By Marc on July 27, 2010
Recently, study results were released from Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children regarding Boston Brace efficacy as it relates to compliance. Adolescent curves of 25º to 45º at the time the study began were followed over the course of a year. Patients wore braces equipped with heat sensors to measure hours of wear.
The results: patients wearing the brace more than 12 hours/day experienced an 18% failure rate, while patients wearing the brace less than 7 hours/day had a 69% failure rate. Initially, paarticipants were told to wear the brace 16 hours/day and 23 hours/day. It is unclear why results were not reported in those same terms. Based on my experience with adolescents, I suspect it is due to difficulty achieving full compliance based on an aggressive wear schedule.
Failure in the study was defined by two criteria: One, it was determined that the subject required surgery. The recommendation for surgery should depend on a number of variables, but it is generally understood that scoliosis surgery is often recommended once curvatures measure 45º to 50º+. (I strongly disagree with this Cobb angle measurement as a starting point for surgical intervention, but that discussion is for another day). The second criteria for failure was a curve variation of 6º or more as measured when the patient was out of the brace versus in the brace. Study results also stated the younger the patient, the more important brace wear. Those findings make sense, of course, and are aligned with the purpose of spinal bracing in the first place: to halt curve progression during growth.
Currently, I have patients wearing the Boston Brace who are involved in a similar study. That study also uses heat sensors to measure brace wearing habits. It will be interesting to see the outcomes from that study versus the Texas Scottish Rite results. I am also curious to find out how Schroth patients compare to the general population in that study. It is my hypothesis that Schroth patients wearing the Boston Brace will do very well compared to the other participants. Stay tuned.
Posted in Bracing | Tagged adolescent scoliosis, Boston Brace, brace compliance, Schroth Method, scoliosis bracing
By Kathy on July 25, 2010
The debate regarding conservative care for scoliosis is intensifying. I sometimes wonder how scoliosis patients/parents can avoid being thoroughly confused. Many, understandably, don’t know who to believe or which way to turn. Others, depending on treatment experiences and outcomes, have wasted time and money trying various alternatives before discovering what works.
As an advocate for proactive treatment of scoliosis, this entire situation frustrates me. In some ways, I think it was almost easier nine years ago when we first became members of the scoliosis community. At that time, there was little information online. We got most of our information the old-fashioned way, textbooks, professional conferences, phone calls, and trips to consult with scoliosis experts and researchers. It took a little while, but thankfully, we ended up in the right place when we chose Schroth. Now, more than ever, patients are inundated with pop-up ads, sponsored links, braces that are the ‘new’ answer, and claims of “curing” scoliosis – everyone wants at you, while you just want answers.
As a result, we’ve created some suggestions to use when evaluating a Schroth scoliosis practitioner – and to some degree, other non-surgical scoliosis practitioners as well. It is posted under Scoliosis Information: Choosing a Conservative Care Scoliosis Practitioner. Hopefully, those considering non-surgical treatment for scoliosis can use this as a starting point.
Of course, we hope you will consider Scoliosis 3DC. Marc is always happy to talk to patients/parents over the phone. He actually prefers it and usually spends a signfiicant amount of time communicating prior to the first visit. If you are visiting Boston, or live in area, we invite you to come in and see what we are all about.
Finally, if those of you with personal experiences have any additional suggestions to share, please send them. That way, our list can evolve and hopefully serve as a comprehensive resource for those searching for scoliosis help in the future.
Posted in Conservative care, Conservative Care Practitioners | Tagged non-surgical scoliosis care, Schroth scoliosis practitioners, scoliosis practitioners
By Kathy on July 3, 2010
The Schroth Method is starting to gain some national attention. The newsrelease featuring Julia’s story, linked below, was picked up by USAToday.com
http://bit.ly/9gnKHv
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged adolescent scoliosis, idiopathic scoliosis, Mild scoliosis, moderate scoliosis, Schroth exercises, Schroth Method practitioner, Schroth Method results, Scoliosis Massachusetts, Scoliosis New Hampshire, scoliosis treatment, the Schroth method
By Marc on June 29, 2010
I shared this good news with my Schroth patients via email, but I am so encouraged I want to spread the word. Yesterday, I got another happy call from the father of a sixteen-year-old scoliosis patient who worked very hard in my office and at home. They had just received the results from x-rays taken only yesterday morning. Since learning Schroth last summer, J has reduced her right thoracic curve from 29º to 20º and her left lumbar curve from 37º to 21º.
