Book excerpt: Scoliosis—curvature of the spine—is a disorder so common that twenty states now require screening of preteens. One in every fifty American youngsters is affected by it. While scoliosis is an upsetting condition, it can almost always be treated if detected early. Written by a scoliosis sufferer, Stopping Scoliosis takes the reader through every stage of the condition. It discusses ways to diagnose scoliosis before exploring all the options for treating it—both surgical and non-surgical. The advancements in bracing and surgical techniques that have been made in the past few years are examined in detail. Also included are methods for managing pain, tips on how to prepare for surgery, and compelling patient stories from people of all ages. Endorsed by the National Scoliosis Foundation, this is the most comprehensive, up-to-date book on scoliosis available.