Thread: Another corset question! Tightlacing and spinal problems.

I am often ashamed to admit this but.... I don't actually own a proper corset!

I always thought that I would be unable to wear them, or that I would not enjoy wearing them because it would bring back bad memories. I was born with scoliosis, a quite severe S-shaped curve in my spine. People say they can't notice it until I tell them, but one of my shoulders sticks out and the other side of my back slopes inward and my body looks quite short. I would also be a glorious Scandinavian 5'8" and not 5'5" if straightened out. I'm quite conscious about it especially while performing , and it was something that discouraged me from doing it for a while to be honest.

All through my life I was treated for it including wearing various back braces until the age of 16. Some were medieval contraptions with metal scaffolding holding my head up and some were fibreglass corset styles, all very sore and sweaty making me reluctant to wear them, especially not to school where I got bullied for my back anyway. Although I had operations to put me into tilt jackets and plaster casts, I never had THE operation, spinal fusion, to "correct" my spine by grafting a metal rod onto it. My parents declined the op for me when I was younger because there is a risk of paralysis or death, but I sometimes think about going for it despite the risks and the two foot scar. At 25 I am too old now to be a perfect candidate meaning all these risks are greater now my bones have set. I'd have to put my life on hold for a good few months, learn to walk again etc.

While I decide about surgery, I would like to try other methods of improving how my back looks, my posture and general body shape and am considering tightlacing*. Naturally, when I started getting involved with burlesque a couple of years ago I really wished I could wear a corset like other girls. I have a total complex about not feeling "normal" and not being able to wear what I want. I thought it might damage my back in some way or fall down on one side because I am uneven or that I would associate it with medical treatment. If I wear cheap plastic boned girdles or cinchers it hurts a bit already and they tend to squash up.

My nearest city is Glasgow, so basically I was wondering if there is a place (or a person!) who would be able to make a corset that would be suitable for me, who actually knows about spines which are different in some way and can accommodate that. I went to Betsey La Belle and was fitted for a corset for fun one afternoon, I was buying some underwear anyway but the lady there offered to fit me to satisfy my curiosity. It was only an off-the-rack one and it seemed to look fine. However I was worried it might not stay in place if I wore it for a long time.

I have also visited Cyber, who boasted all the big names like Vollers and Axfords, and claimed to have expertise in people with scoliosis. I'm sure you can understand that I don't want to splash out on a corset that isn't right for me as they are expensive. Should I trust Cyber or is there someone else who you recommend? Custom fitting would be fine as long as it is local, and they are proper steel boned tightlacing corsets.

I'd also be interested in hearing from any other corset wearers who have scoliosis, especially people who tightlace. I would love to reduce my waist via tightlacing but it's not something I know much about yet, I'm very curious as to how it might feel for someone who gets back pain (mostly sciatica, and not helped by carrying heavy art portfolios about) already. I should probably start with short periods of corset wearing and then build up to full time.

Anyone else who has trained their waist successfully, straight spine or not, feel free to stop by with advice/discussion! Thanks in advance.

*PS. I am never sure if "tightlacing" should be hyphenated, correct if necessary!

WARNING

Warning: This is an Old Thread This discussion is older than 60 days. information contained in it may no longer be current

Hi Kari,
First off, I'll be perfectly honest I don't have direct experience with scoliosis. However it should be possible to create a custom corset that looked even on you and didn't shift out of line. It would need to be fully custom drafted to suit your shape and it would take several fittings, but the visual and fit aspect is certainly do-able. Many people with scoliosis do get successfully fitted with corsets.

However, I would strongly recommend you speak to your doctor before proceeding,especially if you're considering tightlacing. Personally I, and most other responsible corsetmakers are very reluctant to take on any clients with serious back problems unless they've had medical reassurance, as a corset is never any substitute for a medically fitted backbrace. Quite simply, we aren't doctors and none of us want to risk creating something that might actually be damaging and cause long-term pain.

So I'd say, have a chat with your doc and do lots of research. Of course you know your own back better than anyone, but it's better to be sure you aren't putting yourself at any risk. I'd love to say yes I could help you, as I'm in Glasgow, but I'd rather be up front with you than take money from you for something that proves uncomfortable, or worse hurts you. If your doc ok's it though then by all means get in touch.

