After her daughter was diagnosed with scoliosis, she was told not to worry about it and to just have her reexamined in 6-8 months. She discovered in just 6 months that her daughter’s curve had progressed for 13 to 19 degrees. Again, her only advice was to “wait and see” and if it continued to progress her daughter would have to be braced. Refusing to sit back and watch as her daughter curve progressed, she opted to take a proactive scoliosis treatment (approach of CLEAR treatment) and “couldn’t be happier with the results”!
Proactive Scoliosis Treatment
Scoliosis is a medical condition characterized by an abnormal curvature of the spine, and for many parents, the diagnosis can be a source of concern and uncertainty. One mother’s journey with her daughter’s scoliosis diagnosis sheds light on the importance of proactive scoliosis treatment and the transformative impact it can have on a young patient’s life.
A Shocking Discovery
The journey began when a mother noticed that something wasn’t quite right with her daughter’s posture. Her daughter, just a young child at the time, displayed signs of uneven shoulders and an irregular curvature of her spine. Concerned about her child’s health, she took her daughter to the doctor for an evaluation. What she heard from the medical professionals was not what she expected.
“They said, ‘You know, that’s not bad. Don’t worry about it. It could stay there, or it might get a little worse. Don’t worry about it. Make an appointment in about six months,'” the mother recalled.
Despite the reassurances from the medical team, the mother couldn’t shake off her concerns. She felt that there was something more that could be done, and she worried about the potential consequences of neglecting the issue.
The Alarming Progression
Six to eight months passed, and the family returned for a follow-up appointment. To their surprise, the curve in her daughter’s spine had worsened significantly. What was initially a 13-degree curvature had now progressed to 19 degrees. The mother expressed her shock, “I was really shocked to see, in that short amount of time, that someone’s back could get that bad, and it was really upsetting as a parent.”
The rapid progression of the condition left the family feeling uneasy. The initial assurance from the medical professionals seemed misplaced, and they were now faced with the reality of their daughter’s deteriorating spine.
Frustration with the Waiting Game
The medical advice they received during the second appointment did little to alleviate their concerns. The doctors suggested a wait-and-see approach, with the possibility of bracing as a last resort. “The only thing they suggested was to wait and stay still, and worst comes to worst, they would put her in a brace. They told her right off she’s not going to like it, she probably won’t want to wear it, but that’s really the only thing that they could do,” the mother recounted.
As parents, the family couldn’t shake the feeling that simply waiting for the condition to worsen before taking action was not the best approach. They wanted a more proactive solution for their daughter.
The Search for Alternatives
Feeling frustrated and concerned for her daughter’s well-being, the mother and her husband decided to take matters into their own hands. They embarked on a journey to find a more proactive approach to scoliosis treatment. “What we did after my husband and I, we went home and we just tried to research, and honestly, we stumbled upon something, and it’s the best thing that ever happened to us as a family,” the mother explained.
Their search led them to an alternative approach to scoliosis treatment, one that offered hope and a chance for a brighter future for their daughter. This new path promised a proactive stance rather than a passive wait-and-see approach, and it opened the door to a world of possibilities.
A Beacon of Hope
The family found Dr. Andrew Strauss who specialized in proactive scoliosis treatment. They were welcomed by a team of experts who shared their commitment to helping children with scoliosis achieve the best possible outcomes. The mother spoke of the transformative experience, saying, “It’s been fantastic coming here, and the results that we’re getting are remarkable. We couldn’t be happier than honestly.”
This newfound hope and optimism stemmed from the proactive approach to scoliosis treatment offered. Let’s delve deeper into the components of this approach and how it differs from the conventional wait-and-see approach.
The Proactive Approach to Scoliosis Treatment
Proactive scoliosis treatment takes a fundamentally different approach from the conventional wait-and-see method. Instead of merely monitoring the condition and intervening only when it worsens, proactive treatment seeks to address the issue at its early stages and actively work towards correcting it. Here are the key components of this approach:
Early Intervention
One of the hallmarks of proactive scoliosis treatment is early intervention. By identifying scoliosis in its early stages, medical professionals can implement measures to prevent further progression of the condition. This often involves closely monitoring the curvature of the spine and providing appropriate treatments when necessary.
