We know that adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, the one without a defined cause that starts in puberty (I discovered mine at 11), is the most common among scolioses. A scenario that is already chaotic due to hormones, discoveries, and many personal issues becomes much worse when we receive a diagnosis that directly affects our body and our image. Moreover, insecurity, a significant characteristic of this phase, only increases when we discover a deformity in the spine just when we are discovering our body and, in a way, exposing it more and more. As I went through this myself and received so many messages from those who have also been through it or are going through it, I decided to write this post about scoliosis and adolescence, focusing on helping with tips on how to deal with the problem at this stage of life.
Accept your condition
As challenging as it may be to receive the news that you have scoliosis and that you'll undergo a long treatment, which may or may not yield certain results since it varies from case to case, the most important thing is to accept that we have a crooked spine. Without acceptance, we may rebel, making the inevitable and necessary process more difficult. So, study the subject, read, inform yourself, talk, and understand scoliosis and how it can affect your life. This helps reduce anxiety and allows more active participation in your care.
Focus on open communication
As I wrote above, talk about scoliosis with your friends, parents, family, healthcare professionals, and with people who are going through the same problem as you. Talking and sharing helps demystify the problem and share the anxieties, which is important because suffering alone is much worse for our mental health, right? I always expressed what I felt to my best friends, and their support helped me a lot to get through adolescence with a back brace. I talked more about it in the power of friendship.
Be active in your treatment
From the moment your treatment is defined, participate in a disciplined and active manner, always seeking improvement and with a positive mindset that you will succeed and, in the end, everything will work out. Don't skip your physiotherapy sessions, do your exercises at home, wear your brace (if applicable), and attend medical appointments as planned by the healthcare team taking care of you. Face the challenge head-on with focus, and you will see that results will come!
Engage in exercises
Scoliosis doesn't prevent you from doing almost anything. Anything discussed and supported by the doctor can be done, including sports and physical activity. I swam every day and played tennis twice a week. Please find what you like, what makes you happy, and go for it (safely, of course, haha). Pilates, for example, is perfect for strengthening the back muscles and improving flexibility. But if you have a different preference, talk to your doctor and go for it. Just don't stay still, never.
Social support
After the shock of the diagnosis has passed, the treatment is defined, and you are emotionally better, encourage other teenagers to share their stories and experiences with scoliosis as well. A support network is crucial to face the emotional challenges that the deformity brings us. A community fighting and talking about the same cause is much stronger than each of us alone. I wrote two books about my life with scoliosis and other challenges. I have this blog and also my Instagram (in Portuguese), where I talk daily about my day-to-day experiences with scoliosis.
Find emotional help
If necessary and possible, have weekly therapy with a health professional recommended for it. Having a psychologist accompanying the case makes all the difference in the world in our adolescence with a curved spine. Surely, this professional will help reduce anxiety, as well as work on our self-image and self-esteem. There are a lot of questions and answers that can help you with it In the Interview with psychologist Kátia Pacheco about scoliosis.
Choose clothes consciously
This is very important for our self-esteem, especially if we wear a brace, which limits us a lot in choosing the clothes we want to wear. So, choose to dress consciously, considering the condition you have. In the post 'Bracing Scoliosis with Style,' I bring an interview with an amazing professional who gives us tips on this issue. It's worth reading and learning some cool tricks for everyday life.
Each case is unique, so it's important to adapt these tips to your reality, okay? Do you have other tips to share? Comment here!