And, I'm never very sure about the hyphen either

Dear Kari

I really really wouldn't go down this route if I were you.

My only 'experience' is indirect - a girlfriend who had exactly the operation you mention when she was 15. In her case it was very successful, although she was bed-bound for a long time afterwards. I think one of the reasons for having it done is something to do with the expansion and contraction of the rib-cage while breathing - apparently the scoliosis can affect this.

Yesterday I taught the second of my corset workshops, and there are two things I try to impress on all the girls who come: firstly, a corset is not about giving you a tiny waist. It is much simpler and more basic than that - a corset is designed to change the shape of your body. Only after the invention of metal eyelets in 1828 did tight-lacing ( and waist reduction) become possible.
Ironically, pre-C19th corsets actually rendered the female torso into a more androgenous shape ( if anyone out there doesn't believe me, just look at one in profile. And bearing in mind that corsets or 'bodies' started to be worn around 1520, that's an awful lot longer than the waist-reducing type).
The second thing is that a corset can move flesh - but it cannot move bone. It's ironic, but men tight-lace much better than women - the reason being there is a bigger gap between their bottom rib and their waist. In women it's only about 1 1/2" to 2".

I have no medical training whatsoever, but I would not accept a commission to make a traditional corset for someone with your problem. Because the gap between the the waist and bottom rib is so small, you cannot but feel pressure on your rib cage, and the tighter the corset, the greater the pressure.

It's not all bad news : I have made very fitted bodices for a girl who originally trained as a classical dancer, but was forced to give up due to a spine deformation ( don't know the technical term, but her spine almost looked like a backwards letter 'S', and curving sideways, rather than giving her a hump). I ended up with completely different pattern pieces for the left and right sides, but the finished result was good. She is now a professional opera singer, by the way - please don't let your problem put you off performing .

If you want something that looks like a corset and defines your waist, there is one thing you could try : I was going to post about it on another thread about corsets/girdles to wear under dresses. I have made a couple of dresses for myself which have a built-in foundation - in my case I did it to support my very heavy bust from beneath ( the dresses are halter-neck), but it has the benefit of skimming an inch or too off my waist as well, especially at the sides, and smoothes off my incipient tummy. It is made of double layer power net ( which is like that strong stretchy net the back part of a bra is made of,) boned on the seams, which are centre front, directly in line wth the nipple, side of the body and half-way across the back ) i.e. 4 panels each side - 8 in total. It's basically like an under-bust corset in shape, runs about 4.5" above the waist ( i.e. directly under the breast) and the same below, coming up at the centre front into a point between the breasts at the point at which a bra might finish. It fastens with hook-and-eye tape at the centre back, and doesn't have a busk, as I wanted it to be as smooth and unobtrusive as possible.

I think it might be worth your trying something like this - you would have to check with your doctor, but while I do feel as though I am wearing something 'tight', it's the same sort of tight one might get from wearing Spanx pants, and nothing like a corset.

In your case the seams on the back would probably have to be fiddled a bit, to give the illusion that you are symmetrical, but by using some satin binding to make the seam casings and trim the top and bottom, and maybe by putting a busk in at the front, you could achieve something that would look like a corset but that didn't do you any damage. Ironically, as one who usually decries plastic boning, this would be the stuff to use - spirals, because they bend in all directions, would follow the lines of your body, which would destroy the illusion that you are straight; the plastic bining would stay straight but not be as unforgiving as flexi-steels.

I'm really concerned that you don't get talked into trying a traditional corset by someone who doesn't really understand bodies properly - I know people say that corsets help their back problems, and in a way that can be true, but it's really because the corset improves your general posture, pulling your shoulders back, opening out your chest and straightening you up. In your case, sadly, this isn't an option.

I wouldn't bother with the corsetsuk type of lycra basque thing - they are too flimsy, and while the stretchiness of them probably won't do you any damage, I think they will only emphasise your problem.

If you ever come to London I'ld be very happy to knock something up for pretty much cost price, because I really don't want you to try traditional tight-lacing, but you would have to have a fitting. Otherwise I suggest you go and see Crikey Aphrodite: I don't know her at all, but from reading her posts and looking at her work she knows what she's talking about. And Crikey, if Kari does get in touch feel free to PM me, and I'll talk you through how much under-measure I cut these power-net things, and the problems I had with Josephine the wonky opera singer.

