His journey started around age 17 years old in Singapore. Eli noticed that he was standing predominately on one side but he didn’t think much of it at the time.

His friends noticed it & told him. Wearing baggy T-shirts, my parents didn’t see it.

When I went to the doctor. I did the toe touch test, they didn’t notice anything.

It wasn’t until later when they stoped testing that he noticed that his spine was curved. He mentioned it to his parents who took him to a specialist. During this time, he degree was in it's 20's. It wasn’t severe enough for surgery so the doctor suggested, come back in a year. For the first few years, Eli’s curve remained in the 20's. While in the military, Eli went for a check. It was then that his curves jumped to 40+ degrees.

Years late, Eli would have surgery. It was important for his orthopedic that Eli keep as much as his mobility as possible. This would mean that Eli would have surgery for his most extensive curve.

I don't remember having back pain during this time. A friend commented on a post I shared. I remember you having back pain.

I had my surgery in my early 20’s. I didn’t talk about it. I just lived my life. How I deal with it, through connection via social media.

It’s so important to share. About 2 years ago, Eli got a tattoo on his scar. Having this tattoo, healed me & my scar.

Eli dives into being a model & what that’s like. Eli’s agency is one that represents models with special needs or other conditions.

Eli sees his Scoliosis as his strength, his empowerment, self acceptance. It’s uncomfortable for me.

Eli shares back to a time he was in pain. Getting up was hard. His father in law is an acupuncturist. He helped me to recover, suggesting pressure points to work with moving forward.

What is your self care? Many exercises & not going to the gym.

What Eli would like to hell his younger self. Be proud of your body. It’s been given to you for a reason.

This is his story.

Where you can find Eli:

Instagram: Opps_itsEli

LEAVE A REVIEW: If you enjoy this episode, we’d to hear what was your take away. If you know someone who this can help please share. Take a screen shot & share it with us on instagram @⁠⁠⁠T3fitt.⁠⁠⁠

Do you follow Teresa on TikTok yet? Head over to ⁠⁠⁠T3Fitt⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠and follow her and her team for additional content.

Live pain free with Scoliosis, Arthritis, integrative nutrition & Buteyko breathing retraining

We were made to move.

Born in Poland as young girl in her gym class, she was diagnosed with Scoliosis. At age 16 with a 48 curve she had surgery. Being curious about her own surgery, she convinced her orthopedic to let her observe a spinal fusion using Harrington rods.

Not living with any pain, pre & post surgery, life moved as it always had pain free. It wasn’t until she had her 2nd child that pain started to set in. Having a corporate job, wearing heals, life all took a toll. Not being able to support her Scoliosis, getting out of bed became painful. Cortisone shots weren’t a possibility because of her fusion.

She worked with therapist for 4 years, she learned how use her body, firing her glutes, how to walk, building core strength.

Living with Scoliosis & Arthritis pain free. Every day we open up, it’s like we’re blooming. Once we don’t have that message of pain in our head, there is no limit.

Agnes shares a story about when she wanted to skate. Her daughter was scared remembering the pain her mom lived with.

It wasn’t until her 4th car accident that, her perspective changed. “It was about the work.” This will not impact me. It’s the power of mind set. With that, she said, “I’m going to be okay.”

We need kindness for ourselves.

This is her story.

Where can you find Agnes:

Instagram: thesimplebeautifulwellness

Web: Simple Beautiful Wellness

LEAVE A REVIEW: If you enjoy this episode, we’d to hear what was your take away. If you know someone who this can help please share. Take a screen shot & share it with us on instagram @⁠⁠T3fitt.⁠⁠

Do you follow Teresa on TikTok yet? Head over to ⁠⁠T3Fitt⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠and follow her and her team for additional content.

At age 13 Jaq was diagnosed with Scoliosis. When she was 16, the pain started. This lead her family into a deep dive of doing research to find out what the nexts would be. She would do physical therapy with no help of her curve decreasing & not being prescribed a brace.

It would be 10 years until she had surgery. She continued living her every day life playing sports & being active. In her senior year of high school, she stopped playing rugby because of the increased. She went to orthopedics, no one prescribing Schroth Method or bracing. “Here’s physical therapy, hopefully it doesn’t worsen.”

Surgery would be her next step. After many appointments & opinions, Jaq & her family found an orthopedic in West Slip, New York Dr. Sevarella.

She would have surgery that kept her in the ICU for a week.

Recovery was rough. I remember burning pain. I remember waking up crying happy that I woke up.

“You have to fight for your new spine.”

She shares, looking back, those were my second first steps.

Jaq shares one of the best post Scoliosis stories about her mom driving home being stopped by the police.

Upon getting home, we realized I wasn’t given meds. 24 hrs later she got her meds but it would take 2 weeks for life to feel normal. My mom was my rock.

