Just got done with a LIVE (yikes!) interview on Fox 43 morning news and I'm thrilled they were so generous with the coverage of a traditionally under reported condition like scoliosis. Here is the link to the 3 min. interview.
http://www.fox43.com/videobeta/74368618-469f-4ef6-aaf9-0c3e1e33461c/News/6-23-SCOLIOSIS-HELP
Thanks for your support and PLEASE help us, help others by copying and pasting the link to this artilce on all of your Facebook and Twitter accounts. Posting it on blogs, forums, and other online outlets is also a wonderful way to help our message go "viral" and create awareness about scoliosis and it's treatment.
Thank you.
Best in health,
Clayton J. Stitzel DC
Friday, June 24, 2011
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Friday, June 3, 2011
Chiropractic treatment for scoliosis
Does Traditional Chiropractic Help Scoliosis?
In 1997, Dr. Charles Lance of "The Chiropractic Foundation for Research" conducted a 3 year study to study the effect of traditional chiropractic spinal adjustments, heel lifts, and postural counsiling on mild scoliosis (scoliosis less than 20 degrees). Of the 150 children whom started the study, only 40 completed the entire 3 years and the average reduction of the scoliosis spine curve was only 1.4 degrees. Given the fact that the study cost over $143,000, the financial costs of $10,241 per degree is unacceptable and unaffordable.
Fresh all the heels of this studies completion, the scoliosis researchers and clinicians at the CLEAR Institute began work on a finding a better way to treat scoliosis.
In 2004, the CLEAR Institute held it's first seminar at Parker College of Chiropractic and unveiled the Scoliosis Traction Chair for the first time. This innovative scoliosis treatment methodology focuses on treating scoliosis primarily like a neurological condition that develops a spinal curvature as it's primary symptom, which is an evolutionary step forward in terms of scoliosis treatment philosophy.
Since that time, the CLEAR Institute has continued to innovate, discover, and improve the scoliosis treatment process and application. Today, most adolsecent idiopathic scoliosis patients are able to reduce their spinal curvatures by 30%-50% on average and maintain their spinal health/quality of life through out adulthood.
Source: http://www.squidoo.com/scoliscoreScoliscore and CLEAR Institute Chiropractic Scoliosis Treatment
On March 6, 2010 the leadership team of the CLEAR Institute met with the Scoliscore leadership team at the Axial Bio-Tech labs in Salt Lake City, Utah to explore how genetic testing combined with environmental influence reduction could improve scoliosis treatment. The result was the development of an entirely new scoliosis treatment paradigm in which genetic testing would determine the most appropriate course of treatment and early stage scoliosis intervention could eliminate the need for scoliosis brace treatment and scoliosis surgery in virtually all adolscent idiopathic scoliosis cases.
Genetic Pre-Disposition + Environmental Influences = Idiopathic Scoliosis
Anybody with even the most basic understanding of algebra can tell you that a problem with 2 unknown variables can not be solved, therefore the multi-factorial nature (genetics and environment) of each patient's case made treatment recommendations very difficult, uncertain, and inaccurate. This means doctors often over or under treated scoliosis patients and had very poor scoliosis treatment success rates. However, having the ability to accuately determine the patient's genetic pre-disposition allows doctors to select the most appropriate level of treatment invasiveness and re-evaluation time frames.
In 1997, Dr. Charles Lance of "The Chiropractic Foundation for Research" conducted a 3 year study to study the effect of traditional chiropractic spinal adjustments, heel lifts, and postural counsiling on mild scoliosis (scoliosis less than 20 degrees). Of the 150 children whom started the study, only 40 completed the entire 3 years and the average reduction of the scoliosis spine curve was only 1.4 degrees. Given the fact that the study cost over $143,000, the financial costs of $10,241 per degree is unacceptable and unaffordable.
Fresh all the heels of this studies completion, the scoliosis researchers and clinicians at the CLEAR Institute began work on a finding a better way to treat scoliosis.