Concernedly (sp?)

Vx

Edit to add: This was my reply to Crikey, Viva posted the huge reply just as I did!

Thank you for your advice! I'm pretty much on my own when it comes to my back these days. I was discharged from hospital at 16 because it was a kids hospital and so I can't see the consultant who knows me. It was assumed that I would just "live with it". Ironically I ended up being a clerical officer for my former consultant in the same hospital last year. I tried to talk to him about my back but he kept saying vague things like "oh I'm sure guys must find it interesting!" (lol) when really I wanted advice on what else I could do to improve it, even exercises.

My GP doesn't know about my back really, just that I have scoliosis. He hasn't even seen it! My last GP took one look at it and said "I don't think there is anything that could be done to help you" which you can imagine made me feel a whole lot worse! I suppose the only answer would be to start the whole process of being referred again. I feel quite helpless and silly saying all this but I've been on my own with it for years now and not spoken to anyone medical about it other than counsellors. Perhaps I should get referred even just as a form of check-up and ask the corset question then, although maybe in the summer would be best as I'm currently being seen by a whole lot of surgeons for the nose job I'm having in April. (Everything's broken!)

Anything that keeps the spine straight is pretty much going to be better than nothing for me I imagine. I did used to have braces that were corset shaped. It would only worsen my back I think if it pushed it in the direction of the curve rather than keeping it in one place. I don't think it has changed much over the years and I am very flexible, can touch my toes and do all sorts of contorted shapes. I'd hate to think that a love of corsetry could throw a spanner in the works!

Thank you for your advice. Would you suggest that I see a doctor before even attempting to wear a corset for short periods of time as opposed to tightlacing? I will definitely consider you as a custom corset maker if it's okay to proceed with tightlacing now I know you are Glasgow based. And don't worry, I can completely understand why corset makers would never want to risk anyone's health.

"Thank you for your advice. Would you suggest that I see a doctor before even attempting to wear a corset for short periods of time as opposed to tightlacing?"

Yes yes yes. Apart from anything else it might make them take your problem seriously, and give you that referral?
I'm not a tight-lacing nut - I just make corsets ( amongst other things), and do wear them on rare occasions, but even though I'm pretty slim ( apart from 'the boys'), and prefer C18th corsets which don't squeeze you in to nearly the same extent as the C19th style ones, after 3 to 4 hours I'm desperate to take mine off and get a good lung-full of air. If you just want to define your waist a bit, get yourself a good pair of what I like to call 'concrete pants' - M&S are my favourites.
If you do ever consider 'the operation' I would be happy to put you in touch with my friend Denise who had it : while she doesn't regret it, there were downsides no-one thought to mention ( 6 months off school, problems with pain-relief in childbirth, lack of flexibility, hallucinations from the pain relief etc)

Good luck!

Vx

Originally Posted by Viva La Belvoir

don't know the technical term, but her spine almost looked like a backwards letter 'S', and curving sideways, rather than giving her a hump).

This is indeed scoliosis. My spine is also a backwards S. It's not really a hump as such, but there is what is known as a rib hump which makes one shoulder look like a chicken wing! If it worked for this lady then it should also work for me.

If you ever come to London I'ld be very happy to knock something up for pretty much cost price, because I really don't want you to try traditional tight-lacing, but you would have to have a fitting.

Thank you, I'll keep you in mind, and it's great to hear that you were able to create something so amazing for the opera singer, so that gives me hope! It all sounds really complicated so hats off to you for being able to make all these wonderful things!

You've said a lot of things that I had never considered for example that the distance between ribs and waist would be less and so I'd feel a lot more pressure from a corset.

I'm so slow at typing I've not caught up with the replies. How was your friend after the operation? Did she manage to live a normal life afterwards? The op apparently has a high revision rate, infections and rods that pop out through the skin of the neck and all sorts of other horrors. I think the op wasn't pressed on me by the consultant because they said it wasn't bad enough to cause any breathing problems like you say can happen. I'm not going to have any kids, but my back is one of the reasons why. I wasn't sure how pregnancy would fare on my back and I worried about epidurals getting stuck in the wrong places!

