Scoliosis and the CLEAR Scoliosis Treatment Plan

According to the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners, 2.7 million visits are made each year to chiropractors in the U. S. for scoliosis and scoliosis-related complaints. Scoliosis is described as a sideways S- or C-shaped curve of the spine. Left untreated, scoliosis may cause other health problems like headaches, back pain and radiation of pain into the arms and legs, breathing problems, and digestive disorders.

Scoliosis in Eustis is most common in late childhood and the early teens when children grow fast. It occurs more often in girls than boys. Scoliosis causes one to lean to one side leading to uneven shoulders and hips. Sometimes but not always it is somewhat easy to notice. This is because the body tries to align the shoulders no matter the curve so the eyes are properly aligned with the horizon.

Scoliosis may affect patients of all ages, even those as young as 20s and 30s. Whether you've developed the condition in childhood or as an adult, the aging process can cause or intensify symptoms of scoliosis or a related condition.

Scoliosis is considered mild if the child's curve or Cobb angle(1) is under 25 degrees. Over 25 degrees, we advise our patients to be under the observation of an orthopedic doctor while we perform CLEAR treatment which is well described below.

The Three Most Common Types of Scoliosis

Idiopathic scoliosis (including infantile, juvenile, adolescent and adult). This is the most common type of scoliosis which occurs around puberty as a child goes through a growth spurt. Idiopathic means ‘of unknown cause.’

Neuromuscular scoliosis (5% to 7% of cases). This type of scoliosis is caused by a neurological disorder of the central nervous system or muscles.

Congenital scoliosis (10% of cases) is due to bony abnormalities of the spine present at birth like wedge vertebra.

Small curves usually do not cause other health and quality of life problems but more prominent curves pose potential health concerns. Severe curves can interfere with lungs and vital organs. Lung and breathing function may be affected and may often be accompanied by pain and spinal dysfunction.

Treatment depends on age, how much more the patient is likely to grow, the degree of curvature, and whether the curve is found to be temporary or permanent. Those with mild scoliosis might only need checkups to observe any progression of the curve. Others might need to wear a brace designed for scoliosis treatment and in some cases, some physicians may suggest surgery, however a novel and effective chiropractic protocol for the evaluation, assessment, and treatment of scoliosis developed by the non-profit CLEAR (Chiropractic Leadership, Educational Advancement, and Research) Scoliosis Institute should be explored before opting for invasive spinal fusion surgery.

The CLEAR Scoliosis Institute believes that:

• “ Motion is essential for healthy spinal discs.
• Hypertonic(4) muscles impede spinal flexibility, and hypotonic(5) muscles reduce spinal stability.
• Ligamentous abnormalities contribute to proprioceptive feedback mechanisms and sensory dysfunction.
• Posture, proprioception, balance, and equilibrium are involuntary mechanisms, regulated by the cerebellum(6) and automatic postural control centers.
• Spinal misalignments are universally present in scoliosis; CMT [chiropractic adjustment] treats spinal misalignments and their effects upon the body.”

Dr. Ramah Wagner is one of less than 45 certified CLEAR Scoliosis doctors worldwide. The CLEAR treatment protocol at Wagner Chiropractic consists of a four-fold treatment regimen:

• soft tissue therapy
• chiropractic manipulative therapy (CMT)
• neuromuscular re-education therapy
• home exercise program.

The protocol is created to enhance motion in restricted areas of the spine, influence spinal alignment and retrain the motor sensory feedback loops involved with posture, balance and proprioception(7).

The Standard Care Treatment Plan will involve regular visits to Wagner Chiropractic, usually around two to three times per week for 18 treatments. Each visit has many stations and lasts approximately two hours. Ongoing monitoring and follow-up care is provided according to the patient’s individual need. A home CLEAR scoliosis exercise program must be followed daily or several times weekly as well.

1. The Cobb Angle is used as a standard measurement to determine and track the progression of scoliosis. Dr John Cobb invented this method in 1948.
2. a hereditary disorder of connective tissue, resulting in abnormally long and thin digits and also frequently in optical and cardiovascular defects
3. an inherited disorder characterized by extreme fragility of the bones
4. of or in a state of abnormally high muscle tone
5. of or in a state of abnormally low muscle tone
6. the part of the brain at the back of the skull in vertebrates. Its function is to coordinate and regulate muscular activity
7. the sense of the relative position of one's own parts of the body and strength of effort being employed in movement