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Posted By JWoggon on 07 Sep 2010 10:01 AM
According to published research, the weight of a child's backpack should not exceed 10% of their body weight. In the case of people with scoliosis, that weight should not exceed 5% (so, for a 100-pound child, that's no more than 5 pounds of weight!).
Research has linked heavy backpacks to increased low back pain, decreased lung function, and an increased risk of progression (Korovessis 2004, Cottalorda 2004, Chow 2005). |
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RE: 12 year old with scoliosis |
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| Topic Review |  | |
JWoggon
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| 07 Sep 2010 04:01 PM |
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According to published research, the weight of a child's backpack should not exceed 10% of their body weight. In the case of people with scoliosis, that weight should not exceed 5% (so, for a 100-pound child, that's no more than 5 pounds of weight!).
Research has linked heavy backpacks to increased low back pain, decreased lung function, and an increased risk of progression (Korovessis 2004, Cottalorda 2004, Chow 2005). |
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Leighannp
Basic Member
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| 06 Sep 2010 07:41 PM |
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| Thank you for your quick response. My 12 yr daughter is just beginning middle school & insists on not having a backpack with wheels (bcuz it's SO UNCOOL!). MY question is - will carrying a 30lb backpack full of schoolbooks possibly make her curvature worse? The orthopedic doctor told us that carrying a school backpack would not effect her back. I do not feel that the orthopedic doctor is correct but my daughter does. |
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JWoggon
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| 06 Sep 2010 04:19 PM |
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Hello, Leigh;
Thank you for taking the time to post on the forum! You're asking some excellent questions, and I hope I can be of assistance.
First off, your daughter is eligible for the ScoliScore test, which can help you to decide if early treatment is the right choice, or if it would be okay to just "watch & wait" for six months. The ScoliScore test is designed to "risk-stratify" scoliosis patients to determine which patients have a very high probability of getting worse. To recommend watching & waiting, without first utilizing this technology to obtain proof that the scoliosis is not going to get worse, seems irresponsible to me. The best part is, over 90% of patients have no out-of-pocket costs with ScoliScore; it is fully covered by insurance.
When it comes to the lack of familiarity on the part of most orthopedic surgeons with CLEAR Institute, the best answer I can give you is that orthopedic doctors are surgeons, and the majority of their time is spent learning more about new surgical techniques or new braces. CLEAR's method, which does not involve bracing or surgery, is not going to be featured at a meeting of the Scoliosis Research Society any time soon for that very reason.
The Scoliosis Research Society accepts doctors who share similar opinions; namely, that bracing & surgery are the only effective, acceptable methods of treating scoliosis. Thus, these doctors do have a huge amount of expertise in treating spinal deformities – with bracing & surgery. Research proves that certain categories of research attract more funding than others within the SRS (Roach et al, Spine 2008). Innovation seldom comes from within an established system – more often, it comes from outside the status quo. I believe that people with scoliosis, like all people, are intelligent & capable of making their own decisions, and should be given more options than only bracing & surgery. This will most likely occur from outside of the established system; not from the SRS.
Our article in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders is listed as the Most Highly Accessed Article of All-Time; you might want to point this out to your orthopedist. Also, your orthopedist should be familiar with the name of Dr. James Ogilvie, MD, an orthopedist with 40+ years of experience who was a past-president of the Scoliosis Research Society and has published numerous research articles on scoliosis (he's also the Chief Medical Director and Co-founder of the company which created ScoliScore). Dr. Jim generously donated his time to do an interview with CLEAR Institute (visit http://drop.io/clearfb if you would like to read it, or you can pull it down from the Newsletter Archives once it is uploaded there). In this interview, Dr. Jim explains his thoughts about CLEAR's method of scoliosis treatment, and the need for more options besides bracing & surgery.
In regards to convincing your ex-husband, there is a wealth of information and testimonials on our website. You can read more on the CLEAR Institute Facebook page, or just call us up and speak with a real person to get the answers you need. If there are specific questions or concerns he has that he would like addressed, feel free to put them together in an e-mail and I would be happy to respond to them.
