Frequently Asked Questions
How long will I require scoliosis treatment?Treatment duration depends on the diagnosis and severity of the scoliosis but may last anywhere from 3 to 6 months.
Will Scoliosis treatment improve my balance?Yes. Correcting scoliosis begins with correcting the cervical (neck) part of the spine by restoring the normal curvature of the neck. In most scoliosis cases there is loss of curve or reverse curve in the neck. When normal curvature and structure are restored in this area, the brain is able to communicate more effectively to the rest of the body. As a result, balance and coordination are improved.
The severity of scoliosis is understood by measuring the amount of abnormal curve in the spine. This measurement is referred to as the Cobb Angle Measurement. We find the angle measurement by drawing lines across specific areas of the x-ray and evaluate the curves. First we identify the first and last vertebras associated with the curve. A line is then drawn across the top, or superior, plate of the first vertebra in the curve, and a second line is drawn across the bottom, or inferior, plate of the last vertebra in the curve. Measuring the angle between the two lines gives the reading known as the Cobb Angle Measurement.
What is a Scoliometer?Scoliometer is a proprietary name for a device used to measure the amount of curvature in a person’s spine.
Will my scoliosis get worse as I age? Whether scoliosis develops earlier in life (Type A) or in adulthood (Type B), it will most likely progress; the only question is how fast. Additional studies have shown that as the Cobb angle increases, the amount of chronic pain increases, and range of motion and quality of life decreases.
Can you help people with severe scoliosis?
Although reductions in Cobb angles over 100 degrees have been achieved, reversing the course of any disease in its advanced stages is always more difficult. While stabilizing and correcting a 20° Cobb angle may take a month or two; correcting a 40°Cobb angle completely could take a year, or longer. As the Cobb angle increases, the time & effort required increases exponentially.
Although scoliosis is commonly associated with pain, even in people without pain, the function of the heart & lungs is compromised. According to the National Scoliosis Foundation, scoliosis is associated with reduced life expectancy. On the average, people with scoliosis suffer a 14-year reduction in their life expectancy due to the strain upon the heart & the reduced amount of oxygen supplied to the body. Scoliosis is also associated with headaches, shortness of breath, digestive problems, chronic disease, and hip, knee, & leg pain.
The CLEAR Institute methodology of Scoliosis treatment does not rely on bracing. Research indicates that both rigid bracing and soft bracing have been shown to be ineffective in preventing the progression of scoliosis. A study published in the American Journal of Orthopedics found 60% of patients surveyed felt that bracing had handicapped their lives, and 14% felt it left a psychological scar.
Am I too old to obtain scoliosis treatment?
No. The Clear institute has recorded results with an 82 year old patient. |
