Tori had Olympic medalist Bobby Finke sign her brace in 2022. Tori’s mom, Katie, recalls the moment when Tori’s physical therapist first noticed her daughter’s curve. It was the beginning of a journey that would test Tori’s strength and resilience, but also showcase her determination and the power of support. After consulting with an orthopedist from Pediatric Specialists of Virginia, it was confirmed that Tori indeed had scoliosis. Initially, they decided to monitor the curve, but as time passed, it became clear that action was needed. The curve had progressed to the mid-20s fairly quickly, p ..read more

Join us in welcoming Cara Pinker to our orthotist team! Cara, a Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist (CPO), is devoted to enhancing the lives of individuals with scoliosis and spinal conditions requiring bracing. Beginning with a biomedical engineering degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, she merged her interest in medical device design with patient care, earning a Master’s in Prosthetics and Orthotics from Baylor College of Medicine. During residencies at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Boston Children’s Hospital, Cara specialized in crafting tailored orthotic solutions, particularly ..read more

A Mother’s Perspective (May): In 2020, when Maeva, my daughter, first complained about back pain after doing a backbend, I brushed it off as a typical muscle strain. Little did I know that this would mark the beginning of a journey that would change our lives. Maeva, being a determined and passionate ballerina, never let discomfort slow her down. However, over time, she kept mentioning an odd feeling in her hip, like something was out of alignment. As a mother, my intuition told me that something was amiss, but I wasn’t sure what. Fast forward to 2022, during her annual physical exam, our fami ..read more

As usual, the gift-giving season has snuck up on us and that often means that parents are searching for gift ideas. Gift cards and cash seem to be the easiest option, but also can feel impersonal and boring. The best gifts for anyone – especially teens and tweens – show the recipient that the gift giver really “sees” them and appreciates their unique qualities. Parents want to encourage their children to be secure in who they are. Gifts that convey their support and love are always appreciated. For Scoliosis patients, a thoughtful gift can go a long way in supporting them as they journey throu ..read more

Exciting News! Our patient, Phoenix, was recently featured on the Scoliosis Dialogues podcast by SRS (Scoliosis Research Society)! Hosted by Dr. Nitin Agarwal, MD, the episode delves into Phoenix’s scoliosis journey, from diagnosis to his experience with bracing. We couldn’t be prouder of Phoenix for bravely sharing his story, and we’re grateful to SRS for creating a platform to raise awareness about scoliosis. Together, let’s spread knowledge and support those facing similar challenges. View the interview below. The post Our Patient is Featured on Scoliosis Dialogues, an SRS Podcast appeared ..read more

As the school year kicks off, don’t forget those essential check-ups for your little ones. But here’s the twist – there’s one more crucial question to ask your pediatrician or primary care doctor during that visit! Our Orthotist, Kristian Christensen, a certified expert, recently took the spotlight on ABC7’s “Good Morning Washington.” He joined Eileen Whelan for an insightful chat about scoliosis, where he gave invaluable advice to parents. Watch the full interview, here. Kristian’s expertise shines as he sheds light on the importance of checking your kids for scoliosis during routine appointm ..read more

With children heading back to school this fall, we encourage parents to choose their child’s backpack wisely. Although there are no studies that prove backpacks can cause scoliosis, heavy backpacks worn for extended periods of time can cause muscle pain and balance impairment. When purchasing a backpack for your child, here are the steps the National Scoliosis Center recommends: Check your child for scoliosis annually! Since most public schools no longer perform scoliosis screening, it is vital that parents monitor the signs of scoliosis in a timely manner. Parents can identify symptoms of sc ..read more

Perhaps your child shows his or her true spirit on the soccer or lacrosse field, or hockey rink. Or, maybe your daughter lights up the stage in pointe shoes and a tutu. It may be that your child simply enjoys a game of pickup basketball or street hockey to release pent-up energy following a day at school. Whatever your situation, as a parent, you likely believe that sports and other activities are an important part of childhood and facilitate the development of life skills such as teamwork, fitness, social interaction, and leadership. Your child has been diagnosed with scoliosis and the treatm ..read more

We want to hear from our patients! Summer is here and we want to see how our patients are rocking their scoliosis brace while enjoying the season! Celebrate the arrival of summer by flaunting your scoliosis brace and making the most of the season! Whether you’re basking on sandy shores, exploring new cityscapes, or simply enjoying your hometown, we’re eager to hear from you. Engaging our patients in their personalized treatment plan and fostering a sense of ownership over their brace is paramount. We wholeheartedly encourage brace usage. To sustain this positive momentum, we invite our patient ..read more

June is National Scoliosis Awareness Month According to Luke Stikeleather, Founder, President, and Chief Orthotist at National Scoliosis Center, “Early detection of scoliosis is the key to providing a child the opportunity to be treated with conservative treatment options, such as bracing, and helping them avoid the need for surgery.” Some things to know about scoliosis: It is an abnormal curvature of the spine greater than 10 degrees. Gender: Girls are more likely to require treatment for scoliosis than boys. Age: Scoliosis typically appears in children between the ages of 10 and 15. Family ..read more