Clear Institute vs. Schroth Method

[LindaRacine]

Linda,
We're not in good hands, we're in excellent hands!

I am very excited about the therapist's visit from the Scoliosis Rehab Center with him later this month. I hope he is able to pave the way for other orthopedics, or at the very least, widen their thought process a bit!

Hi again...

I just got off the phone with Dr. Mendelow, and he asked that I convey what we talked about. I've known Dr. Mendelow for several years, and we've spent time together at SRS meetings. (I wouldn't normally contact a surgeon unless I knew him/her, and felt that they might be interested in a specific discussion.)

Dr. Mendelow believes that alternative programs such as Schroth or yoga may play a positive role in the treatment of some scoliosis patients.

Here are the key points of our discussion:

• 1) While he feels that alternative programs such as Schroth may play an important part in the treatment of some individuals, such programs will not change the natural history of said individuals.
  
  2) Alternative programs such as Schroth may help certain individuals who are in the surgical range, postpone surgery for some time.
  
  3) These programs may help some individuals avoid surgery altogether, assuming that their curves are moderate, and the program is continued. He agrees that any improvement in curves will be lost when the program ceases.
  
  4) He feels it's important that any individual undertaking an alternative therapy be closely supervised by a scoliosis specialist. One important reason for this is that some kids who are candidates for short segment fusion now, will develop into kids who require long fusion if they wait too long.

Regards,
Linda

[MissEmmyF]

Hi again...

I just got off the phone with Dr. Mendelow, and he asked that I convey what we talked about. I've known Dr. Mendelow for several years, and we've spent time together at SRS meetings. (I wouldn't normally contact a surgeon unless I knew him/her, and felt that they might be interested in a specific discussion.)

Dr. Mendelow believes that alternative programs such as Schroth or yoga may play a positive role in the treatment of some scoliosis patients.

Here are the key points of our discussion:

• 1) While he feels that alternative programs such as Schroth may play an important part in the treatment of some individuals, such programs will not change the natural history of said individuals.
  
  2) Alternative programs such as Schroth may help certain individuals who are in the surgical range, postpone surgery for some time.
  
  3) These programs may help some individuals avoid surgery altogether, assuming that their curves are moderate, and the program is continued. He agrees that any improvement in curves will be lost when the program ceases.
  
  4) He feels it's important that any individual undertaking an alternative therapy be closely supervised by a scoliosis specialist. One important reason for this is that some kids who are candidates for short segment fusion now, will develop into kids who require long fusion if they wait too long.

Regards,
Linda

why did you contact him?

[LindaRacine]

Because he's a friend, and because SLS stated: "Her orthopedic recommended the Scoliosis Rehab Center to us at her last visit. He considers surgery to always be the very last resort and truly feels Schroth Therapy works."

I had not heard any scoliosis specialists state that they thought Schroth (or other alternatives) "worked," and I wanted to get his take.

I feel it's very important for people to have the whole truth about all scoliosis treatments. When people come here and try to convince others to try some unproved treatment (not that SLS did), it's my job to make certain that these forums don't get inundated with false information.

--Linda

[mamamax]

Hi SLS ~

While my orthopedic specialist would encourage me to use Schroth exercises - it's not exactly his specialty and i doubt he would actually be my best contact for detailed information about it.

My brace dr/provider however travels to the Schroth clinic in Germany several times a year. He has said, depending upon the individual, results can be astounding. Maintenance required of course - how much often depends upon the individual/body's ability to respond (as with any treatment for scoliosis). Kind of figure as an old lady i may best benefit from a brace of a different color along with Schroth. Looking forward to what we may all accomplish in the years ahead.

Emmy turned me onto a book i've ordered from Amazon and am waiting with bated breath to receive (along with Martha Hawes' book that i ordered from the National Scoliosis Foundation). The Schroth book is titled: Three Dimensional Treatment for Scholiosis, a Physiotherapeutic Method for Deformities of the Spine. You can order it from Amazon and here is a link to some information within: http://www.schrothmethod.com/studies.html

If you go to the on-line Scoliosis Journal and search for Schroth - you will find lots of encouraging articles there also. When it comes to the non surgical treatment of scoliosis this is proving very valuable. A case study is also being presented tomorrow at the SOSORT meeting in France - you can download that (instructions below). Seven Spinecor presentations yesterday. Joe O'Brien is there - learning all the latest greatest.

