ILAB for ASC

11/10/2026

Another Testimonial!
1. How I felt before I started

Before starting ILAB, because I’m a Pilates instructor, I already understood the importance of physical therapy and preparing the body for surgery. However, I didn’t necessarily understand why I needed the psychological and mental preparation.

At first, I remember thinking, “Do I really need this? How is talking to a psychologist going to help me with surgery?”

Over time, I realized that this was actually one of the things I needed the most.

Having a place to talk openly about my feelings and mentally prepare for what was coming made an enormous difference. It helped me turn fears and emotions that were sitting in my subconscious into things I could actually recognize, understand, and work through.

Without that preparation, I think the initial shock after surgery would have been much harder for me.

People often think recovery from major surgery is mainly physical, but I learned that so much of it is mental and emotional as well. That preparation gave me resilience, and I truly believe it completely changed my experience and my recovery.

2. What the physical and mental training gave me

The physical training gave me tools that, honestly, I didn’t fully understand the importance of at the beginning.

Some of the exercises seemed very small and simple to me, especially as someone who was already active and working in fitness. But after surgery, I understood exactly why we had worked on those specific muscles and movements.

The stronger my body became before surgery, the more prepared it was to handle what came afterward.

Whenever someone asks me for advice before scoliosis surgery, I always tell them the same thing: go into surgery with the strongest body you can. Strength, stability, and cardiovascular endurance can make such a difference in how your body handles surgery and how quickly you are able to recover afterward.

I also always emphasize how important it is to stay consistent with physical therapy after surgery. It affects not only the recovery of the body itself, but also posture, movement, appearance, and the process of returning to normal life.

As for the mental preparation, it gave me emotional resilience for an experience that is very difficult for anyone who hasn’t gone through it to fully understand.

3. How the support helped me throughout my journey

The support helped me throughout the entire process — preparing for surgery, going through it, and recovering afterward in the best possible way.

My goal was always to return to the active life I had before surgery, both in terms of how my body functioned and how I felt and looked physically.

Having support on both the physical and mental sides helped me move toward that goal with much more confidence and understanding of what my body and mind were going through.

4. What surprised me the most

What surprised me the most was realizing how much I actually needed this support.

In the beginning, I underestimated it. I participated because it had been recommended to me and because I thought it was simply something I was supposed to do before surgery. I didn’t go into it expecting it to have such a meaningful impact on me.

Especially because I’m a Pilates instructor and I have studied psychology, I thought I already understood a lot of the physical and mental aspects.

But having professional support was completely different.

Emotionally, I had someone who provided a warm, professional, and understanding space, while also knowing how to prepare me mentally and build the resilience I needed for what was ahead. The support also helped prepare my family for what recovery could look like — including caring for me, understanding the effects of medications, and knowing what to expect.

Physically, I had someone who knew exactly which small, specific muscles needed to be strengthened and supported before surgery. At the time, some of those exercises honestly felt unnecessary to me, almost like I was wasting my time. After surgery, I realized how wrong I was. Those small exercises ended up having a significant impact on my recovery, stability, and posture.

I would absolutely recommend ILAB, and I would not choose to go through this process without it.

If I could go back and do it again, I would actually invest even more in both the preparation before surgery and the rehabilitation afterward.

For anyone preparing for surgery and wondering whether this kind of support is really necessary, my answer today would be: yes. Preparing your body is incredibly important, but preparing your mind is just as important. You need both to give yourself the best possible chance to go through such a major experience and come back stronger afterward.

11/10/2026

Testimonials!
Our experience with iLab was an incredibly important part of our daughter Addie’s journey through ASC surgery. Looking back, I truly cannot imagine going through this experience without Maddie and Alyssa and the iLAB program.

Before surgery, Addie was understandably anxious and had so many questions and fears. Maddy’s experience working with children who had been through ASC allowed her to explain what Addie could expect, talk through each step, answer her questions, and reassure her that her feelings were completely normal. This preparation helped Addie feel more confident and less afraid going into surgery.

Alyssa also played an important role in preparing Addie physically. Before surgery, she helped her focus on the muscles that would be important for her surgery and recovery, continuing that work afterward as Addie healed and regained strength and mobility.

Maddy’s support continued throughout recovery, helping Addie develop strategies to cope with pain, navigate the frustration of missing her normal activities, and build resilience through the challenges. The individualized mindset exercises helped her set goals and keep moving forward, even on difficult days.

One particularly meaningful activity Addie did with Maddy was creating a painting that illustrated her journey from diagnosis through surgery and recovery. It became a powerful visual reminder of how far she had come and the challenges she had overcome.

