Some approaches to the treatment of scoliosis can be invasive and forceful. As a result, they may come with a significant potential risk. Even a back brace is designed to force the spine back into a particular shape. In my experience with the treatment of dozens of scoliosis cases I have seen where 23-hour-a-day back braces have led to muscle weakness and in one case a 15 degree increase in the curvature. Other cases have been quite helpful.
A 45 year old woman with an s-shaped scoliosis
In contrast, the primary chiropractic method I use avoids putting force into the “stuck” and “sore” areas and instead has ways to detect the locations in the spine that invite me to apply very gentle thumb pressures that trigger a response in the spine allowing it to make its own corrections. Please see my article on this site called “Gentle Chiropractic Treatment” for more details.
Experience and Safety: While I can’t guarantee results or that no injury will occur I can say that I have treated dozens of serious scoliosis cases and have never had anyone complain that I had hurt them.
In the USA several of my patients had also been seen by a Board Certified Orthopeadic Surgeon Dr. Jere Sutton. He took the time to watch what I did, receive treatment from me himself and ask several of my patients about their experiences. He stated: “This type of treatment could be used on anybody, anyplace with no harm. It is very safe.”
All the x-rays shown here and in the following articles are of Dr Judy or my patients.
My Goal in cases of scoliosis and other conditions is to reduce pain and improve overall performance by focusing on the enhancement of nerve function. We have put a great deal of study and effort into learning how to do this effectively. The method I use is so gentle and usually gives such a rapid experience of ease and deep relaxation that many patients say how much they look forward to each session. I recently had a patient with a reasonably severe s-shaped scoliosis tell me how frustrated and miserable she was with constant high levels of pain and disability. She could not clean her house or do many other daily tasks that people take for granted. She had to miss out on family activities due to her limitations. At her very first visit I was able to show her what her body could do to improve itself with just a few gentle touches that she began to sob with relief. She knew right then that she could improve.
In my opinion this approach is likely one of the safest and most effective ways to limit and sometimes even reduce the abnormal curve. It is safe because it works by stimulating the body to make that correction itself. Dr. Robert Blanks, professor of the Department of Neurobiology at Irvine College of Medicine, told me personally that this method “develops a strategy of self-correction that is incredibly consistent.” Dr Blanks was a primary author of a study of this method called Network Spinal Analysis with over 2800 patients that found significant improvement in many aspects of health.1
While my methods are not 100% risk-free, I can state that after assisting dozens of scoliosis patients, none have reported any injury and all have benefited to some extent. Most have been very pleased with the long-term positive results which include decreased pain along with increased mobility, flexibility, strength and quality of life.
Long Term Improvement usually results from the treatment I offer. It typically needs regular visits 2 to 3 times per week at first but as the body learns to respond more strongly the frequency of visits can be reduced while the improvements are still maintained. Individual results vary depending on age and the severity of the scoliosis. For example, some of my patients have had kyphosis on top of scoliosis. Others have significant vertebral rotation along with the lateral curves of the scoliosis.
Are you Ready, Willing and Able To Take One New Step Forward In Your Search To Find Out If Your Pain Can Be Reduced?
I am aware that it is possible your medical doctor may provide you with good reasons that show your case of scoliosis is too urgent and does not allow the time to explore other options such as this one. However, if that is not the situation, then you probably have nothing to lose but your pain and much to gain such as improved endurance, flexibility and mobility by receiving my initial evaluation.
I provide an initial two-visit evaluation that also includes treatment on both visits. See the article on this site called “Gentle Chiropractic Treatment” that explains how this treatment is performed with the touch of a finger. It also helps to explain how and why this method works so effectively for this kind of problem. The best way for me to know if we are going to be able to help you and how long it might take is for you to do the initial two-visit evaluation and treatments. I invite you to call our office or email us if you have any further questions.
Jason Barritt, B.Sc. (Hons), D.C.
(1) Blanks, R.H. Shuster, T.L., Dobson, M.A., Retrospective Assessment of Network Care Using a Survey of Self-Related Health, Wellness and Quality of life, Journal Of Vertebral Subluxation Research, 1997, Vol. 1, No. 4, p15-31.
(2) Goss, Charles Mayo. Gray’s Anatomy 27th Edition, Lea and Febiger, 1965.
To promote a better understanding of the connection between optimal health and optimal quality of life. We know that health is so much more than just the absence of pain. Therefore we strive to have our patients reach their fullest innate potential and to achieve this through teamwork, excellent patient care, education and outreach.
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