We found out Christina had scoliosis when she was around 12.. 13. We were told to watch and wait:mad: When she was around 15- 16 her deformities were starting to increase...hip out ...hump bigger...the usual scoliosis joys. But the part that had us scared was her daily pain on her convex curve side. Daily pain...pain killers..heating pad etc. We were getting worried, so I went to the local Chiropractor(not clear institute trained)
to get xrays. I pretty much had a nervous breakdown when I saw her curves(classic "s" idiopathic scoliosis)had jumped to 32/35ish range.(17 yrs old now) I was so worked up..I knew these numbers were not good!!!! Off to the internet I frantically went....awww Spinacore brace..."lets put her in that all day, that will hold her.":crying: Well, Christina's tears when we told her the idea (thank God) sent us back to the internet. In May of 2008, we went to a week intensive in Conneticut which got us started with some of clear's therapy...she got some relief and we started the exercise regimen 2x's a day. In Sept. 2008 we found Dr. Dovorany on the new,improved clear institute website. So headed to Wisconsin for 2 weeks(6 hours a day) intensive therapy. The office, the staff, Dr. Dovorany..professional, friendly,EXCELLENT. I could tell he knew his stuff and his heart was in it. He and Christina worked like crazy for the two weeks...and the final xray revealed she had gone from 33/36 to 19/20.......SHOCKER!!!! We expected change, but this had exceeded all expectations.:) Dr Dovorany, armed with these new therapy ideas, did a miracle!!!!!
We do the 1 hour a.m./ 1 hour p.m. daily exercises at home..(usually take one day off a week, just because she is doing so well).
Here are all the improvements since Dr Dovorany and clear institute's "magic".:

overall appearance:
head tip to rt. only slight now
low lft. shoulder only slight now
stick out rt. hip geatly improved
hump on back slowly reducing
NO MORE PAIN!!!!:)from daily pain, to only slight tightness when she exercises super hard.

sideview:
she used to be flat as a board from the side,. no natural curves. now both her cervical and lumbar curves are improving.

texture:
her back used to feel like a stone when we would massage it, now it is very soft and pliable. greatly improved.

curves:
well, 33/36 to 19/20 NO BRACE NO SURGERY ALL NATURAL!!!! Could we ask for anything more?

We are already scheduled to go back in May 2009..for another 2 weeks (our insurance paid half...BEST MONEY WE EVER SPENT!!!!)Dr.Dovorany was so amazing!! Can't wait to go back!! Excited to see Christina's spine get even healthier. (will post back with results.)

To me, the decision to do this therapy was a no brainer..brace ?? surgery???? or a natural approach that gives the body, the tools, it needs, to heal itself!!!

Hope this post helps someone along the way!!!
Sincerely,
Mary Lane and Christina Lane

Have been meaning to post back on how Christina is doing.

She returned again to Dr. Dovorany(Wisconsin) in May '09 so have been doing program faithfully for over a year(at home program). The two week intensive was TOUGH on Christina this time around as her spine was saying "No Go" to anymore reduction in curvature. Dr. Dovorany was his usual excellent self and worked his hardest to try different ways to get more reduction. We've learned to be patient with this whole process since the reduction of cobbs (something we only thought possible by surgery) is possible, without surgery, but we know it will take alot longer then 6/8 hours for permanent changes to happen patience...patience...patience...

Christina continues to enjoy many of the benefits since starting CLEAR...reduced pain....postural improvements...visual reduction of some of the deformities she had.

We will continue with the program for another year or more...once the routine is established it is pretty easy to stick to..

Dr Dovorany(Wisconsin)has been a top notch Sherlock Holmes of scoliosis...trying to unravel the mysteries of our daughter's particular curvature. It is no small task and we've been so impressed with his motivation to try new ideas and improve on an already excellent treatment plan.

We started CLEAR and we intend to stick to the program as long as necessary not only for our daughter's benefit but also for the benefit of others who can learn from our experience. Will post back with updates.

Mary Lane

Hello Mary Lane, I am so glad to hear that good news for your daughter. Did your daughter height changed when her curves droped from from 33/36 to 19/20? Did her curves change when returned again to Dr. Dovorany(Wisconsin) in May '09? Did you use scoliosis chair at home?

Thanks,
Hua

hdong,

Pretty much everything changed when her curves reduced....and yes, she got a bit taller.

No, her curves did not reduce the second time around...which was a real bummer..
BUT..I hadn't expected them to reduce as much as they had the first time.
Everyone had told me only surgery could move a curve but I went with my gut and CLEAR did move her curve..

We have done the at home program (which includes the traction chair) twice a day now, for a year.

Hope this answers your questions,
Mary Lane

i would like to know why you left the connecticut clinic and decided to go to wisconsin? thanks

artgirl,

Dr. Dovorany's office is only an 8 hour car ride from our home in Michigan...while Dr. Hersch requires air travel.

Dr Hersch uses more of a shot gun approach...our daughter did EVERYTHING, which was nice, at the time, since she was just starting out.

Dr Dovorany is more precise and focuses in on the uniqueness of an individual's curve. The neighborhood around Dr. Dovorany's office is very nice and home- like..while Dr. Hersch's office is in a more dangerous part of town.

So location and treatment approach were the 2 main reasons we switched.

Hope this helps,
Mary Lane

Hi Mary Lane,

Thank you for your story. Has your daughter been able to maintain the reduced curve? I am currently trying to decide where to take my son: just about 16 years old with a 62 degree curve. I am torn between Dovorny and Stitzel as I have heard great things about both doctors. How did you decide on Dovorny?

Thank you!

Karena

Actually...am getting a new xray on Thurs(Dec 3 '09) to see how the NEW neuromuscular rehab. is going.

I picked Dr. Dovorany since he was closest to Michigan.

A 62 degree curve is nothing to sneeze at, but CLEAR keeps trying and learning...... new, more effective means, of reducing the curve.

I'd pick the one that is closest to your home.....

Oh Dear Mary Lane,

I have LOVED reading about you and your daughters story. I am on the dark path of a being parent of a daughter with scoliosis. I have so much to say. My daughter's curve now is at least 33 degrees thoracic and I am heartbroken. We too, went to the CLEAR Institute in Green Bay for a 2 wk. intensive. I will give very precise details as to what we did and how it has turned out. I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!!! I hope you come back and visit this website again and see this. I will definitely continue this at a later time. Anyone else who would like to comment please do so!

Any one else out there please join in. It is easy and takes a second (no kidding).