where he needed scoliosis correction surgery as a teen.  

During this surgery, he was paralyzed because of a spinal cord injury.  This is a very rare complication of scoliosis surgery.  Even though his doctors told him he would be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life, he decided to push through and eventually walked out of the hospital 40 days later.  

Since that surgery he has still had some issues with weakness and limping and recently was seen in my office for treatment involving the Schroth Method for scoliosis.  He has seen some awesome results from this and has worked hard to improve his back. 

This is a great episode for anyone who has challenges that they feel "limit" them.  He shows a great determination to overcome obstacles.  His advice to all who listen to this episode is to not limit yourself.  You care capable of so much more than you think.  

You can learn more about scoliosis specific exercise by going to https://aligntherapyutah.com/adult-scoliosis/

Fighting Scheuermann‘s Kyphosis with Back Flips

Scheuermann's Kyphosis is a deformity of the spine where the vertebrae develop a wedge shape which causes more of a forward curve of the back.  It can cause pain because the muscles are overloaded in the forward posture. 

Heather is a great example of living life even with back pain and spinal deformity.  She has seen great results with the Schroth Method for posture correction as well as manual therapy.  She mentions being treated with Dry Needling, which has been very helpful in controlling and reducing her pain. 

This episode would be great for anyone with Scheuermann's Kyphosis, or even with any back pain or problem.  Heather is a great example of not letting pain control your life. 

To learn more about treatment specific to Kyphosis, check out our Kyphosis Page on the website.  https://aligntherapyutah.com/kyphosis/

Strat Attacks Scoliosis and Bracing with His Mom Heather

Ever since Strat was diagnosed with scoliosis, he has been fighting against it.  He has a great story of staying motivated and consistent in doing what he needs to do.  His mother, Heather, is a great example of a parent who supports her child in this challenging diagnosis.  

One thing you will hear about in this episode is what Heather has done to help motivate Strat to do his exercises and wear his brace.  She even went as far as to do his exercises with him.  If you are a parent with a child who has scoliosis, she gives some great ideas.  

Strat was diagnosed at age 10, which left him a lot of time to grow.  He also has significant height in his family, both of which make it more likely that he will progress.  Despite this, he has a great attitude and stays motivated to attack scoliosis.  

You can follow his journey on Instagram under stratattacksscoliosis.  

To learn more about adolescent scoliosis treatment, check out our scoliosis page.  https://aligntherapyutah.com/child-teen-scoliosis/

Lisa on the Importance of Scoliosis Specific Exercise with Adult Scoliosis

In this episode, we talk to Lisa who is an amazing example of being active and strong even with being braced and having multiple surgeries and back pain. 

Lisa was diagnosed with scoliosis as a teenager, like most of those with scoliosis, and her curve progressed to where she has needed a brace, then surgical fusion, and then a fusion later in life because of some nerve issues.  

She has learned to stay strong and listen to her body and shares how she has found success with scoliosis specific exercise using the Schroth Method.  

Check out more information on Adult Scoliosis at https://aligntherapyutah.com/adult-scoliosis/

Advocate for your child with Kristen Whipple

In this episode, Kristen shares an amazing story of her daughter's journey with scoliosis.  Here are a few highlights of her story:

• What she did at diagnosis to advocate for her daughter.
• How she was able to stay consistent with bracing and scoliosis specific exercise. 
• How bracing went and challenges. 
• How they dealt with progression to surgery when they thought she was out of the woods. 
• How they handled complications after surgery.
• Lessons learned during this journey. 

This would be a great episode for anyone who has a child diagnosed with scoliosis, or looking at being braced, or even looking at surgery.  

One of the main messages that Kristen brings is to consistently advocate for your child.  If you have a question or concern, SPEAK UP!  

You can find more information on scoliosis treatment at https://aligntherapyutah.com/schroth-method/

Move Your Body! Advice from Eva Butterly, The Scoliosis Warrior

In this episode, I talk to Eva Butterly from Dublin.  When I first started this podcast, I noticed there weren't many other scoliosis podcasts, but one kept popping up when I would search.  Eva started The Scoliosis Warrior Podcast to share what she has learned from her experience with scoliosis. 

Eva was diagnosed with a fast progressing scoliosis curve as a young teenager. After 6 months of mismanagement, she had progressed to the point of needling surgery with a curve OVER 90 DEGREES! 

She underwent surgery to stop the progression of the curve, and then 6 months later needed to have the rods removed because of an infection.  She then spent quite a bit of time in a hard cast to make sure her spine was stable.  

Despite these trials, Eva is a great example of working hard to achieve your goals. She is a weight lifter, fitness instructor, and recently has taken up ultra marathon running. 

She talks about her experience with scoliosis specific exercise, staying healthy and strong, and IT band and back pain. 

One of the main takeaways from this episode is to "Move Your Body!".  She is a great advocate of movement and being active.  Whether you have scoliosis or not, that is great advice.  If you have scoliosis, it is even more important.  

You can connect with Eva at:

Instagram:  @evabutterly

Facebook: @evabutterlyfitness

You can also learn more about conservative management before, and even after, scoliosis surgery at https://aligntherapyutah.com/schroth-method/