May 2005

Scoliosis Systems and SpineCorporation partner on chiropractic management of scoliosis

by Dr. Marc J. Lamantia

Idiopathic scoliosis strikes nearly 1 million Americans every year; 93% are girls between the ages of 12 and 16. In the United States, the incidence of scoliosis is between 1.9% and 3.0% of the population (Albanese 2002).

Approximately 30% of all scoliosis cases will reach the surgical threshold. For the remaining patients, truncal orthosis (bracing) is recommended if the curvature exceeds 25 degrees. Curvatures less than 25 degrees are given no options at all. The current medical management in the U.S. has been virtually unchanged in modern times.

The European community has made far greater advances in the non‑surgical management of scoliosis.

In Europe, the initial referral may be made to an orthopedic practitioner, not a surgeon. The practitioner offers non‑surgical interventions such as exercise, postural re‑education, physiotherapy, chiropractic and psychological counseling.

The European medical community has accepted non‑surgical interventions as the treatment of choice for scoliosis. The Schroth Clinic in Germany is the largest non‑surgical treatment facility in the World. Dr. Rudolph Weiss, Clinic Chief of staff, accepts 200 new cases every six weeks.

The in‑patient program has successfully reduced scoliotic curvatures for the past 40 years. He and others have published significant research to support non‑surgical correction of scoliosis.

Last January marked the inaugural meeting of the "International Society for the Conservative Management of Spinal Deformities," in Barcelona.

Dr. Gary Deutchman and I were invited to present our findings involving the SpineCor Device for scoliosis, and its effect on brainstem control of eye movements. We met and interacted with doctors from all over Europe interested in non‑surgical care for scoliosis. Our presence as chiropractors was outweighed only by our distinction as the only doctors of any kind from the United States.

We were successful in conducting a round table discussion on chiropractors becoming the non‑surgical provider of choice for scoliosis in the United States.

All agreed that the chiropractic community has a precious opportunity to gain a position of influence with the public on the issue of non‑surgical treatment. The consensus within our profession is that we accept scoliosis cases, recommend spinal manipulation or adjustments, specific exercises and adjunct therapy (Feise RJ 2000).

Our challenges include the need for advanced training in technique and neuro‑diagnostics, as well as the acceptance of some form of truncal orthosis.

The Conference also included the presentation of the SpineCor corrective device for scoliosis. SpineCor, made by The SpineCorporation UK, is an alternative orthotic treatment that uses a "Corrective Movement" in a three‑dimensional configuration designed to reinforce neuro‑muscular re‑education of posture and movement.

The device is a three‑part modular system which provides corrective forces without restricting normal movement of the spine and ribcage. SpineCor has been shown in clinical studies to be as effective as any orthotic (hard bracing) treatment, but without the muscle atrophy, bone loss, psychological distress, or the "flat back" deformity associated with hard bracing. One published study reviewed 765 children with idiopathic scoliosis. Improvement of the Cobb angle measurement was 57%, with another 32% avoiding progression.

The Spinecorporation LTD and Scoliosis Systems have partnered to provide training for chiropractors in the United States to become the non‑surgical provider of the SpineCor device. Scoliosis Systems offers post graduate courses in vestibular rehabilitation and advanced techniques in scoliosis spinal rehabilitation.

For more information about seminar dates and registration, visit www.scoliosissystems.com or contact New York Chiropractic College at www.NYCC.edu.

(Marc J. Lamantia, DC, DACNB, is co‑founder of Scoliosis Systems, and a member of Scoliosis Care Foundation‑Science Advisory, New York Chiropractic Council Member, professional member of the Brain Injury Association, Vestibular Disorders Association and founder and president of Discover Treatments LLC.)