Scoliosis affects people of all ages.  We often read about teens who have been recently diagnosed, but we don't hear much about the older population who have been living with scoliosis for a long time.    In Issue #4 of Scoliosis Quarterly, writer Linda Wisniewski has compiled information on treatment methods available and applicable to the senior set.  Issue #4 can be ordered through our website.

Linda is the author of the memoir, Off Kilter, published by Pearlsong Press.  The book recounts her life, her Polish heritage, and scoliosis.  She writes for the Bucks County Herald and the Bucks County Women's Journal and teaches memoir classes and workshops throughout the Philadelphia area.

Below are the contents pages from Issue #4 with lots to explore and learn about!  We hope you'll join us!!

In 1921, a doctor named Walter Truslow published a book entitled The Non-Operative Treatment of Scoliosis.  Blazing new territory for scoliosis treatment options, the book featured a series of exercises designed to correct and maintain scoliosis.  Although not currently used for scoliosis treatment, but loaded with beautiful and graceful imagery, the book is now available in the public domain.  It's fascinating to learn a bit about the evolution of treatment options.
Below an excerpt page for you to enjoy!  (We featured a bit of information about this book in Issue #1 of Scoliosis Quarterly, which you can order here.)

Margaret Durow is a Wisconsin-based photographer.  Her images are haunting, beautiful and evocative.  She often places herself (and/or her spine) as the subject of her photos, "because I'm around."  Durow began experimenting with photography as a child using a film camera.  Later she graduated to the digital world, and after her scoliosis surgery, she began to share her own personal journey via photography.  Below is a sample of her beautiful work, and in Issue #3 of Scoliosis Quarterly, we feature a full exclusive article about Durow's life, inspirations and future goals.  (If you'd like to read the full feature, Issue #3 can be ordered here.)

"Symmetry is lifeless."
-Doris Humphrey, American choreographer

When I first read this phrase, it was in a dance composition class in college.  And for some reason, it resonated with me in a very strong way.  Of course, Humphrey was referring to stage patterns and creating dances---the idea that asymmetrical movement patterns are more intriguing, interesting to the eye, and thought-provoking.  But for me, this statement had another level.  I began to realize that to have asymmetry within my own body made myself as a dancer and a person, perhaps more intriguing, interesting to the eye, and thought-provoking!  Keeping in mind this simple phrase helped me accept my imbalances and celebrate my uniqueness.

So today's post is simple, and in effect reflects a lot of what Scoliosis Quarterly is all about: Celebrating imbalances, accepting uniquenesses, and sharing stories and information.  We invite you to read this blog, visit our website, and learn about or perhaps order one of our five issues for more in-depth and exclusive articles, stories, photos and artwork.  We hope you'll join us!

-MJH

Issue #2 of Scoliosis Quarterly is a special one!   We are so proud to have exclusive feature articles about the National Scoliosis Foundation, the Schroth Method, taking care of your spine while traveling, and a special piece by Carolin Grandin about the fine art work of Laura Ferguson.  If you aren't familiar with these people, organizations, modalities or concepts, you can read about them in their entirety by ordering issue #2 through our website:  http://scoliosisquarterly.com/

But there is more!!  We have a terrific article on tattoos along with photos showing the designs that some folks have chosen to celebrate their scoliosis.  Writer, Kelly Flynt writes about Gemina, a giraffe with scoliosis.  We even give a brief history of the evolution of back braces.

And yes....there is still more!!!  We talk with Tanya Kruger and the challenges she has faced on her journey.  We dive into the make-up and importance of spinal discs.  Special guest writer, Margie Boyle, offers a holistic perspective to conquering the twists and bends of a curvy life.  And we reveal a bit about the book, Straight Talk with the Curvy Girls.  This issue is packed, and not to be missed!

The full table of contents is shown below.  As always the layout is beautiful and artful (and sans advertising), and the content is thoughtful and well-written. We hope you'll join us!

