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HOP TO IT! It’s time to stop waiting… Scoliosis

HOP TO IT! It’s time to stop waiting…

HOP TO IT! It’s time to stop waiting… ScoliosisHas your child recently been diagnosed with Scoliosis and you’re in the “Wait and See if it progresses” mode? Well you’re not alone!

Every year 15% of all grade school kids screened for scoliosis result in a positive diagnosis and yet many physicians still suggest three basic methods of treatment: observation, bracing, and/or surgery – based on the severity of the curve. However, new research now shows that alternative non-invasive options are more effective in the treatment of scoliosis.

At South Florida Scoliosis Center our work and successes have proven that treating Mild Scoliosis curves- those between 10° to 25 can significantly reduce and many times halt the progression of scoliosis. Using a CLEAR™ certified approach our physicians are able to assist our patients, young and old, in actively reducing the curvature of the spine without invasive surgical procedures and unsightly braces. Our unique non-bracing, non-surgical plan has proven time and again an effective advance in the treatment of scoliosis. We offer customized plans to fit our clients including: Scoliosis and Adult Scoliosis Treatment plans, Teen Curves Summer Camp, Scoliosis Boot Camp and Intensive Care Treatment – South Florida Scoliosis Center is one of only 16 certified CLEAR Intensive Scoliosis Care Clinics in the world.

So don’t you think it’s time to stop waiting?

Hop to it and give us a call – let us take care of those curves while they’re small!

305-705-0777

Facts About Mild Stage Scoliosis:

Scoliosis curve 10° to 25° – Mild Scoliosis has a significant risk of progression: up to 22%. Once the scoliosis passes 20°, risk of progression more than triples to 68%.Scoliosis Awareness T-Shirt

  • Scoliosis curve is less than 25°
  • May have tilted head, uneven shoulders or hips
  • Head may appear forward of shoulders when viewed from the side
  • Clothing may hang unevenly
  • May have uneven leg lengths
  • May go unnoticed, even by medical doctors or school screeners
  • May or may not be associated with pain
  • Most common in young, premenstrual girls, but can be seen in boys or adults.

To purchase one of our Scoliosis Awareness Tshirts for $10 click here.

Scoliosis and Shoes

SOLE SURFING- What you wear on your feet can have an impact on your scoliosis

Scoliosis and ShoesWhat we wear on our feet can say a lot about who we are. Shoes are often an exciting channel to express personality, but we can’t forget about why we wear them in the first place.

While footwear exists first and foremost to protect our feet, they can also have a significant effect on our balance and posture. Since posture improvement is such a large part of living with scoliosis, it’s important to select the best shoes for your body.

The footwear fashion popular on the runway or even among kids are very appealing, but don’t always have your best interest in mind. If you know what to watch out for you can look good and feel good at the same time.
Following, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best features to provide you support while staying trendy.

What to look for in a shoe:

Soles – A commonly overlooked source of back pain can be worn out shoe soles. Often times simply replacing old shoes can alleviate pain. It’s important to look for a shoe with a balanced sole so that you are landing neutrally on your foot when walking or running, creating a stable base for the rest of your body.

Arch support – Foot arch shapes are variable from person to person. They are generally categorized by height, assorted between flat, low, and high arches. Look for footwear with adequate arch support, avoiding very flat shoes. The stability provided by arch support helps prevent compression of the lower spine.

Toes – Our feet are naturally designed so that our toes span wider than our heels with an arch that supports the foot and the rest of the body. A wide and flexible toe box is beneficial to allow your toes to respond to surfaces in the way they were intended.

Laces – While shoe laces are crucial in adjusting a shoe to your unique foot, the way you tie them can also impact your body. Contrary to some shoe fads, it’s best to lace shoes completely and tightly to increase stability and decrease the load on your foot and by extension, your back.

When should you buy new shoes?

Shoe replacement,has a lot to do with the wearing of the soles. For athletic or everyday shoes, the general lifespan is about 500 miles or 3-6 months. The feet of kids and teens are often growing at astonishing rates, so size comfort should also be considered when looking for replacements. Their shoes should be replaced anywhere from one to four times per year.

No matter what shoes you wear, it’s important to know whether you’re getting the support you need to maintain your health. Talk to shoe store associates about what is available and best for you and your family. With millions of people in America living with scoliosis today, it’s certainly easy to find a shoe that fits your functional and fashion needs.


Ask me about:

For more information, contact us at South Florida Scoliosis Center 305-705-0777, or visit www.southfloridascoliosiscenter.com.

