Katharina Schroth Clinics & Rigo Cheneau brace...

[proudmom2_2]

I have called the clinic in Wisconsin and pretty much wore that poor lady out with questions! I'm looking into taking my daughter there. We are also looking into the RSC brace. I wold love to have any input on either of these.
I'm also wondering if someone would tell me of the name of the clinic in VA? And on the brace...any experience with Dr.Wood in CA or Dr. Stikeleather in VA? I don't know which one I would prefer?? I called Dr. Wood and waiting to hear from Dr. Stikeleather, but I would love to hear testimonies on both!
I don't know why its so difficult to find this on the internet, but I can't find much...
Thanks again,
Tina

[scoliomom]

hi Tina
I have a 13 year old daughter who has been in the Cheneau brace for 6 months. We first heard of Luke S (in VA) from a Schroth therapist in CA (B Torres). She got the brace in June. We are actually here, again, having some adjustments since she had grown quite a bit. The brace is wonderful and corrects here by about 20' or more. (she is about 47' top and bottom curves). I plan on taking her to a schroth therapis this summer for the 2 week treatment. I highly recomment Luke! He has gone out of his way for us several time. They are wonderful. Good luck.
helen

[skybonus]

Tina,

My 13 years old son who has been in Cheneau brace for about two weeks. I had my son's brace made in Fairfax, VA by Luke Stikeleather of Orthotic Solutions. He specializes in it. He is wonderful. We are going to meet with Beth Janssen and Patricia Orthwein in Stevens Point, WI, who teach the Schroth method of physical therapy soon. I hope this will helps.

Take care.
Pat

[swimmergirlsmom]

I am new to this forum. My 14 year old daughter just got diagnosed with Scoliosis last week (48-T and 35-L). We are all in shock from the news as I'm sure everyone can relate to, but after many tears, I realize I now need to start doing research to find out what all our options are. We met with our first orthopedist last week who said the treatment for over 40 degrees is surgery and that was scary. We have appts with two orthopedic surgeon specialists later this month, but would also like to explore non-surgical options, especially before deciding on surgery. I am interested in the scroth therapy mentioned in this message thread, in addition to other exercise, stretching or brace options. Lauren is a competitive swimmer, swimming 2-3 hours a day, 6 days a week, so the thought of surgery is very concerning since it would greatly impact her life. I'm also curious if any of her swim strokes could actually "hurt" this situation? I've read somewhere that breaststroke may be bad for scoliosis. Does anyone know? We live in San Diego. If anyone has schroth or physical therapist specialists that they recommend, even if they are not in our area, we'd appreciate it. We'll take any advice you're willing to share.
Thank you,
Jackie

[skybonus]

Hi Jackie,

I am sorry to hear your 14 year old daughter diagnosed with Scoliosis . I know how you feel. It is a very frustrating condition to treat. You can try to check out http://www.scoliosispt.net/. The physiotherapists Beatriz Torres's phone (650)494-2359. And her office is in Palo Alto, California. I hope this will help.

Take care,

Patty

[rtremb]

Jackie:

Sorry to hear about your daughter - it must have been a real shock. There is tons of information on this forum about the various non-surgical treatment methods you can try.

Our daughter is wearing the Spinecor, having Structural Integration treatments (Rolfing) and doing yoga. We are very resistant to the surgery while ever there is a possibility of avoiding it.

Our son's scoliosis curves actually reduced as he grew taller and they are continuing to reduce at each check-up as he matures.

I have not heard or read that swimming is bad for scoliosis. If you have any other specific questions don't hesitate to ask.

Ruth

[MacksMom]

Hi Jackie,

I understand how you feel. My daughter was diagnosed with scoliosis at the end of March. Her curves are both 37 degrees (although the first specialist said they were 26 and 40). I know there is a degree of error - and her top curve could have progressed from 26 to 37 in the 5 months between appointments. We'll see where they are when she goes back in February.

I was in complete shock for the first couple of months. My daughter was only 13 (turned 14 in June). I'd taken her to the pediatrician a year before to inquire about scoliosis and he had said she didn't have it. My feelings/fears/guilt were almost overwhelming to me. But then I started researching scoliosis, talked to people on this forum, took her for a second opinion and finally realized "it is what it is". I am mostly at peace now - although I have my moments - especially since I can't get my daughter to wear her brace (she's a freshman in high school and she refuses to wear the brace to school).

I considered taking my daughter to see a specialist at Children's San Diego (we live in Orange County), but took her to one at Childrens LA. I may still take her for a third opinion in SD if surgery becomes necessary.

As for schroth, I don't know much about it. I have been considering rolfing - which may be similar. I figure it can't hurt.

Good luck to you. Feel free to send me a private message if you'd like. You'll find most people on this forum to be wonderful and supportive.

Lisa

[proudmom2_2]

Helen- we decided on Luke and will be going to see him next month! We are hoping to go to Wisconsin this summer if not before. Thanks for responding! Good luck to you as well!

Pat- sounds like we are on the same track! Maybe we will see you in Wisconsin! Take care and thanks for the recommendation!

