I'm so excited to finally have my Scoliosis Activity Suit, and wanted to share all about my first week wearing it.
I walked in the door and saw the box on my kitchen table. I was "over the moon" excited and had to snap a picture to share in the Scoliosis Warriors group - had to share the excitement with my Warrior friends.
And then had to message a pic to my family/friends with the news!
Here's the individual pieces of the suit. It's made of Neoprene. It can be washed on gentle cycle in cold water - then hung to dry. Good thing since it's an "ACTIVITY SUIT" - need to keep it smelling fresh.☺
The suit can be worn over or under clothing. I've done both. It fit perfectly under my scrubs.
I put on the suit at 7:30 a.m. then began getting ready for work. I was interested to find out if I'd be able to wear it all day, or if I'd slowly have to increase my time each day to allow my body time to adjust.
On the drive to work I noticed how the suit helped me maintain good posture. I wasn't slouching or leaning forward like I sometimes find myself unconsciously doing; it helped create postural support in a comfortable way.
I'm currently going through a job transition. I've had a desk job for 15 years and recently accepted a position as a chiropractic assistant (begin full-time in February), which means I'll be on my feet most of the day - I'm very happy about this! For the last few months I've been working my new job on Friday's, and my desk job Monday - Thursday. On Friday's I was having low back pain, which I attributed to the job change (standing versus sitting for the majority of the day). This day while wearing the suit I didn't experience low back pain. That was fabulous!
At 11:30 a.m. I started to feel a little soreness around my lower left ribcage - where my rib protrudes outward on the left side - in the area of the lower costal arch.
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| Clinically Oriented Anatomy Fifth Edition - Page 91 |
The suit is designed to use active resistance and the body's motion to help the spine return to a more neutral and straight position, so I expected to feel minor soreness especially in the beginning of wear.
After work I went shopping; by the time I returned home at 8 p.m. I was ready to remove the suit for the day. So, the first day I wore it 12 1/2 hours - and was mostly on my feet. Adults can wear it all day every day, but in order for the suit to do it's job (provide a corrective anti-rotational effect) the patient needs to be weight bearing (standing upright).
The next day my nephew came over and we played the Michael Jackson Experience dancing to the song Thriller. The suit is easy to move around in - no problem dancing and moving.
The work week began and it was back to the desk job. I knew I'd be sitting most of the day, but decided to wear it to work anyway because of the postural support.
One of my favorite things about the suit is that you can wear it while doing life; reaping the benefits of the suit while doing normal daily activities.
At work I had a few people ask what I did to my leg. They thought I was wearing a leg brace. It created a great opportunity for me to tell them all about the suit. It was great because a few of them had family/friends with scoliosis so I got to share with them all about it.
On a funny note - one morning we went out for breakfast. I ordered the lumberjack plate. I was feeling pretty snug in the suit after finishing my plate. ☺
At the end of the week I went shopping in the suit. At the register one of the cashiers asked about the suit because she hadn't seen anything like it. I got to share with her about it. She just raved how great she thought it was. Come to find out my cashier had scoliosis and overheard our conversation. She said she wished the suit was around when she was younger. I explained the stand alone treatment for adults. She was interested where to purchase one. It makes me so happy to share hope with others. She didn't realize there are options available that may be able to help her these days. My aunt told me that I should wear a sign that says, "ask me about my suit." LOL!
Speaking of where to get one - ScoliosisKC in Belton, Missouri (where I go for treatment) is one of the fitting centers. Here's a link where to learn more about the suit and see other fitting center locations. ScoliSMART Activity Suit
Until next time♥♥♥
Sharing my journey on Facebook at The Crooked Life
So you have to get fitted at a fitting center? Is there any other way?
ReplyDeleteYes, you do have to visit a fitting center or ScoliSMART clinic. An X-ray is taken, fitting done, and suit ordered.
ReplyDeleteDo you think it could work for teenagers?
ReplyDeleteThe SAS is used as a broader approach treatment effort in patients under the age of 18, but can be used as an independent treatment option for adult patients.
