Scoliosis SOS Clinic Bewertungen 148

I have had scoliosis since I was a child and even had surgery (dynamic stabilisation) in my thirties. I was recommended to go Scoliosis SOS by a neurosurgeon. At the time I was in a lot of pain and I wasn't sleeping properly. I have to confess I didn't think that physiotherapy would make much difference as it hadn't in the past and I already did yoga and pilates.
The Scoliosis SOS team assessed me and for the first time in my life I was given an explanation of the specifics of my spine that I really understood. I met with the physiotherapists and they put together a program of exercises that was very different from anything I had done previously and as the weeks went by I started to notice a change in my muscle structure. And best of all the pain subsided!
I now do the exercise routine at least 3 times a week and I can see a huge change in my posture. When I went to Scoliosis SOS I honestly thought I was just going to have to get used to managing pain. Now I only seem to have pain if I stop the exercise routine for a while.
I have worked with different physiotherapists there and they have all been excellent and have a real understanding of scoliosis. I would thoroughly recommend Scoliosis SOS to anyone in a similar situation.

I first visited the clinic 5 years ago and attended a 4 week course.
Scoliosis SOS has changed my life for the better, I now understand my condition due to the hard work and information given to me by the team at the clinic.
Yes, you need to carry out the exercises given on a daily basis but the results are amazing and worth the work you put in.
Scoliosis SOS are always at the end of a phone if you need assistance with exercise or information.
I cannot thank the team enough for the hard work and commitment they show to each patient.
I recommend the six monthly check ups and always look forward to seeing familiar faces at the clinic.

I'm 40. I've had 20 years of back problems, including minor scoliosis, damage to the discs in my back, a trapped nerve and a pulled muscle. I was in daily agony, taking pain killers every day and about 2 or 3 times a year spending days at a time in bed not being able to move or take care of my children.

The final straw was when an NHS senior physio told me it was all in my head...

At this point I did a bit of research, found this clinic and out of utter desperation quickly signed up to the 2-week course leaving my two little children behind over Christmas.

I attended the 2 week programme 2.5 years ago at the SOS Scoliosis Clinic in London. By then I'd tried literally everything that you could possibly try, unsuccessfully (spending a small fortune in the process).

Attending the SOS Clinic was a complete life changing experience. They are the ONLY experts in their field in the UK. They know what they're talking about. They know how to fix your back problems. They are utterly professional, competent, friendly, kind, empathetic, and non-judgemental.

Mostly I'm pain free, able to look after my children, have not spent a single day in bed since attending the clinic, and yes, I have the occasional not so good day (because after 20 years of problems there's no miracle cure!), however there is just 100% NO comparison as to how I was before.

HOWEVER, and this is a big HOWEVER, you need to put the effort in whilst you're attending the programme and afterwards - consistently, every day.

Whilst you're there, you need to make notes, pay attention, learn - it's basically a brain washing experience teaching you how to exercise so that you can get better.

Then when you get home, you need to keep it up. They recommend 30 mins per day for adults, but it takes me 1 hr to do all the exercises plus a little warm up and all the stretches, and I wouldn't do any less.

Also, I have to be TOTALLY clear, I don't even like exercising...it's TOTALLY not my thing...I have so many better things to do in life :o) BUT there is absolutely no getting around the fact that I can't live pain free without the exercises - so I'll be exercising an hour a day until I drop dead.

The exercises have become part of my life now so it's a non negotiable part of my day!

Final note, the checkups afterwards are really important because your exercises get adjusted and updated, your posture during exercising gets checked and most importantly you get reminded (which is much needed) of various things that you'll have invariably forgotten!

Special shout-out to Georgie Frere, whom I have at all my follow-ups. She's been so patient, knowledgable and empathetic! Thanks Georgie!

EDITED 19/11/2021

Unfortunately a few weeks after I left the post above I had a terrible slipped disc that has taken an extraordinary amount of time and effort to fix. Obviously not the fault of SOS Scoliosis! However...

Lessons learnt that I felt I should share in view of the shining glowing review above: SOS Scoliosis should be your 1st port of call if you only have scoliosis.

If you have any other conditions like discs prone to slipping, degenerative conditions regarding your discs or anything else, then please be weary of the type of exercises you get given, their intensity and the frequency with which you do them.

Unfortunately I've had to completely review the type of exercises I can do, their frequency and their intensity so that the degenerative conditions affecting my discs that I suffer from doesn't get worse.

