Scoliosis Specialists

Treatment Principles:

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.

SpineCor’s unique treatment approach offers improvement over traditional braces, which are essentially static or allow minimal movement, due to its true totally dynamic action. Fundamental research by independent research groups now indicates that a significant dynamic action is required on the spine (vertebral growth plates) to alter the abnormal growth progressing the deformity in scoliosis patients.

The SpineCor treatment approach is completely different to that of traditional braces that use 3-point pressure and distraction; it is the first and only true dynamic bracing system for idiopathic scoliosis. SpineCor’s unique approach to treatment by global postural re-education has been shown to give progressive correction over time which, unlike any previous brace treatment, is extremely stable post brace weaning.

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 SpineCor bracing method is an adjustable, non-invasive technique that provides flexible, inconspicuous correction that continues as a child moves and grows.  The goal of the dynamic brace is to maintain and improve spinal deformity while re-educating the body to return to a more normal posture.

  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.