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Displaying items by tag: mild scoliosis
I wish I had a dime for each time a guilt ridden parent of a child with severe scoliosis told me, “we would have do something if we only knew sooner”. I can only imagine the sickening feeling that hits them in the gut when the orthopedic scoliosis specialist puts that full spine scoliosis x-ray up and says “we do scoliosis surgery on Tuesdays and Thursdays.” This is the all too familiar story I here on a weekly basis and I’m not exaggerating, a weekly basis.
So what is the problem in mild scoliosis detection? Why to so many children slip through the cracks during scoliosis screenings only to end up sitting in an orthopedic surgeons office with a severe scoliosis spine deformity and being prepared for a highly invasive scoliosis surgery that even in its most successful cases has an unacceptably high rate of long-term complications.
The most widely known and used scoliosis screening test is called “Adam’s positions” and it has been around for a long, long, long time. Basically the patient bends forward at the waist and the examiner stands behind the patient looking for one side of the rib cage to bulge higher than the other (typically the right side). Generally, the bulging isn’t readily detectable until the spinal curvature is at least moderately advanced, because of the pathological thoracic rotation pattern that begins to develop as the curve progresses towards the 30 degree level, which causes the rib cage rotation to be visible. It is for this reason; many of the experienced professionals in scoliosis treatment refer to Adam’s positions as “the too late test”.
Posture evaluation may be the ideal system of detecting early stage scoliosis and replacing the “too late test”. Mild scoliosis will begin creating asymmetrical and distorted posture patterns long before the rib cage rotation becomes visible, even in the Adam’s positions and is so readily identified that untrained individuals can pick up on abnormal findings with little to no training.
Everyone knows that a child’s eye line, shoulder level, and hips should appear level when viewed from the front or back, but most parents, gym teachers, dance instructors, or swim coaches don’t equate an un-leveling of these key postural markers to anything serious or even think to mention anything about it. This is often the first missed opportunity for early stage scoliosis intervention of many that could prevent a child from having to undergo a highly invasive and controversial scoliosis surgery later in life.
It is as though we need to start some sort of “see something, say something” type campaign for mild scoliosis screenings and get the word out to parents, school nurses, and healthcare professionals alike that postural evaluation for scoliosis screens should be utilized in conjunction with the Adam’s positions, and potentially even replace them in the future. However, the best scoliosis screening procedures in the world, won’t make any difference if the mild scoliosis cases are instructed to “watch and wait” for 6 month increments, until the curve progresses to a moderate or severe level. Only when coupled with an early stage scoliosis intervention program will effective mild scoliosis screening programs truly benefit the scoliosis community as a whole. Don't let a lifetime be defined by idiopathic scoliosis
While it is not the intention of CLEAR Institute to condemn the efforts of sincere and caring medical professionals who have dedicated their lives to helping individuals with scoliosis. We would, however, like to add to the current list of options; to educate those who are personally involved with scoliosis about what the research says; and, to empower these individuals to make their own decision regarding their own spine, and their own life.
The three medically-sanctioned methods of scoliosis treatment - observation, bracing, and surgery - have been around for decades. A great deal of research has been done on the risks & benefits of each option. However, the general conclusion of this research suggests that a new paradigm is desperately needed as there are many conflicts and inadequacies present in the current model. Observation Only or the “watch & wait” stage
Scoliosis brace treatment (Generally recommended for curvatures 25 degrees and larger)
Scoliosis surgery (Generally recommended of curvatures 40 degrees and larger)
Scoliosis surgery, like most highly-invasive procedures, carries with it the ever-present risk of death. Although mortality rates of less than one percent are claimed, no surgeon can completely eliminate this possibility. There is also the danger of neurological damage, resulting in the loss of sensation or motor function to the arms & legs (paraplegia or quadraplegia). This has become a greater concern in recent years, as surgeons strive for greater corrections in their patients, and place more stress upon the nerves running through the spinal column.