DeleteThere is a study that I think would be helpful answering your question.
https://www.treatingscoliosis.com/images/research/2013-1291_suit.pdf
There were 26 patients with an average age of 13 years old included in this one year follow-up study on the suit. The Results were as follows:
16 of the 26 patients obtained a Cobb angle correction of greater than 6°, while 6 of the 26 patients remained within 5° of baseline. Four patients saw their curves increase more than 6°. Specifically, Immature patients had an average Cobb angle of 27°±9, ATR of 10°±5. However, there were differences observed within this group in the levels of improvement depending upon the curve type. For example, thoracolumbar curves improved to an average of 28°±8, thoracic curves improved to 22°±10, and lumbar curves improved to 20°±7. However, double major curves improved only slightly to 32°/28°, which did not reach the minimum 6-degree standard of change to be classified as correction by the Scoliosis Research Society Committee on Non-Operative Treatment24. Except for the QVAS and FRI scores in the Immature Thoracolumbar and Lumbar groups, QVAS and FRI changes did not reach statistical significance for any of the remaining curve types.
I found this blog after a long time which is really helpful to let understand different approaches. I am going to adopt these new point to my career and thankful for this help.
ReplyDeleteร้านสูท
I just got my suit a couple weeks ago. Have you worn it under your clothes? I would like to, but need some kind of cloth barrier between it and my skin. Also looking for clothing recommendations for the summer when it is going to get HOT!
ReplyDeleteHello, yes I wear it under my scrubs. I wear a tank under it on top, but put the anchor directly on my skin around my leg.
DeleteIn summer I have worn the anchor over capri pants/long shorts, but wore a tank over the torso piece. I wore it to the zoo in the heat for about 4-5 hours. I suggest bringing a back pack - that way if you get too hot you can always take it off. I'm someone who naturally runs cold, so haven't had too much of an issue with the heat. The suit can get a bit sweaty against the skin though after while.
Now that it has been a year and a half since you started wearing the activity suit, do you feel that it has stopped the curvature from getting worse or, better yet, is it being corrected?
ReplyDeleteHello, I just now saw your question. I started treatment with a CLEAR Scoliosis doctor over 3 years ago. My pain was eliminated, postural deformity reduced, and curve reduced 7 degrees. I started wearing the suit after my treatment program to help halt progression, and I still do my at home therapy exercises. During the 5 years prior to treatment my curve progressed nearly 10 degrees. Ever since I started treatment my curve has only reduced not progressed and it's been over 3 years, so I'm very happy about that. If you're looking for results from people only wearing the suit there is a 1 year study published. Here's the link -
Deletehttps://www.treatingscoliosis.com/images/research/2013-1291_suit.pdf
I have a 38 degree curvature which is in my upper back between shoulders... I'm wondering I'm an adult 30 years old... and about 145 lbs.. how much would one cost for me...I have looked on all the sites...thanks
ReplyDeleteHello! The ScoliSMART Activity Suit is $1500. Here's the website in which you can read more about it, order it online after going through an approval process, or find a fitting location. https://www.adultscoliosisrelief.com/ -- Hope that helps!
DeleteAlso I'm about 5'5
ReplyDeleteI was wondering if they do free x-rays at their fitting center? Would you need insurance for that to happen? Also, does insurance cover some of the costs of the Activity Suit or is there any way to get a cheaper price? Let me know
ReplyDeleteHello Marce - I have a son who is 15 who has an S curve measuring to 36 thoracic and 27 lumbar curvature. We came across the scolismart information and your blog. What was you curvature iniitially? I thought the activity suit had to be worm only for half hour a day
ReplyDeleteBut you havee mentioned it wearing for 12 or more hours? In your opinion do you think it is still working for you? Please advise. Any advise is appreciated. Thank you.
Did this scolismart work? Having some doubts...
ReplyDeleteI live in Florida and my 18 yr old son has 37 degree upper curve and a 35 degree lower curve with a twist in the middle. Would love to get him fitted for a suit.
ReplyDelete