Originally posted by titaniumed
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The world of Chiro relies on the patient coming back an back- unlike current medical thinking of empowering the patient it does exactly the opposite.
In UK the model is different. The GP is free of charge and if he recommends physio that is also free. However Physio is also available privately- you can just go to one in the same way you go to a Chiro- you pay in both cases. But all physios whether private or NHS are trained exactly the same way and that I feel is the key. I pay to go privately so that I have more freedom to choose the time and I can ensure continuity.
However I also believe physio training needs to be more informed about scoliosis and needs to offer targeted therapy for a scoliosis patient - fused or unfused- which is something that is not really there at the moment.
I cannot agree with you regarding Sciolismart. Choice can be dangerous if is is the wrong choice. Smart do not just claim to keep you flexible and pain free. They claim to straighten a curve. They are totally against fusion surgery. However with the advent of VBT they have seen a niche whereby instead of patients turning their back on smart they now say come to us and we will keep your spine flexible in preparation for any surgery you might have. No evidence - just shedloads of money. that could be spent on better healthcare. It is dangerous because there is currently only a small window for VBT surgery and time wasted with Smart could close this window. Also it is emotionally dangerous because their target is mainly youngsters with worried parents who would do anything to cure the scoliosis and are totally misled. I am been in contact with so many who have done the bootcamp- long, arduous, very expensive and have been told that their child's curve is improving only to find later that it hasn't and then been blamed themselves for not following the program correctly. I will fight long to get rid of people like Smart. We as scoliosis patients must protect ourselves and others!
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