The rate of hardware failure is virtually 100% over the course of a normal lifetime. It may occur immediately after the surgery or several years later, but one or more components of the hardware placed inside the body is highly likely to fail or break. The author of one study stated, "One would expect that if the patient lives long enough, rod breakage will be a virtual certainty". Another study found that amongst seventy-four patients who underwent the surgery, pseudoarthrosis (failed fusion) occurred in 27% of patients within a few years after the procedure.
The truth of the matter is that scoliosis is an abnormality of the spine which involves much more than merely a sideways curve. Yet the "effectiveness" of surgery is measured only by the degree to which it can reduce the lateral deviation through the application of brute force, and a fused spine is every bit as abnormal and dysfunctional as a scoliotic spine.
We can alter the natural course of this disease by identifying which patients are at the highest risk for severe progression via genetic testing (Scoliscore) and by implementing an aggressive, non-invasive Early Stage Scoliosis Intervention program that re-trains the brains involuntary postural controls centers before the spinal curvature reaches the 30 degree "buckling" point A wise man once said, "when in doubt, do something, because doing something isn't doing nothing, which isn't doing something......it's just doing nothing."
Quote from the NSF website.
"The data collected by orthopedists shows that without any form of treatment, 4 out of 5 minor curvatures will not progress beyond 20 degrees. For this reason, orthopedists no longer treat such minor curvatures but they do recommend periodic observation, especially in growing children."
Kind of sucks to be part of that 20% of patients whom the orthos are willing to throw under the bus huh? Anyway, the advent of genetic testing indicates that 25% (not 20%) of patient's diagnosed with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) are pre-disposed to developing a severe curvature (>40*).....Which isn't to say that the other 75* of geneticly low risk patients can't or won't still experience significant curve progression that often leads to moderate to severe impact on their quality of life in adulthood.
Adult Scoliosis: A health assessment analysis by SF-36
"adult scoliosis patients with spinal curves 10 degree or greater scored significantly lower in 7 out of 8 categories including physical functioning, general health, social functioning, and body pain when compared to the general population. In fact the researchers concluded "It is our conclusion that adult scoliosis is becoming a medical condition of significant impact, affecting the fastest growing segment of our society to a previously unrecognized degree."
38,000 spinal fusion surgeries (many of which with terrible long-term outcomes) are being performed and 30,000 children are being needlessly stuffed into braces (which often cause life long self esteem, depression, and other psychological disorders in addition to being generally ineffective) each year, because the conventional wisdom of yesterday has decided to take a 're-active' approach to treating rapidly progressing curvatures, rather than a 'pro-active' approach to stabilizing and reducing them BEFORE they become increasing, progressive curvatures.
Don't let a lifetime be defined by scoliosis. Be pro-active, be assertive, be informed, and when in doubt do something!!! Please click here to receive a FREE SCOLIOSIS TREATMENT INFORMATION KIT.
Idiopathic scoliosis is a neurological condition primarily creating an early shift in postural presentation. The most common early stage/ mild scoliosis pattern is the head translating left of center gravity creating either a right mid neck or a right upper neck anglelation. The second shift is a pelvic translation to the right creating a left angle between the lumbar and sacrum with or without compensatory tilt often referred to as a forward right pelvis. The combination of a moderate to high genetic score using scoliscore will combine with these initial biomechanical factors creating a cascade of events often leading to the formation and progression of a scoliosis spine. Since the genetic push involves the sensory integration system that being the ability of the body to coordinate afferent and efferent messaging, the biomechanical factors must be stabilized early to avoid a catastrophic event as growth occurs. The sagital presentation in early stage scoliosis often involves anterior head translation, loss of cervical lordosis (the normal forward curve in the neck), and increased sacral inclination leading to thoracic extension. Once asymetrical loading has occurred in this early stage the growth plate undergoes an abnormal histological change which in turn elevates blood levels of osteopontin a cytokine found in AIS blood panels to be elevated.
