New Scoliosis Research: Martha Carter speaks with Kristen Fay Gorman

Recently, 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.

Study: Health and Function of Patients with Untreated Idiopathic Scoliosis

Previous long-term studies of idiopathic scoliosis have included patients with other etiologies, leading to the erroneous conclusion that all types of idiopathic scoliosis inevitably end in disability. Late-onset idiopathic scoliosis (LlS) is a distinct entity with a unique natural history.

Martha Carter Talks About Her Healing Journey - Part 7

Taking the leap into Emotional Counselling

Shortly after my Harrington rods were removed, I was talking to a friend about my rehabilitation regime combination of massage and gym training. As a dancer himself, he recognized the obvious benefits of these activities, but he also suggested I consider doing some emotional counselling to support my physical healing.

Martha Carter Talks About Her Healing Journey - Part 5

Harrington rods removed - the healing journey begins

As I mentioned in Part 3 of this serial blog post, after the removal of my Harrington rods, I was eager to experience movement in a new way—without the restriction of metal implants. But because I still felt stiff and had muscle spasms, I decided to work with a massage therapist, Dawn, to help break up the scar tissue that had built up over the years.

Martha Carter Talks About Her Healing Journey - Part 4

Harrington rod surgery then (1974) and now

Before I go further in this serial blog post about my journey through Harrington rod removal surgery, the long term effects, and the after care and supportive treatments I discovered, I would like to reiterate to all readers that every person’s surgery experience is unique.

Martha Carter Talks About Her Healing Journey - Part 3

Finding a surgeon; proceeding with rod removal.

It was not easy convincing the new surgeon to remove my Harrington rods. He was unsympathetic to most of my initial reasoning — that I didn’t “like” the foreign object in my body; that the rods “felt weird”, and like they were “vibrating”.

Martha Carter Talks About Her Healing Journey - Part 2

How the decision to remove her Harrington rods pushed Martha Carter to deal with buried emotions.

After I made the decision to have my Harrington rods removed, I experienced a huge flood of emotions. I had a flashback to my first surgery. The doctors and my family commenting how “strong” and “brave” I was. How I never cried.

Martha Carter Talks About Her Healing Journey: 21 Years Post-Surgery - Part 1

Harrington Rods Removed — How a Reiki treatment led TOPS Founder Martha Carter to a new path of healing.

When I was told that I had scoliosis and needed to have Harrington rod surgery at age 13, I was also told that I wouldn’t be allowed to dance anymore and that I shouldn’t do any rigorous exercise or yoga. It was 1974, and the relatively new surgical procedure was in its early years.

STORIES & SUCCESSESMartha CarterMarch 1, 2017Idiopathic Scoliosis, Teens, Exercise, Back Pain, Healing