I'm definitely not going to go down the route of buying cheap corsets because as you say they are not going to be flattering. I don't necessarily want to correct my back with a corset, and am not expecting it to work any miracles. It just gets depressing that I am not wearing corsets when they are one of the things that are iconic when it comes to burlesque, very often featuring in other dancers' acts and I just think that ladies who wear them look amazing.

As well as this feeling of being left out of something that is a staple of vintage style, I always feel massive next to anyone who is wearing a corset, and think I should be more nipped in. I'm a size 14, and although that's not huge, when I see photos of myself performing, without a corset I think the stomach fat is very noticeable, and I can sometimes "appear" to have a rounder stomach than a size 18 performer who is wearing a corset in the act after mine! D:

I've tried Spanx type things, and regularly wear them beneath dresses and skirts when I go out, but I don't really get much out of them other than a slight streamlining effect. Your bodices sound really skilfully made!

Maybe I should just try and get back to the size 8 figure I used to have as a teenager, when I was being braced in hospital they used to always say that I was lucky to be so slim as it made bracing easier! Then I wouldn't be so concerned with the waist reducing aspect of corsetry that you say isn't the main point of it at all. Perhaps I'm being a bit deluded about it being the be-all and end-all of having the coveted hourglass figure.

I will definitely see a doctor then, I'm a bit sad that you think tightlacing would be off limits but if they think it is okay for me to proceed then I will be overjoyed! Most of the time I feel quite indestructible, I'm able to bend really well and there is nothing I feel I can't do, I even used to do snowboarding and tae kwon do and now I feel quite fragile, that something like wearing a corset which most people do without much consideration could actually damage me?

I take it then, that the people who fitted me before are wrong in their suggestions as well. I think when I got fitted they were busy telling me that it LOOKED great and that you couldn't notice any asymmetry when in the corset, but what I really wanted was reassurance that it was safe to keep wearing it outside the fitting room however convincing it looked! I also didn't find it uncomfortable either, but I wasn't going to buy anything in the hope the comfort would hold out!

It might be a couple of months before I get referred to another orthopaedic surgeon but I will post an update as and when it happens.

I came across this link while researching:

Medical Question #N

I know it's quite old, but the girl asking the question is in the same sort of situation as myself. I will still need to check with the surgeon though to find out that my curve has indeed "stabilised" meaning it won't be likely to change.

[QUOTE=Kari Von Regardless;113927]This is indeed scoliosis. My spine is also a backwards S. It's not really a hump as such, but there is what is known as a rib hump which makes one shoulder look like a chicken wing! If it worked for this lady then it should also work for me.

In terms of 'working' - all I did was help to disguise, to trick the eye - I didn't make anything that actually changed her body. We do it all the time - using the placement of seams, or even shading the colour darker at the side of the body . It's not surgery, it's smoke and mirrors. But it can help. Visually, at least. Chicken wing sounds familiar.

'You've said a lot of things that I had never considered for example that the distance between ribs and waist would be less and so I'd feel a lot more pressure from a corset.'

This is one of the things that annoys me about corsets. Or even 'corsets'. People don't understand what they are. Like buying a corset based only on your waist measurement. If you can't buy a size 10 bra, you can't buy a 24" waist corset............I had two lovely girls here on Saturday for my course with pretty similar measurements - one could pull in 5", the other 2". It's to do with muscle tone, body length, all sorts of things.

' How was your friend after the operation? The op apparently has .... all sorts of other horrors. '

Glad I wasn't giving you wrong information - as I said, I have no first-hand experience . No horror stories, but she was 15 at the time and is now 33, but the epidural thing was an issue, and airport scanners are always fun.

' I don't necessarily want to correct my back with a corset, and am not expecting it to work any miracles. It just gets depressing that I am not wearing corsets when they are one of the things that are iconic when it comes to burlesque , very often featuring in other dancers' acts and I just think that ladies who wear them look amazing.'

You absolutely shouldn't expect to correct a back like yours with a corset.

