But for years and years I had this scoliosis thing seemingly hanging over my every move. This thing that would pop up to remind me I was asymmetrical, or sore, or weak in some imbalanced spots, or - possibly the worst - different from my peers. It often cast a shadow over me. I had no tools or information to understand what/why/how it was doing this or what/why/how to stop it!
Read MoreMy scoliosis journey began in 2019 when I was 14 years old. ... My pediatrician referred us to a pediatric orthopedic clinic. The outlook did not look too good. My parents did a lot of research and decided to get care from a scoliosis clinic whose program focused on a non-invasive treatment approach to reduce the curve. We hoped we could avoid surgery.
Read MoreThis journey has shown me that my back and body in all its crookedness is still ok. Regardless of my scoliosis, I can still do activities that I love, and push myself physically. I also realize that if I do what brings me joy, and if I practice patience by never forcing the moment, my life is and will be an ongoing and beautiful Camino.
Read MoreThings are usually easier when you have a little support. That’s why we’re happy to share details about TWO wonderful new online support groups for anyone with scoliosis and/or a fusion!
Read MoreA scoliotic curve and fusion ALWAYS affects the position of the shoulders. Not only is one shoulder usually more twisted, lower, or rolled forward than the other, but more often than not, the shoulder blades lose their ability to slide up and down over the ribs - causing stiffness, pain, and dysfunction.
Read MoreInitially, I would have described this amazingly transformative bodywork experience as “a whole lotta nothing”. The movements are simple and easy, and I could not have imagined they would have such a powerful effect on this scoliosis-riddled body (the dictionary meaning of riddled… adjective: filled with, and often thoroughly weakened by, something undesirable)…
Read MoreFollowing our 21-Day TWiSTED Transformation in November 2020, Martha Carter and TOPS associates Kathryn Kusyszyn and Sandra Razieli answered some of our participants questions about their scoliosis.
Read More“It takes 21 days to make or break a habit.”
REALLY? I’ve heard this phrase used many times in my life. Amusing that it comes from a 1960s self-help book by a cosmetic surgeon! Quite a few years have passed since then and more research shows that at the minimum, 21 days in a row of ‘something’ allows for the creation of new neural pathways. These are composed of neurons, connected by dendrites, which are created in the brain based on habits and behaviors. As we participate in new activities, our brains are being trained to create new pathways (habits) which start to be developed in 21 days. The longer you continually practice, the more neural pathways. Thank you, Doctor Google!!
Read MoreBringing the element of writing into the workshop enabled us to think about fusions metaphorically: how, for instance, do we integrate mind and body in a way that feels holistic? When writing our own stories, how do we incorporate memory in a way that fuses what we remember with what we can no longer recall? Participants wrote their own stories using workshop prompts and shared these stories with each other.
Read MoreThis is a memoir written by the author in her sixties, looking back on life, mainly her difficult childhood. She is clear that her memories are imbued with emotional energy, and how she views her past changes during the course of the book. Linda draws a portrait with words of her experience growing up Polish and Catholic in a small America town. Scoliosis plays a minor part in the story.
Read MoreWelcome to "Back Stories", our TOPS Guest Blog Series. In our third guest blog, Ahava Shira, a professional facilitator, masterful at guiding each person to express themselves in their own way, in their own time, with their own words, shares her story and how she utilizes writing as a form of healing and teaches others to do the same.
Read MoreRecently, Martha Carter caught up with Kristen Fay Gorman by phone to find out about her latest scoliosis research findings (nine years after Martha's original visit to Kristen's lab to see the guppies with scoliosis!). The result is a fascinating look at the questions, quandries, explorations, and discoveries that Kristen and her team have been working with most recently in the area of scoliosis research. While there may be no known cause or cure for scoliosis yet - there is definitely hope!
Click Read More to hear the audio file of their conversation.
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