Scoliosis Journal: http://www.scoliosisjournal.com/home/

SOSORT 2009 FRANCE
http://www.sosort-lyon.net/
On the Left Side of the Page - Click "Final Program"
Use "Search this Page" for Schroth

Scoliosis, the official journal of the Society on Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment (SOSORT) and affiliated with the International Research Society of Spinal Deformities (IRSSD)

[LindaRacine]

By the way, when I was talking to Dr. Mendelow, he mentioned the following study which specifically discusses the loss of correction when the treatment ceases:

J Spinal Disord Tech. 2008 Jul;21(5):349-58.Click here to read Links
Treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with quantified trunk rotational strength training: a pilot study.
McIntire KL, Asher MA, Burton DC, Liu W.

Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160, USA.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical trial. OBJECTIVES: To test the hypothesis that quantified trunk rotational strength training will equalize any strength asymmetry, increase strength overall, and stabilize adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Bracing, the only generally accepted form of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis nonoperative therapy, has many shortcomings. Paraspinal muscle abnormalities, which have been extensively documented in these patients, are generally considered to be secondary. A normal female's trunk strength in flexion and extension decreases from her juvenile to adolescent years, whereas a male's increases. METHODS: Patients received a 4-month supervised followed by a 4-month home trunk rotational strength training program. Trunk rotational strength was measured in both directions at 5 positions at baseline, 4 months, and 8 months. The patients were followed clinically. RESULTS: Fifteen patients (12 females and 3 males), with an average age of 13.9 years and an average main Cobb of 33 degrees were enrolled. At baseline there was no significant asymmetry. After 4 months of supervised strength training, involving an average of 32 training sessions, each lasting about 25 minutes, their strength had significantly increased by 28% to 50% (P<0.005 to P<0.001). After 4 months of unsupervised home strength training their strengths were unchanged. The 3 patients with baseline curves of 50 to 60 degrees all had main or compensatory curve progression and 2 had surgery. For patients with 20 to 40-degree curves, survivorship from main curve progression of >or=6 degrees was 100% at 8 months, but decreased to 64% at 24 months. CONCLUSIONS: Quantified trunk rotational strength training significantly increased strength. It was not effective for curves measuring 50 to 60 degrees. It appeared to help stabilize curves in the 20 to 40-degree ranges for 8 months, but not for 24 months. Periodic additional supervised strength training may help the technique to remain effective, although additional experimentation will be necessary to determine this.

[mamamax]

Wow - I guess I'm replying to a few of you here... I'm not someone who posts much on forums or groups or anything and wasn't aware that the etiquette could be so tricky - just as a few of you suggested I did a search for what was of interest to me an spent a little session replying to those posts - I guess I made 7 posts. Is that weird in some way? This is my first time back since and it's kind of strange to see that my behavior is somehow suspect.

I'm not "affiliated" with Schroth in any way except that I'm happy and relieved that it's working for my daughter - and so I'm pretty darn enthusiastic! If the suspicion is that I'm not real because I'm saying great things about Dr. Moramarco I'm not sure what to do about that - I say these things because I mean them. I don't work for him or anything like that - I don't even live in the same state! If anyone wants to email me directly you're welcome to - you can even call me.

Also - if you have more questions about my daughter's treatment please feel free to ask - like I said, I'm excited about how it's going and happy to talk.

Hi Ems-mom ... i always knew you were real. I'm glad Schroth has worked well for your daughter and glad also that you are willing to share the success with us - you must be truly happy! I would love to know the before/after statistics and what Dr. Moramarco recommends as maintenance. Congrats!

[Pooka1]

While he feels that alternative programs such as Schroth may play an important part in the treatment of some individuals, such programs will not change the natural history of said individuals.

He agrees that any improvement in curves will be lost when the program ceases.

I don't think you need to be a surgeon to suggest these points. And again, it seems if exercise works then bracing can't work. They work in completely opposite fashion.

He feels it's important that any individual undertaking an alternative therapy be closely supervised by a scoliosis specialist. One important reason for this is that some kids who are candidates for short segment fusion now, will develop into kids who require long fusion if they wait too long.

What? I don't understand what you are saying. Are you saying if kids were operated on earlier they might only need a few levels fused versus many levels? If that is the case then they should operate at much lower Cobb angles over much shorter spinal segments. There is no reason to wait.

[MissEmmyF]

What? I don't understand what you are saying. Are you saying if kids were operated on earlier they might only need a few levels fused versus many levels? If that is the case then they should operate at much lower Cobb angles over much shorter spinal segments. There is no reason to wait.

There is plenty reason to wait...The point of Schroth is hopefully the person wouldn't need any fusion surgery at all if they are able to keep up with the exercises, maintain their current curve, keep their muscles strong, etc. Thus, ideally, their curve should not progress from the point of needing a short fusion (if they even "needed" one to begin with) to the point of needing a long fusion. Obviously, this won't be the case all the time because each person's scoliosis is different, but I'm sure most people would prefer to give it their best effort before just saying "let me get fused as soon as possible." At the very least, it's very soothing to know that you've tried everything possible before resorting to one of the biggest and most invasive surgeries ever.