The danger that any parent needs to be wary of when making decisions on behalf of their son or daughter is that these are decisions which can have lifetime consequences. If you feel like you are at a fork in the road, you are; your next step should not be taken lightly! Please know that there are resources here (and I am one!) to help you to make the best decision for your family. Every big curve started out small; every surgical case was once a child with a small curve whose orthopedic doctor told their parents not to worry about it, and they trusted that advice. The problem is doctors are people too, and people make mistakes, especially when they are operating off of old and inaccurate information. Watching & waiting is benign medical neglect at a time when the most difference could potentially be made, when an ounce of early intervention could prevent the need for hundreds of thousands of dollars in surgeries down the road.
If there is any additional research or information that may prove helpful, please do not hesitate to contact me via this forum or directly through e-mail at jwoggon@clear-institute.org. I wish you & your family the best of health & happiness!
Warmest Regards,
Dr. Josh Woggon
Director of Research, CLEAR Institute
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Leighannp
New Member
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| 06 Sep 2010 12:51 AM |
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| Hi my 12 yr old daughter has just been diagnosed w mild scoliosis (16%). I really want to try CLEAR but my xhusband is completely opposed bcuz he believes the orthopedic doctor who told us there was NOTHING that can be done & to just bring her back in 6 months & that she has never heard of CLEAR & if CLEAR was really helpful for scoliosis patients, then why don't othropedic doctors know about it.@ questions-- 1)why doesn't the orthopedic doctors know about CLEAR? & 2) How to I convince my xhusband that CLEAR is our best option for our daughter? |
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worriedmom
Basic Member
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| 02 Jul 2010 02:03 AM |
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| Hi my 12 year has scoliosis. thinking about trying spinecor brace. She plays volleyball, basketball and softball, so we dont want a hard brace. Does anybody have a daughter wearing a spinecor brace?? |
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JWoggon
Moderator
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| 30 Jun 2010 04:15 AM |
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| P.S. Swells, thank you for taking the time to share your success story! I am delighted to hear that things are going well for you. |
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JWoggon
Moderator
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| 30 Jun 2010 04:14 AM |
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Hello,
Have you heard of ScoliScore? It is a saliva-based test that can answer your question of whether or not a mild scoliosis is going to get worse. Learn more at www.scoliscore.com - all CLEAR-certified doctors offer this simple, easy (and best of all, 100% fully covered by insurance) state-of-the-art genetic test.
Please note - it's not a genetic test for scoliosis. It's a prognostic test to determine whether or not someone between the ages of 9 and 13 with a mild scoliosis (under 25 degrees) is going to progress to surgical levels (40 degrees or above). Best of all, it's 99% accurate.
Feel free to contact me directly at jwoggon@clear-institute.org or on this forum if I can provide additional information or assistance!
Warmest Regards,
Dr. Josh Woggon
Director of Research, CLEAR Institute |
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guyrprice
Basic Member
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| 07 May 2010 03:44 PM |
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My wife and i just found out that our 12 yr. mild scoliosis and we are Totally lost ! Is it a Disease that going to be Debilitating ? Is it going to affect her ? we just don't know !
Concern Father |
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swells
Basic Member
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| 30 Dec 2009 05:23 AM |
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| Please contact the clear institute before making your daughter wear that brace. I am speaking from a parents point of view. My son had to wear a brace. He wore it for 2 years(as prescribed) and his curve went from 30 degrees to 55!! We were told there were no other options for him, he needed surgery and it was actually scheduled for this past October. During the meantime, we found the Clear Institute. His curves are so much better. His at home therapy does require time and work but it's very manageable!! I can only say- contact the clear institute!! |
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Dr. Bosler
Moderator
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| 29 Dec 2009 06:15 PM |
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Hi eterrero,
You do have options =)
Your doctor is correct in saying that traditional chiropractic care and exercise are not the most effective treatments for your daughter.
Early intervention is the key. The earlier her condition can be addressed, the better.
I would recommend that you have your daughter's spine evaluated by one of our CLEAR certified doctors. They can assess your daughter's spine an recommend the best course of treatment.
If I can assist you futher please don't hesitate to contact me.
Yours in health,
Dr. Sue Bosler |
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eterrero
Basic Member
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| 22 Dec 2009 06:08 PM |
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My 12 year old daughter was just diagnosed with Scoliosis it is presently at 24 and was prescribed a brace that costs $1,500. Dr said that chiropractic nor therapy would help at this point, but that the brace will help as she is still growing and can prevent it from getting worse. Not sure what to do at this point as I can not afford to purchase the brace.
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