Hi, I'm happy to connect with you. I've been doing PT on and off for over 10 years. I'm currently doing it again because of a sudden flareup of sciatic pain. Over the years, I've found that pilates and other core strengthening exercises have helped the most. Acupuncture did not make any difference. I'm trying dry needling for the first time along with regular physical therapy. I think dry needling helps to release some of the tightness in my muscles. My PT is also helping to correct my posture to counter balance the effect of scoliosis. Even though I've been told many times I needed surgery by more than one doctor, so far I've been able to avoid it and have managed the pain without prescription medicine. I'm very interested to hear what other members have experienced. Btw, I'm 61, female, and my cobb angle is about 37 degrees. I'm told that if that increases to 45, surgery would be inevitable. However, in the past 7 years, the angle hasn't really changed.

After years of a stable Cobb angles, my last röntgen photos (x-rays) showed an increase in both this year. Now they are both around 50 degrees and I have a new visit planned for the end of this month, to discuss options. I think Lyme's disease have worsened the instability of my joints (pelvis, hips, SI, knee) and as a result more forces pull at my already stiff muscles. I'm trying Prolo therapy for the first time now. Chi neng qi gong works good to relax the muscles. I hope I can avoid an operation, but maye I have no choice as pain is getting worse and it's impacting my life in a huge way. It's almost impossible to sit a car.

Lyme's disease? Relationship to scoliosis? I have been diagnosed twice, and caught it early on with the bullseye rash -- that disappears in 48 hours, so a nice payback use of my cell phone when I spotted the rash over a weekend. Please respond about relationship, anyone?