In 2004, the CLEAR Institute held it's first seminar at Parker College of Chiropractic and unveiled the Scoliosis Traction Chair for the first time. This innovative scoliosis treatment methodology focuses on treating scoliosis primarily like a neurological condition that develops a spinal curvature as it's primary symptom, which is an evolutionary step forward in terms of scoliosis treatment philosophy.
Since that time, the CLEAR Institute has continued to innovate, discover, and improve the scoliosis treatment process and application. Today, most adolsecent idiopathic scoliosis patients are able to reduce their spinal curvatures by 30%-50% on average and maintain their spinal health/quality of life through out adulthood.
Source: http://www.squidoo.com/scoliscoreScoliscore and CLEAR Institute Chiropractic Scoliosis Treatment
On March 6, 2010 the leadership team of the CLEAR Institute met with the Scoliscore leadership team at the Axial Bio-Tech labs in Salt Lake City, Utah to explore how genetic testing combined with environmental influence reduction could improve scoliosis treatment. The result was the development of an entirely new scoliosis treatment paradigm in which genetic testing would determine the most appropriate course of treatment and early stage scoliosis intervention could eliminate the need for scoliosis brace treatment and scoliosis surgery in virtually all adolscent idiopathic scoliosis cases.
Genetic Pre-Disposition + Environmental Influences = Idiopathic Scoliosis
Anybody with even the most basic understanding of algebra can tell you that a problem with 2 unknown variables can not be solved, therefore the multi-factorial nature (genetics and environment) of each patient's case made treatment recommendations very difficult, uncertain, and inaccurate. This means doctors often over or under treated scoliosis patients and had very poor scoliosis treatment success rates. However, having the ability to accuately determine the patient's genetic pre-disposition allows doctors to select the most appropriate level of treatment invasiveness and re-evaluation time frames.
"At Home" Scoliosis Treatment Tips....
Scoliosis 101 - Scoliosis is a mulit-factorial condition
Idiopathic Scoliosis is a multi-factorial condition with both environmental influences and genetic pre-disposition. While the new Scoliscore test can determine genetic pre-disposition for idiopathic scoliosis, we can not currently alter the genetics at this point; however there are many new and exciting ways of reducing and eliminating the environmental influences that actually drive the spinal curvature progression.
Environmental Influences of Idiopathic Scoliosis
The environmental influences that cause the scoliosis spine progression are poorly understood and even more poorly researched, but piecing together the data we do have available it appears the environmental influences fall into one of three broad categories. NOTE: None of these categories are mutual exclusive to each other and each category influences and interacts with the other categories to varying degrees in each scoliosis case.
•Bio-Mechanical
•Bio-Chemical
•Activity Related
Based on these three categories I have created a list of "10 scoliosis treatment tips"
Not "Scoliosis Friendly"
Source: FixScoliosis.com10 Scoliosis Treatment Tips
1. Beware of back bends in gymnastics and ballet.
Why: Circumstantial evidence has determined that activities that cause a “flattening” or hyper-extension of the mid back may cause progression in scoliosis curves.
2. Clean your shower heads at least 1 time per month.
Why: The mycobacterium that grows inside the showerhead between uses can lead to chronic mycobacterium infection and drive up osteopontin levels.
3. No fish tanks in the house.
Why: Prolonged standing water (similar to the water inside the showerhead) can lead to chronic mycobacterium infection, which can increase osteopontin levels.
4. Don’t sleep on your stomach.
Why: Sleeping on one’s stomach has multiple negative aspects (including lower and mid back pain), but more importantly for scoliosis patients it forces the normal spine position out of the side view dimension and into the abnormal scoliosis curve.
5. Take 200 micro grams of Selenium a day (L-selenomethionine to be exact)
Why: Selenium is a naturally occurring mineral and is known to drive down excessively high levels of a cytokine called “osteopontin” which drives bone remodeling and has been found in excessively high levels in patients with severe scoliosis. In addition, a 2007 published study found Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis patients were frequently selenium deficient.
Note: Take with food for people with sensitive stomachs.
6. Avoid slumped postures when sitting at the computer and texting.
Why: Scoliosis already causes an abnormal loading of the spine and poor postural habits only serve to increase the abnormal bio-mechanical stress on an already compromised spine.