It would take 2 years for my spine to feel normal.

So much more goes into surgery than having surgery. Mentally I felt like I was never prepared for what was to come. i didn’t think about what would be like to bath myself or wash my hair or being able to walk without assistance.

Having surgery has it’s benefits.

Believe in your decisions. You are smart enough.

Where can you find Jaq:

Jaq

LEAVE A REVIEW: If you enjoy this episode, we’d to hear what was your take away. If you know someone who this can help please share. Take a screen shot & share it with us on instagram @⁠⁠T3fitt.⁠⁠

Do you follow Teresa on TikTok yet? Head over to ⁠⁠T3Fitt⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠and follow her and her team for additional content.

Growing up Dr. Gardner liked science. In college he majored in Chemistry. "Medicine was a way to touch peoples lives.” Dr. Gardner was drawn to Orthopedic surgery, based on the magnitude & immediacy

He trained at Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC, graduating in 2007. It was during this time, he was optimistic, viewing the future through rose colored glasses. When he started talking with patients he learned about the health care system is in the US. He started to feel disillusioned on how the system fails patients.

It was then, he saw specifically how the Scoliosis journey had problematic components.

Dr. Gardner still believes that a lot of these surgeries are potentially avoidable with better systems in place.

Dr. Gardner partnered with Karena Thek founder of Scoliosis Pilates, bringing Kavon Saber (an adult living with Scoliosis) to help patients solve living with Scoliosis.

Dr Gardner shares his thoughts on Harrington Rods & Tethering.

Some of Dr. Gardners come to him post surgery with “failed back syndrome.”

Working with Dr. Gardner & his team patients can self scan using the FDA approved app which asses the severity of a patients scoliosis.

“The system is not your fault.”

“Losing hope is easy but there is help out there.”

Where can you find Dr. Gardner:

Instagram: National Scoliosis Clinic

wwwNationalScoliosisClinic.com

LEAVE A REVIEW: If you enjoy this episode, we’d to hear what was your take away. If you know someone who this can help please share. Take a screen shot & share it with us on instagram @⁠⁠T3fitt.⁠⁠

Do you follow Teresa on TikTok yet? Head over to ⁠⁠T3Fitt⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠and follow her and her team for additional content.

Crystal’s journey with Scoliosis started at age 2. At age 2, her mother noticed that Crystal was walking differently than her friends. Being concerned, her mother searched for answers. Remembering that a cousin had Scoliosis, she thought maybe Crystal has Scoliosis as too.

They found the Princess Elizabeth Orthopedic treatment center in Trinidad. After having X-rays, it was confirmed Crystal had Scoliosis. Every 6 months, Crystal would have her assessment. During one of her assessments, it was found she had a heart defect. The focus shifted from her Scoliosis to her heart.

At ages 2-6 she was wore the Wilmington brace (a brace that is still used today in Trinidad) wearing it 23 hrs a day for the 1st year. The brace would rub against her chest. Because of an already existing heart problem, the brace affected her breathing.

This caused her to stop wearing the brace. At age 14 her curves increased to 70-80 degrees. At the doctors suggestion, she would wear the brace. During this time she would be diagnosed with Multi neuron disease.

At age 18, with a 90 degree curve, she had surgery. Her surgery was a success but she lives with occasional pain. Her curve post surgery is 60 degrees.

Through the foundation her parents instilled in her, Crystal lives in a world of always finding the positives. Having Scoliosis at such a young age, was sensitive. She had the belief that her treatment would give her a straight spine & no more pain. Though life didn’t go as planned, she never let her situation bring her down. This drives Crystal to help people.

“My past experience has fulled me to do better.” Her mother instilled the belief of being optimistic.”

It’s an invisible illness

I am unique. You cannot allow your circumstances out way the rest of your life & so started Woman of Steel.

You're stronger than you think

Listen to her story & how her journey has changed the lives of others

Where can you find Crystal:

Instagram WomanofSteel97

LEAVE A REVIEW: if you enjoy this episode, we’d to hear what was your take away. Be sure to do over to Apple Podcasts & leave a review. If you know someone who this can help please share. Take a screen shot & share it with us on instagram @⁠⁠⁠T3fitt.⁠⁠⁠

Do you follow Teresa on TikTok yet? Head over to ⁠⁠⁠T3Fitt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠and follow her and her team for additional content.

Emily, a friend, a client with a spinal fusion

Emily's Scoliosis was diagnosed when they did the toe touch test In high school, Being a very active teenager playing field hockey and other sports, her back started to hurt. Her mother thought the pain might be associated to sports. At age 14, Emily had a growth spurt.

During this time, her curves increased. Though her curve increased, it was never recommended that she wear a brace.