Just for fun today, we thought we'd post an older photo.  Because you rarely see the behind-the-scenes people who work on a magazine, here are a few folks who made the print volumes of Scoliosis Quarterly possible:  Founder/Publisher/Editor Maureen Janson Heintz at left, and Graphic Designer, Heather Hasenstein at right.  In this image, they are holding the very first copy of the very first issue of SQ!  (Issue #1 and all other issues are available to order through our website:  http://scoliosisquarterly.com/)




Maureen has been a published writer since 1991 with her most recent endeavor (Co-authoring a book titled Getting Started in Ballet) published in February of 2016 by Oxford University Press.  Diagnosed with scoliosis at age 16, Maureen went on to a successful career as a dance performer, teacher and choreographer.

Maureen Has written the following articles for Scoliosis Quarterly:

-Seeing the Spine from a Unique Angle--the vibrant paintings of Emma Craig

-The Latest Angle--Scoli apps

-Getting Inked--Tattoos express individuality

-Anatomy 101--Spinal discs

-Dancing with Curves--the twists and turns of keeping in step

-Margaret Durow--Capturing feelings through photography

-Up Close--Doctor Rick Hodes in Ethiopia

-Cover to Cover--Curves, Twists and Bends Pilates

-Back to the Future--Using 3D printing technology for braces

-Looking into High-Impact Sports--Simple survey reveals differences and similarities

-Spine Sculpture--the work of Kristen Orr

Along with creating beautiful graphic design for a wide range of clients as a freelancer, Heather is an avid rider of horses!  She gives riding lessons at Three Gaits stables, working with people of all physical abilities, and works frequently with those who have scoliosis.  An animal lover, Heather's pets include two cats and a coop of chickens.

Heather has designed the layout for all five issues of Scoliosis Quarterly!!

The Paintings of Emma Craig

In our beautiful Issue #1, we feature the fine artwork of aspiring orthopedic surgeon, Emma Craig.   Her high school art teacher encouraged her to paint and Craig found a resonant connection when one day she was asked to paint a skeleton.  This sparked her intrigue in painting bones, and she explored her own scoliosis through a colorful semi-abstract painting. Craig uses a watercolor background and either India ink or chalk as a top layer.

Now she makes art just for fun, rather than as a career. "I really enjoy exploring the bones through painting," she says, "and when I was making these pieces was when I decided to go into orthopedic surgery.  It was partly through painting that I've learned I have steady hands."

Learn more about Craig and her intriguing colorful work in Scoliosis Quarterly, Issue #1 by ordering a copy here:  http://scoliosisquarterly.com/order.html  (Be sure to select the issue that you'd like, and explore the website to learn of the content in other issues.)

Below is Scoliosis by Emma Craig:

 
(photo by Jim Craig)

Last winter, we published a wonderful article about the work of Rosalind Jana.  Our writer, Kelly Rogers Flynt held an exclusive interview with Jana about her work as a model, photographer, blogger and fashion designer in the article Fashion with a Unique Twist (Issue #4)  All of Jana's explorations are seen through the lens of a scoliosis experience, and she's found ways to express herself in unique and educational ways.  Below is an image from the article of Jana's self-designed post-surgery scoliodress.  You can read and see the full article by ordering Scoliosis Quarterly Issue #4 here: http://scoliosisquarterly.com/order.html


(photo courtesy of Clothes, Cameras, and Coffee)

Here are a few snippets from the article:

--According to Jana, diagnosis and awareness of her own spinal structure led her to creatively manipulate imagery that revolved around spines.

--Jana's designs come from a, "desire to make sense of what was happening to my body."

--"Everything isn't straight," Jana says. "There are curves everywhere, beautiful curves, like the neck of a swan."

Greetings!

This week we want to introduce you to one of our excellent writers, Carolin Rathbun!  Carolin wrote for us under the name of Carolin Grandin, so you might not recognize her by the new name. Carolin has contributed in-depth articles on many topics. She's also written for Scoliosis Quarterly since our very first issue, in which she detailed the life work of Australian Anatomist, Narelle Carter-Quinlan. To order copies of that feature her fine writing, visit http://scoliosisquarterly.com/

Carolin recently offered to share this statement about her work with the SQ Blog:  

"As a freelance writer, I enjoy assignments that allow me to share positive helpful information. But I didn’t just write for Scoliosis Quarterly; I was a reader too, because mild scoliosis became part of my story in early adolescence.