South Florida Scoliosis Center is the only CLEAR Scoliosis Treatment Center in the South Florida area in addition to being one in only 18 worldwide clinics to offer Intensive Care Scoliosis Treatment. South Florida Scoliosis Center draws patients from the entire state as well as from countries abroad.

 

Think Scoliosis Doesn’t Affect You? think again…

Think Scoliosis Doesn’t Affect You? Think Again…

Think Scoliosis Doesn’t Affect You? think again…

 

  1. An estimated 6 million people in the US alone suffer from scoliosis
  2. Scoliosis affects both men and women of all ages, races and socio-economic classes
  3. The onset of scoliosis is usually between 10 and 15 years of age
  4. More females than males are affected with Scoliosis
  5. It’s recommended that children be screened yearly! Early detection is the key to correcting Scoliosis curves
  6. Florida Legislature 381.0056 now mandates scoliosis screenings to be performed annually for students in grade six
  7. 15% of kids screened in school programs result in a positive diagnosis
  8. Research shows that alternative non-invasive options are more effective in the treatment of Scoliosis
  9. There are currently 40,000 scoliosis fusion surgeries performed annually in the United States with an estimated 25% rate of complications
  10. Currently, there are only 16 certified CLEAR Intensive Scoliosis Care Clinics in the world and South Florida Scoliosis Center is one of them

June is National Scoliosis Awareness Month

National Scoliosis Awareness Month endeavors to highlight the growing need for education and early detection of scoliosis by uniting patients, families, physicians, and related businesses in collaborative events throughout the month of June.

The Scoliosis Research Society has sent requests to all US governors asking them to proclaim June as National Scoliosis Awareness Month.

Click here to see if your state has proclaimed June as National Scoliosis Awareness Month.

We invite all scoliosis patients, family members and advocates to send their own letters of support.

Click here for the National Scoliosis Awareness Month Support Letter

Click here to find your governor – National Governors Association (NGA)

Click here for free Scoliosis Screening!

 

Text Neck! Does Your Teen Have it?

The following patient is seen pre and post-treatment after one month of care.

Her original curve was 100% loss from normal and is currently at  29% loss after one month.

That’s a 71% improvement/correction.

Her chief complaint: Fatigue and Headaches.

05-15-14-loss-of-cervical-curve

Why should I care?

Loss of the cervical curve has been shown to be the common factor in not only pain and degenerative changes such as arthritis and disc herniation but also as a direct effect on the spinal cord and nervous system.

This particular finding has become popular now due to our continuous use of modern technology- including: uncomfortable office work stations, texting, or other uses of tablets and or smartphones that require constantly looking down, and sleeping with more than one pillow behind your head.

Common symptoms include:

  • Neck pain
  • Stiffness
  • Pins and needles in the arms
  • Tingling and/or numbness (commonly misdiagnosed as carpal tunnel)

The lack of the cervical spine curvature causes tension on the spinal cord and carotid arteries as they ascend into the brain to feed it oxygen and nutrients.  This can cause dizziness, headaches, nausea, fatigue, tinnitus, pain, nervousness, insomnia, high blood pressure, and confusion.

The shocking part is we are finding this in young kids now due to technology. Doctors have even called this text neck!


Ask me about:

For more information, contact us at South Florida Scoliosis Center 305-705-0777, or visit www.southfloridascoliosiscenter.com.

South Florida Scoliosis Center is the only CLEAR Scoliosis Treatment Center in the South Florida area in addition to being one in only 18 worldwide clinics to offer Intensive Care Scoliosis Treatment.

South Florida Scoliosis Center draws patients from the entire state as well as from countries abroad.

 

Raising an Olympic Athlete with Scoliosis…

Raising an Olympic Athlete with Scoliosis…

Raising an Olympic Athlete with Scoliosis…For years, Scoliosis has been a real concern for Olympic athletes such as:

Usain Bolt – Jamaican three-time Olympic gold medalist sprinter, Olympic record holder reigning Olympic champion in the 100 and 200 metres and the 4×100 metres relay

Alexandra Marinescu Romanian Olympic gymnast and European Junior Champion at age 12

Jon Olsen United States freestyle swimmer and five time Olympic medalist

Jennifer Thompson United States swimmer, and one of the most decorated Olympians in history, 12 time Olympic medalist, including eight gold in the 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004 Summer Olympics

Despite enduring multiple hardships such as bracing and even surgery Scoliosis did not stop these athletes’ Olympic dreams from becoming a reality.

What is Scoliosis? Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine, the most common type being idiopathic scoliosis most often diagnosed in children ages 10 to 12 and in their early teens.

