connecting our Jewish community through sport and wellbeing
MACCABI LIFE – Scoliosis - Everything You Need To Know.
​​
Thank you for having our back!
​​
Please find below engaging and informative videos from our Scoliosis Webinar, featuring Scoliosis expert Dr Angus Gray and moderator, Dr Jonny Taitz.
On behalf of Maccabi LIFE, our campaign partners, and our entire community, we would like to sincerely thank Angus and Jonny for sharing their expertise and in-depth knowledge and working together with Maccabi LIFE in creating a special presentation to help educate and inform our community on everything they need to know about scoliosis and the importance of early detection.
​
As a community, we are always stronger when we work together. We are Maccabi PROUD to have partnered with 22 Jewish Schools and organisations across Australia on this important campaign who dedicate their time and effort to sharing the topic of scoliosis with their families and community networks.
​
Please watch the videos below, to learn all about the most relevant topics of interest, and be sure to download the Scoliosis Self Test Guide & Family Toolkit.
​
Help us spread the word by sharing this page with your family and friends.
TOOLKIT
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD TOOLKIT
SELF TESTING GUIDE
Part 1 – What is Scoliosis
-
Types of scoliosis
-
When can you get scoliosis
-
The most common type of scoliosis: Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
Part 1 – What is Scoliosis Q&A
-
Can you have treatment at any age?
-
How many new patients in a month and where do the referrals come from?
-
Does screentime affect scoliosis?
-
Is there a link between heavy school bags and scoliosis?
-
If a mother or father has scoliosis what is the likelihood of a child getting it?
-
Why is there no scoliosis testing in schools?
-
What are the consequences of living with mild scoliosis and not treating it?
Part 2 – Etiology/Causes of Scoliosis
-
What does Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis mean?
-
Statistics of girl’s vs boys and Genetic predisposition
-
Environmental factors (Japanese study)
-
Government funding
-
Worldwide screening programs
Part 2 – Etiology/Causes of Scoliosis Q&A
-
Does the Japanese study on environmental factors include ballet specifically or other dancing too?
-
My son was diagnosed with mild scoliosis at 5 when we were living overseas and he is now 11. We were told to monitor during growth spurt, is that enough or do we need to do more?
-
Can swimming help with scoliosis?
-
After surgery do you still need to be checked, and can the curve continue to grow?
-
Chiropractic manipulation, Physiotherapy and the Schroth method
-
Scandinavian study on the effects of having scoliosis on your mental health
Part 3 – Screening and Treatment
-
How do you test for scoliosis: Forward bend test
-
When should you test
-
Website: Scoliosis-Australia.org
-
Atypical scoliosis
Part 3 – Screening and Treatment Q&A
-
Is there an association between scoliosis and hip dysplasia in newborns?
-
Who should screen for scoliosis?
-
What resources are available?
-
If the scoliosis is not pronounced and doesn’t affect people for life then why worry?
-
Should a child’s legs be straight or bent when performing the Forward Bend Test?
-
Have you ever seen a case of scoliosis where there has been a tumour associated?
-
What is the cost of treatment?
Part 4 – Methods and Treatment
COMPLETE SCOLIOSIS WEBINAR
-
Treatment
-
Bracing
-
Surgical correction – Posterior and Anterior fusions
-
Does Pilates help?
-
Schroth method
HOW TO SELF-TEST FOR SCOLIOSIS
​
Forward Bend Test
​
It only takes 30 seconds to test your child for scoliosis.
​
​DOWNLOAD the Forward Bend Test instructions for your child HERE.
​
If you have any concerns following the Forward Bend Test see a trusted GP, Paediatrician or Physiotherapist
​
Dr Angus Gray’s recommendation to Parents:
​
-
Be aware that the referring clinician does not always need to arrange an initial X-ray. It is ok just to send your child to the scoliosis specialist, who can arrange one later.
​
-
Let the spine specialist arrange the images. If your GP, Paediatrician or Physiotherapist wants to do an X-ray, then it is far preferable to request an EOS scan as it has 100 times less radiation than a traditional scan. If an EOS scan is not available, then plain "digital" X-rays are the next best option.
​​
-
Not to let the GP, Paediatrician or Physiotherapist falsely reassure that the curve is "small" or "nothing to worry about" without an X-ray. This is especially the case in growing children.
TOOLKIT
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD TOOLKIT
SELF TESTING GUIDE
TESTIMONIALS
IMPORTANT LINKS
AND MUCH MORE...
PROFESSIONAL BIOS:
Dr Angus Gray
Angus Gray is a Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon with particular expertise in spinal deformity. He gained his medical degree at Sydney University and subsequently trained in orthopaedics, being awarded a Fellowship in the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in 1999. Angus pursued further training in Italy and the United States before being appointed to Sydney Children’s Hospital Randwick and Prince of Wales Hospital as a consultant.
​
He has an enduring interest in education, being an Examiner for the College of Surgeons for 9 years and Senior Examiner for 2 years. He has a Master of Surgical Education and is a lecturer at UNSW. He helped establish the Scoliosis Australia website with the late Professor Tom Taylor.
​
​
Dr Jonny Taitz
Jonny Taitz is a Specialist General Paediatrician in private practice in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs. Dr Jonny has a successful general paediatric practice looking after children with both complex and simple medical issues. Jonny has an interest in feeding problems in the first year of life, twins and mild-moderate asthma. Jonny is happy to treat babies from birth to teenagers finishing school. Jonny welcomes new referrals from all over Sydney and NSW and is especially proud of the many patients he looks after from rural NSW. Jonny endeavours to see urgent referrals within the shortest possible time and all new patients within 2 weeks.