International Scoliosis Awareness Day (ISAD) falls on the last Saturday of each June. It’s a very special day for all of your calendars – save the date 26th June 2021.
SAUK launched ISAD in 2013 to unite people across the world to create positive public awareness of scoliosis, promote education, and bring together those affected by the condition.
Every year people affected by the condition bake, blog, run, sing, dance, and cycle their hearts out to speak out about scoliosis.
One of SAUK’s main aims is to raise awareness of scoliosis among health professionals and the general public. They are always on the lookout for people who can help us raise awareness in their local community by putting up posters and distributing leaflets. It really helps if people distribute information to their local schools, doctors surgeries, hospitals and community centres. They are particularly looking for people to get involved around International Scoliosis Awareness Day in June each year.
If you are keen to have more of an impact in your local area SAUK are happy to support you doing a talk at a school about scoliosis or approach the media.
By running events, meet-ups, or getting involved in local community groups, you can also help to raise awareness of scoliosis while raising money for SAUK or SCF. You can find out more about organising your own event through their fundraising pages.
They have various different materials that you can use, please contact the office if you would like to be sent some on 0208 964 5343 or email: info@sauk.org.uk
Scoliosis is when the spine curves to the side. The spine can also twist at the same time. This twisting can pull the ribcage out of position. It is important that a person with scoliosis sees a scoliosis specialist. SAUK can tell you about your nearest specialist if you contact them.
Scoliosis is not a disease. It just means that in an often otherwise healthy person the spine is curved or twisted. It is not infectious or contagious. It does not develop because of anything a person did or did not do.
Although many people have not heard of scoliosis it is not rare. 3 to 4 children per 1000 need specialist supervision.
Scoliosis can affect people at different points in their lives. It can happen:
- Before birth (congenital)
- In young children (early onset),
- In older children and teenagers (adolescent idiopathic)
- As adults (degenerative or de novo).
In most cases the cause is unknown (idiopathic). Sometimes the scoliosis is because of a neuromuscular condition, such as muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy. Scoliosis can also develop as part of a syndrome, such as Marfan syndrome.
Scoliosis can affect a person’s appearance because when the spine bends to the side, the small bones that make up the spine (called vertebrae) can become twisted. The twisted vertebrae can pull the ribs round with them, which sometimes causes a lump to form on the person’s back or for their back to appear rounded. Other possible signs of scoliosis are a shoulder blade that sticks out or an uneven waist.
The spine can curve to the left or the right. The curve can happen in different parts of the spine. It might be in the chest area, which is called ‘thoracic’ scoliosis. It might be in the lower, ‘lumbar’ area of the spine. A large thoracic curve can affect how well the lungs work.
Sometimes there are two curves and the spine may look like an S shape from behind. This is called a ‘double curvature’. When the curve is S-shaped a person’s spine can appear quite straight because the two curves cancel each other out.
Most cases of scoliosis should be checked regularly by a scoliosis specialist. The SAUK team can let you know where to find your nearest specialist centre.
Spotting and treating a curve early may allow a patient to try non-operative treatment like bracing. If curves are discovered late, when they are already severe, treatment can be more difficult and sometimes work less well. It is important that if you, or your child, are found to have scoliosis you ask your GP for a referral to a scoliosis specialist as soon as possible. A specialist will be able to assess the curve. They will tell you how big it is and discuss the best treatment options.
National Scoliosis Awareness Month takes place yearly in June with the goal of highlighting the growing need for education, early detection and awareness to the public about scoliosis and its prevalence within the community. The campaign also unites scoliosis patients, families, physicians, clinicians, institutions and related businesses in collaborative partnerships of local activities, events and grassroots networking throughout the month.
National Scoliosis Awareness Month Campaign Objectives:
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