By Dr. Lisa Tabick Cattarulla, Scoliosis Specialists

Scoliosis is an insidious, progressive disease affecting nearly 12 million peole worldwide.  Characterized by an unhealthy and dangerous lateral curvature of the spine, Scoliosis, when left untreated can be expected to quickly degrade leading to visible deformity, respiratory and cardiac complications, digestive problems, and debilitating pain.

Given the tendency of an unhealthy curve to worsen over time, effective Scoliosis treatment demands immediate intervention by a Scoliosis Specialist.  While many doctors and even parents pursue a passive "Let's wait and see” approach that can be extremely dangerous and have negative long-term consequences for the scoliosis patient. Yet early detection and chiropractic treatment alone are simply not enough to produce optimal long-term outcomes.

Upon diagnosis it is critical that the practitioner immediately refer patients with riser’s signs between 0-3 to Scoliosis Specialists.  With bracing centers throughout the United States, Scoliosis Specialists are trained and certified to brace patients using the patented SpineCor Bracing System.  Once braced, the patient will be referred back to their original doctor for ongoing treatment.  It has been shown that optimal patient outcomes result from a combination of SpineCor bracing with ongoing chiropractic care, spinal rehabilitation, and regularly scheduled follow-up visits with Scoliosis Specialists.   All regular chiropractic care and spinal rehabilitation will be more effective when done in combination with bracing completed by Scoliosis Specialists.

The SpineCor Brace is central to the successful treatment of scoliosis due to its unique, flexible design: unlike traditional rigid braces or yore, the SpineCor Brace is designed to allow the patient total freedom of movement.  This flexibility is especially important in adolescents, as it allows for proprioceptive input to the brain and the strengthening of muscles through normal activity.   Traditional rigid braces cause harmful muscular atrophy, and as a result they are no longer considered to be the most effective treatment for many scoliosis patients.

Children braced by Scoliosis Specialists are encouraged to participate in all regular physical activities while wearing the brace.  And because this is the only brace that can be worn easily and virtually unnoticeably under clothing, adolescents comfortably wear their brace to school on a daily basis, as well as underneath their athletic, dance, or cheer uniforms.  This wear-ability is of benefit in that it greatly increases compliance during the socially sensitive adolescent years.  As we know, increased compliance when combined with regular treatment leads to optimal outcomes, and can help the patient avoid further negative health consequences as they age.

We now know that the unhealthy scoliosis in an adolescent can be reduced, stabilized, and even completely reversed through a combination of early detection, immediate referral to Scoliosis Specialists, and regular ongoing chiropractic care.

To consult with Scoliosis Specialists at a certified SpineCor Bracing Center near you, visit http://www.scoliosisspecialists.com/.