Tips for Standing (yes standing)

I agree with pp about seeking advice from a PT. I had severe degenerative scoliosis and did PT for years and found it very helpful. Eventually, my situation deteriorated to the point where I had to have a massive surgery 5 years ago. With more PT, my life is now awesome! Hang in and good luck!

Sorry about your lack of access to PT through your insurance. If you were happy with someone you've seen in the past, you might call and ask them about seeing you as a cash patient. At one point our insurance changed and the PT I loved (had worked with her both before and after my surgery) was no longer on our plan. They were willing to see me for about the same amount as I had been paying for my copay on our old (and much better) insurance. Even if you can just pay for a few appointments where they give you specific advice about things you can do on your own to feel better and stronger for the wedding, that might be worth it. Once you know what to do, I'd guess it's going to be a matter of commitment -- building strength and stamina requires consistent work -- there is absolutely no way around that. Also, no matter how uncomfortable I've been over 35+ years due to my scoliosis, the more I force myself to move, the better off I am in the long run. Unless there is a medical contraindication, force yourself to walk everyday, and obviously, when choosing your "wedding shoes" go for comfort and support over anything else! From someone who's been there (double S curve with one curve above 70 degrees and another greater than 65 degrees, 15+ hour surgery over two days, and months of recovery), it is possible to feel better! Good luck! (If you haven't already, you might look at the National Scoliosis Foundation website, especially the "Patient Support" link for resources and potential referrals. Also, for dealing with acute pain, I often found temporary relief -- 8-12 hours -- with ThermaCare heat wraps [the ones for neck/wrist/shoulder that stick directly on like a giant bandaid worked better for me than the ones labeled for backs]. Before I retired, I was a college professor, standing in front of a classroom for HOURS, and a ThermaCare wrap was a huge help.)

Best wishes!

Those are good ideas! We’re definitely keeping the ceremony short for our guests comfort and mine 😊

Honestly, I'd had an orthopedist who told me there was absolutely NOTHING surgically that could be done because my back was such a mess, so that put me on a long-term path with an awesome PT. She eventually said, "you need to see a scoliosis specialist, you're too young to have the issues you're having" (part of my spine had actually collapsed -- I'd lost 3.5" -- and my internal organs were being compressed...). She referred me to a great GP who then immediately sent me to one of the premier scoliosis surgeons at a major University medical center. Within an hour of meeting him, he made me feel hopeful and encouraged that life could be significantly better. It was NOT easy; I went through hell with the surgery and nearly a year of recovery, but It kept me mobile and prevented multiple organ failure.... I got to dance all night at my daughter's wedding -- something that would have been impossible prior to my surgery. Keep searching for more highly skilled care. I was in my late-50's when I finally had my surgery -- originally diagnosed when I was 12. The upside is that during those 30+ years the surgical technology has advanced so much (part of my surgery was done by a robot! ), what they accomplished for me was nothing short of a miracle! Hopefully, you don't need surgery, but a scoliosis specialist and their team can give you the best advice. Good luck!

Absolutely! Especially with scoliosis "move it or lose it" is absolutely true! It's easy to fall into the "it hurts to move" trap and just sit around, but that is only going to make things worse in the long run! It's amazing how powerful and strong I feel now -- my husband and daughter joke that I'm bionic! Good luck!

Have you tried any pilates workouts? I think regular pilates practice is amazing for total body strength, but especially the core (and in pilates, "core" is shoulders to hips, front, back and sides of entire torso). There are mat workouts and reformer (a machine) workouts. I have only ever done mat classes (much less expensive). It's a very customizable and modifiable practice.

As far as your wedding day, you are so smart to plan for how YOU will be the most comfortable. Definitely have a short ceremony. Schedule breaks throughout the day where you make sure to sit. Be open with people if you are chatting and need to sit.

What I love about it is that there are a bunch of easy ways to modify each exercise for YOUR level. Instructors will work modifications right into their lessons. Proper form is more important than reaching past your level.

If you can (I know COVID complicates this), seek out in person classes to give it a try. You can maintain at home once you know the right form for each exercise (there are a million YouTube workouts), but instructor guidance is really important in the beginning.

Do you know if your pelvis is correctly aligned?

I have had low back pain for a while. I've had an issue with my back "locking up" since I was a teen but never really had constant pain until the past few years. I used to lift weights and am still fitter than the average person (but no where near as fit as I was 7-8 years ago), but the pain was getting in the way of me being as active as I wanted. I finally realized I have somehow developed an anterior pelvic tilt and started paying attention to my alignment. I have made a conscious effort to realign my pelvis in a neutral position (instead of sticking my butt out) and keep my core tight, and it has reduced my pain substantially. Sometimes just being aware of your alignment and working on targeting the areas that need help can make a huge difference!