Brace Basics: What Your Brace Does
A friendly intro to what a scoliosis brace is and how it gently helps your spine grow straighter.
Watch · Learn · Feel Brave
Hi! I'm Higgy. Let's learn about scoliosis together.
Finding out you have scoliosis can feel like a lot. These short videos explain things in a friendly way — so you and your family know what's coming and feel ready.
💛 You're not alone — every Higgy Bear is going through it too.
How to use these videos
There's no rush. Watch a little or a lot, whenever you feel like it. Every video has a tag so you can pick what fits you today:
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SimpleShort and easy — a great place to start, perfect for kids.
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In-DepthA little longer with more detail, for when you want to know more.
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Watch with a grown-upSharing a video is a cozy way to talk about feelings and questions.
Playlist 1 · Bracing
Brace Days 🧸
Everything about wearing a brace — getting comfy, going to school, staying active, and feeling like you. Your brace is a helper, and you'll get the hang of it.
Meet your braceWhat a brace is and why it helps.
Which Brace Is Right for You?
There are different kinds of braces. See what makes each one special and why yours was picked just for you.
Casting for Younger Kids
For our littlest bear buddies: how a soft cast works a lot like a brace to help tiny spines grow well.
Your first daysSettling in and getting comfy — day and night.
Your First 10 Days in a Brace
The first days can feel strange — and that's okay. Here's how to settle in, one day at a time. You'll get used to it!
Staying Comfy in Your Brace
Easy tricks for feeling comfortable — what to wear underneath, beating itches, and resting well at night.
Brace life: school & beyondWearing your brace at school, on trips, and while you play.
Brace Hacks for School
Smart, simple tips for wearing your brace at school so you can focus on friends, learning, and fun.
Staying Active in Your Brace
You can still run, play, and move! Here's how to stay active and strong while you wear your brace.
Traveling With Your Brace
Going on a trip? Here's how to pack and travel comfortably with your brace along for the ride.
Big feelingsIt's okay to feel lots of things. These can help.
When Feelings Feel Big
Feeling scared, mad, or unsure? That's normal. This one's a gentle hug for the tougher days.
Exercises That Help (the Schroth Method)
Meet Schroth — special stretches and exercises that team up with your brace to help your spine.
Want to know more?A little extra, for when you're curious.
Sports & Activities: A Closer Look
A deeper look at sports and play — what's great to do, and what to double-check with your care team first.
The Future of Braces
Curious about cool new tech? Smart braces, magnets, and what bracing might look like in the years ahead.
Playlist 2 · Surgery
Surgery Days 💙
If you're having surgery, these videos walk you through it — getting ready, the hospital, healing, going back to school, and feeling good again. Take it one step at a time.
Understanding surgeryStart here for the big picture.
The Big Picture: How Scoliosis Is Treated
Start here. A gentle overview of how doctors treat scoliosis and where surgery fits in.
What Happens During & After Surgery
A clear, calm walk-through of what surgery is like and what the days right afterward look like.
Comparing Surgery Options (Fusion vs. VBT)
Two common surgeries explained side by side, so your family understands the choices.
Getting readySimple steps to feel prepared.
Getting Ready for Surgery
Simple steps to prepare your body and mind so you feel ready when the day comes.
Choosing a Surgeon You Trust
Tips for finding a surgeon your family feels good about, plus friendly questions you can ask.
Preparing for Surgery: Going Deeper
More detail for families who want to know exactly how to get ready, step by step.
Before Spinal Fusion: Good to Know
Helpful things to understand before a spinal fusion, so there are fewer surprises.
Meet your teamThe friendly people taking care of you.
Meeting Your Care Team
Meet the kind people who'll take care of you, and find out what each of them does.
Who's in the Operating Room?
A whole team looks after you the entire time. See who's there during surgery.
Calming the butterfliesNervous? That's normal. Let's feel calmer.
When Feelings Feel Big
Nervous tummy? Totally normal. A gentle video for when worries feel extra big.
Calming Nerves Before Surgery (You & Your Family)
Calming ideas the whole family can use together to feel mentally ready before surgery day.
Easing Worry Before Surgery
Simple ways to quiet anxious thoughts and feel calmer as surgery gets closer.
Healing & recoveryThe hospital, going home, and feeling better.
Packing for the Hospital & First Days
What to pack and what the hospital stay is like, so you know what to expect.
Recovering After Surgery
How healing works in the weeks after surgery, including rest, gentle movement, and feeling better.
Healing at Home: Strong & Safe
How to stay safe and comfy while your back heals at home — the do's, the don'ts, and gentle care.
Caring for Your Scar
Gentle, simple ways to take care of your healing scar as it slowly fades over time.
Getting back to youReturning to school and everyday life.
Back to School After Surgery
Five handy hacks to make returning to school smoother and a lot less stressful.
Traveling After Surgery
Planning a trip while you heal? Here's how to travel safely and stay comfortable.
Feeling good in your skinYour scar is part of your brave story.
Your Scar & Your Confidence
Your scar tells a brave story. A caring talk about scars, body image, and feeling like you.
Understanding Body Image
What body image means, and how to be kind to your body through all of this.
For families who want moreExtra detail — great for parents and caregivers.
👨👩👧These videos go into more detail and use bigger words. They're a great watch for grown-ups, or for kids together with a parent.
How Doctors Keep Surgery Safe
Reassuring details on the many ways your team works to keep surgery as safe as possible.
Understanding Possible Risks
An honest, calm look at possible complications and what they mean. Best watched with a grown-up.
Magnetic (MAGEC) Rods for Growing Spines
A special surgery for growing kids that uses magnets to gently lengthen rods over time.
Halo Traction Explained
For more complex curves: what halo traction is, how it helps, and how it keeps kids safe.
You're braver than you think 🧸
Scoliosis is just one part of your story — and you don't have to face it alone. Your Higgy Bear wears a brace or has a surgery scar, just like you, so you always have a buddy who gets it. One day at a time, you've got this.