SpineCurve

Spinal Deformity Support Group Meetings-NEW ROOM

In order to accommodate the number of people attending the meeting the room location has been changed for the November 9th meeting.

It is still at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, but instead of being in the Galter Pavilion, the group meeting is now on the 3rd floor, Feinberg Pavilion in the Priztker Auditorium, Room 3-506.

Contact Kristin Smith, APN at 312-695-8143 or at ksmith1@nmff.org for additional information.

 

Spinal Deformity Support Group Meetings

If you live in or near the Chicagoland area, the department of neurosurgery at Northwestern Memorial Hospital has started hosting a spinal deformity support group again. The group is for adults with spinal disease and their friends and family. I went to October's meeting and there were over 50 people in attendance. Most had had one or more surgeries and the rest were contemplating whether surgery was a good option for them (or their loved one) or have never had surgery and are living with managing a spinal deformity disease. Dr Tyler Koski from the department of neurosurgery was the guest speaker.

I attended this support group prior to my own surgery and found it so helpful to get good medical information about spinal disease and its treatment and talk to other people who had been through it.

I highly recommend the group if you can attend. Dr. Melinda Ring, medical director for the center of integrative medicine, is the featured speaker for next month's meeting. Meeting information is as follows:

When: Every 2nd Monday of the month- November 9th is next meeting

Time: 6-7PM

Where: Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Galter Pavilion, 8th floor, room 234

   675 N St Clair, Chicago, IL 60611

For more information you may contact Kristin Smith, APN at 312-695-8143 or Ksmith1@nmff.org

For more information about the Department of Neurological Surgery click here.

3 Reasons for Adults to Opt for Surgery

An adult with a spinal deformity, be it an idiopathic scoliosis from the teen years, a degenerative scoliosis curve as a mature adult or kyphosis, there are 3 conditions that a surgeon looks for in order to consider a patient a good candidate for a spinal fusion.

1. Pain- Is the person experiencing a great deal of physical pain and is that pain keeping them from normal daily functions?

2. Progressive Deformity-is the curvature increasing and at what rate is it increasing?

3. Spinal Compression is taking place.

If any one of three conditions exists, and in most cases there is a mix of more than one, a person can reasonably consider a spinal fusion surgery to treat their condition. It should be the last effort taken. If a condition can be treated with physical therapy or injections, it is much more preferable than undergoing a spinal fusion. The reasoning is that the surgery itself is a large undertaking and requires a person to be in good health to recover well from it, and once a spine is fused, it alters its functioning for life. Spinal fusion does not completely eliminate pain and curvature. It can provide significant relief and correction for an improved quality of life. 

Why I Love Pilates for My Scoliosis

I love pilates for my back because it helps me keep my muscles in tack. The pain I have incurred from my scoliosis has always been muscular. When a muscle is stretched, it is in a weakened position and more prone to strain and injury. So when the spine is abnormally curved it causes an imbalance of the surrounding muscles-some are stretched and weakened, others are shortened and tight.

In my experience, I have found practicing pilates to be the most effective way to address these muscular imbalances. I do take private instruction from certified pilates instructors. This has made all the difference because my instructors, knowing about my condition, help design a program that addresses my specific issues. Just popping in a DVD or dropping into a mat class doesn't cut it for me and I tend to injure myself engaging in such activities. With scoliosis, I have found that I cannot do a one size fits all model of exercise. Rather I need to customize what I need at any given time to help keep my muscles moving properly.

I have used Body Endeavors at 1528 N Halsted. My instructor, Sarah Schaub, is a former dancer and currently on maternity leave, so now I am working with Barbara Katz. Barbara also has scoliosis so she is a perfect instructor in addressing the various issues I have. I highly recommend the studio and the instructors. You can get more information about them at their website here.