1-800-NSF-MYBACK (673-6922)    NSF@scoliosis.org    Recent news and upcoming events   Welcome to the home of the National Scoliosis Foundation.   September 2, 2008   Thank You to All of You who Helped Name the Future of Scoliosis Care! The KMR survey is now closed. We are grateful to everyone who participated.   August 21, 2008   Help Name the Future of Scoliosis Care Kurkowski Market Research is conducting an online survey to help determine the name for a test under development that will help predict if your child’s scoliosis will progress, thereby reducing the uncertainty associated with future treatment. This survey should take about 5-10 minutes of your time. As thanks for your participation, Kurkowski Market Research will make a $20 donation to the National Scoliosis Foundation or mail $20 directly to you. Please note that if you decide to take the gift directly, you will need to provide your name and address to Kurkowski Market Research. Criteria to participate in this research: - You must have a child who has been diagnosed with Scoliosis - Your child must be between the ages of 6 and 18 - Your child is under the care of a spine surgeon This survey is open to the first 250 participants who respond by end of day September 1st, 2008.   June 18, 2008   MA State House Schedule Change! Please be advised that due to the Celtics Parade in Boston tomorrow we had to reschedule our event at the State House to recognize National Scoliosis Awareness Month. The new schedule for this event will be Monday, June 30th at 1PM. Sorry for this change in schedule. We hope to see you all on the 30th.   May 28, 2008   June is National Scoliosis Awareness Month! The U.S. House of Representatives Proclamation by Pennsylvania Congresswoman Allyson Y. Schwartz invites the President, Governors, officials and the American People to join with her and the National Scoliosis Foundation in recognizing and reaffirming our commitment to increasing the awareness of scoliosis. The Proclamation highlights the importance of early detection and treatment of scoliosis in trying to prevent or alleviate the worst effects of this spinal deformity for our children. In conjunction with the Proclamation there are specific Points of Emphasis addressing Patient Care, Patient Screening, Patient Privacy, and Patient Protection. The Board of Directors of the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS), Society On Scoliosis Orthopedic and Rehabilitative Treatment (SOSORT) and the International Research Society for Spinal Deformity (IRSSD) join us in support of the Proclamation. Will you also join us in support of National Scoliosis Awareness Month? We ask all patients, families, friends, support groups, scientists, medical professionals, healthcare providers, hospitals, organizations, corporations, politicians, and media to confirm your support by emailing us at support@scoliosis.org. In your email please also tell us if you plan/do any activity for National Scoliosis Awareness Month. Tell a friend; Blog it; Post it; Upload it; hand out a brochure; talk to a PTA or school; visit a patient; inform your doctor; make a donation; run a fundraiser; hold a free clinic;contact your representative or local paper. Any activity, big or small is important, so let us know. We thank you in advance for your support of National Scoliosis Awareness Month. Together we can truly Make A Difference. As indicated in our previous Press Release, we have a number of different activities planned which will be further detailed here as the month of June unfolds. Please go to The U.S. House of Representatives Proclamation for a PDF copy of the Proclamation and Points of Emphasis.   March 23, 2008   New Conservative Treatment Book "The Conservative Scoliosis Treatment" is the first of a series of Instructional Course Lectures (ICL) Books of the International Society On Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment (SOSORT). The philosophy of the commencement of such ICL book series is the achievements of an ultimate aim, the improvement of early detection and non operative treatment of the patient care pathway for scoliosis. In this volume there are chapters reporting on various aspects of the current state of the following topics: IS aetiology, recent trends on scoliosis research, genetics, prevention - school screening, various methods of physiotherapy, various types of braces, the inclusion criteria for conservative treatment, together with the SOSORT guidelines for conservative treatment, clinical evaluation and classification, study of the surface after brace application and outcomes for each brace. For more information please go to The Conservative Scoliosis Treatment.   February 4, 2008   Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) Genetic testing for scoliosis offers some potentially exciting new horizons in the ability to detect and treat this condition before it becomes a spinal deformity. In fact, it may soon be possible to identify which patients are likely to progress and require more aggressive treatments and those who may not. This is great news that offers a new level of Help & Hope. But there are also a variety of concerns you may have with genetic testing at this time, such as potential misuse of genetic information by insurers etc. That is why the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) is important and something which should be put in place. To find out more about this act and what you can do right now to ensure you and your family members are protected please go to Make A Difference.   February 1, 2008   MEDTRONIC SEEKING LONG-DISTANCE RUNNERS BENEFITTING FROM MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY “Global Heroes” will receive entry and travel to the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon or Medtronic TC 10 Mile in October Medtronic is now recruiting runners from around the world who benefit from medical device technology to participate in the third annual Medtronic Global Heroes program. The deadline for applications is April 2, 2008. Up to 25 runners will be selected to receive two paid entries into the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon or the Medtronic TC 10 Mile. Runners also will receive a travel package that covers airfare for the Global Hero, lodging and meal expenses. The 27th Annual Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon weekend will take place Oct. 3-5, 2008 in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Medtronic also will donate $1,000 to a non-profit patient organization that educates and supports individuals who live with the runner’s condition. Global Hero applicants must currently be using a medical device to treat diabetes, heart disease, chronic pain, spinal disorders, neurological disorders or gastroenterology and urology conditions. All runners with medical devices are welcome to apply with no restriction on manufacturer. To apply or nominate someone to be a Global Hero, visit Global Heroes. The deadline for accepting all applications is April 2, 2008. Runners will be chosen by a committee of the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon. Certain conditions may apply and applicants must certify that they have discussed race participation with their physician.   