'As well as this feeling of being left out of something that is a staple of vintage style, I always feel massive next to anyone who is wearing a corset, and think I should be more nipped in. I'm a size 14, and although that's not huge, when I see photos of myself performing , without a corset I think the stomach fat is very noticeable, and I can sometimes "appear" to have a rounder stomach than a size 18 performer who is wearing a corset in the act after mine! '

I refer to my original post, but this time the other way round - a corset cannot move bone, but it can move flesh. The thing is, it cannot make flesh disappear. Think about it - where would it go? There isn't some deep hollow space somewhere inside your torso for all the wobbly bits you don't like to go. It has to move it somewhere - generally either up or down. . The likelihood is that by pulling your waist in, you will make your tummy look worse. Which is 'bad'. And your tits look bigger. Which is 'good'. There's flesh on them bones ( thank goodness!), but it has to go somewhere. And that's nothing to do with you being a size 14 as opposed to as size 4 - it's commonsense. Why do you think so-called supermodels only pull in 2", whilst so-called plus-size models pull in 8"? In your case things are not helped by your scoliosis - because when you stand up 'straight' you are not as straight as other people, and you probably lack the core strength to support your tummy muscles anyway, because the muscles that support your spine are already working overtime, so that gives you more of a bulge than other people. Plus you are probably - or appear to be - shorter in the body than 'the norm'.

'I've tried Spanx type things, and regularly wear them beneath dresses and skirts when I go out, but I don't really get much out of them other than a slight streamlining effect.
Maybe I should just try and get back to the size 8 figure I used to have as a teenager, when I was being braced in hospital they used to always say that I was lucky to be so slim as it made bracing easier! Then I wouldn't be so concerned with the waist reducing aspect of corsetry that you say isn't the main point of it at all. Perhaps I'm being a bit deluded about it being the be-all and end-all of having the coveted hourglass figure.'

Please please believe me - I'm not being in the least bit judgemental about your figure. I deal with bodies of all ( and I mean all) shapes and sizes. Remember - if you pull your waist in it's bound to make another bit if you stick out. Think about what happens to a balloon if you squidge it in the middle. I'm not saying 'lose weight' or anything silly. Think about what you have just written - ' they said being slim made bracing easier'. That's because they were talking about your BONES! And as orthopedic specialists they were concerned about your BONES. Your waist is flesh, NOT bone.

'I will definitely see a doctor then, I'm a bit sad that you think tightlacing would be off limits but if they think it is okay for me to proceed then I will be overjoyed! Most of the time I feel quite indestructible, I'm able to bend really well and there is nothing I feel I can't do, I even used to do snowboarding and tae kwon do and now I feel quite fragile, that something like wearing a corset which most people do without much consideration could actually damage me? '

Now, get a grip here, and think about what Viva has said. Corsets are designed to change the shape of your body. Is snowboarding? No. Is Tae Kwon Do? No. Is bending? NO NO NO!
You stick to strengthening your core muscles with all these forms of exercise. Stop seeking to rely on some external device to change your shape. Bending is good. But bending is bloody difficult in a corset. If you really want to define your waist, ( and seeing as how the soft option of buying a corset is not available to you) look to pilates, stick to snow-boarding, take up tango ( which has helped 'refine' my waist as an incidental). If you feel you must, lose weight ( although I would never dare to suggest anyone does this). But a corset is not about melting away the bits you don't like. It's about re-distributing them. Never mind 'what goes up must come down,' it's more like 'what comes in must go out'. Try pulling a tape measure really tightly around your waist. Your middle will get smaller. The bits above and below will get bigger - I promise you: try it.

'Most people do without much consideration'. I couldn't have put it better myself . 'Most' people can. Sadly, you can't. I'm sorry about that - but there it is. 'Most' people should consider a little more, in my book.

'I take it then, that the people who fitted me before are wrong in their suggestions as well.'

I think so.

I think when I got fitted they were busy telling me that it LOOKED great and that you couldn't notice any asymmetry when in the corset,

Well of course - they wanted the sale!

but what I really wanted was reassurance that it was safe to keep wearing it outside the fitting room however convincing it looked!

If you needed that reassurance from some un-qualified shop-assistant, rather than a doctor ( you said 'safe'), doesn't that tell you something?

Sorry if this has been a bit 'tough love'. And that this is another very lengthy reply. But much as I love the whole world of burlesque , you really shouldn't endanger your long-term health and well-being for a few scraps of coutil and a red satin bow.

