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The article, “Scoliosis treatment using a combination of manipulative and rehabilitative therapy: a retrospective case series,” published by Drs. Morningstar, Woggon, & Lawrence in BMC Musculoskeletal

Disorders, on September 14th, 2004, was a landmark in the realm of conservative scoliosis treatment. Within two years of its publication, it achieved the status of Most-Highly Accessed Article of All-Time in this journal, and continues to hold this title as of 2009, with over 36,000 views (number two has just under 24,000). http://www.biomedcentral.com/content...-2474-5-32.pdf 2004, there have been additional reports in the literature regarding the efficacy of chiropractic or osteopathic manipulative therapy in the treatment of scoliosis, in combination with deep tissue massage and physical therapy, that have demonstrated positive results. Our most recent research endeavor followed 140 patients from ages 9 to 84 with Cobb Angles ranging from 5 to 109, and demonstrated an average reduction of 37.7% after 12 visits. 23 patients were no longer classified as having clinically-diagnosable scoliosis after treatment. See attachement.

CLEAR_Research_Article_Full_Text.2010.doc

Unlike a surgical or braced reduction of the Cobb Angle, the reductions achieved through our methods also correlate with improved lung function, increased rib expansion, decreased pain, increased physical functioning, and better quality of life overall.

Treating the patient and the cause, not just the curve.

References:
1) Chen KC, Chiu EH: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis treated by spinal manipulation: a case study. JACM 2008, 14(6):749-751.
2) Brooks WJ, Krupinski EA, Hawes MC: Reversal of curvature magnitude in response to physical methods: a 15-year followup in an adult female diagnosed with moderately severe scoliosis at age eleven years. Scoliosis 2007, 2(Suppl I):P2. From: 4th International Conference on Conservative Management of Spinal Deformities, Boston, MA, USA. 13-16 May 2007.
3) Morningstar MW, Joy T: Scoliosis treatment using spinal manipulation and the Pettibon Weighting System: a summary of 3 atypical presentations. Chiropr Osteopat 2006, 14:1.

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Don Katz, CO, FAAOP, assistant administrator and director of Orthotics at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, Dallas.

Katz identifies several areas for additional research in scoliosis.

Better orthotic design: "We need to learn more about how to be able to provide a scoliosis orthosis that is tolerable but still reduces the Cobb angle to a reasonable degree and that does not flatten the spine in the sagittal plane. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis typically already flattens somewhat in the sagittal plane. What I think we're doing with a lot of thoracic designs is making a spine that is already somewhat hypokyphotic more hypokyphotic. Based on a number of studies, the tendency is to make a flat spine even flatter. We need to continue to try to develop spinal orthoses that are more accepting, more cosmetic, and more comfortable."

Reliable wear-pattern codifying: Another need is a reliable and simple method to codify actual patient wear patterns for scoliosis orthoses, since the number of hours a day the brace is worn is vital to a successful outcome.

Earlier patient identification: The orthopedic community needs to continue efforts to identify earlier patients who have smaller curves and who are most likely to benefit from scoliosis bracing. ~ Or Early Stage Scoliosis Intervention that re-trains/develops the brain's involuntary postural control centers ~ Clayton Stitzel DC

Finding etiological answers: Another large unknown is why some kids develop curves while most do not, and of those who do develop curves, which ones are likely to progress and need treatment. "There are countless research efforts on factors—blood chemistry, genetics, levels of melatonin, etc."

Although there is still much unknown about adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, more is continually being learned through research and clinical application. Answers are out there—and at least some of them are being found.