As a parent, having Maddy and Alyssa as a support system was invaluable. I had never helped a child through a surgery of this magnitude, and their knowledge, reassurance, and guidance gave me confidence in how to support Addie through the long recovery. Knowing we had people who understood what she and our family were experiencing made an overwhelming journey much more manageable.

I would strongly encourage families considering ASC surgery to consider iLab as part of their child’s journey. Their support goes far beyond physical preparation. They help children feel prepared, understood, and empowered to navigate the emotional and physical challenges of such a significant surgery. We are incredibly grateful that Maddy and Alyssa were part of Addie’s journey.”

01/08/2026

28/06/2026

Sometimes Anxiety turns up when we least expect it! Try this exercise!

11/06/2026

Alisa is working on the connection between Body Dysmorphic Disorder and Idiopathic Scoliosis. Here’s an excerpt!

Body Dysmorphic Disorder in Individuals with Idiopathic Scoliosis
Walton, A
9 June 2026

Author Disclosure

The author serves as Programme Director for ILAB at The Institute for Spine and Scoliosis (New Jersey) and has professional experience working with adolescents and young adults diagnosed with Idiopathic Scoliosis. This proposal was developed from observations made in clinical practice and from gaps identified in the existing literature. No funding was received for this research proposal.

Introduction

Epidemiological data suggest that between 1.7% and 2.8% of the global population meets diagnostic criteria for BDD (Veale et al.). While this percentage may appear globally modest, its implications may be amplified in populations already vulnerable to body image concerns, such as individuals with Idiopathic Scoliosis. The visible physical characteristics associated with scoliosis—rib humps, spinal curvature, and asymmetry—can act as focal points for perceptual distortion.

The author has conducted an informal analysis of patients in a 110 patient sample, and identified that 2.35 percent of her patients present with symptoms of BDD, notably all were male. The global ratio in BDD is 1:1 male to female. Payne et al. found that even individuals with mild scoliosis may fixate on perceived deformities to the extent it negatively impacts emotional well-being. The psychosocial burden of scoliosis is not always proportional to the severity of the physical condition. Some patients at The Institute for Spine and Scoliosis present with hypervigilance around their physical appearance, even if the degree of curvature is below approximately 30 degrees.

The distinction between a normal emotional response and a diagnosable disorder is central to this proposal. While individuals with visible physical differences may experience some degree of distress or self-consciousness, when this concern becomes obsessive, intrusive, and functionally impairing, it moves toward a clinical pathology. Singh and Veale argue that in individuals with BDD, reassurance or corrective procedures rarely alleviate distress, as the issue lies not in the body itself but in distorted perception. This distinction has significant implications for treatment, particularly in medical settings where the medical model (physical correction) is necessary.

02/04/2026

Did you miss out on the ILAB programme before surgery? We’ve got you covered. We are now offering a 6 week post surgery programme called RLAB.
Here’s the Website to book your Meet and Greet!

Get started today with our comprehensive approach that includes ASC surgery, pre surgery rehab, and post surgery rehab to ensure a smooth recovery!

25/03/2026

Why choose ILAB for ASC?

At ILAB, we understand that surgery is only one part of your journey. What happens after matters just as much.

As the in-house rehabilitation and post-surgery programme at The Institute for Spine and Scoliosis, we are here to guide you every step of the way—from preparing your body and mind before surgery to helping you rebuild strength, confidence, and trust in your body afterward.

Six years ago, we developed this Mind–Body Programme alongside Dr. Darryl Antonacci, creating a unique approach that is now used by patients around the world.

Our focus isn’t just on healing your spine—it’s on helping you feel like yourself again. We work with you to reduce fear, understand your body, and move with confidence as you recover.

Because we are part of your surgical team, your care is connected, consistent, and tailored specifically to you. You’re not navigating recovery alone—we’re with you through it.

This isn’t a one-size-fits-all program. It’s a supportive, personalized experience built from real patient journeys, designed to help you move forward safely and confidently.

21/03/2026

Get started today with our comprehensive approach that includes ASC surgery, pre surgery rehab, and post surgery rehab to ensure a smooth recovery!

19/03/2026

What is Body dysmorphia (Body Dysmorphic Disorder, BDD) ? It’s mental health condition where a child or teen becomes intensely focused on a perceived flaw in their appearance—often something minor or not visible to others.
The incidence in North America is 1.7-2.9 percent. The ratio female:male is 1:1

It can take over daily life. They might spend a lot of time checking mirrors, avoiding photos, comparing themselves, or seeking reassurance.
• It causes real distress. It can lead to anxiety, depression, or withdrawal from friends and activities.
• It’s treatable. Therapy (especially CBT) and support can make a big difference.

A helpful way to think about it:
It’s less about how your child looks, and more about how their brain is interpreting what they see.
It’s important to understand that your child can shift their thoughts with family support and helpful information.
We do this!!!