Scoliosis, the crooked truth.

Hi, my name is Anaya Jones. I am 15 years old. I love taking selfies, riding bikes, playing at the park, singing, hanging with my family, watching tick-tock, and dancing. Up until a few years ago I could do all of those things at any given moment, but now my time to have fun is limited. I have severe Scoliosis, a sideways curvature of the spine. Since I was 12 years old I have had non-surgical treatments in Pennsylvania, Missouri, and Florida. These treatments consist of morning and afternoon sessions in a clinic working with a variety of machines and equipment to reduce spinal curves. Most would hop on a plane, but with over 100 pounds of equipment for a two week stay we choose to drive anywhere between 127 and 1,185 miles for treatment. I went from 5'2" to 5'8" in a matter of two years and my spinal curve grew from 32 degrees to 73 degrees. (For reference, a normal spinal curvature should not exceed 10 degrees) During treatment, my curve was able to get as low as 56 degrees. Although this correction is not stable, it does show the potential that I have for decreasing my curve. Last October, I began wearing a Scolibrace, an over-corrective brace that helps to guide my body and spine into a posture that is opposite of my scoliosis curve. My spine not only curves, it rotates, and without treatment, my rib cage will press into my lungs making it difficult to breathe.

Even with treatment, 2 to 3 times a year, I must wear my brace for 18 hours and complete 4 hours of spinal warm-ups & exercises every day. Spinal warm-ups are a great way to get my body ready for the exercises which include: wobbles, spinal rotation, spinal molding, cervical flexion, cervical extension, lumbar extension, chest expander, core strengthening, transverse, and several others. Spinal exercises include a traction chair that aligns my head, spine, and pelvis for a more targeted approach and two types of spinal weighting. One of the spinal weighting exercises uses an inflatable disc and uneven side lever arms that get my body to react to the uneven forces subconsciously and the other spinal weight exercise helps to correct the curve in my neck by using neck, lumbar and hooded weights. The brace helps with my posture and the daily spinal exercises build muscle memory, keeps my airways open, prevents/reduces pain, supports spine flexibility and prepares my body for optimal results during clinical treatment.

As a teenager, I want to wear cute clothes, but wearing a brace makes this a very daunting task. I want go to sleepovers, enjoy vacations, and sleep in late, but my spinal exercises makes this a challenge. My enjoyment of jumping on trampolines and any high impact activities have become distant memories, because of scoliosis. Some days I want to give up because I am exhausted mentally, physically, and emotionally. Looking at myself in the mirror I see bruises from the brace that may never fade away, which lowers my self-esteem. But then I am reminded that the work I put in now will allow me to live a fuller life as an adult - a life that is treatment free and Scolibrace free.

My dedication to non-surgical treatment is to prevent spinal fusion surgery, which will cause me to lose the full range of flexibility in my spine. This will prevent me from participating in activities, sports, and ever joining the military. Working with Clear Scoliosis Institute has given me hope. I have full medical coverage as a military dependent via Tricare, unfortunately, insurance companies won’t pay for treatments (only surgery) so the financial burden falls on my family. My mom always tells me to do my part (warm-ups, exercises, treatment) and not worry about finances. This is difficult because each treatment is $4,000 which does not include travel or lodging. This fall, my YouTube channel, Destined for Straightness, will bring awareness to the benefits of non-surgical treatment and light humor to those suffering from Scoliosis. No matter my curve, I am destined for straightness.

Checks can be made payable to: Restoration Chiropractic (be sure to put “Anaya Jones” on the memo line)

Checks can be mailed to: Restoration Chiropractic

503 Main Street

Belton, MO 64012

CashApp donations can be sent to: $Destined4Str8ness

YouTube Channel: Destined For Straightness (coming this fall)