What I Wish I Knew When I Was Diagnosed with Scoliosis by Nisreen Witt

Nothing is off-limits. You can build strength, confidence, and a future that isn’t dictated by a curve on an X-ray.

I have a vivid memory of the first time someone noticed my scoliosis. I was 10 years old, walking during recess, when my gym teacher ran over and said, “Tell your mom to take you to the doctor and have them check your back.”

That moment changed everything. From that day on, my back became the central focus of my life. But looking back more than 35 years later, I realize I was thrown into the world of scoliosis without a safety net. I had no guidance, no road map—just a diagnosis and a lot of uncertainty.

If I could go back, if I could whisper to my younger self, here’s what I would say:

I wish they would have told me I had options.

Scoliosis doesn’t come with a one-size-fits-all solution. There are different paths, and it’s okay to explore them. You can create your own management team — from your medical doctor and Scolio-Pilates program to an acupuncturist or massage therapist. There are options for feeling good!

I wish they would have told me to exercise.

Movement is power. It’s not just about keeping your back strong—it’s about taking control of your body and your future. To be fair, exercise options were very sparse for scoliosis-specific exercise until very recently. But all movement is good. Keep moving, keep the joints happy, and your spine will thank you. Keep doing your scoliosis exercises, and then take them on the move. Go do your favorite activity — yoga, paddle boarding, skiing, gardening, walking, hiking, running, or cycling! You’ll find that the more you do Scolio-Pilates, the more your correct alignment and corrections will sneak into your other activities, without even thinking about it! Do you want guidance and guides who are there to help you? Start here. [ Link to the Foundation program]

I wish they would have told me how strong my journey was going to make me.

Scoliosis isn’t just a condition; it’s a teacher. And through every challenge, I was building resilience I didn’t even know I had. Now, when things go awry in my world, I know I have the strength. I might have to search for the correct tools, but once in place, I know I have the determination to create the change I need.

I wish they would have told me that consistency is key.

Healing and strength don’t come overnight. Small, daily efforts make the biggest difference over time. This is a bit like watching a child learn to walk. There’s a new relationship to gravity, and each step is an experiment. Children toddle around for a couple of years until walking becomes smooth. Scoliosis exercise and realigning our bodies is a constant experiment. When one discovery and milestone is crossed, the next is there to help us learn even more. Enjoy the process. No one is trying to excel at scoliosis exercises. Remember, there is no scoliosis exercise Olympics.

I wish they would have told me life with scoliosis is not a life sentence.

It’s a part of you, but it does not define you. You can live fully, move freely, and chase every dream. Don’t believe us? Do an online search for famous people with scoliosis. You are in great company of the most famous athletes, business owners, musicians, and actors. Go ahead, do the search! You’ll find out you have a lot in common with people you may already admire!

I wish they would have told me you are not going to break.

Fear can be paralyzing, but our bodies are more adaptable and capable than we give them credit for. We might do things that cause pain after we do them, but remember, the pain threshold is lower than the “damage to tissue” threshold. When you feel pain, it’s a warning. It’s not an injury. Sometimes, the warning goes on for the day, and it’s frustrating. If you find yourself in a chronic pain cycle, the messaging might be a bit off between your body and brain. Buy yourself a book like this one to help explain the process in a very easy-to-understand and overcome kind of way. The National Institute of Health even did a study about this book — Fascinating!

I wish they would have told me you are capable of anything.

Nothing is off-limits. You can build strength, confidence, and a future that isn’t dictated by a curve on an X-ray. Scoliosis may be part of your story, but it’s not the whole story. You are not limited—you are limitless.

I wish they would have told me that my mom was trying her best.

She didn’t have all the answers either. She was navigating this new reality right alongside me, doing the best she could with what she knew. We have a link here to a beautiful poem by Ada Limon, poet laureate. She wrote about her mom and her scoliosis. It’s just a perfect little jewel of a poem. Enjoy. And send it to your mom.

To anyone newly diagnosed, to any parent searching for answers—I see you. And I hope you find the guidance, the strength, and the reassurance that I wish I had. Scoliosis is a journey, but you are never alone in it. We are here to help you along the way.