Jackie- I along with everyone here can relate to your feelings. It can be very overwhelming at times. I will be happy to tell you what I know from the research I've done on alternative therapies along with what all we've tried. Just contact me by private message if you're interested. Best Wishes!
--Tina

[swimmergirlsmom]

Thank you so much to all of you who have responded to my first message. I am tears as I write now because I feel you've all given me a hug and it's the first time I feel I have support from others who understand what we're going through.
Hugs back to you,
Jackie

[krissysmom]

I have called the clinic in Wisconsin and pretty much wore that poor lady out with questions! I'm looking into taking my daughter there. We are also looking into the RSC brace. I wold love to have any input on either of these.
I'm also wondering if someone would tell me of the name of the clinic in VA? And on the brace...any experience with Dr.Wood in CA or Dr. Stikeleather in VA? I don't know which one I would prefer?? I called Dr. Wood and waiting to hear from Dr. Stikeleather, but I would love to hear testimonies on both!
I don't know why its so difficult to find this on the internet, but I can't find much...
Thanks again,
Tina

Tina,
We are also looking into the clinic in Wisconsin and I've worn that poor lady out too. They are so sweet and very informative. The clinic in Virginia is call the Orthodic solutions. I talked to Luke yesterday and he was very kind. We are traveling from Louisiana and I've got 2 younger children. So this is a big ordeal for us. We have been doing lots of research because we want to know that we have done everything possible for our daughter. She is 14 and has a 28 degree lower curve and 17 at the top. Even though she only has another year or so of growth I've talked to many people and doctors that the patients had trouble in their 30's and 40's. We are also looking into the Clear institute in Dallas. They have a program as well but I think it is more of the Chiropractic route which I'm not sure about. They also do exercises and posture training. This would be closer but I have been so impressed with the info that we have read on the Schoth method that we are still considering this option. Please keep in touch and let me know what you decide and if there is any other information that we should know about. Thanks Hollyn

[terri watkins]

Luke is a very skilled back brace maker (not a physician)... He made hard braces for my son that held his curve at 30* for over 2 years. No other brace maker in our area could make a brace to contain his curve. Unfortunately when we went to have another brace made by Luke once our son outgrew his old one, not even that brace could hold his curve as it had progressed to almost 50*and had become stiffer. Atleast the first brace gave my son more time to grow before requiring surgery.
Do try to get a prescription for a xray to be taken in your new brace made by Luke before leaving VA. This was one of our issues when traveling out of state to have a brace made, you're never sure of the correction until you return home and get a xray in brace, then you have to go back to Fairfax, or send the brace back for adjustments.
Also we tried the Schroth method and we were amazed at how straight our son's back was after a session. Then within five minutes of standing post session his curve and hump returned. Also, the schroth method is a precise set of exercises to be done religiously, daily, for the rest of your life. Very few teens can commit to bracing and exercise. Then there is the cost (unless you have insurance that will cover out of state treatments), it is very costly.

[Lorraine 1966]

I have read stories such as you all write here and my heart still goes out to you all.
I have very little faith in chiropractic help, as they said to me recently they would not and could not touch my back. I have read posts from people who have exercised and exercised to try and help their situation.
I think it depends on the degree of curve.
Terri said her son had a 30 degree curve and even with an excellent brace maker it still has progressed.
I know surgery is a scary thing, believe me I have two sons, 1 being a diabetic and of course my BACK problems, but sometimes not to prolong the problem, that is if I had a choice even now, I would not like to have to do exercises all my life I would like it to be fixed here and now so I could get on with things,.
I know the risks involved with surgery as I had my operation back in the dark ages, but now medical science has progressed and things have become so much safer.
All I am trying to say is please do not put your hope in things that in the long
rum will not be any help at all, and while you are waiting for a miracle your son or daughters backs are getting worse.
This is not meant to be negative and I feel for you all so very much, just wanted to state a bit of reality, please dont be angry as it is only my opinion.

God Bless,.
Lorraine.

[bettyja27]

My four year old daughter was diagnosed with Scoli Nov 2007. We went to Luke and he was wonderful. He is God Sent. Very informative and compassionate. My daughter's curves were 45 and 25. In the brace 10 and 18. In Sept. we will go for the out of brace x-ray. I know God is on my Maya's side, so I am not worried.

I highly recommend Luke.

[Laura's mom]

I've been planning on taking my daughter to a "Schroth clinic" in Wisconsin, and now I find out there are 2! I'm trying to figure out what the difference is between them - "Scoliosis Rehab" and "The Schroth Clinic at Spinal Dynamics". Has anyone been to or heard about either one?

Julie

[Katie12YROLD]

hi Tina
I have a 13 year old daughter who has been in the Cheneau brace for 6 months. We first heard of Luke S (in VA) from a Schroth therapist in CA (B Torres). She got the brace in June. We are actually here, again, having some adjustments since she had grown quite a bit. The brace is wonderful and corrects here by about 20' or more. (she is about 47' top and bottom curves). I plan on taking her to a schroth therapis this summer for the 2 week treatment. I highly recomment Luke! He has gone out of his way for us several time. They are wonderful. Good luck.
helen

Hi, Helen, my daughter has 58 degree scoliosis, I was wondering if your daughter is getting better now by schroth therapis and brace? because we just begin to see B Torrs,thank you,
Katie's Mom