It’s been six years since Ryan Brunelle was diagnosed with scoliosis and if he's learned anything over that time, it's that you truly need to help yourself.
The 22-year-old Barrie man admits that after being diagnosed with what his then physician called “mild” scoliosis, he didn’t really do much to help himself, telling BarrieToday he was told his curve was mild and would not progress much given his age and the fact he was mostly done growing.
His doctor, added Brunelle, also told him there was no treatment for scoliosis and that his one and only option was to undergo a spinal fusion.
Given his doctor’s assurance, Brunelle simply opted to move on with being a normal teenager, which worked for about four years, until he began experiencing some mild symptoms including vibrating and numbness in his limbs and muscle soreness.
It wasn’t until Brunelle started having breathing issues that he began to wonder if these symptoms were related to his scoliosis.
“I’ve been through multiple tests, X-rays and MRIs and the only problem the doctors have found with me to date is that I have scoliosis,” Brunelle said, adding he also learned that he had been misdiagnosed, and his scoliosis was actually deemed as "moderate," which meant the curve in his spine was actually between 25 and 40 degrees.
It was then that Brunelle decided to become his own health advocate, and started researching potential treatments to not only help further prevent the progression of his curve, but to also help improve his existing symptoms.
“I (had) been living with this breathing restriction, but in March 2021 I learned you actually can do something for scoliosis and there are treatments that help prevent further progression of your curve, or even potentially even drop a few degrees," he says.
In May of that year, and after a lot of time online, Brunelle says he discovered a Toronto-based chiropractor who specializes in treating the disease.
“He assessed me and I have made a crazy recovery,” he said. “I have learned all of these different exercises and therapy methods and treatments… and I also have been wearing a brace for 20 hours a day. These exercises I perform on a daily basis help prevent further progression and build up the muscle on the lower left side of my back.”
In addition to regular sessions with a chiropractor, Brunelle also works with a massage therapist in Newmarket who performs myofascial trigger point therapy on him to aide the severe muscle tension he has developed over the last six years.
Ever since starting that, he said, his breathing restriction has improved significantly.
“That’s been a big relief for me.”
Brunelle says he wants to share his story because he wants to let people know how important it is to advocate for yourself and your health.
“I have been through a lot over the last couple of years. I just wanted to show that all the work I have had to do to get myself out of this situation shows (how) important it is to always keep hope,” he said. “When I developed the breathing restriction, it was very difficult to just live a regular life. I would have severe difficulty breathing and eating at the same time. It was a situation I wouldn’t be able to live with for the rest of my life.”
“I think it’s important to let people know that after a diagnosis, yes, you can do something to help prevent further progression, which is something I wasn’t told when I was diagnosed,” Brunelle said, adding the current plan is to donate the a portion of the proceeds to a scoliosis-related foundation.
“Therapy is something I will have to continue with my entire life, and since starting... and it’s been life-changing for me.”
The University of Windsor student is also set to launch his own website on June 1, where he will not only share his own story, but will also sell his own “SPA” Merchandise (Scoliosis Promotional Awareness) - with a portion of the proceeds being donated to a scoliosis-related charity. He also hopes to one day create his own foundation to help raise funds and awareness for the disease.