Attending SOS Scoliosis definitely made a massive difference to my back but I've had to take what I've learnt there and adjust it massively to my other back conditions so that those don't worsen.

Just leaving this review so that others don't have to learn the hard way! ;o)

I have been interested in trying the Schroth method for treating my scoliosis for some years so was thrilled to see a clinic open up relatively close to me in Bristol that used a lot of this method.
As I am in my fifties I knew that there was never going to be an easy fix for the problems I have due to my scoliosis but Ella has worked tirelessly through the obstacles I faced encouraging me along the way and I now feel happy that I have a tool kit of exercises to manage my condition going forward. If investing in the clinic you have to be prepared to do the exercises to get the best results. If you are young you will get the most benefit out of attending and I would strongly advise anyone with an early diagnosis to go - I only wish I had had the opportunity when I was young as I feel it would have made a huge difference and would have prevented my curve from deteriorating so don’t hesitate.
I have been very impressed by Ella who as well as being a thoroughly nice person is extremely confident and capable and a real asset to the company.

Before attending the clinic in Birmingham, I thought the only option for my daughter was surgery. After speaking with a friend, who’s daughter had previously accessed the service and had made significant changes to her spine, we decided as a family to explore this holistic approach, giving the final choice to my daughter, who decided to try scoliosis sos and I can say it was best decision we made and money well spent!

My daughter has made progress that I had only thought would have been possible with surgery. At the end of my daughter’s treatment, she no longer complains of any skeletal/joint pains and the before after pictures are truly amazing!

Sian insured that the treatment was person centred and changeable according to my daughter’s need at the time.

If you are considering an alternative to surgery, then scoliosis sos is for you.

Thank you Sian for all that you have done, we really appreciate it :)

I went to Birmingham for my treatment with Scoliosis SOS, I had positive a not that positive feelings after it.
The exercises Sian thought me helped to improve my back pain a bit , not enormously, but it did help, and to improve my posture and be more aware of it, and she was very good, patient and encouraging. But I have to admit it has not been the improvement I was expecting. Also I learned at the end of my treatment that the after treatment photos showed in the web page are the ones that day take when you are in your "conscious postures" meaning is not a relaxed posture, is the one that they intend you to maintain as it is a "correction posture" that at least for me is not that easy/possible to maintain as it is not natural, I have to say i felt a bit deceived by that, as i really thought after the treatment people had achieved that correction, and that the exercises at home will maintain it.
Maybe for younger people is different, and they can achieve a bigger improvement, as muscles and bones are more malleable, but for me a grown woman not.
It was not a bad experience but a bit disappointing. I will carry on doing my exercises as they are beneficial, but there was no visible correction in my back.
In summary if you are willing to spend the money I guess is worth trying, but maybe do not go with very high expectation if you are an adult. Also check the material in other places as it is possible to find some things cheaper, an example the chin up bar same one in decathlon, cheaper.

Revisiting Scoliosis SOS having done the month course years ago. I have the bars installed and most of the kit I bought then. Now on Zoom during lockdown , Georgie sets my exercises and shows me how to do them, correcting any mistakes. Her patient encouragement is very much appreciated and is helping to reduce the back pain caused by my scoliosis. I recommend fellow sufferers to try Scoliosis SOS

I first attended the Scoliosis clinic almost seven years ago, I was never diagnosed. I came to the clinic at a particularly low point, I was experiencing pain and I felt my condition was worsening.

The course was wonderful, which I did over 4 weeks, the staff were excellent, and it was good for me to meet others with the same condition. At first it was an uphill climb, but I felt a great sense of personal achievement, and my pain improved enormously. I could see and feel huge benefits, it has helped improve my posture and been nothing but positive, and the best thing I have ever done.

My condition is reviewed, together with my programme, twice a year, and with the guidance of Georgie, who is marvellous and continues to help me, I have improved my situation. I don’t hesitate to go back to Georgie should I have any extra needs, and my whole experience has been wonderful.

My sessions with Ella at Bristol SOS have been a godsend. I have wanted to exercise in a healthy way to support my scoliosis for years but I would usually end up hurting myself through a lack of understanding of what I needed to do. The sessions with SOS are designed to suit your health and fitness levels and work at your own pace. Ella is infinitely patient and very knowledgable aswell as being a warm and engaging person to learn from. I now have a series of excellent exercises and a secure knowledge of where I am heading and how best to work in a way that will help me gain strength, find elongation, stop the progession of the curve, reduce pain and even decrease the amount of rotation and the degree of curvature. Each time I come in for a check up, we discuss how we can progess the exercises, alongside any concerns or questions. I finally feel I am in good, capable hands and that my scoliosis doesnt have to disrupt my daily life. Thanks Ella !

