Updates on the CLEAR Scoliosis Treatment & Research Center Opening in September
The CLEAR Scoliosis Treatment and Research Center (CLEAR STAR) will be opening at Parker College of Chiropractic in Dallas, Texas, on Tuesday, September 4th (not Saturday the 1st as mentioned in last month's newsletter). Currently, the best method of contacting the Scoliosis Center for more information or to schedule an appointment is by calling (320) 202-5954, or e-mailing us at care@clear-institute.com. A dedicated, direct phone line to the CLEAR Scoliosis Center will be established shortly, and this number will be mentioned in the September newsletter.
The address is 2618 Electronic Lane, Dallas, TX, 75229. We are located in the northwest corner of the Parker Student Clinic building, right across from the Parker Research Department. The office hours will be from 9:00 am until 1:00pm, and from 3:00 pm until 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
The director of the CLEAR Scoliosis Treatment & Research Center is Dr. Glenn Robinson. Dr. Robinson was present at the first Scoliosis Correction Seminar held at Parker College, and has attended every seminar held there since. He contributes over 20 years of professional, clinical experience, and has been a member in good standing of the CLEAR Board of Directors for over four years.
Upcoming Scoliosis Seminars
The CLEAR Scoliosis Correction Seminar series will be beginning in Dallas this fall, and also in Daytona Beach, Florida. We have also finalized the dates for the Seminar series that will be held in Connecticut - please stay tuned for more information about the 2008 Connecticut Seminar series in next month's newsletter!
Parker College - Dallas, Texas
October 13 - 14: Part I
November 3 - 4: Part II
December 1: Workshop
Daytona Beach, Florida
Part I: October 27th & 28th
(Saturday 9 - 6 & Sunday 8 - 1)
Part II: November 3rd & 4th
(Saturday 9 - 6 & Sunday 8 - 1)
Workshop: November 17th
(Saturday only 8 - 6)
Connecticut Scoliosis Seminar Dates
Part 1 - January 12 & 13, 2008
Part 2 - February 2 & 3, 2008
Workshop - February 16
More information & updates to the seminar schedule can be found at:
Calling All Interns!
If you are a chiropractic student or recent graduate who has attended the Scoliosis Correction Seminar series and/or been involved with the Scoliosis Mentorship Program, please contact CLEAR Institute right away! Several CLEAR practitioners located in states across the nation have expressed an interest in hiring a new associate that is already familiar with the CLEAR Scoliosis Correction protocols.
Similarily, if you are a CLEAR practitioner who is searching for an associate with this advanced training, please let us know so that we may forward your information to potential candidates, and also supply you with a list.
You may contact CLEAR Institute by phone at (320) 202-5954, or by e-mail at care@clear-institute.com. Feel free to include your resume, CV, or similar documents.
Vibration Trumps Exercise, Nutrition, & Drugs in Treating Osteoporosis
New research has confirmed what we have been proclaiming all along: whole-body vibration (WBV) therapy is by far the most effective method of preventing & reducing osteoporosis and increasing bone mineral density (BMD).
A 2006 study entitled, "The Effect of Exercise on Bone Mineral Density and Lean Mass in Postmenopausal Women," concluded, "Overall, the results from this study suggest that yearlong-moderate intensity aerobic exercise does not affect total body bone mineral density." In this study, participants exercised for five 45-minute sessions every week for a year.
A massive review of over 29 studies on osteoporosis & nutrition involving more than 63,000 patients was completed August 28, 2007. According to this study, "There were 23 trials, enrolling a total of 41,419 subjects, that reported BMD as an outcome. In these trials, treatment was associated with a decrease in the rate of bone loss of 0.54% (95% CI, 0.35 - 0.73; P < .0001) at the hip and 1.19% (95% CI, 0.76 - 1.61%; P < .0001) at the spine." The average duration that a patient took calcium, or calcium with vitamin D, was three and a half years.
Multiple studies have shown that pharmacological treatments for BMD may result in an increase in BMD of 3-8% over a period of 12 months. However, the following statement, excerpted from www.mercola.com, is an excellent explanation of why this "gain" is misleading:
"Many doctors prescribe oral drugs called bisphosphonates to treat osteoporosis. Bisphosphonates are a family of non-hormonal drugs used to prevent and treat osteoporosis. There are many bisphosphonates currently in clinical use, including alendronate (Fosamax) and etidronate (Didronel). Unfortunately, most doctors don’t have any clue that these bisphosphanate drugs are toxic poisons that contain the same type of chemicals used to remove soap scum from your bathtub. They work by killing osteoclasts in the bone that are responsible for remodeling the bone. The theory is that if you can prevent bone loss you will have stronger bone. Unfortunately, the theory doesn’t hold up. The osteoclasts are metabolically poisoned (killed) and the bone does become denser. The denser bone does not translate to stronger bone. Although the bone is denser, it is actually more brittle and more susceptible to fracture.”
New research is being published which confirms this. When drugs are taken, the increase in BMD is not correlated with a decrease in the risk of fracture. One study entitled, "Examining the Relationship between Bone Mineral Density and Fracture Risk Reduction during Pharmacological Treatment for Osteoporosis," came out in the journal of Pharmacotherapy in 2006. In the study, they stated, "We examined the relationship between changes in BMD and reduction in fracture risk during pharmacologic therapy in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. The correlation between BMD increases and fracture risk reduction during treatment is not consistent; larger increases in BMD do not necessarily correlate with greater reductions in fracture risk."
Meanwhile, a study published in the Journal of Bone Mineral Research in 2004, " The Effect of 6-month Whole-Body Vibration Training on Hip Density, Muscle Strength, and Postural Control in Postmenopausal Women," found that "Vibration training improved isometric and dynamic muscle strength, and also significantly increased BMD of the hip." The treatment duration was a mere three times a week, for only six months!
Vibration therapy is a natural and a multi-faceted way to fight against osteoporosis. In addition to the normal increase in osteoblastic (bone-building) cells as they react to the vibratory forces (Wolff's Law), there is a positive effect upon balance, postural control, and isometric (no motion) & dynamic (with motion) muscle strength. All of these factors may play a role in reducing the risk of fractures!
It is important to remember, however, that as mentioned in previously newsletters, the effectiveness of vibration depends entirely upon the characteristics of the frequency of the wave and its amplitude, as well as the method used to transmit this wave to the body. For a free flyer on the Vibe & its frequency, amplitude, & method of transmission, please e-mail care@clear-institute.com, and type "VIBE "in the subject heading!
"Most of our problems can be solved. Some of them will take brains, and some of them will take patience, but all of them will have to be wrestled with like an alligator in the swamp."
-Harold Washington (1922-1987)