December 5, 2007   CONFERENCE ABSTRACTS PUBLISHED IN SCOLIOSIS JOURNAL SUPPLEMENT The abstracts for posters and oral presentations at the 4th International Conference on Conservative Management of Spinal Deformities held in Boston, MA, USA on May 13-16, 2007 have been published online in the Scoliosis Journal. Please go to SOSORT 2007 BOSTON CONFERENCE to view the abstracts and/or print a PDF document. You can also view pictures of the event at PHOTOS. The National Scoliosis Foundation hosted this Conference on Conservative Management of Spinal Deformities presented by SOSORT,a worldwide group of specialists focused on conservative care research and treatment methods. This unprecedented event was the launching of our "Decade for Prevention" campaign and is part of our ongoing advocacy to find the cause, prevention, and cure of scoliosis. Publication of these abstracts has been funded by the National Scoliosis Foundation and the Asklepios Katharina Schroth Spinal Deformities Rehabilitation Centre.   November 13, 2007   SOCIETIES JOINTLY ENDORSE NEW INFORMATION STATEMENT ON SCOLIOSIS SCREENING The Scoliosis Research Society (SRS), American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA), and the Amercian Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have endorsed a new Information Statement on Scoliosis Screening. The statement highlights the current situation regarding the early detection and treatment of idiopathic scoliosis. The jointly endorsed document also addresses the recommendation against routine screening for scoliosis published by the US PREVENTIVE SERVICES TASK FORCE (USPSTF) in 2004 and concludes; "As the primary care providers for adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis, the AAOS, SRS, POSNA, and AAP do not support any recommendation against scoliosis screening, given the available literature." Please go to SCREENING FOR IDIOPATHIC SCOLIOSIS IN ADOLESCENTS for a PDF copy of the statement in our MEDICAL UPDATES section.   April 27, 2007   Researchers Discover First Gene Associated With Idiopathic Scoliosis Texas Scottish Rite Researchers announce that they have identified the first gene associated with idiopathic scoliosis. Click on CHD7....for the press release.   AUGUST 9, 2006   CERTIFIED SCHROTH PHYSICAL THERAPISTS in the U.S. Following is a list of known Physical Therapists in the U.S. certified in the Schroth Treatment method highlighted in our recent Spinal Connection newsletter. Any unlisted certified PT should email jpobrien@scoliosis.org to be included on the list. BETH JANSSEN PATTI ORTHWEIN SCOLIOSIS REHAB, INC. 1201A WATER STREET STEVENS POINT, WI 54481 877-734-2220 WWW.SCOLIOSISREHAB.COM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AMY SBIHLI ASBIHLI@SDWPT.COM CINDY MARTI CMARTI@SDWPT.COM MEG GOGIN MGOGIN@SWDPT SPINAL DYNAMICS OF WISCONSIN 2300 MAYFAIR ROAD SUITE 555 WAUWATOSA, WI 53213 414-302-0770 WWW.SDWPT.COM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CARA BENTON 3IRISHLUVIES@CHARTER.NET JUDY TRZEBIATOWSKI THREE RIVERS COMM. HOSPITAL RAMSEY AVE. GRANTS PASS, OR 97527 541-956-6225 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- SARA STEFFEN KABOOMDAYE@HOTMAIL.COM ROSAN ZAHN RZAHN@CORDUS.COM ST. MICHAEL’S HOSPITAL 900 ILLINOIS AVE. STEVENS POINT, WI 54481 715-346-5190 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BEATRIZ TORRES PALO ALTO, CA. btorres3380@sbcglobal.net 650-494-2359 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ MARIAN WADE NEW YORK, NY. 212-866-0648 CMJWADE@EMAIL.MSN.CO ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Denise Bozue, MSPT, NCS Jennifer N. Graham, MPT Scoliosis Solutions 9711 Medical Center Drive, Suite 106 Rockville, MD 20850 Phone: 240-403-1770 therapist@scoliosissolutions.org www.scoliosissolutions.org   August 8, 2006   Fashion Rescue! Moira Lion, is a 17 year old student from California who has scoliosis and had to wear a back brace for about two years. She wrote her Fashion Rescue booklet to help other girls like her who are concerned about what to wear while in a brace. You can also visit our "Dressing Your Curves" section of our Forum to talk with Moira and other patients about clothing issues.   August 8, 2006   Missing scoliosis patient recovered! We have been notified that Eboni Johnson, the missing teenage girl with scoliosis, who was highlighted in our February 2006 posting below has been recovered. Thank you for your help!   February 24, 2006   Scoliosis Treatment Center Owner Charged with Fraud in La. Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., reported that Arthur Copes, 5710 North Shore Drive, Baton Rouge, La., surrendered to Attorney General Special Agents on 117 counts of insurance fraud for his alleged involvement in a medical billing insurance scam and practicing medicine without a license. [read more]   August 15, 2005   New Arrival - “Scoli~Band” The Scoli~Band is a livestrong styled bracelet designed to show unity among scoliosis patients, healthcare providers, and supporters worldwide. The green bracelet displaying the three curves from our logo was designed by Jamie Phillips, a post surgical teenager volunteering at a hospital and running a support group with her Mom to help other kids. The bracelets are now available in our Store for $3 each and come in youth (7”) and adult (8”) sizes. NSF’s net proceeds will be used to keep our focus on finding the cause, prevention and cure of scoliosis. In addition your support gives Help & Hope at the local level as well. Any organization such as schools, hospitals, research facilities, clinics, patient support groups, etc, can purchase the bracelets in minimum orders of 25 for $2 each and use the remaining $1 to fund their local efforts to make life better for people with scoliosis and related spinal deformities.