Vx

Originally Posted by Viva La Belvoir

I refer to my original post, but this time the other way round - a corset cannot move bone, but it can move flesh. The thing is, it cannot make flesh disappear. Think about it - where would it go? There isn't some deep hollow space somewhere inside your torso for all the wobbly bits you don't like to go. It has to move it somewhere - generally either up or down. . The likelihood is that by pulling your waist in, you will make your tummy look worse. Which is 'bad'. And your tits look bigger. Which is 'good'. There's flesh on them bones ( thank goodness!), but it has to go somewhere.

Oh I know it has to go somewhere, I'm quite happy for it to be pushed up or down!

In your case things are not helped by your scoliosis - because when you stand up 'straight' you are not as straight as other people, and you probably lack the core strength to support your tummy muscles anyway, because the muscles that support your spine are already working overtime, so that gives you more of a bulge than other people. Plus you are probably - or appear to be - shorter in the body than 'the norm'.

I had never actually considered this until your reply, but upon visiting some of scoliosis support communities online, have found that other people do indeed have this problem and it is about core muscles being used more on the back than the abs as you say.I think some strengthening might be in order too! (I have also heard that if you do tightlace you have to exercise to stop the muscles getting weaker through disuse)

Now, get a grip here, and think about what Viva has said. Corsets are designed to change the shape of your body. Is snowboarding? No. Is Tae Kwon Do? No. Is bending? NO NO NO!

Hehe, I know they aren't the same thing, I was just illustrating that I my back isn't fragile in any way, that it has managed to withstand a lot and that I am still mobile. This is one of the reasons why I haven't been desperate for surgery, in case I lose this flexibility and have to start being careful! I said this because I never imagined that a corset would cause it to break or push the curve violently in the wrong direction (that and pain being the only real risks I am bothered about) I've only really heard of people's ribs being cracked through over tightening or trying to waist train too quickly.

I know most people are encouraged to Google their queries before posting here, but I first and foremost wanted to find someone in the area who might fit me and thought that was more a specific question. After reading all of this I did a lot of research online, and was delighted to find that there are many ladies with scoliosis who wear corsets and that they have done them a whole world of good! I found them on corsetry communities (there was actually a post very recently on the livejournal corsetry page about it) as well as scoliosis forums and will maybe email one or two of them to further enquire about their experiences. I don't actually meet many people with scoliosis and those I have spoken to have had the op and can't really relate.

The general consensus seems to be that posture is greatly improved and that it feels very similar to wearing a back brace. One girl gave it up only because she didn't like being reminded of her brace, and on the other end of the spectrum one lady was glad to wear them as she had always found bracing erotic?!! One of the back braces that I used to wear was basically a big fibreglass corset, it wasn't designed to do anything more than make my posture straighter and I had to have someone lace it up at the back to make it tight. Bracing is not a corrective measure and I wasn't in it to correct to my back, therefore I don't expect that a corset will. It is designed to hold the curve in place and stop it progressing through adolescence (which has long since passed and the curve "stabilised") The brace was of course custom made though. I read the opinion (posted above in a link to a US tightlacing site) of a doctor that believes once this stabilising has occurred in adulthood, and you are in the post-treatment stage, there isn't any real risk and that tightlacing can also be suitable. The doctor has scoliosis herself!

The vast majority of the cases I was reading about do of course have theirs custom made, but haven't found that they had to have anything greatly different made up, only different measurements for extra comfort with their asymmetry. Some even wear off the rack corsets and feel better already in terms of posture and pain relief (!)

There was even one girl on a scoliosis forum whose doctor ENCOURAGED her to get a corset instead of wearing her brace in summer, because the fibreglass and plastic bodices do get quite sweaty and uncomfortable. (Talking of wearing them 23 hours a day of course, just like a brace. I pretty much only wore mine at night though)

It seems that it is less hopeless than I originally thought, that it isn't as dramatic a deal as I imagined it might be to get a corset to fit nicely and that doctors' opinions of corsets are overwhelmingly positive. I feel a lot better because these corset wearers were all typical examples of scoliosis with mild to moderate curvatures, and mine is not especially bad either. The curve was at the stage where they said surgery was not strictly necessary and bracing was recommended instead. I don't have any breathing problems or mobility problems and it is not exceptional.