I was always led to believe there was nothing I could do for my scoliosis, but on discovering Scoliosis SOS I was proven wrong! I am over the moon with the progress I've made after completing the 65 course of treatment with Ella in Bristol. Seeing the before and after photos I was amazed at how much could be done with the correct posture and specific exercises. I've even grown in height! I would highly recommend Scoliosis SOS Bristol if you want to take action about your curved spin and have a greater awareness of your posture and how to support your back. Many thanks Ella for being a joy to see over the course of the treatment! Emma

I received the intensive 65 hour treatment with Ella at the Bristol Scoliosis SOS clinic between September - December 2020. The experience has had a profoundly positive impact on my life, providing me with understanding and practical approaches to manage the symptoms of my Scoliosis. Ella professionalism is demonstrated not only in her thorough knowledge and clear explanations but also in her naturally patient and caring approach. As my condition improved, Ella consistently responded and adjusted the treatment accordingly and I now continue to benefit with less regular treatment sessions to monitor my progress. As you might expect, this approach does require a patients to maintain a consistent treatment schedule at home to consolidate any progress in the clinic. However, as a patient, you can be sure that all aspects of the treatment will be clearly understood and Ella will oversee and support you throughout this process. I cannot recommend Ella highly enough to anyone suffering from the pain and discomfort scoliosis can cause. She really is a life changer.

Had an intensive course of physiotherapy for my back during lockdown in Jan/Feb 2021, which lasted around 4 weeks. Ella was incredibly knowledgeable about scoliosis and was able to answer every question I threw at her. It was a tough 4 weeks but I learned a huge amount about my condition and the very best exercises and posture to improve my back. It's now down to me to carry on doing what I've learned in these sessions but I understand it's also possible to have regular check-ups to see how I'm getting on over time. The before and after pictures said it all really and I was very pleased with the results. Would definitely recommend Scoliosis SOS

Waste of money!
I did the 4 weeks course the last July, paying an huge amount of money, to receive:
- A program that is not customized at all: the exercises are the same for everyone, even if the scoliosis shapes and the patients' conditions and levels are totally different.
- The kids are abandoned: making some exercises and using some tools can be challenging for children who may end up in wrong positions and uncorrect exercises (the physioteraphist chat bewteen them in the meanwhile). Also, the use of mobile phones is not prohibited, kids can spend time on it rather than doing exercises.
- The before/after pictures (also in their website) don't represent the reality, they explicitly ask you to stand up straight (they set wrong expectations for new clients who may think they can really get those improvements in just one month).
- Any additional support required-> to be paid extra! (you can't even make a picture of a specific exercise to remember.. BUT they offer you to record you or make pictures but only if you pay extra!).
- In the meantime, they make pictures of patients to post on their socialmedia (and they don't ask permission to minors' parents at all).
- They play with your emotions - if you are really bothered/don't like some part of your body (e.g. lower back)- they will keep telling you that your lower back looks amazing and is improving (even if it's not the reality). It's okay to encourage patients but receiving the same comment from 10 different physiotherapists sounds like a joke and doesn't help the patients to understand the area they should really focus on.
- The patients data are hanging in public spaces, where basically everyone can read other patients conditions and personal trauma.
- The initial assessment is not needed (they actually make the same assessment at the begining of the course..so why doing it twice?to make more money).
- The room is cleaned everyday by the patients at the end of the day.
- Physiotherapoists usually arrive late (5') in every class. Yes, it's not that much, but multiply it by 4 classes per day and by 20 days of the program...

If I could come back I would spend those money in private classes with expert physiotherapists, able to tailor exercises and provide the support needed. Scoliosis is not a joke and there is no time to lose with these programs!

I embarked on my journey with the Scoliosis SOS clinic out of desperation, seeking relief for my back issues. While the treatment has undeniably yielded positive results, there are crucial aspects of the clinic's services that have left me with a mix of satisfaction and concerns.

The treatment itself deserves commendation, and the therapists' expertise is evident in the notable improvement in my spine over the five years of my attendance. However, the positive outcomes are overshadowed by transparency issues.