Results like these truly re-invigorate me regarding Schroth and Scoliologic™. It is still hard for me to understand why more people do not try Schroth. Sadly, many are unaware, but others are simply skeptical. I understand the skepticism, but consider the traditional methods for treating scoliosis.
The results from J’s x-rays are even better than I had hoped since she is at bone maturity. She actually increased her height a bit and I attribute that to the scoliosis correction since her last x-rays in October.
To the doubters, yes she still has scoliosis, but I never promise reduction. Be careful if someone does! The primary goal of Schroth is to halt scoliotic curve progression with the possibility of reduction. A decrease from moderate scoliosis to mild, in a girl whose scoliosis progressed in both a hard and soft brace, shows that the Schroth alternative can work. My belief in the positive effects of Schroth is reinforced daily. J is a real success story. Check out the x-rays for yourself:
http://scoliosis3dc.com/scoliosis-treatment-programs/our-schroth-results/adolescent-case-study/
Call me if you have any questions. I am happy to speak with you. Remember, it is never too late to work on improving your spine!
Posted in Schroth Method | Tagged adolescent scoliosis, Schroth Method, scoliosis correction
By Kathy on June 19, 2010
At Scoliosis 3DC, more and more adolescents are seeking treatment and are the ones who have researched the alternative treatment options for scoliosis and asked their parents to initiate contact.
This week a sweet, 13-year-old from Texas came to Boston to learn Schroth. When I commended her mom on having the foresight to bring her mild-curved daughter, rather than follow the “wait and see” approach, she told me her daughter was the one to research and pursue the alternative treatment options for scoliosis in order to avoid bracing.
Similarly, Marc saw another adolescent from out of state this week who also did her own research. He described her as an intelligent and motivated fifteen-year-old, who, when faced with the threat of surgery, went to work to actively pursue options other than surgery for scoliosis treatment. Interestingly in her case, the scoliosis surgeon actually admitted to her, “If you were my daughter, I would not have you have the surgery.” Very refreshing honesty, and if you think about it, an essential question to ask your scoliosis surgeon – then look into his/her eyes and judge the response.
I love hearing about this type of scoliosis patient. Taking responsibility and learning how to manage scoliosis, at any age, adolescent or adult, is a valuable undertaking. The skills Schroth, Physiologic® and 3-D Made Easy™ impart can be applied daily while standing in a line, privately at home, and incorporated over the course of a lifetime. Patients report the time and resources invested as extremely worthwhile.
Posted in Mild scoliosis, Schroth Method | Tagged 3-D Made Easy™, adolescent scoliosis, alternative treatment for scoliosis, idiopathic scoliosis, Mild scoliosis, Physiologic®, Schroth Method, scoliosis
By Kathy on June 17, 2010
Last night we participated in a local wellness event at Elements – Therapeutic Massage, Andover. It was an opportunity to meet patients with chiropractic questions or with interest in Marc’s Schroth scoliosis program. He did screenings, preliminary examinations, some cold laser therapy, shared some of his German presentation, and we enjoyed meeting some really nice people.
One of my frustrations when trying to spread the word about the benefits of Schroth – and it happened again last night – is that people assume since Marc is a chiropractor he treats scoliosis via manipulation. Just to clarify: the Schroth Method has nothing to do with chiropractic manipulation.
This type of event provides the opportunity to make valuable connections with other holistic practitioners constantly seeking answers. The energy and enthusiasm regarding patient results when alternative practitioners converge is truly exhilarating. I enjoyed hearing about others’ experiences with scoliosis patients, as well as their other health related success stories. The naturopathic physician we met incorporates essential oils into her practice. She listened intently when I shared our family’s own experience with essential oils and scoliosis. The bottom line is this, when caring professionals collaborate for the good of the patient, everyone wins.
My good friend, Mary McAlary, of New Day One Life Nutrition, was there to share details of her nutritional counseling program. Mary has MS, but you’d never know it since she and I walk at least twenty miles weekly. She has turned her own life around via holistic eating and now helps others do the same – with incredible results. If scoliosis could be addressed nutritionally, Mary would have it figured out. She is a fabulous resource and I pick her brain constantly.
We also re-connected with old friend Cindy Mattingly, an OT. Cindy utilizes craniosacral therapy. We are eager to work with her to pursue its potential as a beneficial adjunct to Schroth. Stay tuned.
Thank you to Cheryl Arbia of Elements, Andover for inviting us to participate. We are now motivated to plan a future event like this in our Woburn office.
Posted in Scoliosis, general | Tagged chiropractic, Schroth Method, scoliosis
The German 3-D Approach for Scoliosis Management, Now in the US