BEING diagnosed with scoliosis, an abnormal twisting and curvature of the spine, felt like a death sentence for 28-year-old Jessica Dawes. But the young woman was soon given a reason to fight back when she became pregnant with her daughter Lily.

"I was diagnosed in my early twenties as I had started to suffer from severe back pain. It was really worrying and I was very alarmed. I spent the first few weeks thinking that I had pulled a muscle in my back and that I would get back to normal.

"However when the weeks turned to months I knew something was really wrong, my hips were wonky and my shoulders had never looked right so I had an inkling that I had a serious problem.

"I can remember being diagnosed with scoliosis and given two options: do nothing and accept that I would probably get worse or have an operation, which would involve correcting the curvature using rods attached to the spine by screws, hooks or wires.

"Terrified of hospitals I put the shutters down on surgery straight away. I tried to be open-minded but with all the risks involved – including losing my mobility I just could not agree to it. I was confused and I spent many evenings just sat on the sofa crying. I could not bear the pain but no one was offering me any treatment – well any treatment I felt I could accept.

"I was devastated, going from thinking you are perfectly healthy one day to feeling like your spine is going to collapse on you was too much to cope with. I just remember thinking I am in my twenties not sixties this should not be happening to me.

"Around the time that my back pain was getting worse, I discovered I was pregnant. I should have been ecstatic but I was terrified. I had no idea how my body was going to cope with pregnancy as I was struggling to keep myself straight and carry myself around without any additional weight. I worried every day and the worry made the pain worse.

"Somehow I managed to get through; I spent most evenings in bed by 8pm and reduced my work load dramatically. What should have been such a happy time was completely tainted for me. It was filled with pain, panic and worry.

"After giving birth to Lily the pain surprisingly slightly improved. My body seemed to adjust quickly and I guess I was so busy making sure she was ok that I managed to stop worrying about myself. This lasted a few months.

"But by the time Lily was six months, I was crippled over in pain again. She was getting heavy and my back could not take it. It broke my heart not being able to keep picking her up and I knew that enough was enough.

"I started to search for treatments on the internet. In the back of my mind I knew I could end up needing surgery but I was desperate to avoid this at all cost. My baby was crying and yet every time I picked her up to cuddle her I would end up in tears from the shooting pains in my spine.

"That’s when I came across Scoliosis SOS.

"Founded and run by Erika Maude, who has scoliosis herself, the clinic opened 9 years ago in London. It is the only clinic in the world to offer treatment following the ScolioGold method, which is the combination of non-surgical treatments.

"It made complete sense – I could not have cared less about my appearance at this point, I just wanted to be a proper mum to my daughter. I knew it would not be long before she would be walking and then I would really need to be able to run around after her.

"Logistically trying to do a four-week course at the clinic was almost impossible to arrange – my daughter needed me but she needed her mum, not a cripple. I had to bite the bullet and decided that it was now or never. I was not going to let my daughter miss out.

"Completing the exercise programme has given me my life back. No more agonising back pain, no more sleepless nights worrying and no more panicking about surgery and who would look after Lily while I recovered.

"My pain literally disappeared after the first week. I was taught how to hold myself and how to hold her, what exercises to do if the pain did come back and how to prevent it from getting worse. I will not lie; it was exhausting at times especially as I have a baby to look after in the evenings but that hard work paid off quickly and I will never look back.

"I just hope others read this story and look into their options. Spinal pain does not necessarily mean spinal surgery – most of the time exercises are so much better and there is absolutely no risk. It truly was the best decision I have ever made but for years I had no idea it was even an option.

"Being pain free has given me a new lease of life. I am now able to be the mother I have always wanted to be. It sounds clichéd but the treatment really has changed my life. I am now no longer distracted by agonizing back pain and I am able to focus my attentions on my gorgeous little girl.

"Any mother who has back pain will know that it does take over your life and my condition was starting to take over mine. I am now back in control and it really is a fantastic feeling.

"Lily is growing up so fast and I am able to enjoy play time and every stage of her development without worrying how long it will be before the back pain kicks in. I want to shout about this from the rooftops not just for me but for Lily, who is now two, as our lives have been changed for the better forever.”

Scoliosis fact file

• Scoliosis is the abnormal twisting and curvature of the spine.

• Back pain is common in adults with scoliosis.

• In around eight out of every 10 cases, a cause for scoliosis is not found. A small number of cases are caused by other medical conditions, including cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and Marfan syndrome, a disorder of the connective tissues.

• It can develop at any age, but is most common in children aged 10-15. In the UK, around three or four in every 1,000 children need treatment for scoliosis. It's more common in females than males.

• The most common treatments are a back brace worn by older children until they stop growing, to prevent the spine from curving further or surgery to correct the curvature – where the spine is straightened using rods attached to the spine by screws, hooks and/or wires.

• The Scoliosis SOS Clinic in London uses the ScolioGold method, a combination of non-surgical methods of treating scoliosis. The treatment entails four weeks of intensive therapy, and a customised programme of exercises to help correct posture and the curvature of the spine.

• For more information about Scoliosis SOS Clinic visit www.scoliosissos.com