Welcome to Our Resources Page
These resources are a great place to look for information, help, and support along your scoliosis journey!
Overview of Topics
Support Groups
Connecting with someone who knows what you're going through can be so powerful! Below are scoliosis support groups that are here to support you.
Curvy Girls Scoliosis Support Groups
“Curvy Girls is a network of peer-led support groups that reduce the emotional impact of scoliosis by empowering girls through mutual support and acceptance to become leaders, make healthy lifestyle choices, and improve self-esteem.”
Scolios-us Mentor Program
Navigating scoliosis is not always easy, but it sure is easier with someone cheering you on. The Scolios-us Mentor Program offers scoli kids and teens the opportunity to connect with a mentor one-on-one. Another big benefit of the program is connecting with fellow Mentor Program participants through group chats and video calls.
Scoliosis Bears & Blogs
Below are scoliosis blogs, bears, and more!
Higgy Bears & Friends
“I was inspired to make Higgy Bears so no one else with scoliosis will have to feel alone and go through what I did. I want to make you that every child out there has a friend just like them to share their scoliosis journey with!” – Lauren Higginson, CEO and Founder
Beyond Scoliosis Blog
“Living with Scoliosis is no easy feat. At times, it can feel like your Scoliosis has control over your life, occupying your mind at every waking moment. No matter where you are, how your feeling, or who you want to become – I’m committed to helping you find power over your pain and live your life to the fullest.” – Cherie, Beyond Scoliosis Author and Founder
Back to Blog
"Through my blog, Back to Blog, I hope to not only impact those with scoliosis but eliminate the general stigma around talking about one's disease or disability. Prior to my freshman year of high school, I was diagnosed with scoliosis, and this sudden news in addition to the nerves of entering high school took a toll on my self esteem. My goal with this blog is to inform and inspire others with scoliosis as well as act as a sister to those who have no one to turn to." - Tatum
Life is an Adventure
My name is Colette! I enjoy running, photography and baking! I have done many 5ks, a two 10ks, and ran my 1st half marathon before scoliosis surgery in May 2017! I participate in track and cross country. This blog is about my journey with an upcoming scoliosis spinal fusion and how I’m doing after!
"Brace Yourself" Blog
“Hey, I’m Katie! This is my experience with scoliosis, and I want to help any of you who have it by providing some tips and helping you know what to expect from bracing to surgery. So when life throws you a curve… brace yourself!”
"Brace Yourself" Blog
There are plenty of fun characters including mermaids, police officers, dragons, princesses, unicorns, soccer players, basketball players, pirates, cats and dogs! Scoliosis specific scenes are included such as getting fitted for the brace, getting an X-ray and getting ready for surgery.
Scoliosis Books
Love to read? These scoliosis books are just for you!
Braced
The first contemporary novel about a disorder that bends the lives of ten percent of all teenagers: scoliosis. Braced was inspired by author Alyson Gerber’s own scoliosis journey and experiences with bracing. Read along as Rachel Brooks finds out that she has to wear a brace for her scoliosis. "But as Rachel confronts all the challenges the brace presents, the biggest change of all may lie in how she sees herself."
Tangled in the Curves
Tangled in the Curves is a new book celebrating the strength of people who live with scoliosis, written by somebody who knows exactly what it's like. Showcasing the challenges and opportunities silently faced daily by millions of people with curved spines, this book goes through the saga of diagnosis, bracing, surgery, and beyond with a life-long invisible illness. Insightful for the patient, family, and medical care team, take a peek into what real life with scoliosis is like!
The Scoliosaurus
The Scoliosaurus is a story about the courageous T rex Sonny that finds out he has the condition scoliosis, helped along the way by his supportive family and friends.
Growing Up in a Brace
Growing Up in a Brace is a book about almost ten years of scoliosis treatment written from patient’s and parent’s perspectives. When Kaisa wore a brace from age 7 to 16, the years were full of ups and downs. She and her mother wrote down their experiences, sharing practical information about scoliosis as well as thoughts on finding motivation and mental health.
Deenie
Scoliosis twists Deenie's plans for seventh grade in this classic Judy Blume novel with a fresh new look.