She started to live with consistent pain, “turning off the emotional side.” I was a kid who wanted to keep living life.”

In 2007 Emily would have a spinal fusion. Having her mother, brother & friends group, she had continuous supported.

The day after surgery, they orthopedic team had her up & walking.

I asked Emily if she had an physical therapy? She went to a chiropractor pre surgery even before she was diagnosed. One of the memories that stays with her, she used was the arm bike.

When she got home, she noticed she had gained an 1” - 2” in height.

It would take years until Emily would open herself to the emotional impact of having a spinal fusion.

“I have to work with myself, not ignore myself.’

Where can you find Emily?

Instagram: Emily

LEAVE A REVIEW: If you enjoy this episode, we’d to hear what was your take away. Be sure to do over to Apple Podcasts & leave a review. If you know someone who this can help please share. Take a screen shot & share it with us on instagram @⁠⁠T3fitt.⁠⁠

Do you follow Teresa on TikTok yet? Head over to ⁠⁠T3Fitt⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠and follow her and her team for additional content.

Based in Columbia South Carolina, Abbey shares her passion of becoming a Schroth specialist.

Graduating from Medical University of Charleston South Carolina, she knew she wanted to specialize in something where she could make an impact. Expanding her medical knowledge working on the trauma team in Columbia South Carolina, she got a call from a friend who worked in outpatient pediatrics saying that they were hiring.

In 2016, she started the journey of working with kids. She had a few patients who she helped & others who she would refer for more specific treatment. This opened her eyes. She did her research finding that everything led to treating the spine from a three dimensional standpoint in the Schroth & BSPTS (Barcelona Scoliosis Physical Therapy School) methods.

Wanting to help patients, she signed up for an intro course in Boston.

During this time, she found out a colleague at another clinic also wanted to help people in the scoliosis community. They joined forces, getting certified in Levels 1 & 2 in BSPTS.

Our clinics open in 2021 & we are now blowing up with patients! However she started to question why some patients were being diagnosed in the late stages of Scoliosis. She found out there are 20+ states that no longer do screenings in schools.

Abby shares her wins & pains that keep her driven to continue working with the Scoliosis community.

Where can you find Abby:

Instagram: Abbyroad919

LEAVE A REVIEW: if you enjoy this episode, we’d to hear what was your take away. Be sure to do over to Apple Podcasts & leave a review. If you know someone who this can help please share. Take a screen shot & share it with us on instagram @⁠⁠⁠T3fitt.⁠⁠⁠ Do you follow Teresa on TikTok yet? Head over to ⁠⁠⁠T3Fitt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠and follow her and her team for additional content.

In middle school around age 13 Kerry noticed she started to have pain. After doing a few toe touch tests, nothing was noticed, though she had a significant curve. In high school, she was playing a lot of sports, during which she was given a brace & told “wait & see.” Not understanding what was happening, she & her friends would make a joke out of it. She wore her brace at night though she was told to wear it 24/7.

While in college her pain became so significant that surgery became her only choice, though she wanted to put it off. She decided that Christmas break would be the best time to have surgery, thinking it was no big deal. Break was over & she flew back to school & was carrying her books living her every day college life. 

She started to notice after being fused T1- T11, her pain patterns hadn’t changed. The continued when she was in grad school. The pains kept her frozen, including where she was fused. It was during this time that she learned about the nervous system & the things she could do to help her Scoliosis, Schroth  Scoliosis Pilates just to name a few. When she started working on these, techniques, her pain started to “melt away.”

After talking with Erin Meyers, from Spiral Spine,  hearing other peoples stories, Kerry started to  learn about the ways to take control through her nervous system. She believes that taking some of the trauma out of Scoliosis will lesson the pain.

This is something that resinates with her. Take the darkness, fight or flight “Dorsal Vagal” out. Kelly started to notice that what she was sharing with her clients, she wasn’t applying to herself. She heard a repetitive voice that kept playing on a cassette player. This voice kept triggering her.  As she explored, she discovered that her triggers came from doctors language.

She found Vivian DaywithViv on Instagram. Through Viv’s program, her world opened up. 

Kerry learned how to change that language started got certified in neurological fitness-short somatic exercises that make you feel safe. 

Through her own work, she created an 8 week program, Nerve to Sour. Master anxiety & heal your nervous system. 

Where can you find Kerry:

Instagram Kerry Green

LEAVE A REVIEW: if you enjoy this episode, we’d to hear what was your take away. Be sure to do over to Apple Podcasts & leave a review. If you know someone who this can help please share. Take a screen shot & share it with us on instagram @⁠⁠T3fitt.⁠⁠

Do you follow Teresa on TikTok yet? Head over to ⁠⁠T3Fitt⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠and follow her and her team for additional content.