7. Reduce backpack weight to less than 10% of the patient’s body weight.
Why: Abnormal weighting of the scoliosis compromised spine may lead to curve progression. Most schools will readily provide an extra set of text books, so the student can keep a set at home and at school eliminating the need for transferring the books.
8. Distribute backpack weight evenly.
Why: Asymmetrical loading of the spine with a back pack causes abnormal loading of the spinal curvature and could cause curve progression.
9. Back yard trampolines are a no, no.
Why: The compressive nature of the patient’s body weight multiplied by the number of times they bounce up and down in short period of time may lead to a rapid advancement of the spine curvature referred to as “postural collapse”.
10. Avoid high heel shoes.
Wearing high heel shoes can cause excessive lumbar lordosis (the normal side view curve), which is correlated with progressive scoliosis.
Idiopathic Scoliosis is a multi-factorial condition with both environmental influences and genetic pre-disposition. While the new Scoliscore test can determine genetic pre-disposition for idiopathic scoliosis, we can not currently alter the genetics at this point; however there are many new and exciting ways of reducing and eliminating the environmental influences that actually drive the spinal curvature progression.
Environmental Influences of Idiopathic Scoliosis
The environmental influences that cause the scoliosis spine progression are poorly understood and even more poorly researched, but piecing together the data we do have available it appears the environmental influences fall into one of three broad categories. NOTE: None of these categories are mutual exclusive to each other and each category influences and interacts with the other categories to varying degrees in each scoliosis case.
•Bio-Mechanical
•Bio-Chemical
•Activity Related
Based on these three categories I have created a list of "10 scoliosis treatment tips"
Not "Scoliosis Friendly"
Source: FixScoliosis.com10 Scoliosis Treatment Tips
1. Beware of back bends in gymnastics and ballet.
Why: Circumstantial evidence has determined that activities that cause a “flattening” or hyper-extension of the mid back may cause progression in scoliosis curves.
2. Clean your shower heads at least 1 time per month.
Why: The mycobacterium that grows inside the showerhead between uses can lead to chronic mycobacterium infection and drive up osteopontin levels.
3. No fish tanks in the house.
Why: Prolonged standing water (similar to the water inside the showerhead) can lead to chronic mycobacterium infection, which can increase osteopontin levels.
4. Don’t sleep on your stomach.
Why: Sleeping on one’s stomach has multiple negative aspects (including lower and mid back pain), but more importantly for scoliosis patients it forces the normal spine position out of the side view dimension and into the abnormal scoliosis curve.
5. Take 200 micro grams of Selenium a day (L-selenomethionine to be exact)
Why: Selenium is a naturally occurring mineral and is known to drive down excessively high levels of a cytokine called “osteopontin” which drives bone remodeling and has been found in excessively high levels in patients with severe scoliosis. In addition, a 2007 published study found Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis patients were frequently selenium deficient.
Note: Take with food for people with sensitive stomachs.
6. Avoid slumped postures when sitting at the computer and texting.
Why: Scoliosis already causes an abnormal loading of the spine and poor postural habits only serve to increase the abnormal bio-mechanical stress on an already compromised spine.
7. Reduce backpack weight to less than 10% of the patient’s body weight.
Why: Abnormal weighting of the scoliosis compromised spine may lead to curve progression. Most schools will readily provide an extra set of text books, so the student can keep a set at home and at school eliminating the need for transferring the books.
8. Distribute backpack weight evenly.
Why: Asymmetrical loading of the spine with a back pack causes abnormal loading of the spinal curvature and could cause curve progression.
9. Back yard trampolines are a no, no.
Why: The compressive nature of the patient’s body weight multiplied by the number of times they bounce up and down in short period of time may lead to a rapid advancement of the spine curvature referred to as “postural collapse”.
10. Avoid high heel shoes.
Wearing high heel shoes can cause excessive lumbar lordosis (the normal side view curve), which is correlated with progressive scoliosis.