I started The Joyful Scribe so that nonprofits, socially conscious and green businesses would have a partner in their quest to share their stories. Boy, do they have FABULOUS stories! 

Why stories? Because stories are memorable. Stories move us. When we know your stories, we understand you and what you stand for. That's how trust is built. That's when we become loyal and raving fans. I am a storyteller and you can find me at www.TheJoyfulScribe.com."

Carolin's storytelling skills on the following topics are featured in Scoliosis Quarterly (and if you have not read her writing, it is highly recommended that you do!):

-Moving Ahead of the Curve
Austrialian Anatomist, Narelle Carter-Quinlan shares a lifetime of movement insights

-Laura Ferguson
Intersecting art with science

-Beyond Pilates
A hybrid of exercise and movement concepts

Good morning!

We'd like you to meet SQ writer, Beverly Guy!  She's has written for Scoliosis Quarterly since the first issue.  You can read more about her here, and read her articles by ordering a copy of SQ through our website: http://scoliosisquarterly.com/order.html


(photo by Life Touch)

Beverly Guy was bitten by the writing bug at age seven, and was diagnosed with scoliosis in middle school. In addition to regularly writing for numerous publications, Beverly serves in an editing capacity for several nonprofit organizations, including Christar, where she worked as an in-house writer and editor before venturing out as a freelancer. She and her husband live in Pennsylvania.

Beverly has written the following excellent articles for Scoliosis Quarterly:

-All About Bones
Discover the composition, functions and properties of the skeletal system's building blocks

-When Students Carry Backpacks
The potential danger of lugging books

-Happy Trails
Traveling in Comfort

-The National Scoliosis Foundation
Raising awareness, helping others

-The Infantile Scoliosis Outreach Program

-Getting a Lift
The use of shoe lifts

Hi Everyone!

If you are just joining us, welcome!!  Scoliosis Quarterly was created as a print magazine covering a broad range of scoliosis topics.  Content within SQ is geared toward those with scoliosis, and although occasionally, we cover medical topics, the magazine is not necessarily for medical professionals.  It is for you!

Parents of those newly diagnosed with scoliosis will find a great deal of information in the pages of SQ.  Those who have been living with scoliosis for a long time will also find inspiration and new insights.  Each of our five issues touches on activity and exercise, scoliosis-inspired artwork, innovations and new discoveries, books, people, the human body and much much more!  All of our articles are written by top-quality professional writers who live with the scoliosis condition--they either have it or live with a family member who does.

In this blog, we will share a bit more information about the topics we cover, a bit about our writers, a bit about what it's like to put together a print magazine, and perhaps we'll even share an article from time to time.  We'll also occasionally share other news with you and/or connect you with resources.

For this week, we share with you the Table of Contents from our very first issue.  Take a look at some of the great topics and images here!  (You can order the full issue from our website, if you'd like to read the full magazine:  http://scoliosisquarterly.com/

We are particularly fond of the articles in this issue.  Carolin Grandin, Jaleesa Dorsey, Norene Griffin, Beverly Guy, and Kelly Rogers Flynt are among the contributing writers.  Topics include the incredible artwork of Emma Craig, the movement and body work of Narelle Carter-Quinlan, the effect of carrying backpacks, long-distance runners with scoliosis, and so much more!!

Take a look:

Greetings friends of Scoliosis Quarterly!

It's 2016 and we are working to make our blog more active for you.  In the coming months, we hope to whet your appetite with a bit of the content of Scoliosis Quarterly magazine.  We'll be posting table of contents pages for you to explore, and perhaps we'll even post an article or two upon occasion!

As you may know, Scoliosis Quarterly articles are unique to the magazine.  They are well-written on a variety of topics, and cannot be found anywhere but within SQ pages.

We invite you to subscribe to this blog, and enable yourself to read an occasional article from within the pages of SQ.

Welcome!!

http://scoliosisquarterly.com/