What is scoliosis?

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Age is important in recovery from scoliosis. If it were possible to begin treatment of scoliosis while patients are very young, results would happen quickly, and much more easily. Unfortunately, most cases of scoliosis are not detected until physical deformity begins to be evident in the teenage years. At that time, patients are usually taken to the M.D. for evaluation, and are generally told, "let's wait and see if it gets any worse." All of my patients have been in their mid to late teens when they started the bracing program in my office, but still we note progress.

Scoliosis is a complex skeletal and muscular disease affecting thousands of people each year. It's been estimated that one in nine young women and roughly 4% of the overall population are affected in the United States.

Left untreated, scoliosis often results in crippling spine and rib cage deformities - severe conditions that may inevitably interfere with lung, heart, and digestive functions.

For the past 50 years conventional medical treatment has required that young patients wear a rigid bracing structure to arrest the continuing curvature of their spine. As their bone structure matures, spinal curvature often progresses, and an invasive surgical procedure is performed to fuse the vertebrae by attaching metal rods to correct the structural deformity, without addressing the many physiological, behavioral and biochemical problems associated with the disease - often leaving the patient's overall health and quality of life permanently diminished.

Fortunately times have changed for the better. In 1993, Dr. Arthur L. Copes, began pioneering a revolutionary new approach. His brace and treatment regimen addresses the full range of problems caused by scoliosis. Dr. Copes discovered that by precise application of dynamic bracing techniques, much like those used by orthodontists to straighten teeth, a scoliosis brace need not passively "hold the line" on spinal curvature, but could pro-actively correct it.

Today, the Copes Brace employs inflatable rubber air sacs, called pneumatic force vector pads, that apply continuous pressure to the spinal column, gently encouraging correction. With proper wearing and patient compliance with all aspects of the protocol, spinal alignment significantly improves within months.

Typically, a patient wears the lightweight, unobtrusive Copes Brace for up to 18 hours each day. Treatment duration is between 18-36 months. During treatment, a three-phase exercise regimen is followed: A dietary guide is recommended for efficient digestive functioning and nutritional support; chiropractic adjustments are applied up to 3 times per week; electric muscle stimulation is employed to rehabilitate paraspinal and gross torso muscles; and hydrotherapy is directed.

Perhaps the most significant benefit of the program is its non-surgical conclusion. The Copes Scoliosis Total Recovery System (STRS), including the Copes Brace, presents no danger to the patient from cutting, anesthetics, post-operative infections or failed surgery. Early detection and recognizing progressive symptoms before they become acute greatly assists in the correction process and prevents prolonged treatment and expense. However, success has been noted in adult patients, though more time in the program is anticipated for recovery.