Early-Detection Scoliosis Screening Leading to Better Results for Kids at Risk

Early-Detection Scoliosis Screening Leading to Better Results for Kids at Risk

It has long been believed that the earlier scoliosis can be caught, the better the possibility of preventing the need for invasive surgery.  Recent research has indicated dramatic success with scoliosis curves when they are caught and treated before they reach 30 degrees.  The success rate of our clinic is 100% for the curves under 30 degrees avoiding the need for surgery. Failed Scoliosis Screening Efforts of the Past The

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Groundbreaking Study Finds Stable, Long-Term Reductions Of Scoliosis Curves With Non-Surgical Treatment!

Groundbreaking Study Finds Stable, Long-Term Reductions Of Scoliosis Curves With Non-Surgical Treatment!

Nothing can straighten a scoliosis curve except surgery, right?  After considering the invasiveness of such surgeries, patients, or their parents, often seek out alternative forms of treatment in spite of being told nothing else will work.  Many are simply looking for hope: Anything that could help their child avoid surgery.  Treatment alternatives, such as scoliosis boot camps, have popped up over the past years.  Some are claiming amazing results with

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What is Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis?

What is Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis?

Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) is an abnormal curvature of the spine exceeding 10 degrees, diagnosed in adolescence and in which the cause is unknown.  The deformity occurs with rotational misalignment, often marked by a hump in the ribs or low back, as well as loss of the normal sagittal curves of the spine: Adolescent The diagnosis is made in adolescence. Idiopathic The reason for the scoliosis has not yet been

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Scoliosis X-rays and Your Brace: How Long Should the Brace Be off Before Your Next Scoliosis X-Ray (or MRI)?

Scoliosis X-rays and Your Brace: How Long Should the Brace Be off Before Your Next Scoliosis X-Ray (or MRI)?

A common practice in scoliosis management is to measure the progress of the scoliosis curve by taking a full spine X-ray. When a patient wears a scoliosis brace, they will typically be instructed by the orthopedic surgeon to take it off for 24 hours prior to receiving their next X-ray. But what should we do if you are supposed to be wearing the brace 23 hours per day? Will it

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Are Your Bones a Hormonal Organ?

Are Your Bones a Hormonal Organ?

Teens, Scoliosis, and Delayed Menarche It is common for adolescent girls with scoliosis (idiopathic) to have delayed menarche (beginning of their menstrual cycle). Why is this? How are hormones, teens and scoliosis related? One theory promotes the idea that as estrogen is increased during menarche, bone growth is stimulated, but spinal cord growth (and flexibility) may not be. If spinal-cord tension already exists as the main mechanism driving a girl’s

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Autism and Scoliosis: Is There a Connection?

Autism and Scoliosis: Is There a Connection?

Scoliosis occurs more commonly in females1; autism spectrum disorders (ASD) tend to occur more readily in males3.  Based on this opposite distribution among genders, it could sound like the two conditions are completely unrelated.  However, of the male clients that present to our office with scoliosis, an abnormally high percentage of them are on the autism spectrum.  Our estimate is as high as one in four to one in three

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Revolutionizing Scoliosis Treatment With Standing MRI

Revolutionizing Scoliosis Treatment With Standing MRI

Have you ever had a concern about over-exposure to X-rays in your child or teen with scoliosis?  This concern is a valid one, as studies have shown an increased risk of cancer from X-ray exposures taken for scoliosis 1,2.  Various efforts have been made to address the risk of over-exposure to radiation; the most immediate of "solutions" has been this:  Take fewer X-rays.3 The Problem with Scoliosis X-Rays While taking

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Treating Adolescent Scoliosis Without A Brace Deemed UNETHICAL

Treating Adolescent Scoliosis Without A Brace Deemed UNETHICAL

There are a lot of mixed opinions out there about whether or not braces are valuable in the treatment of scoliosis.   Some conservative treatment methods still tout in their advertising that "No Braces" are necessary, or that bracing is outdated or even harmful.  Many orthopedic surgeons seem to have little confidence in the ability of a brace to help, and may recommend them with a "fingers-crossed" attitude of "maybe we'll

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7 Ways to Make Your Non-Surgical Scoliosis Improvement Last

7 Ways to Make Your Non-Surgical Scoliosis Improvement Last

How can I make my scoliosis curve reduction gained from treatment last? A common concern of many parents who come to our clinic is "Will the changes last?".  Meaning, "If my child's spine grows straighter, what will make it stay that way?" Maybe parents hear stories of a child going to a clinic to receive care where the spine improves, however, the improvement was only temporary with scoliosis returning in greater

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Are myths about scoliosis affecting treatment and hurting our children?

Are myths about scoliosis affecting treatment and hurting our children?

How do scoliosis myths affect treatment and hurt our children? There are many scoliosis myths that both doctors and patients believe; in part due to a lack of knowledge of current scientific and medical studies. Childhood scoliosis has no known cause and no cure - or so most doctors believe.  As a result of this belief, when a diagnosis of scoliosis is made, little to nothing is done to try

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