The Silver-Horned Girl
After suffering from anxiety and low self-esteem due to wearing a back brace for scoliosis, Lisa B. Owens decided to use her story through “The Silver-Horned Girl” to help others. Designed as a conversation starter for facing anxiety, “The Silver-Horned Girl” demonstrates to tweens & teens how similarly insecurity affects everyone. Whether they experience a visible difference or one less obvious, no one should have to suffer in silence.
Brace Wear Trackers
Wear a scoliosis brace and want to track your hours? Below are trackers!
BraceTrack
BraceTrack is a time-tracking app for scoliosis braces which allows users to record their brace time, track banked hours, view bracing trends graphically, and set up auto reporting of achieved braced time.
Scolios-us Brace Journals
Your Scolios-us Journal not only helps you track your brace wear, but also helps you track how you are feeling about bracing and everything else. Your journal also functions as your yearly planner, with goal setting opportunities and lots of space for reflection and note-taking!
Vlogs
Check out these scoliosis vlogs!
Scolios-us Bracing Video
The purpose of our Welcome to Scoliosis Bracing video is to give you an honest look into scoliosis bracing from people who are living it.
Embrace the Brace with Ava
I hope that these videos will help others with scoliosis with some practical tips and tricks as you learn what to expect when wearing a scoliosis brace.
Counseling Services
Connecting with a counselor can be such a powerful tool as you navigate scoliosis. Below are scoliosis-specific counseling services
Elisabetta D'Agata, PhD
Dr. Elisabetta D'Agata is an Italian psychologist and psychotherapist who has been studying and treating patients with idiopathic scoliosis for more than ten years. Her own history with scoliosis pushed her to enter this area of study. She knows that a patient with scoliosis is more than his or her Cobb angle. She performs counseling sessions over Skype and can be contacted by email at [email protected].
National Scoliosis Foundation
“The National Scoliosis Foundation (NSF) is a patient-led nonprofit organization dedicated since 1976 to helping children, parents, adults, and health-care providers to understand the complexities of spinal deformities such as scoliosis. We also provide comprehensive education and support for patients and healthcare professionals through videos, books, brochures, local chapters, conferences, and postural screening training sessions.”
Katelyn Carlson
Katelyn is a licensed bodyworker and Hakomi trained specialist who learned to navigate her own scoliosis journey with body based healing modalities and now guides others along this path to feel free, nurtured, and whole. With services ranging for individual to group settings, Katelyn is here to help you feel at home in your body and tap into your sacred power. 1:1 mentoring, support, and somatic coaching available for teens, parents, and adults impacted by scoliosis available through katelyncarlson.com.
What to Wear
Check out these scoliosis brace undershirts and fashion advice for scoli kids and teens!
Dressing with Your Scoliosis Brace | Scolios-us
Figuring out what to wear with your brace can be a bit challenging at first, but don't worry - we're here to help! Here you will find fashion tips for dressing with your brace, along with information about what to wear under your brace.
Brace Buddies Body Socks
"At Brace Buddies, our hope is to support brace wearers by providing improved protection, comfort and more clothing options to increase confidence, and encourage brace compliance as brace wearers “find and live their new normal” during the bracing process. Brace Buddies wants to help you embrace your brace so it can work for you.”
Hope's Closet
Hope's Embrace, our inaugural product, is a cute and comfortable brace undershirt, worn under a scoliosis brace to prevent chafing and perspiration. Our mission is to empower youth with idiopathic scoliosis by boosting confidence, self-esteem, and brace compliance.
BackTpack
Unlike backpacks or messenger bags, BackTpack, with its balanced side bags, applies the load to the body’s vertical axis, thereby eliminating posture distortion and decreasing the effort required to carry the load, in obedience to the laws of physics. The load feels lighter and you stand straighter.
So many scoli kids and teens are sharing their experiences on Instagram! If you are on social media, Instagram can be an excellent way to connect with others who are experiencing the same things as you. You may even want to share your insight on Instagram and help start conversations about scoliosis. A great way to get started is to search #scoliosis or find accounts with "scoliosis" in the name.
Scoliosis Fashion Pages
Scolios-us currently has two pages - one for women's fashion and one for men's. While our page offers some great advice, there are many many other pages, as well. Pinterest offers some great fashion advice for dressing with your brace! Our biggest piece of advice is to own your scoliosis. Wear whatever clothes make you feel confident!
