Question 1

If it's so harmful, then why is scoliosis implant surgery still being performed in the U.S.?

Accepted Answer

First, many healthcare professionals are not aware of the scientific literature that details the negative side effects of the procedure. Also, very little follow-up with the patient is performed after the operation. Many surgeons believe that the surgeries they perform are beneficial to the patient because no one has returned to their office after the operation to inform them otherwise. Doctors are desperate to meet their patients’ demands for their scoliosis treatment but have no options besides prescribing bracing (which, at best, only slows progression and, at worst, actually worsens the scoliosis by weakening the postural muscles) or performing the surgery.

Obviously, if surgeons stop performing this surgery, they stand to lose a great deal of money. Alternative scoliosis treatment methods are simply not explored by the established medical community because of the possibility that they may prove to be more effective and less costly, thereby eliminating the need to treat scoliosis surgically, as well as their source of income.

Question 2

Why will my insurance company pay for the Harrington rod surgery, but not alternative methods of scoliosis treatment?

Accepted Answer

Typical chiropractic adjustments have been proven to be ineffective or even harmful to the scoliotic patient, due to the mobilization of fixated vertebrae by the adjustment. While this may cause pain relief in the short term, the long term result is increased progression of the Cobb angle. Read: The Physics of Scoliosis – for better understanding why the curve in the neck plays a major role in causing scoliosis. We are not focused on relieving pain, although this is certainly the end result. Dr Hersh is committed to achieving structural changes to the spine that will allow the body to de-rotate and correct itself, and use specific, reproducible precision x-rays that are analyzed according to exact guidelines to measure and quantify the change.

Question 3

Why should I seek scoliosis treatment from Dr. Hersh? What does he know that my regular D.C. doesn't?

Accepted Answer

Typical chiropractic adjustments have been proven to be ineffective or even harmful to the scoliotic patient, due to the mobilization of fixated vertebrae by the adjustment. While this may cause pain relief in the short term, the long term result is increased progression of the Cobb angle. Read: The Physics of Scoliosis – for better understanding why the curve in the neck plays a major role in causing scoliosis. We are not focused on relieving pain, although this is certainly the end result. Dr Hersh is committed to achieving structural changes to the spine that will allow the body to de-rotate and correct itself, and use specific, reproducible precision x-rays that are analyzed according to exact guidelines to measure and quantify the change.

Question 4

There's a lot of controversy on whether or not bracing works. What is your opinion about treating scoliosis with a brace?

Accepted Answer

The controversy over the effectiveness of bracing is somewhat misleading. Most
Doctors will not claim that bracing will correct scoliosis but can prevent progression as
long as the brace is worn. Rather, the debate is over whether or not wearing a brace will
prevent the scoliosis from getting worse.

The ‘medical’ model for scoliosis may indicate the use of a brace if the curves are
under 35 degrees, (a Boston Brace in most regions). This is a subjective decision per
doctor. When doctors state that bracing may “work,” what they’re really saying is that it
may stabilize the scoliosis, keeping it at its current position. Over the years we have
treated many Boston Brace patients. The story is usually the same in that while in the
brace the curves decreased, but within a very short period of time after wearing the
brace, the scoliosis rapidly progresses.

Original (Boston) Brace) design is inappropriate for patients. Wearing it can lead to
increased rib cage deformity instead of the predicted corrective impact. It is important to
notice that scoliosis corrective procedures, especially in young patients, require not only
correcting the spinal deformity but more importantly, the rib cage deformity. The latter
being a preventive step to avoid future respiratory and cardiac
problems." www.biospacemed.com (https://www.eos-imaging.com/)

In certain severe cases we will recommend a new technology brace termed an ‘Over-
Correction’ brace. This has been shown along with our specialized treatment to assist in
both keep the gains made and continuing to reduce the scoliosis.

"If bracing does not reduce the proportion of children with AIS [adolescent idiopathic
scoliosis] who require surgery for cosmetic improvement of their deformity, it cannot be
said to provide a meaningful advantage to the patient or the community."

