Scoliosis Specialists

Treatment Principles-Adult Scoliosis should be cared for by a physician or chiropractor. Due to the nature of the adult spine, treatment should be based on a comprehensive evaluation which should include an Orthopedic/Neurological examination, recent upright X-rays and functional assessment exams. The Spinecor Adult Brace can be used to create spinal translation designed to de-weight the adult spine. However, chronic inflammatory condtions, arthritis, stenosis, and spondylosis must also be carefully considered when applying the orthosis. Principles of neuro-muscular-reeducation are employed to reduce chronic pain cycles, and improve muscle memory in postural restoration.

Treatment Objectives- Adult Scoliosis treatment is designed to improve activities of daily living (ADLs) and to provide pain relief. Curvature reduction through improved postural stability may also be a considered objective. Changes in bone shape are not realistic in the adult spine.

Treatment Outcomes-Patient satisfaction surveys confirm adult patients Strongly Recommend our program to other adults with Scoliosis.

Treatment Protocols-The Adult Spinecor brace wearing schedule varies depending upon the patients co-morbid conditions and treatment objectives. Typical wearing schedules are day time only to tolerance. Fatigue may limit brace use in the first few months of treatment, however the majority of adults find they can build up to full time wearing within the first 3 months. Patients with chronic active pain syndromes are typically fitted in an Adult configuration designed to de-weight the spine and reduce pain. Changes in brace configuration are based upon clinical measures specific to each patient. Brace fittings designed to restrict and re-educate movement patterns are typically used initially in patients without pain. Patients are typically under care for 24 months, however, some patients continue to be care for and monitored for many years when degeneration and spinal instability are an issue.

Indications- The Spinecor Adult Scoliosis is indicated for Adults with De-Novo (adult onset) Scoliosis, and Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis in Adulthood. Patients who are suffering due to pain, fatigue or weakness as a result of scoliosis are typically considered candidates for bracing. Indications also include those patients interested in improving the cosmetic appearance of their waist angles and ribcage. Patients with respiratory conditions secondary to Scoliosis may also be considered for treatment if there is no significant reduction in vital capacity or blood oxygen levels with the brace properly fitted.

Contraindications- Patients with severe stenosis resulting in neurological deficit may not respond well to Adult Scoliosis Bracing. There are contraindications for patients with recent pathological fracture or unstable spondylolysthesis with neurological deficit. Patients may also be refused treatment if expected outcomes are not reasonably possible

Adult scoliosis management differs from adolescent treatments due to the long standing nature of the problem. This leads to dysfunction of the motion segments in the spine and degeneration in the ligaments, which perpetuates the arthritic changes that may occur. Although not the goal, adults can achieve curvature reduction despite reaching maximal bone maturity. Adult patients can also respond well with a program that may include postural retraining, strengthening exercises, and chiropractic care.

Scoliosis in adults is typically the result of either having the disease as a child which has progressed to adulthood, or from the degenerative processes of abnormal aging. The scoliosis can be of any classification ( lumbar, thoracic, thoracolumbar, etc) and can result in chronic pain, leg discomfort, digestive, and lung complications.

Options for adults with scoliosis are somewhat limited. Bracing is a good way to manage scoliosis in an adult who has moderate to severe problems. Along with specific therapy and exercise the brace will offer the adult support, and increased opportunity to halt progression of the curve. It must be stated that adult scoliosis is rarely reversible. The goal through adult bracing is instead to decrease chronic pain and allow a way for the adult to regain a comfortable lifestyle.

The new SpineCor Pain Relief Back Brace is a neuro-muscular-skeletal rehabilitation tool for treating abnormal spinal loading and abnormal posture; it is not a simple back support brace.

Modes of action:

• Corrective movements gently guide the posture and spinal alignment in an optimal direction.

• The elastic corrective bands act to resist the body’s movement back to the abnormal position.

• This constant “correction, relaxation, correction, relaxation” is in reality a corrective postural exercise.

• The brace is able to put a patient’s body through 10’s of 1000’s of repetitions per day instead of the10-50 repetitions that are typical with other rehabilitation techniques.

• It creates dynamic spinal offloading and neuromuscular rehabilitation with the ultimate goal of neuromuscular integration.

The Musculoskeletal Affects of Abnormal Posture and Spinal Alignment:

• Scoliosis and other spinal conditions can affect the “balance” of body posture and spinal alignment.

• A loss of normal spinal balance creates abnormal loading on the vertebra, discs, ligaments, joints, tendons, muscles and nerves.

• Over a relatively short period of time, abnormal loads on the body tissues alter their functions.

• Over a long enough period of time the structure of body tissues will change in response to the abnormal loading further compromising function.

• These changes can damage the body .i.e. facet joint arthrosis, disc degeneration, nerve root irritation, spinal stenosis, all of which lead to pain.

• Promoting a change in the balance of the posture and the spine can help to correct the abnormal loading.

  In 2005, Dr. Brian Ouellette, President of Scoliosis Specialists, started playing with the idea of a new scoliosis adult pelvic short for The Spinecor Brace.  One of Dr. Ouellette’s partners Dr. Lisa Tabick would wear the prototypes for hours at a time and give feedback for our engineers to make changes. We had difficulty with the comfort, wearability and materials. We needed an expert in braces and materials. We contacted the President of The Spine Corporation, Andrew Mills. Andrew was the expert we needed to help complete the design of the New Spinecor Adult Scoliosis Brace.

   After 2 years of trials and research we believe the New Adult Brace is ready to be launched. All of our hard work has paid off. As of April, 2009 the adult brace is being used in many countries throughout the World.

   Experience is the key factor in achieving a positive result. I recommend bracing with Doctors who have been using the new Adult Brace for years.

   I would like to thank one of the partners of Scoliosis Specialists, Dr. Tom Pappas out of Chicago, IL for his role in the development of the new adult brace. Dr. Pappas has been giving us his case studies as well as pre and post x-rays. This research enabled us to expedite the release of the adult brace to the World.

   Scoliosis Specialists has certified bracing centers all over the United States. All of these centers have the experience necessary to use the adult brace. You can find a certified center by going to www.scoliosisspecialists.com and clicking “contact us”.

   Scoliosis Specialists is continuing its research and development in the fight against Adult Scoliosis. For more information please call (877) 297-0901.