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  • Non-surgical success

    I am 57 years old with thoracic and lumbar curves, each of which were about 60 degrees a little over a year ago. In addition, my neck is off center and there is significant rotation all along my spine. I've had a very positive experience with Dr. Deutchman and Dr. LaMontia in NY, chiropractors who specialize in the treatment of scoliosis with bracing and home exercise. This goes way beyond basic chiropractic and requires a commitment on the part of the patient that you will wear the brace and do the exercises, but the results are great. My curves have reduced to about 50 degrees, but the best part is how much better I feel. I have much more energy and am more alert because of the improvement in the connections throughout my nervous system. I think they are really on to something. Their web site is www.scoliosissystems.com. Good luck!

  • #2
    Spinecor and Dr. Deutchman

    You seem very pleased with Dr. Deutchman and Dr. Lomantia. Did they perform Vestibular testing with you? Do you feel that it was part of why you are doing so well?

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    • #3
      This sounds like an advertisment to me. Red flags went up as I read this
      SandyC

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      • #4
        Spinecor Non-surgical treatment

        Not an advertisement. I have two neices that are under care at Scoliosis Systems. They both are doing very well. I read all the debate going on regarding Vestibular testing and was wondering if Ruth had some input to offer. I'm happy my neices are responding to the care offered at Scoliosis Systems. The Vestibular Test made perfect sense to me. I met many patients at their New York office. Children and Adults. They all were very happy with their progress. I always found it better to light a candle then to curse the darkness.

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        • #5
          Hi Sandy...

          Seeing adults rave about a brace reducing their curves reminds me of a time in the not so distant past. When the Copes brace started being used, we heard from people far and wide about how wonderful their results were. They were all over the internet, encouraging other adults to try the program. It wasn't until a few years later that people started realizing that their small improvements weren't holding once the program was over. To this day, I have never heard from a single individual whose structural scoliosis curves were permanently reduced. I have heard from dozens of people who were sucked in by the hype. Copes was arrested on 117 counts of insurance fraud last year, and his clinic is now closed.

          Since Ruth (an adult) is getting pain relief from the Spinecor brace, that's great. It won't do anything, however, to permanently reduce her curves. She should plan on wearing the brace and doing the exercises for the remainder of her life.

          If someone is going to be that devoted, I'd recommend trying something like Yoga for Scoliosis. That DVD will cost a LOT less than the brace, and requires the same dedication to exercise.

          Regards,
          Linda
          Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
          ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
          Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

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          • #6
            Linda, I agree with you 100% and all this guff is a real "talk about a lot of rot"
            as far as I am concerned.
            I know people are looking for a non surgical fix for scoliosis but peoples it just aint gonna happen.
            Loved the way you answered that Linda, with your usual finesse.

            Happy christmas to one and all.

            Macky xxxx
            Operation 1966, Fused from T4 to L3, had Harrington rods inserted. Originally had an 85 degree Thoracic curve with lumbar scoliosis as well but had a good correction.
            Perfectly normal life till 1997 but now in a lot of pain daily. Consider myself very fortunate though.

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            • #7
              Please help. I am new to this forum and could do with advice. I was disgnosed with scoliosis as a 6year old child and had a bracing for only 2 years. My treatment was not finished but my parents ran out of money . I am British and I had to travel to Maimi for treatment. The UK doctors were not too concerned because they felt that with excise I would be OK (?!!)

              As a teen and in my 20's I was very fit, active and loved going to the gym.

              Fast forward to now. I am 36 and have had severe lower back pain since 2004. I just moved to the USA and went to see an orthopedic surgeon in DC. The x-ray shows I now have an s shaped curve 33 and 34 degrees. I am in total shock. I fell apart at the clinic and was not able to ask enough questions. He just told me that I could lead a normal life and to call if I had any concerns. I tried to call him to ask about bracing but he has not returned my calls. I am therefore going to see another doctor at Georgetown that specialises in adult scoliosis.

              In the meantime I am trying to get educated. I cried enough. Time to get serious and try and stop this thing getting worse. I just got married in October but our relationship is suffering from me being in constant pain. I think it will be over by early 2007 and I feel so alone right now.

              Anybody know of anything I should try or even good clinics close to DC, MD or VA?

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              • #8
                Hi Lucy,

                I'm so sorry that you're having such a bad time, you poor thing Have you seen your GP about getting some painkillers to help you manage that pain? This is the most important thing for you to do right now, as it's having such a bad effect on your relationship.