In sum, I think it will probably be possible. I am keen to get a check up anyway. I talked about it with my father who has been reading about everything scoliosis related since the 80s (he actually diagnosed me, the hospital thought I had cancer when I was born, and he knew more about it than they did!) and has always been very knowledgeable about it and protective of things I do to my back. He said that it isn't likely that I have worsened in any way since my bracing and that corsets are thought to be good for scoliosis, and were often illustrated as treating it in the textbooks he read. Not substitute for seeing a doctor I know, but at least they won't think it entirely absurd when I ask them for their OK!

Thanks again for all your advice, I'm definitely going to start doing more core muscle based workouts in addition to the cardio and yoga I try and do every week. It seems this is a must for corset wearers whether they have scoliosis or not, and it can only really improve things.

I’m glad you’ve had some great advice. I posted quickly last night as I didn’t want someone coming on and giving you bad information but I've been at work all day today.

I’m not going to tell you definitely ‘no’ as I’ve read quite a few instances of
people with scoliosis who happily wear corsets with no problems. I was actually going to direct you to LiveJournal as there have been several threads there on the subject (including the one you mention) mind you, I’d bear in mind there are lot of people on the internet who are pretty clueless (especially on LJ!) and would very definitely ‘carry on regardless’ So I would still advocate a real medical opinion.

As for actual tightlacing, well that’s a whole other ballgame. In all honesty I really wouldn’t advise it. In my opinion your skeleton needs to be in better than average shape to tightlace and as already discussed the serious 23 hour a day type of waist training has a negative effect on your core muscles. Not necessarily to the degree where it’s a big problem for most people (as long as they take care to exercise) but (in my uneducated opinion) I'd say it would be harmful to you in the long term.

As for a regular corset, Viva is perfectly correct, the distance between your bottom rib and your pelvis is crucial in determining how comfortable your corset is, so depending on your individual shape this could be an issue. Also the positioning of the bones, amount of bones etc. Viva’s suggestion of plastic boning (and by that I mean good quality artificial whalebone, not the crap stuff) is worth investigating as it might be more forgiving than steel. The other important thing about the boning is the avoidance of pressure points. I have to be careful with that when I make a corset for myself as I have damage in the muscle in my lower back that causes sciatica now and then. Isolated pressure in the wrong spot can be murderous after a while. Positioning of lacing is also important. The grommets are framed by flat steels. The pressure of those on your back could be, probably would be an issue. Also, due to the assymetry, careful drafting would be needed. Normal procedure is to draft and cut one half then mirror it. You can’t do that with assymetry. Both sides need to be done or you’ll get a skew-wiff corset with a slanty busk.

See why I say off-the-rack is no good for anyone even a wee bit off the average LOL (and why corsetmakers get ratty about the cheap stuff)

If your research and medical advice does say it's ok then I'd advise going with something fairly gentle. An extreme shape might just emphasise the assymetry and as Viva said above, there are lots of visual tricks to give the illusion of more reduction than there really is.

This has been an interesting topic to raise actually. From what I've read on the corsetry forums in the past, it's quite a common problem so it's good to get the issues out there

I'm just back from London and noticed this post & its a huge point of interest for me.

My Final year project focused on back pain & corsets, my direct area of study was using adaptive corsets to improve posture but I looked into the likes of Scoliosis, Kyphosis & lordosis for the study.

I have a couple of bits of potentially useful advice since your local to Glasgow.

1. DO NOT trust Cyber! They tell you anything to make you buy something. I bought a corset in there once & they were the nicest people in the world to me but when I returned a year later & the owner found out that I made corsets the claws came out (they claimed that it was illegal to buy spiral & steel boning unless you were a certified corsetier with a 7 year apprenticeship). From what I've learned in discussions with other (very highly experienced) corset makers, Cyber actually know very little beyond fitting standard sized corsets.

2. I'm not sure how useful this may be but have you ever been in touch with strathclyde university's Prosthetics Dept? I spent a couple of days there during my research & they had loads of useful info on spinal prosthetics & may know if a standard corset is a viable option for you.

Also as was mentioned in a previous post a powernet corset or girdle might be a good starting point. Heavy weight powernet is a very very tough fabric with strong pull yet still flexible enough to be comfortable, I think there's a powernet waspie in frasers just now (I dont think its heavy weight powernet but it may be useful for a visual)

Anyway I hope at least some of that is useful, but it'd be good to hear how you get on as it'll let me see if my research was on the right track!

Lilly xx