Question 5

My scoliosis is termed idiopathic, meaning the cause is unknown. Is it true that I inherit this condition from my mother?

Accepted Answer

While there ‘may’ be a genetic component, it has never been discovered. More likely there are multiple factors in causing a scoliosis, including but not limited to the birth process, early trauma, such as falls, accidents, long term postural habits (remember the postmen years ago would carry a heavy mailbag on their shoulder leading to spinal curvatures after years of this habit) and other ‘epigenetic’ causes. Scoliosis is the body’s natural and innate response to the loss of mechanical function provided by the normal curves of the spine. When these curves disappear, the body re-inserts them in another dimension. Another vital factor that is medically overlooked is the shape of the cervical and lumbar spines laterally. These are important curves and must also be treated to properly fix a scoliosis.

Question 6

Can Harrington rods break?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A study highlighted on Medscape reported a high failure rate for the ‘magnetic rod
system’ used in kids with scoliosis, with 175 instances of rod breakage post-surgery.

In a systematic review and meta-analysis for rod materials and sizes in ASD (adult
spinal surgery), it was noted that rod fracture is a common complication.

The traditional growing rod systems, performed on young growing kids, have a reported
complication rate where rod failure is significant, with over 50% risk of complications.

Question 7

Am I going to have health problems with a curve over 30 degrees? Is it necessary to get this looked at? I would like to correct this before it's too late.

Accepted Answer

You are wise to be concerned at this point. Interestingly enough, it is common for a trauma to start a scoliosis becoming evident.

That is because any such event can traumatize the spine, particularly the head and cervical spine, which then can start the scoliosis developing.

Yes, 30 degrees is significant. It is common that below 30 degrees there is no pain which gives a false impression that all is well. However around 30 degrees the vertebrae will begin to rotate which can cause a rib hump to develop. It will likely get worse as you age. You are young enough (and apparently wise enough) to want to correct this now, which is a good thing.

Let me tell you that the two types of patients we have are:
1. Youngsters, teenagers whose parents have discovered their child’s scoliosis and want it corrected while young, which of course, is best or
2. Middle-aged and senior persons, mainly females who ignored their scoliosis since there was little or no pain and no interference in the activities of daily living until they reached their 40s or 50s or older. The same scenario is consistent with those patients who had supposedly ‘successful surgery’ when younger and are now in their middle years and have serious related health problems.

Similar to any long-term condition, whether it is a cold which can turn into pneumonia or cancer which may not show symptoms for many years, the sooner scoliosis is properly treated, the better the long term success.

Question 8

Can you give me some history on the development and use of the treatment devices you referred to?

Accepted Answer

The protocol we use in our unique breakthrough scoliosis treatment is a compilation of
various conservative yet effective methodologies, and when combined have created far
and away the best results available. Among them are:

A Scoliosis Treatment Table which allows both lateral scoliosis (sagittal) correction to
occur while axial traction (top to bottom, head to foot) occurs, while at the same time
dealing directly with the ligaments which are primary to affect the permanent scoliosis
changes.

Since scoliosis almost always involves ‘forward head posture’ loss of neck, midback and
low back lateral (sagittal) curves, as well as hip rotation, we have specialized
equipment, that directly addresses and reduces these regions.

The loss of normal lordosis in the upper spine can affect the anterior corticospinal tract, and the dorsal spino-cerebellar tract (in the brain) which affects postural muscles. What follows is a ‘lateral shift of the spine.

The use of spinal weighting, which is the use of specific weights worn on the head, hips,
or shoulders which are dependent on the specific scoliosis curves are worn, to bring the
curves back into a normal bio-relationship.

Whole-Body Vibration, coupled with various other methodologies, bypasses the
normal proprioception of the body allowing for faster re-alignment. Go to See “Adaptive
Responses of Human Skeletal Muscle to Vibration Exposure”-Bosco et all, Clinical
Physiology 19(2):183-187

Spinal Adjustments specific to the abnormal ‘lever arms’ created by a scoliosis,
performed with an ‘Arthrostim’ which targets only what needs adjusting. Non-painful.

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