[LindaRacine]

What? I don't understand what you are saying. Are you saying if kids were operated on earlier they might only need a few levels fused versus many levels?

Yes, some kids who could have successful short segment fusions when they're 16, would need long fusions (into the lumbar spine), if they wait too long.

--Linda

[Pooka1]

Yes, some kids who could have successful short segment fusions when they're 16, would need long fusions (into the lumbar spine), if they wait too long.

That is ASTOUNDING. I never new that.

I guess I didn't realize that time alone can change compensatory curves to structural ones.

[mamamax]

There is plenty reason to wait...The point of Schroth is hopefully the person wouldn't need any fusion surgery at all if they are able to keep up with the exercises, maintain their current curve, keep their muscles strong, etc. Thus, ideally, their curve should not progress from the point of needing a short fusion (if they even "needed" one to begin with) to the point of needing a long fusion. Obviously, this won't be the case all the time because each person's scoliosis is different, but I'm sure most people would prefer to give it their best effort before just saying "let me get fused as soon as possible." At the very least, it's very soothing to know that you've tried everything possible before resorting to one of the biggest and most invasive surgeries ever.

Well said Miss Emmy - each person's scoliosis is indeed different and success of any treatment will depend on individual ability to respond. I'm the experiment adult in Spincor (designed so that physical therapy is not required), and adding Schroth is proving very very beneficial to me - have my good doctors to thank for that. Were it not for the availability of this combined treatment - i would be on disability within the year ... i know this because my body has told me so.

[Pooka1]

There is plenty reason to wait...The point of Schroth is hopefully the person wouldn't need any fusion surgery at all if they are able to keep up with the exercises, maintain their current curve, keep their muscles strong, etc. Thus, ideally, their curve should not progress from the point of needing a short fusion (if they even "needed" one to begin with) to the point of needing a long fusion. Obviously, this won't be the case all the time because each person's scoliosis is different, but I'm sure most people would prefer to give it their best effort before just saying "let me get fused as soon as possible." At the very least, it's very soothing to know that you've tried everything possible before resorting to one of the biggest and most invasive surgeries ever.

It is arguably better to "gamble" that the curve will get worse and go ahead and fuse 3-4 levels RATHER than wait and MAY have to fuse 10 levels. The key here is KNOWING that the 3-4 levels would avoid a longer fusion over the life of the patient which is what I understand Linda to be saying.

That isn't even a close call if I am understanding this.

[mamamax]

Linda,
We're not in good hands, we're in excellent hands!

I am very excited about the therapist's visit from the Scoliosis Rehab Center with him later this month. I hope he is able to pave the way for other orthopedics, or at the very least, widen their thought process a bit!

Hi SLS - you know not long ago i think i would have been hard pressed to find an orthopedic specialist that would suggest Schroth or Spinecor - but then this year it was like things had somehow just magically changed. Maybe i just got lucky - but my specialist was happy to recommend a doctor to me who uses Spinecor and Schroth. People like Joe O'Brien and their self sacrifice to get the word out on such things - has made a huge difference. I hope you'll be back soon to tell us about your trip! All the very best to you.

[SLS]

Wow, I can't believe where this thread has gone in the past few days. We've been out of town and I couldn't get internet access.

Anyhow, I only have a minute and will reply to my private messages soon.

We are not going to Wisconsin until June 15th. As I stated earlier, I have blog, and if you want to follow the progress while we're gone, just PM me for the address.

I also want to state, that Dr. Mendelow did not make us any promises. I certainly hope I did not come across that way.

[MissEmmyF]

I just wanted to let everyone know that I've now done my Schroth exercises for 6 days in a row (with one day off in between). They are a little tricky to get the hang of at first, but I think I have a very good handle on them now (my boyfriend, who luckily is a personal trainer and good with this kind of "muscle stuff", was helping me the first few days, and now i'm doing them totally on my own). I can honestly say my back, shoulders, and neck feel waaaay better already than they did when I was doing my yoga/PT stuff before learning Schroth. I really feel like I'm slowly getting stronger (overall and on my concave side), and it's easier for me to stand up straighter, etc. Just wanted to keep everyone up to date! I have a massage appointment (I go every 3 weeks) this Friday (5/29), so I'll keep you posted after that...the woman that massages me has an excellent handle on my body since I've been going to her for quite a while, so she'll be able to tell if things are loosening up easier, moving more freely, etc.