Embrace Bags
Our mission is to provide insecure scoliosis patients with the remedy for hiding their bulky back braces, in a trendy fashion. Simultaneously, these bags will empower young patients to carry their braces with courage, pride and style, now unafraid of others noticing their braces. Plus, we donate 15% of our profits to Stand Tall International, an organization that funds life saving spinal surgeries for children in East Africa.
Scoliosis Physical Therapy and Scoliosis Exercises
Below is information about Physical Therapy and exercise for scoliosis!
Find a Schroth Therapist Near You
This directory is an up-to-date list of BSPTS SBI trained physical therapists who practice in North America.
Scoliosis Spine Online Learning
We are delivering engaging online learning for healthcare professionals in the field of scoliosis and spinal conditions. Our target audience is the healthcare community, but we have found that many families and patients want to learn so they can make informed decisions. Our certified teachers and practitioners include the world’s foremost authorities in their respective fields.
Schroth Method
Schroth Method is a type of physical therapy aimed at elongating and derotating your spine. Schroth must be performed by a certified physical therapist, as the exercises are customized for your unique spinal deformation. The method teaches you how to correct spinal rotation and increase lung capacity, restore normal spinal position, and improve your posture during routine daily living, not just during therapy.
Surgery Information
The period before surgery is often stressful. Find all the info you need below.
Support for Families
Scoliosis doesn't only affect the scoli kid or teen - it's a family affair! Find support for scoli families below.
Scoliosis Family Adventures
Scoliosis Family Adventures is a blog page supporting families of scoliosis patients. It is run by Tina Beauvais, who is a mother of 2 Scoliosis patients and a wife to another. She is also the founder of EmBraced In Comfort.
Educational Scoliosis Information
The world of scoliosis can be overwhelming! Where should you look for high quality information? Check out these educational resources below.
Setting Scoliosis Straight
Setting Scoliosis Straight is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization devoted to empowering families impacted by scoliosis through education, connection, and research. Our mission is to support discoveries and advance techniques in the treatment of spinal deformities in children and adolescents worldwide.
Scoliosis Spine Online Learning
We are delivering engaging online learning for healthcare professionals in the field of scoliosis and spinal conditions. Our target audience is the healthcare community, but we have found that many families and patients want to learn so they can make informed decisions. Our certified teachers and practitioners include the world’s foremost authorities in their respective fields.
The Scoliosis Experience Podcast
Each person with scoliosis has a different experience. We created this podcast to share those experiences and help others have hope in managing this diagnosis. We will explore the many treatments for scoliosis from both the viewpoint of the patient and the practitioner.
Scoliosis Spine Surgeon Interviews with Dr. Derek Lee
Scoliosis Spine Surgeon Interviews includes extended discussions with the top scoliosis surgeons, researchers, orthotists and therapists from around the world. These interviews were inspired by my son's scoliosis journey from diagnosis to bracing, physiotherapy, chiropractic and ultimately to vertebral body tethering.
Predicting the Prognosis of Untreated Patients with Idiopathic Scoliosis
Using the most update-to-date research, this tool predicts the likelihood of a curve progressing to over 45 degrees before skeletal maturity without treatment.
Financial Assistance
Scoliosis can be expensive! Find financial assistance resources below.
UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation
UHCCF’s mission is to significantly enhance the clinical condition or quality of life of children covered under a commercial health insurance plan and are 16 years old or younger living in the United States.
HealthWell Foundation
When health insurance is not enough, we’re here to help — with copays, premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses for supplies, supplements, surgeries and more. We offer financial assistance through a number of Disease Funds with new funds opening every year, so you can get the care you need.
The Children's Scoliosis Foundation
The Children's Scoliosis Foundation is a patient and family led nonprofit that is dedicated to providing support to families, promoting awareness, and advancing the science of scoliosis detection, treatment and prevention. Financial aid grants of up to $500 per trip ($750 for international travel) are available to help support children and their families who are traveling long distances for bracing or surgical treatment for scoliosis.
Quality of Life Questionnaires
Use these surveys as an opportunity to check in and see how you're doing.
ISYQOL
The Italian Spine Youth Quality of Life (ISYQOL) measures spine-related quality of life. Take the survey here to see how you score!
BSSQ-Brace
The Bad Sobernheim Stress Questionnaire (BSSQ-Brace) is a short survey that helps you recognize any stress caused by your brace.