Customized Treatment Plans
Each child with scoliosis is unique, and a proactive approach recognizes this fact. Treatment plans are customized to meet the specific needs of the individual. These plans may include physical therapy, exercises, bracing, or a combination of these methods, depending on the severity and progression of the condition.
Active Patient Engagement
In proactive scoliosis treatment, patients are actively engaged in their care. They are not passive recipients of treatment but active participants in their journey towards better spinal health. This can lead to a greater sense of empowerment and ownership over the treatment process.
Monitoring and Adjustments
Regular monitoring and adjustments are a crucial part of proactive scoliosis treatment. This ensures that the treatment plan remains effective and can be modified as needed to address changes in the curvature of the spine.
The Impact on the Young Patient
The proactive approach to scoliosis treatment can have a profound impact on young patients like the daughter in this family’s story. It offers a ray of hope, a chance to halt the progression of the condition, and an opportunity to live a life free from the limitations that severe scoliosis can impose.
Improved Quality of Life
By addressing scoliosis early and proactively, young patients can experience a significant improvement in their quality of life. They are less likely to develop severe pain, limited mobility, and self-esteem issues associated with advanced scoliosis.
Prevention of Severe Curvature
One of the primary goals of proactive treatment is to prevent the progression of scoliosis into severe curvature. By doing so, children can avoid the need for extensive surgeries and invasive procedures that may be required in cases of advanced scoliosis.
Increased Mobility
Proactive treatment often includes physical therapy and exercises to strengthen the muscles around the spine. This leads to improved mobility and a better range of motion, allowing young patients to participate in various physical activities and enjoy an active lifestyle.
Emotional Well-Being
The emotional impact of scoliosis on young patients should not be underestimated. Early and effective treatment can prevent the development of self-esteem issues and emotional distress that can accompany a visible deformity.
The Importance of Advocacy
The story of this mother and her daughter highlights the crucial role that advocacy plays in healthcare. In many cases, parents are the strongest advocates for their children’s well-being. When faced with uncertainty or an unsatisfactory medical approach, seeking alternative solutions and pursuing a proactive stance can make all the difference.
Advocacy in healthcare involves actively seeking the best possible care for a loved one. It may require research, second opinions, and even traveling to specialized facilities that offer unique treatment approaches. The dedication of parents like the mother in this story can be a driving force behind finding better solutions for their children.
Conclusion
Scoliosis is a condition that, if left unaddressed, can significantly impact a young person’s life. The story of this mother’s journey with her daughter’s scoliosis diagnosis underscores the importance of proactive treatment and the potential it holds for improving the quality of life for children and adolescents facing this condition.
By actively seeking early intervention and personalized treatment plans, young patients can experience a brighter future with improved mobility, better emotional well-being, and a reduced risk of severe spinal deformity. Advocacy in healthcare, especially when it comes to your loved ones, can be a powerful force for change and a source of hope in the face of uncertainty.
While each scoliosis case is unique, the lesson from this story is clear: proactive scoliosis treatment can offer a path to a brighter and healthier future for those affected by this condition. It is a beacon of hope for parents and their children, reminding us all of the importance of taking a proactive stance in the face of adversity.
Also read: What are the Main Causes of Scoliosis
About:
Dr. Strauss is the director of the Hudson Valley Scoliosis Correction Center in New York. He has been actively engaged in scoliosis treatment for the past 30 years and has authored two books on the subject, Your Child Has Scoliosis and The Truth About Adult Scoliosis.
He is Vice President of the CLEAR Scoliosis Institute and a lecturer for their introductory and advanced workshops. He is certified in scoliosis bracing and in the use of scoliosis specific exercises. Dr. Strauss is a graduate of the ISICO World Masters of Scoliosis.His postgraduate studies also include a Masters Degree in Acupuncture as well as training in Grostic, Pettibon, CBP, Clinical Nutrition, Chinese Herbal Medicine, Manipulation under Anesthesia, and Electrodiagnosis.
His scoliosis practice has treated patients from 25 states and 32 other foreign countries.If you have questions about childhood and adult scoliosis and how it can be successfully treated without surgery subscribe to our channel!