Learn how to support your scoliosis patients through the bracing process while earning CEUs in the process. The course is designed for clinicians who are involved in the bracing process - orthotists, orthopedics, physical therapists, chiropractors, orthotic assistants, fitters, technicians, residents, students, etc. The course dives into bracing, looking at the psychosocial research behind bracing and providing practical tips for improving the patient experience.

While the course is geared towards orthotists, all providers (Physical Therapists, APPs, Social Workers, etc.) are more than welcome to participate! If you are not credentialed through ABC (American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics) but would like to receive CEUs, please email Megan at megan@bracingforscoliosus.org and request your course completion certificate. You can submit this certificate to your respective institutions for credit.

The Empower Hour, a first-of-its-kind psychoeducational support group program designed specifically for kids and teens with scoliosis. This program integrates three evidence-based pillars (social support, psychoeducation, and support from a mental health provider) to address the well-documented psychological impact of scoliosis. The Empower Hour not only improves the patient experience by reducing distress and building confidence, but also supports clinicians by offering a structured, ready-to-implement program that complements your treatment plans and strengthens the overall care continuum.

Tips for Incorporating The Empower Hour into your Practice

Navigating scoliosis is not always easy, but it sure is easier with someone cheering you on. The Scolios-us Mentor Program offers scoli warriors the opportunity to connect with a mentor who can help cheer them on as they navigate scoliosis. Mentees are connected with one mentor who will help them through their good and bad days. Another big benefit of the program is connecting with fellow Mentor Program participants through group chats (on the app Slack) and video calls. Patients are not going through this alone – they are part of a whole community that is rooting for them!

Whether your patients are beginning Schroth therapy or bracing or heading into surgery, they can connect with a mentor who knows exactly what they're going through. Especially when they first find out about their scoliosis, talking with a fellow scoli warrior can be incredibly powerful and helpful as they adjust to a new normal.

Growing up can be tough. Growing up wrapped in a scoli brace can be even tougher. Sometimes, we have patients who struggle with their diagnosis and with bracing. We want you to feel empowered as a provider and be open to starting these harder conversations. If you think a patient could benefit from talking with a mental health provider, you can refer them to our "Find a Scoli Mental Health Provider" page and see if there is a knowledgeable local provider.

We offer these trainings for mental health providers, so that when a patient goes to see them, they don't have to answer all of the questions, such as:

What's scoliosis?

You have to wear what?

A brace?

All day?

Forever?

Does it hurt?

Will it get worse?

What kind of surgery is involved?

Instead, the provider will already know all of the answers and can actually dive right into treatment. If there is not a provider in your area listed, we suggest that you connect with a local mental health provider and refer them to our program for training.

Our brochures explain who we are at Scolios-us and outline our programs. If you'd like brochures to hand out to your patients, please complete the below form.

Our new Scolios-us poster measures 11″ x 17″ and is perfect for patient rooms. You get to name your price, so you can order one completely FREE (free shipping inside the US)! If you choose to pay for the poster, that donation will go towards running our Scolios-us Mentor Program. The more healthcare providers that know about Scolios-us and spread the word to their patients, the more scoli kids and teens who will feel supported and empowered from the start of their journey.

When it comes to scoliosis and really to life in general, there are some things that are in our control, and there are others that are simply out of our control. With this journal, we hope to help patients embrace their journey by taking control of the things they can. Ultimately, our goal is to help them celebrate their victories, honor their emotions, and take charge!

The 3rd Edition of our Scolios-us Journal can be customized to patients' liking! We have space for patients to track their habits (scoliosis related or not), moods, goals, and more. There is flexibility built into the design, so patients can use their journal however they want! Since there are no years associated with the journal, patients can use it for a full year no matter when they receive it.

But don't trust us, trust clinicians who are using the journals in their clinical practice:

Every first time brace wearer at our facility receives a “Scoliosus Brace Journal” at delivery. I give them a quick highlight reel of all the great resources packed in it, such as the diagram explaining scoliosis on a child’s level, the mental health tips and tricks, and patient testimonials, then I go in the lab to work on their brace while they explore their new journal. After finishing the brace fitting, I use the calendar section to fill out a break in schedule for 3 weeks as a team of the patient, their parent and myself, customized to their school schedule and extracurricular activities. From then, I encourage them to make notes for each day on the number of hours worn, how they are feeling about it with the provided scale, and anything they noticed that day regarding comfort of the brace. I never tell them they have to, and am always surprised that the vast majority of our patients come back with it filled out. When they return in 2-3 weeks for their in-brace x-ray, I am able to address all of the things they experienced in their break-in schedule from physical to social and emotional, setting them up for the best chance of compliant brace wearing.

The brace journals are an age appropriate way to encourage responsibility, autonomy, and community when a child enters the scoliosis bracing world. More of our kids fill them out than don’t and we have seen increased brace-wearing compliance since using the brace journals via the empowerment they promote. It is a small price to pay to come along side our kids on the journey of caring for their curve.

- Hannah C, CPO at Shriner's Hospital

We hope our discounts for ordering in bulk make it easy and feasible for you to support your patients. To find out more and purchase in bulk, click the button below.