The Traction Chair

The traction chair is the biggest part of the program and the most uncomfortable. Kendall spends a lot of time sitting in the chair. This set of xrays shows kendall's "before" spine and then a picture taken while she is sitting in the chair. The chair significantly reduces the curve in her spine. We are hoping that the time spent in the chair will correct the spine and all the exercises will help maintain the new position. The chair straightens it but the staff here is still working on de-rotating the spine and teaching Kendall how to maintain.

Week Two of Therapy

Kendall has just started week two of the intensive therapy program. Her spine has loosened up and we think we are seeing some results. The side view of a normal spine has some natural curves in it. Kendall's spine is perfectly straight from the side. Without returning some of the normal curve to her side view they won't be able to de-rotate her spine. Here is a photo of what her spine should look like from the side. Kendall's last xray shows that the lower curve is beginning to come back.

Mark and John (Dr. Sid's assistants) have been working on new exercises and techniques that might work for her. Most use different weights to try to push her spine into the right position. She wears the weights and stands on a stablility ball on a vibrating machine. This helps to strengthen the muscles to support the spine.

She wears a four pound head band on her forehead to force her to hold her head correctly.

Intensive Program - Part III THE SET

The Set is re-teaching the muscles to support the new spine. The Scoliosis Traction Chair is used to remove the stress of gravity on the spine. It uses a high level vibration to help Set the new corrected spine position.

Intensive Program Part II THE FIX

The Fix part of the program is done by Dr. Sid. It is specific adjustment methods that will start reducing the curve. Kendall is adjusted twice a day by Dr. Sid.

The Intensive Program Part I THE MIX

The Intensive Program is a 12 day program of therapy. We rented a studio apartment and got started. Kendall does 7 hours a day of one on one therapy in Dr.Sid's office. He used xrays to examine her spine and figure out how to best reduce her curve. Every curve is different and he individualizes treatment.

After so many years in a brace Kendall has very tight muscles, ligaments and tendons that need to be loosened. Her spine can't be manipulated until it is flexible. She starts on a wobble chair to loosen her spine then moves on to the vibration tables where she is put in a position to loosen the correct areas in her spine. She is weighted down and vibrates. There is no pain but it is uncomfortable stretching. She then does the Eckard Table. This flexes up and down to continue loosening the spine and open up the curve and all the wedged discs. It is used with the Core Stim. It is a power tool that has been fitted with a rubber cap and uses different vibration frequencies that are targeted directly on the areas needed on the spine.

Clear Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to developing protocols that effectively correct scoliosis without the use of bracing or surgery. The Clear method is practiced by trained chiropractors.

Why we chose Clear. Kendall was diagnosed at age 5 with scoliosis. Her orthopedic told us to come back in 6 months for xrays. When her upper curve hit 18 degrees he sent us to the spine specialist in his practice. The new doctor also recommended waiting a few months for more xrays. He said there were no exercises or preventative care. At age 7 when she hit 25 degrees he put her in a Boston brace. His goal was to keep her under 40 degrees until age 10. He felt if we did surgery before at age 10 we would need multiple surgeries. When Kendall was 9 and slowly creeping toward surgery we researched and found chiropractic care. Against the advice of our orthopedic Kendall started getting adjusted every two weeks. Our chiropractor immediately put her in orthodics and started her on an exercise program. She reduced her brace wear to night time only and was able to maintain her curve for 3 years. At age twelve Kendall had her first large growth spurt and her curve progressed dramatically. We continued with chiropractic care but put her back in the brace full time. Her doctor put her in an over corrective night brace. From 12 to 14 she progressed to a 41 degree curve and the doctor told us to prepare for surgery. he still claimed that there was no value in chiropractic care and that there were no exercises or activities we could do that would keep her from progressing. We immediately started researching again and found the Clear Institute and SpineCor Bracing. We loved the philosophy of Clear, but Clear believes in no bracing at all. Kendall still has some growing to do so we were also interested in the SpineCor brace. The brace is different from the hard plastic turtle shell of the Boston Brace in that it is soft and pliable. It is quite fitted and can be worn under your clothes. Patients are encouraged to wear the brace during activities to develop the muscles needed to support the straightened spine position.

We found Dr. Aatif Siddiqui in New York City. He was trained in Clear and in SpineCor Bracing. The two options we were looking for. We met "Dr. Sid" and loved his postive attitude and his commitment to helping his patients. We signed Kendall up for a two week instensive program hoping to reduce her curve and get her out of the surgery danger zone.

Testing this Blog thing!

Today I am just trying to see how this blogging thing works. It might test your patience! Hang in there with me. I am starting this hoping that others my benefit from our experiences with the Clear Institute method for treating scoliosis. I'll try a few posts and then share our daughter's journey.