Although many of us may not ever be in the position to worry about raising an Olympic hopeful, Scoliosis does affect close to 12 million people worldwide with 5 – 7 million in the U.S. alone. The good news is – advancements in the field have discovered considerably better options for the treatment of scoliosis. Non-invasive, non-surgical and non-bracing alternatives. No longer is there a need to wear bulky braces that cause embarassment or self-consciousness. Nor of having surgical procedures that will fuse permanent rods along the spine causing multiple complications throughout adulthood. Our Clear certified treatment is effective and completely non-invasive.

As of July of 2013, South Florida Scoliosis Center has become one of 18 clinics worldwide to be able to provide Intensive Care Treatment for Scoliosis. Generally a one to two week program of intensive therapy designed to reduced the curvature of a scoliotic spine. Our Intensive Care Patients have come from far away countries such as Canada, Denmark, Israel, Anguilla, Curacao, Columbia and Brazil to enjoy the benefits of our intensive care treatment. Now if Usain Bolt had had that option- imagine the possibilities…

In case you’re wondering if your Olympic dreams will become a reality:

What are Your Chances of Becoming a Summer Olympic Athlete?

For more information, contact us at South Florida Scoliosis Center 305-705-0777, or visit www.southfloridascoliosiscenter.com.

South Florida Scoliosis Center is the only CLEAR Scoliosis Treatment Center in the South Florida area in addition to being one in only 18 worldwide clinics to offer Intensive Care Scoliosis Treatment.

South Florida Scoliosis Center draws patients from the entire state as well as from countries abroad.

Dr. Alex Greaux, Scoliosis Doctor

Dr. Alex Greaux Joins Distinction of 18 Physicians in the World!

Dr. Alex Greaux, Scoliosis DoctorDr. Alex Greaux of South Florida Scoliosis Center has achieved Intensive Care certification from the CLEAR Institute treatment for scoliosis.

This new treatment method is a ground-breaking blend of techniques and therapies developed to reduce or correct scoliosis in all ages without the use of bracing or surgery. Dr. Greaux successfully completed the post-graduate training, under Dr. Dennis Woggon, founder and director of the Clear Institute. The CLEAR Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to the research and development of procedures to reduce and/or correct scoliosis without the use of braces or surgery.

IC Certification is rigorous, extensive, and granted only to those doctors who have demonstrated complete mastery of the CLEAR Institute protocols. Currently, there are only 16 certified CLEAR Intensive Scoliosis Care Clinics in the world and South Florida Scoliosis Center is proud to join their ranks.

Intensive Scoliosis Care consists of treating a scoliosis patient for 2 weeks 2 times a day with before and after x-rays to determine amount of correction in the 2 week period. The patient is then sent home to perform an in home scoliosis rehab program for 90-120 days and then reports back to the Intensive Care office for a follow up exam and possibly another round of care. Intensive Scoliosis Care was created to meet the needs of scoliosis patients who live in an area without certified doctors. Intensive Care allows a scoliosis patient to receive CLEAR Scoliosis Treatment regardless of where they currently live.

Scoliosis is a disease of the neuro-muscular skeletal system that causes a severe curvature of the spine, usually accompanied by forward head posture, head tilt, uneven shoulders and an un-leveling of the hips. Scoliosis is prevalent in at least 4.5% of children and may increase to 25% – 30% as the population ages. Scoliosis is more than a cosmetic issue or a badly curved back. Studies have shown the life expectancy in scoliosis patients left untreated is decreased by 14 years. Scoliosis is also associated with shortness of breath, digestive problems, headaches, hip, knee, and leg pain. Traditional methods for treating scoliosis are observation, bracing and surgery. Studies have shown traditional treatment methods have little success. This was the reason for the inception and development of the CLEAR Institute non-profit.

We are excited to finally offer a promising protocol of care for treatment of scoliosis that provides hope, and possibly a solution to this physically debilitating disease for patients around the world.

For more information, contact us at South Florida Scoliosis Center 305-705-0777, or visit www.southfloridascoliosiscenter.com.

South Florida Scoliosis Center is the only CLEAR Scoliosis Treatment Center in the South Florida area and draws patients from the entire state as well as from countries abroad.

Join us in congratulating Dr. Alex Greaux on becoming Intensive Care Certified in the treatment of Scoliosis!

That Was Then… This is NOW! – New Hope for Scoliosis Patients

That Was Then… This is NOW! – New Hope for Scoliosis Patients

That Was Then… This is NOW! – New Hope for Scoliosis PatientsScoliosis is a condition in which an individual’s spine has lateral, or side to side curvature and affects as many as 12 million people – worldwide. Very often, Scoliosis is detected during a child’s routine pediatric appointment or at a scoliosis screening exam at school during 6th grade (Florida statute 381.0056 requires that scoliosis screening be done on 6th grade students.)