One of the most significant concerns was the lack of honesty during the initial consultation. I was given the hard sell into a course with promises of separate classes for adults and children, only to discover that the sessions were mixed. This not only made me, as an adult, feel uncomfortable but raised serious questions about safeguarding for the children present in the same sessions.

Transparency regarding costs is a sore point. The website provides no information about the course fees, mandatory follow-up sessions, or the hefty additional costs for equipment. This lack of clarity during the initial consultation felt deceptive, and for someone who came to the clinic out of desperation, it added unnecessary financial strain. For info in 2019, the four week course cost £2,670, and the equipment was £200+.

The financial burden extends to the mandatory follow-up sessions and equipment costs. There is no indication of these expenses on the website or during the initial consultation. There is nothing on the website regarding cancelation fees (which I have been stung by, too). Clear communication about the financial investment required for the entire course is crucial, especially for patients who are already dealing with the emotional and physical toll of scoliosis.

The time investment needs to be also be communicated at the consultation. Upon commencing the treatment, I was not adequately informed about the substantial daily time commitment needed for the exercise program—30 minutes each day. This daily routine is crucial to maintaining the achieved results. A clearer emphasis on the considerable time investment should be incorporated into the initial discussions with patients, as it has proven to be a substantial commitment that wasn't initially highlighted.

Moreover, the clinic's deceptive use of before-and-after photos, which are not taken at rest but during active postures, raises concerns about the accuracy of the information provided.

Administratively, the clinic could benefit from improvements. I have encountered issues with incorrect forms and delays in receiving requested invoices.

While the mandatory check-ups are part of the program, their necessity seems questionable, often feeling like routine changes without clear benefits.

On balance, the treatment has positively impacted my life, and I appreciate having the program for life. However, the clinic needs to urgently address transparency issues, specifically concerning the mixed adult and children classes, financial expectations, and administrative efficiency. This will undoubtedly enhance the overall experience for patients who, like myself, arrived at the clinic out of desperation seeking relief.

Writing as a parent. Couldn't ask for a better place to treat scoliosis. It has not only helped my daughter understand her back problems a bit more but most of all encouraged her to aim for a better posture. It's given her confidence in herself. The staff were brilliant, the clinics were clean and spacious. Very child friendly and warm atmosphere. Money well spent!

Being a 17 year old girl I was so conscious of the affect my 52 thoracic and 25 degree lumbar spinal curve had on my appearance. To add, the pain I experienced daily was another big reason which contributed to the decision to search for a solution to aid my scoliosis. My condition is classed as severe so I was offered an operation, however being petrified of hospitals I had to find an alternative option. Having heard from a family friend that they went to scoliosis SOS, I had to go for a consultation to find out for myself. I booked on to a 4 week course which although was expensive, it was worth every single penny. I found the 4 weeks difficult and required lots of hard work and determination but with the support and knowledge of the staff the results were worth every second and has changed my life - I was speechless when seeing the results. After the 4 weeks the appearance of my back drastically changed which made me feel so much better. Going on holiday and being in a bikini was no problem, going shopping or walking for periods of time was no problem and I felt so much more confident and pain free which is an amazing difference within just 4 weeks. We decided to purchase the equipment to take home after the 4 weeks so that I could carry on with the exercises to maintain my corrections and now I have checkups every 3-6 months so that the staff can check I am doing exercises correctly, adapt the exercises if needs be and also check that I have maintained if not improved my corrections. The fact that I no longer need an operation is amazing and I am forever grateful to the clinic for all their help, if you’re considering going to Scoliosis SOS I 100% recommend it.

The huge difference we saw in our son in a month was amazing!! Would surely recommend it!!! Tnks for your patience dedication and professionalism.

My daughter did a 4 week course with Scoliosis SOS and we are so glad we did. Even though she did group physical therapy, she received very personalized care and exercises, specific for her spine and curvature. The PTs were great and even made it fun. She continues to receive support as she does her therapy at home. I absolutely recommend Scoliosis SOS.

Great results
The 4 week programme gives very good results, and a clear change is noticeable in most patients. The course, and check ups afterwards are expensive, but important in order to know your body better, improve scoliosis management and avoid surgery. The team are great, but change very often as staff are always coming and going. The experience is overall relaxed and not very medicalised, unlike treatment in a hospital. SOS has helped so many people and will continue to help many more.

Amazing, a real life changing experience. Not only did I get the results I was looking for from the practice but I learnt a lot about my body I really wasn’t expecting to. They’re very patient and the environment is really supportive, I’m so glad I did my course!