Since the spinecor scoliosis brace is ONLY recommended for idipathic scoliosis patients with curves less than 30 degrees we feel the need for bracing in combination with our protocols is unsubstantiated. Since the primary goal of the chiropractor is to decrease the biomechanical and neurological factors contributing to the dis-ease of the scoliotic patient we feel the reduction of head and pelvic translation in combination with improving sagital spine profiles is much better achieved using CLEAR methodology than with passive forced correction. Although spinecor statistically has demonstrated that with curvature under 30 degrees it can hold a moderate reduction after 2 years in approximately 50% of patients, we feel that a less invasive chiropractic approach can match this percentage and potentially outperform the spinecor scoliosis brace.
It is CLEAR Institutes sole purpose to find a better way of treating scoliosis without the use of spinal braces and certainly without the use of surgical intervention. Preliminary findings from certified doctors performing CLEAR protocols on early stage cases has been very promising and we are certain that our program can stand alone and make a positive impact on the way in which scoliosis is treated into the future.
Brian T Dovorany DC
Please click here to receive a FREE SCOLIOSIS TREATMENT INFORMATION KIT.
Fundemental flaws in Scoliosis treatment ~ Exercise/Rehab treatment
In an Article entitled “Exercise Can Reduce Scoliosis Symptoms” does a relatively accurate job of profiling the spinal condition and Dr. Edwards II (Maryland Spine Center @ Mercy Hospital Center) discusses various methodologies of managing and treating scoliosis. As the title implies, active rehabilitation of the spine can and will reduce symptoms of scoliosis, but the article omits is that scoliosis exercises can reduce the scoliosis curvature itself. Please click here to receive a FREE SCOLIOSIS TREATMENT INFORMATION KIT ASAP.
Environmental factors can drive scoliosis progression? Can scoliosis exercises combat these "environmental factors" and halt curve progression and even reverse scoliosis?
The evidence is mounting and it looks like exercises for scoliosis may be the future of scoliosis treatment. Consider these known environmental risk factors for scoliosis.
Bio-mechanical
Activity related
Most of these environmental risk factors for scoliosis are preventable and even reversable with a highly specialized scoliosis exercises. Please click here to receive a FREE SCOLIOSIS TREATMENT INFORMATION KIT ASAP.
A study from researchers in Washington, D. C. found that nutrition should logically be considered as a possible factor human scoliosis, based in part by a review of all of the animal studies where nutrition plays a role in the disorder. The study authors concluded that, "There is evidence that poor nutrition may play a role in the etiology of idiopathic scoliosis. This possibility should be examined further in humans." Found Here: http://www.ctds.info/scoliosis.html
Please click here to receive a FREE SCOLIOSIS TREATMENT INFORMATION KIT ASAP.
Early Stage Scoliosis Intervention can be achieved in 5 simple steps! Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) is a complex, multi-factorial condition that involves both genetic and environmental factors. Genetic testing (Scoliscore) provides invaluable information on each particular patient and helps us assess the most appropriate, most pro-active, and least invasive treatment approach per each child's case needs. Eliminating and reducing the environmental co-factors that combine with the patient's genetic pre-disposition is the only way to treat AIS in a pro-active and prevenative manner (as opposed to the reactive manner of treating the already progressing curve with a bracing and surgery).
Step 1: Reconize the signs, symptoms, and risks of the condition. Please click here to receive a FREE SCOLIOSIS TREATMENT INFORMATION KIT ASAP.