What to do if your child is diagnosed with Scoliosis:

Left untreated the progression of scoliosis can cause deformity of the spine, respiratory, cardiac and digestive problems, as well as debilitating pain. Although a diagnosis of scoliosis can be scary, effective, non-invasive treatments that can stop the onset of scoliosis are now available.

That Was THEN:

The conventional medical management of scoliosis involves monitoring, bracing, medication and/or surgery. If the patient is still growing, progression is monitored by x-ray and then follow-up x-rays every few months.

If the curve progresses, a spinal brace intended to prevent further progression is typically recommended. Spinal braces tend to be uncomfortable and awkward posing a compliance challenge to the self-conscious adolescent.

If the scoliotic curve progresses beyond a certain point, the patient may then be recommended for spinal surgery. An invasive procedure where a metal rod is surgically fused to the spine to straighten it out.

Medication is suggested only as a means for symptomatic relief.

Many physicians still suggest three basic methods of treatment- observation, bracing and surgery. However, research now shows that alternative non-invasive options are more effective in the treatment of the curve.

THIS IS NOW:

At South Florida Scoliosis Center we provide a unique non-bracing, non-surgical plan effective in the treatment of scoliosis. Using the CLEAR™ Institute methodologies our physicians are able to assist our patients in actively reducing the curvature of the spine without invasive surgical procedures and unsightly braces.

In light of the severity of conventional treatment, chiropractic care is the most logical approach for scoliosis management. At South Florida Scoliosis Center we are able to provide our patients with a hands on, non-invasive and drug-free treatment to correct the underlying mechanical problems of scoliosis. We assist our patients in relieving pain organically and empower them to continue any necessary home care corrective and postural awareness exercises that may be required.

Benefits of Our Scoliosis Treatment Method

  • Reduces scoliosis curvature of the spine
  • Prevents further curvature of the spine
  • Relieves pain and discomfort
  • Alleviates the embarrassment of deformity
  • Allows patients increased range of motion
  • Less expensive than traditional scoliosis treatments

Using these protocols we have been successful time and time again in reducing and reversing the progression of the scoliotic spine. No embarrassing brace to wear, no casting and no surgery!

At South Florida Scoliosis Center we are continuously improving and developing our methods of treatment to provide our patients better alternatives for curves of all degrees.

Has Your Child Been Diagnosed with Scoliosis? Here’s What You Need to Know…

Has Your Child Been Diagnosed with Scoliosis? Here’s What You Need to Know…

Has Your Child Been Diagnosed with Scoliosis? Here’s What You Need to Know…Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine that affects as many as 12 million people worldwide. Left untreated the progression of scoliosis can cause deformity of the spine, respiratory, cardiac and digestive problems, as well as debilitating pain.

Scoliosis may often be detected during a child’s routine pediatric appointment or during a scoliosis screening exam at school. Oftentimes the signs of scoliosis aren’t obvious until the child’s growth spurt occurs therefore, experts recommend that girls get screened, at ages 10 and again at 12, because they are at higher risk for scoliosis than boys. Boys should generally get screened once between the ages of 13 and 15.

Once your child has been diagnosed with scoliosis, time is now of the essence. The sooner you can treat scoliosis the more successful you will be in stopping the progression of the curve.

At South Florida Scoliosis Center we have been successful in reversing the symptoms of scoliosis by using a non-surgical, non-bracing treatment. Using a methodology designed by Clear™ Institute we use the following 3 steps:

Step 1- MIX
The patient warms up their spine by using several different techniques including the Active Rehabilitation Chair, Cervical Traction, and Vibrating Traction, the goal of which is re-structuring & re-modeling the ligaments after they have been relaxed.

Step 2- FIX
The patient is now primed to receive their chiropractic adjustment. Adjusting instruments and specialized drop pieces enhance the precision & effectiveness of chiropractic care, and reduce the amount of force required to correct the scoliotic spine.

Step 3- SET
Immediately after the adjustment is completed, the spine will be “set” in its corrected position to ensure the permanency of the changes. This involves spinal weighting (typically on the head & hips), whole-body vibration therapy, the Scoliosis Traction Chair, and gait therapy to re-train patterns of moving & walking.

In addition to our Mix, Fix, Set system we may continue to treat the spine with a series of follow up visits and customized home exercises specifically designed for your child’s scoliosis curve.

Using these protocols we have been successful time and time again in reducing and reversing the progression of the scoliotic spine. No embarrassing brace for your child to wear, no casting and no surgery!

At South Florida Scoliosis Center we are continuously improving and developing our methods of treatment to provide our patients better alternatives for curves of all degrees.