Story time. The above statement is our reality right now: two sisters with scoliosis. It was tough for me to accept that even our youngest daughter at 10 years old is also plagued with scoliosis and her situation is even worse than her older sister’s! With our insurance coverage here in the Philippines, scoliosis treatment is not covered by medical insurance because it is not considered a critical illness (unless under the HMO plans of big companies). Any treatment protocol will have to be shouldered by the family.
This news hit me so hard. Alright, thank God, it’s not life-threatening. But I felt so bad that this happened to my children. We are careful with our lifestyle. I mean we go out, have fun, play, etc., but we try to live naturally and sustainably–making the most of everything at the least cost. We are also homeschooling. And yet, things like this happen. I went to blaming myself for whatever I did or didn’t do. Mind you, I am feeling so much better now, as the emotional mom in me has faded in the background already. But now, we are on to the next phase: finding solutions.
Having Two Daughters with Scoliosis
As a mom, I also want to be able to provide for their treatment because of the possible health complications that may arise if their spines continue to progress. While scoliosis may not be 100% reversible, we are hoping for the prevention of progression and possibly some correction with the therapies and back brace available. The problem is, that scoliosis management costs money–a lot of money because it’s long-term (until they are about 20 years old)– and we have two patients.
Achi Shawna’s Case
In mid-2020, about the time when COVID lockdowns started, I noticed our eldest daughter Shawna’s left hip was jutting out. She was 11 years old then.
With the pandemic and her condition not being an emergency case, we could not bring her to see a doctor. Two years later, when she got her period at 13 years old, her curvature was getting more pronounced so we had her checked. Dr. Jan Michael Quisumbing, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Riverside Hospital requested a Scoliosis Series X-ray. The result confirmed that Achi Shawna has thoracolumbar scoliosis with an angle of 30 degrees. Her condition already falls in the moderate category.
We immediately started physical therapy under the supervision of Mr. Paul Perez, PTRP, of PAPerez Physio – Prehab & Pain Management Clinic, because Achi was already having difficulty walking for long periods and was experiencing sciatica pain.
She also wore the custom-made Boston Brace to prevent the progression of her curvature. Succeeding X-ray results showed that her scoliosis angle diminished, but 2 years later, in March 2024, another X-ray showed that her curve was back to 26 degrees, probably because of a growth spurt.
Siobe Shane’s Case
Meanwhile, our youngest Siobe Shane is now 10 years old. I noticed that her right hip was jutting out, so the paranoid mom in me had my spider senses tingling. Despite not being very pronounced, I thought it best to have her checked.
I brought her to Dr. Quisumbing for a check-up because I thought that early detection and physical therapy might help her and she would no longer need a back brace.
Or so I thought.
The doctor requested a scoliosis X-ray series to diagnose Shane properly and the result showed that her Scoliosis has two curves — Thoracic dextroscoliosis (32.5 degrees) and thoracolumbar levoscoliosis (23.1 degrees). The curves on her spine were worse than Achi’s, but these made her look “upright” because they were compensating for each other, making her look “balanced.” But it is no wonder that Siobe’s arms also appeared longer (almost reaching her knees) –because her bent spine has caused her torso to become shorter.
Doctor’s Recommendations
The girls both have scoliosis but with different kinds. Both are idiopathic, meaning, there’s no known cause. It just happens during puberty. It’s sad for our family that it had to happen to them both. I want to do everything I can so that their conditions do not worsen, and if possible, that they become more “upright”. But it also meant a huge dent in our family budget.
Our doctor’s recommendation for the two girls: we go for a full Schroth Method for physical therapy plus a Cheneau brace to keep their postures straight. The brace should be changed every 8 months. Therapy will be 2x weekly for Achi Shawna and 3x weekly for Siobe Shane. Her therapy sessions are more frequent because she is still young and fast-growing. Plus, she cannot execute some of the exercises very well yet.
Scoliosis is expected to worsen especially when she reaches puberty and her menstruation has started so we want to avoid that.
What is the Schroth Method?
“The Schroth Method is a nonsurgical option for scoliosis treatment. It uses exercises customized for each patient to return the curved spine to a more natural position. The goal of Schroth exercises is to de-rotate, elongate, and stabilize the spine in a three-dimensional plane.” Source: John Hopkins Medicine
We were told that the Schroth method works well with the Cheneau Brace.
Cheneau Brace
“A Rigo Cheneau brace is a type of spine brace for scoliosis. These lightweight plastic vests are custom-made for each patient. Because everyone’s curve is different, each brace is unique. They’re hardly noticeable when kids wear them under clothing, usually for 12–20 hours a day.” Source: Kids Health
Costs
Physical therapy is P1,200 per session, totaling P6,000 per week for both patients if we religiously follow the doctor’s orders. The frequency may eventually be reduced, depending on their body’s response to the treatment and the mastery of the exercises.
Meanwhile, the Cheneau brace was already quoted at P58,000 each plus the travel expenses of the brace maker who is based in Manila. The two braces can cost approximately P130,000 to P140,000 for two. And it has to be changed every 8 months to keep up with the girls’ growing and changing bodies.
Treatment Period
Scoliosis treatments will continue until the girls have stopped growing, around 19 to 20 years old. This means it is up to 5 more years for Achi and up to 10 years for Siobe.
A Plea for Medical Assistance
Asking for help is not usually what I do, but with two patients and long-term treatment needed, this is getting too financially difficult for us. I am asking you if this is a cause that you can support and if you have something that you are willing to extend, please email at mommy.mariasigrid@gmail.com. Any financial support extended to us will go to their back brace fund and physical therapy. Thank you very much!