Zoe H’s Story

I was diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis aged 16. I had missed the critical period for successful adolescent treatment and was told that nothing other than monitoring my condition could be done. I had two curves, a lumbar curve measuring 49° and a thoracic curve of 36°. My curves caused very few problems as I lived a healthy and active life, but things were set to change.

I began to develop problems associated with poor posture as a result of my scoliosis whilst in my twenties. I experienced pain and spasms in my back, neck and shoulders, and my other joints were starting to take the strain of my body being out of alignment. Regular physiotherapy and Pilates enabled me to keep going as best as I could, but as time passed my problems worsened. Aged 29, I developed a rare condition affecting the nerves in my left arm. A tricky problem to deal with when you’re left handed!

I saw multiple consultants, none of whom could agree on the cause of my problems, and I underwent many inconclusive investigations. No one could say whether the problems I was having in my arm were a direct effect of my scoliosis or not, and I was given differing and conflicting treatment advice. I was keen to avoid any surgery if possible, particularly after experiencing problems with a diagnostic procedure that left me with a punctured lung. I was fearful and cautious about the unknown success of any procedure.

The therapists who were treating me felt that even if my scoliosis was not the direct cause of my arm problems, it was definitely an aggravating factor. I was rapidly losing the function in my arm and hand, and my ability to carry out my day to day activities was severely restricted. My muscles were constantly in spasm, I had restricted range of movement and weakness was setting in. I also had sensory disturbances and problems with my circulation which made completing tasks difficult and miserable.

I was confused and distressed and at the point of considering leaving my job, (a career I had studied hard for) having had substantial periods of absence from work as a result of my symptoms. I was unable to drive and the active life I was used to was slipping away, this was taking its toll on me physically and mentally. Exhausted, frustrated, desperate and at the point of despair, I turned to adult bracing and contacted SpineCor with the support of my physiotherapist. We already knew that correcting my posture and spinal alignment relieved some of my symptoms significantly, I was relying on sports tape (which aggravated and blistered my skin) to align myself and I was taking analgesia to get me through the day. We thought if we could find a way to manage my posture in a more effective manner then there may be a chance of some of my symptoms being reduced. After a period of extensive research, the SpineCor Adult Pain Relief Back Brace seemed to be the solution we were seeking.

Getting a referral to the service wasn’t easy but with my GP’s backing I was accepted for assessment and deemed to be a suitable candidate. I began with the treatment and was amazed with the results. My posture improved instantly and within a few days the range of movement I had in my arm increased.

I found that I had the freedom to use my limbs in a way that had not previously been possible. My pain levels had reduced and the chronic muscle spasms I had endured for years in my back and shoulder were under control. As the months have passed, I now have a better body image because I look so much straighter and I have noticed that previously weak muscles are strengthening and my body shape is changing. Others have also commented on the improvements in my posture and confidence. Decreasing the degree of my spinal curvature was not the goal of my treatment, but by wearing the brace I could correct the imbalances these curves were causing and achieve a significantly better alignment, relieving some of the strain on my muscles, nerves and joints.

Wearing the SpineCor brace is not all plain sailing and getting used to it takes perseverance. It took time to acclimatise to being wrapped tightly in elastic and Velcro, as did adjusting my body in its new alignment. Activities like climbing the stairs and walking felt different and strange at first, and I experienced various aches and pains in the early days.

Despite the brace being fairly discreet in its design, on occasions it was tricky to disguise under clothing and at first, I felt bulky and self conscious. I found it made my figure feel distorted and I realised I was more concerned with my appearance than I had previously thought! Most of my clothes fitted as normal but I found that I tend to buy things slightly larger to comfortably accommodate it now. Going to the bathroom took some practice, and I find it impossible to eat a large meal without slackening my brace off a bit. Summer brings the additional problems of overheating and the potential for some interesting tan lines. However, the benefits gained from wearing it, compared with not wearing it, are minor issues and easy to overcome over time, especially with the support of the clinical team.

Choosing to privately fund the treatment meant that there would be ongoing cost implications to consider, and obtaining NHS funding for a non-standard treatment was slow, difficult and stressful. It’s a challenging process which remains ongoing and has required a great degree of personal determination, perseverance and support from my medical team.

My SpineCor brace has become a part of me, I wear it all day, every day and I am far less self-conscious. I have a little brace ‘holiday’ now and then, to wear something nice or lie in the sun. My brace has been instrumental in enabling me to get my life back. I do still have some symptoms and have to make some adaptations, there are times when things are not so good, but in comparison to before, these times are manageable and greatly reduced. I have started to take up activities I love again, including horse riding, running, Pilates, dancing and driving. I work full time and rarely take pain killers. I haven’t used a piece of sports tape since the day my brace was issued and I feel that I have a brighter future.

I am so grateful to SpineCor for the improvement and independence that my brace has given back to me, I can’t thank the clinical and administrative team enough. They have been friendly and professional throughout, and have always treated me as an individual; acknowledging my personal circumstances, involving me actively in the treatment process and have been realistic about what could be achieved. I hope that as the years advance further, clinical research will mean that this brace becomes available to adults as a standard health service treatment. My only regret is that I didn’t contact SpineCor sooner!

To celebrate the successes I have achieved, I intend to challenge myself and run the London 10k this summer to support SAUK, with a little help from my SpineCor brace of course!