                I'm very surprised that the doctors in the UK were so slack with you - which hospital were you seen at? I live in the UK and have always had the best of care, but I was lucky enough to be treated at one of the top hospitals here. I know that care varies depending on where people are seen, but it seems very bad that *any* hospital would leave a 6 year old girl to "watch and wait"!

                Good luck,

                Toni xxx

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                • #9
                  Thanks for the link. I'll take a look at it.

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                  • #10
                    Yes, Toni, it still annoys me when I think about the slack care. Sorry it has been a long time in me replying - it has been a pretty nightamarish Xmas. Anyway, I am off to see a Dr William Lauerman at Washington's Georgetown hospital mid Feb. I wonder if I would be a good candidate for bracing.......?

                    I am currently trying MAT - Muscle Activation Therapy. Has anybody tried that? Not for the faint hearted as it can be quite intense and painful!!! Like a really painful deep tissue massage. It has not really helped my back pain or muscle strength but it has helped a lot with the regular injuries I seem to get in my legs. That is a good thing because I have to keep moving to keep my back in check. However, to be honest, I think a really good massage therapist is also worth his weight in gold.

                    Regarding painkillers, I am yet to find a strong painkiller that does not make me feel very dopey (correction EVEN more dopey than usual...!!!) although one doctor told me to take three ibuprofen's in one go instead of two in real emergencies.


                    I read all comments about non surgical treatments and exercise with great interest. I just want to figure out how to improve posture, muscle strength and stop this s curve getting worse. I also hope in time this pain will give me a moment to breathe.

                    Take care all and you too Toni - give my love to Blighty!
                    Lucy

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                    • #11
                      MAT Therapy for Scoliosis

                      Yes, I had Muscle Activation Technique therapy for 2 years and it helped me a lot. I don't have the pain as before MAT (esp. in my hip). I feel muscles that I haven't felt before, stand better, walk straighter, and am able to be more active. I still have pain from too much exertion but not like before MAT. Yes, it is can be painful therapy but I prefer it to the "knife of surgery". The exercises from my MAT therapist reinforced the therapy & strengthens the muscles that are activated. Also my MAT therapist was able to trace a muscle weakness in my left foot that kept getting me off balance. I was given exercises to strengthen my feet & my therapist helped me get proper athletic shoes to support my muscles.

                      I am 59 yo and wore a brace for 7 years as a child (off @ 17yo). I do yoga (since 1971), callenatics, pilates, accupressure, stability ball, Alexander Technique, light weights, swimming, chiropractor (several but one also taught me more yoga), and deep muscle massage. Everything has helped keep me out of surgery that was forcasted for me back in 1994.

                      A slight increase in curvature was traced to osteoporsis (thankfully discovered by a conversation w/ NSF) & I have been taking Fosamax. So far results are excellent. And curves are stable. Have your bone density ck'd periodically. Also I have never gotten pregnant for my Dr. advised against it. I believe following his advice has helped me avoid the additional problems that carrying a child can induce on my back, as well as weakening the tendons.

                      Dealing with this disease for 50 years and being one of the first recipients of steel bracing in the late 1950s, I am fortunate to never have had surgery. But understand that each person is different and you must find what works for you....and then keep at it for the rest of your life. Some may have to have surgery & some may find alternative therapies useful. Scoliosis is what it is.....an relatively unknown disease that will most likely progress as we age. But the strength & courage gained from being a scoliosis patient is positive. Something we can share with others less fortunate. Good luck & let me know how your MAT therapy progresses or if you have any questions.

                      Cynthia (49upper/rotation/37lower)

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                      • #12
                        Thanks for your tips and kind words Cynthia. Yes, now that I'm getting over the shock of how rapidly my scoliosis has progressed, it is making me a stronger person for sure. I have been told by a couple of doctors that having children would not be the best idea so I was interested to see you were also told the same.

                        I want to try pilates and the Alexander Technique. I also read about the Yoga for Scoliosis tape people have mentioned in this forum. I will try it and let you all know if it works for me. As I am very stiff and have a lot of pain I will be sure to pass on any exercise or treatments that work for me.

                        I am glad to see that someone else has tried MAT. I have to admit that I was worried when it was so intense and painful.....I guess I come from the "if it hurts, stop" school of thought. I will give it a chance for longer and report back. I must admit that yesterday I noticed that my shoulders are not as rounded as usual which is great.

                        OK. I am off now to do my daily hour and 30 minute walk. It is the only thing that seems to help my lower back pain right now. I try to think about posture as much as possible and keep those abs strong.

                        I hope you are all walking tall out there also.

                        Take care everyone,
                        Lucy
                        36 years
                        33/34 curve but smiling at last!!

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