The CLEAR Institute
I talked a little about Neal's scoliosis in an earlier post, and I wanted to share some videos about scoliosis and the treatment he will be starting soon. The first video talks a little about what scoliosis is and then both videos show the tools and processes they use during treatment. Since Neal's scoliosis is over a 40 degree curve, it is categorized as "severe scoliosis." He is going to a clinic called the CLEAR Institute. There are about 10 certified CLEAR chiropractors who offer the intensive care program in the country. Neal will be in St. Cloud, Minnesota working with Dr. Dennis Woggon, the founder of the CLEAR method. He starts the two week program on Wednesday. He is required to purchase a "scoliosis traction chair," which it shows in the videos, to have at home so he can work on an "at home rehabilitation" program. For the first 6 months at home, he will need to do about 2 1/2 hours of at home rehabilitation a day. This includes using the traction chair, performing a recommended exercise routine, and working with special weights. These two weeks and then the hours of at home rehabilitation is a huge time commitment but we think the trade off will be worth it.
People with a curvature over 40 degrees are advised to pursue spinal rod fusion scoliosis surgery to correct their curve. Here are some fun facts about scoliosis surgery:
"The average curvature before the surgery was 71 degrees and was only reduced to 44 degrees after the surgery."
(44 degree's is still considered severe scoliosis!)
"The surgical procedure simply transforms the spinal deformity into a permanent spinal dysfunction that often results in chronic pain, disfigurement, and even long-term disability."
"The surgical procedure leaves up to 40% of the patients who get it severely handicapped within 17 years."
So far, the CLEAR method has had a better curve improvement record than surgery or brace wearing. (Bracing is the recommended treatment for mild scoliosis but in most cases it simply delays inevitable progression of scoliosis, or slows it, and it can be inconvenient and uncomfortable.)
Scoliosis can be painful (and it certainly has been for Neal) and it effects more than the skeletal system. It effects the muscular and nervous systems and can cause a range of health issues and complications seemingly unrelated to the scoliosis. We-and the chiropractor Neal has been working with in Sioux Falls- suspect that it has been the cause of most if not all of the health problems Neal has had in the past few years. This has all been pretty scary. Maybe one of the scariest experiences we've had is hearing that it was possible that Neal could have a spinal tumor. After an MRI and 4 days of nervously waiting for the results, he was told that there were no signs of pathological anomalies.
So after weeks of learning about scoliosis and the CLEAR method, x-rays and MRI's, Neal is finally able to move forward with treatment. We are ecstatic about the possibilities. And I am ecstatic that he will be coming home in 3 weeks, after the treatment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tm6KJ-UDSsQ&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLC-czkAmiY&feature=related
People with a curvature over 40 degrees are advised to pursue spinal rod fusion scoliosis surgery to correct their curve. Here are some fun facts about scoliosis surgery:
"The average curvature before the surgery was 71 degrees and was only reduced to 44 degrees after the surgery."
(44 degree's is still considered severe scoliosis!)
"The surgical procedure simply transforms the spinal deformity into a permanent spinal dysfunction that often results in chronic pain, disfigurement, and even long-term disability."
"The surgical procedure leaves up to 40% of the patients who get it severely handicapped within 17 years."
So far, the CLEAR method has had a better curve improvement record than surgery or brace wearing. (Bracing is the recommended treatment for mild scoliosis but in most cases it simply delays inevitable progression of scoliosis, or slows it, and it can be inconvenient and uncomfortable.)
Scoliosis can be painful (and it certainly has been for Neal) and it effects more than the skeletal system. It effects the muscular and nervous systems and can cause a range of health issues and complications seemingly unrelated to the scoliosis. We-and the chiropractor Neal has been working with in Sioux Falls- suspect that it has been the cause of most if not all of the health problems Neal has had in the past few years. This has all been pretty scary. Maybe one of the scariest experiences we've had is hearing that it was possible that Neal could have a spinal tumor. After an MRI and 4 days of nervously waiting for the results, he was told that there were no signs of pathological anomalies.
So after weeks of learning about scoliosis and the CLEAR method, x-rays and MRI's, Neal is finally able to move forward with treatment. We are ecstatic about the possibilities. And I am ecstatic that he will be coming home in 3 weeks, after the treatment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tm6KJ-UDSsQ&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLC-czkAmiY&feature=related
Comments