(Part 1 of 2)
I just returned from a Scoliosis research conference I try to attend once a year. I love going to this conference. It’s usually in some interesting place (like Turin!), and it is filled with physiotherapists, orthotists, researchers on the latest scoliosis technology, and surgeons from all over the world. It is downright inspiring to see so many people dedicating their lives to helping people with this one specific condition. I always learn a lot and am always challenged in some way, which has the effect of expanding my thinking around scoliosis.
That being said, every time I go I feel this deep seated sensitivity well up in me when I see countless images of scoliosis patients, often young women, taken from behind with most of their clothes off. Maybe it’s something about not being able to see their face, or maybe I am projecting my own feelings onto these photos, but there is something about them that makes the person in the photo seem so tender. I want to reach out and ask them, “are you ok?”
These images are taken so that practitioners can see the spine. I have no doubt in my mind that the practitioners have nothing but the purest intentions in mind. After all they are dedicating their lives to this, and they sincerely want their patients to feel better, no matter what the treatment. But I feel that it’s worth bringing up the topic to see if we can start a conversation.
In the instance of a scoliosis patient I see two things that are juxtaposed with each other: On the one hand we have thousands of years of (women’s) bodies being scrutinized, judged, and much more. On the other hand there is a very important need for the doctor, physiotherapist, or orthotist to see the spine completely, not hidden by clothing, so that they understand the curve you start out with and how it is progressing, or improving based on the work they are doing with you.
What can we do?
I want to hear from you, the patient, or any practitioners out there who want to comment. Here are a few questions that come up for me:
- Has what the patient will be wearing for the photo been discussed ahead of time? (Maybe you want to wear a bikini that day, if you wear one, instead of being photographed in your underwear)
- Has the angle of the photo been discussed ahead of time? (i.e., you definitely need to include the spine, but the spine stops at the tailbone so the photographer might not need to include the rest of the body in the photo)
- Has who the photo will be shared with been discussed ahead of time? (This does not include a written consent form that no one reads)
Now, let me make something very clear. This is not about body shaming. I am all for letting people wear whatever they want to wear at ANY age, show whatever amount of skin they want to show when in public. Enjoy going to a nude beach? Great!
What it comes down to for me is trying to make the patient as comfortable as possible at a moment when they may feel particularly vulnerable and exposed.
Does this bring up anything for anyone? Please comment if you are inspired.
And if you want to share something privately, then feel free to email me directly.
Stay tuned for Part II of another sensitive topic around scoliosis— Language.
Gabriella Barnstone is a certified yoga therapist with the International Association of Yoga Therapists, and has been teaching since 2008. She worked at Manhattan Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation from 2015 to 2020 where she specialized in treating patients with back pain using yoga as therapy. Gabriella has taught courses with Dr. Loren Fishman on Yoga for Back Pain, Yoga for Osteoporosis, and Yoga for Arthritis at Kripalu, Yogaville, and Omega Institute. She was on the faculty of Prema Yoga Institutefrom 2017 to 2020 where she developed her own course on functional anatomy, and mentored emerging yoga therapists. She was the resident Yoga Therapist at Healthquarters (now Mount Sinai), which brought top medical providers together with clinically-backed wellness services to provide connected, seamless, and comprehensive health services. She introduced her curve specific programs at Samamkaya Back Care Studio in 2023. She currently offers virtual sessions and in person sessions at SoulBeingWellness in New York City.
