SpineCor plus Chiropractor

[dreamyguy]

Hi everyone,

First of all, I am incredibly impressed with the forum and how supportive and knowledgeable people are in it. I hope you can help me as well as you've helped many in the past :)

I'm a 25-year-old male, and I have kyphosis. I'm not sure what type, but I do know I have no scoliosis, so at least I'm happy about that. I have a 68 degree curvature in my upper back, and a 65 degree curvature on my lower back. I have no pain, which I'm very grateful for, but of course the cosmetic appearance bothers me a lot. I have gotten some physical therapy when I was younger at age 17-18 (somewhat too late, unfortunately :( ), and I also had a personal trainer last year who was aware of my condition and tried to make sure my back muscles didn't become stronger than my chest.

Yesterday, I went to an appointment with Gary Deutchman at Scoliosis Systems (http://www.scoliosissystems.com/doctorsNE.html), who are the people who sell SpineCor. He did an X-Ray and consultation for me, and told me that they've had a lot of success with treating adult kyphosis. I asked a lot of questions, as I always do, and he suggested a SpineCor brace (about $5000) and chiropractic treatment at their center ($80/visit). He said they had no Kyphosis studies, but Kyphosis is "easier", and then he showed me some X-Rays of patients and they had indeed made great progress, for example one adult patient reducing her curve by 25 degrees! Honestly, I don't know if I believe all of this, because of course they are interested in selling th brace. So that's why I thought I'd ask her.

Has anyone heard of SpineCor for adult treatment? Can Scoliosis Systems be trusted in general? Could I consider surgery? Any other treatment ideas/advice/etc.?

Thank you so much in advance,
Artem

[sins]

Hi Artem,
I have no direct knowledge about that particular chiropracter here but his name is frequently mentioned on Nsf forums,
http://www.scoliosis.org/forum
I would suspect that adult bracing for Kyphosis would be considered experimental but hipefully if you decide to opt for this treatment, that your insurance would pay.
Sins

[Amazed Jean]

Hello and welcome to SSO. I have no knowledge of brace plus chiro. but I did want to wish you welcome and ask you to please keep us posted.

[hvdeen]

Hello, I have severe kyphosis and I am scheduled for surgery in a week and a half and I don't know about the place you mentioned but I did try a chiropractor which helped a tiny bit but there was only so much he could do and I also found out that you have to keep going to the chiropractor or the back goes back to the original curve. For me, I have a lot of pain and stuff from the Kyphosis and it is pretty severe and he did improve the curve a bit but he got to a point that it just was not improving any more and I still had pain. As for the brace, I was told by my surgeon that for adults, all the brace can really do is hold the back a little straighter in most cases and ease pain but won't actually straighten the back in an adult. My surgeon did encourage me to try a chiropractor and physio and stuff first to see how that went so I would try a chiropractor if I were you but I would go to a few different chiropractors first and see what they say and charge. When it is your back and health you are dealing with-there is absolutely no harm in getting more than one opinion. It is better to be safe than sorry. Hope this helps and welcome as well.

[jamielynn]

I would definetly consider surgery, as choice B :niceone:

[pink_candy_swirl]

I know this is for scoliosis, but here is an appointment (over two videos) from a girl with scoliosis who sees him...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8v1w1fK8B0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74gNb8o1TJE