Review on LA Times Article

Mr. Vox,

I read your June 1 article in the Los Angeles Times regarding new
surgery techniques for scoliosis. A very disheartening article.

There is another alternative that is not getting out enough to the
general public. This is the Spinecor brace. Please check out this
website: www.scoliosissystems.com

I believe you will be intrigued, if you are not already aware of this
bracing system.

I am not in sales for them. I am a 62 year-old woman who had an S
curve of 65 degrees and 63 degrees, considered severe by any standard.
My saving grace has been that I have continued with ballet over the
years which has kept my back from freezing up completely. However, I
have suffered with back and hip pain for years. About three years
ago I started having severe spasms that kept me bedridden for two days
at a time before the muscle relaxants could make a big enough impact
to get me mobile again.

I had searched the web repeatedly for solutions. After one of these
spasms I found the Spincor brace and contacted the doctors on the
Scoliosis Systems website. They requested I call and discussed my
situation with me for over ½ an hour. These are very gracious and
kind doctors who for the first time gave me hope. They made no
promises but said they had encouraging results with adults.

I went for a 4 hour visit the first time. They do a lot of testing
for balance and other issues in addition to x-rays and configuring the
brace for my particular curves. The brace is dynamic unlike the hard
braces so there is no muscle atrophy. Actually my back became much
stronger from wearing the brace. Pilates moves that I could not do
prior became routine even without the brace on. Over two years my
curve decreased 7 degrees on the top and about 5 degrees on the
bottom. I have no more pain, seldom see the chiropractor and have
never had another spasm.

After two years, with adults, they believe the brace has done all it
can. Because of how severe my curve is I still wear it during the
week for about 4 hours, but I can go weeks without wearing it without
any adverse affects. I do not and have not taken ballet classes
with the brace on but my balance is very greatly improved as is my
ease of movement.

I believe you would do a great service to children, and adults to
report on this system. Most doctors tell adults that there is nothing
they can do and also still believe in the myth that your back doesn’t
get worse as you get older. I don’t know how many times I heard that
and all the women I’ve spoken to who have been told the same thing.
Doctors tell us it has always been this bad we just are noticing it
now that we are older. Very sad situation since so many people need
help.

Carol W. Bills