New ideas in scoliosis treatment
New ideas are almost never readily accepted....even when they are good ideas. Many times new ideas are met with skepticism (understandably) and rejection, simply because it challenges the current conventional wisdom. The general public aren't the only ones whom are prone to this "knee jerk" type reaction to new ideas. Many established "experts" in the field are quick to condemn new ideas without investigation and generally their condemnation is based off a "That isn't the way we do things around here" [protecting their status quo] or "It wasn't invented here" [protecting their egos] perspective. Most will hide behind the "evidence based medicine" (which, as a note of reference, I fully support) excuse, until it is undeniably pointed out that scoliosis brace treatment and scoliosis surgeryhave no evidence based medicine basis either, but that doesn't stop them from recommending it to patients despite their extreme invasiveness and poor long-term outcomes.
None-the-less, many people feel the need to look for the negative attributes in new ideas and the CLEAR Institute Scoliosis Treatmenthas not been immune to this type of criticism, so I have written this hubpage to address 8 of the most common "CLEAR Institute complaints" that I have come across thus far. I'm sure more will be added to the list in time.
1.No two scoliosis cases are the same.
2.Are the results long lasting?
3.Is CLEAR Institute Scoliosis Treatment cost effective?
4.Is there any CLEAR Institute Scoliosis Treatment research?
5.Improving CLEAR Institute technology yeilds continually better results.
6.Patient compliance with the home rehabilitation program is MANDATORY.
7.Late stage (severe) scoliosis intervention.
8.Realistic scoliosis treatment expectations.
None-the-less, many people feel the need to look for the negative attributes in new ideas and the CLEAR Institute Scoliosis Treatmenthas not been immune to this type of criticism, so I have written this hubpage to address 8 of the most common "CLEAR Institute complaints" that I have come across thus far. I'm sure more will be added to the list in time.
1.No two scoliosis cases are the same.
2.Are the results long lasting?
3.Is CLEAR Institute Scoliosis Treatment cost effective?
4.Is there any CLEAR Institute Scoliosis Treatment research?
5.Improving CLEAR Institute technology yeilds continually better results.
6.Patient compliance with the home rehabilitation program is MANDATORY.
7.Late stage (severe) scoliosis intervention.
8.Realistic scoliosis treatment expectations.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Additional "Idiopathic Scoliosis" Related Hubpages and Squidoo Lens
http://hubpages.com/hub/Spinal-bracing-for-Adolescent-Idiopathic-Scoliosis-has-NO-effect-on-Adolescent-Idiopathic-Scoliosis
http://hubpages.com/hub/Idiopathic-Scoliosis-Treatment
http://hubpages.com/hub/Scoliosis-treatment-in-30-minutes-a-day
http://hubpages.com/hub/Scoliosis-Treatment-Chiropractic
http://hubpages.com/hub/yogaandscoliosis
http://hubpages.com/hub/Scoliosis-Treatment-Tips?done
http://hubpages.com/hub/Scoliosis-Surgery-Is-NOT-Inevitable
http://www.squidoo.com/treating-scoliosis-with-chiropractic
http://www.squidoo.com/clear-institute-method-for-scoliosis-treatment
http://www.squidoo.com/yoga-for-scoliosis
http://www.squidoo.com/scoliosis-nutrition
http://www.squidoo.com/scoliosis-exercise
http://www.squidoo.com/scoliosis-bootcamp
http://hubpages.com/hub/Idiopathic-Scoliosis-Treatment
http://hubpages.com/hub/Scoliosis-treatment-in-30-minutes-a-day
http://hubpages.com/hub/Scoliosis-Treatment-Chiropractic
http://hubpages.com/hub/yogaandscoliosis
http://hubpages.com/hub/Scoliosis-Treatment-Tips?done
http://hubpages.com/hub/Scoliosis-Surgery-Is-NOT-Inevitable
http://www.squidoo.com/treating-scoliosis-with-chiropractic
http://www.squidoo.com/clear-institute-method-for-scoliosis-treatment
http://www.squidoo.com/yoga-for-scoliosis
http://www.squidoo.com/scoliosis-nutrition
http://www.squidoo.com/scoliosis-exercise
http://www.squidoo.com/scoliosis-bootcamp
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