1-800-NSF-MYBACK (673-6922)    NSF@scoliosis.org    Recent news and upcoming events   Welcome to the home of the National Scoliosis Foundation.   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.   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.   September 12, 2007   SOSORT TO HOLD 5TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CONSERVATIVE MANAGEMENT OF SPINAL DEFORMITIES The Society On Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment invites you to attend the 5th International Conference on Conservative Management of Spinal Deformities which will take place at the Eugenidou Foundation in Athens, Greece on April 3 – 5, 2008. The Program will provide an unprecedented opportunity for anyone interested in the conservative management of scoliosis and related spinal deformities. At this conference you will learn about the current state of the art of conservative care from scientific and clinical experts around the world. Abstract Deadline is December 15, 2007. Please go to SOSORT ATHENS 2008 for further information and details.   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. 1. BETH JANSSEN 2. PATTI ORTHWEIN SCOLIOSIS REHAB, INC. 1201A WATER STREET STEVENS POINT, WI 54481 877-734-2220 WWW.SCOLIOSISREHAB.COM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. AMY SBIHLI ASBIHLI@SDWPT.COM 4. CINDY MARTI CMARTI@SDWPT.COM SPINAL DYNAMICS OF WISCONSIN 2300 MAYFAIR ROAD SUITE 555 WAUWATOSA, WI 53213 414-302-0770 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5. CARA BENTON 3IRISHLUVIES@CHARTER.NET 6. JUDY TRZEBIATOWSKI THREE RIVERS COMM. HOSPITAL RAMSEY AVE. GRANTS PASS, OR 97527 541-956-6225 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7. SARA STEFFEN KABOOMDAYE@HOTMAIL.COM 8. ROSAN ZAHN RZAHN@CORDUS.COM ST. MICHAEL’S HOSPITAL 900 ILLINOIS AVE. STEVENS POINT, WI 54481 715-346-5190 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9. BEATRIZ TORRES PALO ALTO, CA. btorres3380@sbcglobal.net 650-494-2359 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10. MARIAN WADE NEW YORK, NY. 212-866-0648 CMJWADE@EMAIL.MSN.CO ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11. Denise Bozue, MSPT, NCS 12. 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!   July 10, 2006   MEDTRONIC GLOBAL HEROES MEDTRONIC TWIN CITIES MARATHON SEARCHING FOR RUNNERS BENEFITTING FROM MEDICAL DEVICES The Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon is conducting a global search for runners living with a chronic health condition whose lives have been improved by medical device technology. Up to 20 runners from around the world will receive a travel allowance and paid entry into the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon or the Medtronic TC 10 Mile race, which run Oct. 1, 2006 in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn. In addition, Medtronic will donate $1,000 to a non-profit patient organization that educates and supports individuals who live with the runner’s condition. Qualified applicants must currently be using a medical device therapy for the following disease categories: heart disease, diabetes, chronic pain, Parkinson ’s disease, spinal disorders, hydrocephalus, and gastroenterology and urology conditions. Applicants must certify that they have obtained physician approval to participate in the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon or Medtronic TC 10 Mile race. Applications are now available at www.mtcmarathon.org. Look for the link to Medtronic Global Heroes on the website. Deadline is August 1, 2006.   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.