Now that genetic pre-disposition testing for scoliosis progression risk is available; An Early Stage Intervention Program has also been developed to provide scoliosis patients a non-bracing, non-surgical treatment option that allows them to take immediate action in the prevention of the next stage of the standard treatment process (spinal bracing or scoliosis fusion surgery). While it is not the intention of CLEAR Institute to condemn the efforts of sincere and caring medical professionals who have dedicated their lives to helping individuals with scoliosis. We would, however, like to add to the current list of options; to educate those who are personally involved with scoliosis about what the research says; and, to empower these individuals to make their own decision regarding their own spine, and their own life. The three medically-sanctioned methods of scoliosis treatment - observation, bracing, and surgery - have been around for decades. A great deal of research has been done on the risks & benefits of each option. However, the general conclusion of this research suggests that a new paradigm is desperately needed as there are many conflicts and inadequacies present in the current model. Observation Only or the “watch & wait” stage Spinal brace treatment (Generally recommended for curvatures 25 degrees and larger) Spinal fusion surgery (Generally recommended of curvatures 40 degrees and larger) Spinal surgery, like most highly-invasive procedures, carries with it the ever-present risk of death. Although mortality rates of less than one percent are claimed, no surgeon can completely eliminate this possibility. There is also the danger of neurological damage, resulting in the loss of sensation or motor function to the arms & legs (paraplegia or quadraplegia). This has become a greater concern in recent years, as surgeons strive for greater corrections in their patients, and place more stress upon the nerves running through the spinal column. The rate of hardware failure is virtually 100% over the course of a normal lifetime. It may occur immediately after the surgery or several years later, but one or more components of the hardware placed inside the body is highly likely to fail or break. The author of one study stated, "One would expect that if the patient lives long enough, rod breakage will be a virtual certainty". Another study found that amongst seventy-four patients who underwent the surgery, pseudoarthrosis (failed fusion) occurred in 27% of patients within a few years after the procedure. The truth of the matter is that scoliosis is an abnormality of the spine which involves much more than merely a sideways curve. Yet the "effectiveness" of surgery is measured only by the degree to which it can reduce the lateral deviation through the application of brute force, and a fused spine is every bit as abnormal and dysfunctional as a scoliotic spine. We can alter the natural course of this disease by identifying which patients are at the highest risk for severe progression via genetic testing (Scoliscore) and by implementing an aggressive, non-invasive Early Stage Scoliosis Intervention program that re-trains the brains involuntary postural controls centers before the spinal curvature reaches the 30 degree "buckling" point. Please click here to receive a FREE SCOLIOSIS TREATMENT INFORMATION KIT ASAP.
A wise man once said, "when in doubt, do something, because doing something isn't doing nothing, which isn't doing something......it's just doing nothing."
Quote from the NSF website. "The data collected by orthopedists shows that without any form of treatment, 4 out of 5 minor curvatures will not progress beyond 20 degrees. For this reason, orthopedists no longer treat such minor curvatures but they do recommend periodic observation, especially in growing children." Kind of sucks to be part of that 20% of patients whom the orthos are willing to throw under the bus huh? Anyway, the advent of genetic testing indicates that 25% (not 20%) of patient's diagnosed with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) are pre-disposed to developing a severe curvature (>40*).....Which isn't to say that the other 75* of geneticly low risk patients can't or won't still experience significant curve progression that often leads to moderate to severe impact on their quality of life in adulthood.
Adult Scoliosis: A health assessment analysis by SF-36 "adult scoliosis patients with spinal curves 10 degree or greater scored significantly lower in 7 out of 8 categories including physical functioning, general health, social functioning, and body pain when compared to the general population. In fact the researchers concluded "It is our conclusion that adult scoliosis is becoming a medical condition of significant impact, affecting the fastest growing segment of our society to a previously unrecognized degree."
38,000 spinal fusion surgeries (many of which with terrible long-term outcomes) are being performed and 30,000 children are being needlessly stuffed into braces (which often cause life long self esteem, depression, and other psychological disorders in addition to being generally ineffective) each year, because the conventional wisdom of yesterday has decided to take a 're-active' approach to treating rapidly progressing curvatures, rather than a 'pro-active' approach to stabilizing and reducing them BEFORE they become increasing, progressive curvatures. Don't let a lifetime be defined by scoliosis. Be pro-active, be assertive, be informed, and when in doubt do something!!! |
