ScoliBrace - Important Patient Information & FAQ
Introducing the ScoliBrace, an effective corrective brace custom-designed to assist individuals with Scoliosis.
Safe and effective, it allows individuals to carry on with their daily activities at their discretion.
Contact us at Spinecare Chiropractic for more information.
Safe and effective, it allows individuals to carry on with their daily activities at their discretion.
Contact us at Spinecare Chiropractic for more information.
ScoliBrace can be worn discreetly under a shirt allowing individuals to carry on with their daily activities.
COMMON QUESTIONS
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Sport or Physical Activities
It is ok to continue with most sporting/physical activities. However, do not wear your brace during sports, and do not undertake extreme activities while wearing the brace. Check with your doctor about doing your normal sport/activity during brace treatment. And never wear your brace in water. |
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Travel
Wearing your ScoliBrace on long trips is not recommended in the first weeks after fitting. If flying, consider asking for a letter from your doctor to minimise any issues wearing or carrying your brace through security and on the plane. |
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Growth & changing body size
ScoliBrace can be adjusted to allow for some amount of growth or change in body size. In some cases, a significant increase in height or a change in body shape or size may require a rescan and a new brace. Keeping up regular follow-up appointments will allow this to be monitored. |
FAQ
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How is scoliosis diagnosed?
Diagnosing scoliosis involves a thorough assessment of the patient and analysis of some specific test results. The first step involves taking a thorough medical history to ensure we have the details required before starting the physical examination. The history can provide us with some vital information towards guiding a diagnosis. After that we start the physical assessment of the patient. This includes a variety of observations and measurements, including posture and movements, as well as conducting some very important standardised tests of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. The final part of the assessment will involve analysis of X-rays and, where required, other radiological scans. Together with the history and assessments the radiological information and measurements can give us vital information to finalise a scoliosis diagnosis and classification. When patients have not yet had any X-rays or other scans, we can provide recommendations if necessary. |
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Which scoliosis do I have?
The short answer is, we don’t know until we assess you! There are many types of scoliosis. The most common scoliosis classification is ‘Idiopathic Scoliosis’. A patient will be diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis when a reason for the scoliosis cannot be found. For example, if a 13 year old is diagnosed with scoliosis of unknown cause then the diagnosis becomes Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis. If, for example, a neurological reason for the scoliosis is found, then the diagnosis and classification of the scoliosis will change. The best way to find out for yourself is to see us for an individualised assessment. |
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I have been diagnosed with scoliosis and told to 'wait and see'. What should I do?
If you are concerned about the diagnosis given to you, or the recommendation of treatment you should seek a second opinion from a scoliosis clinician. |
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When to brace scoliosis and where to go
At Spinecare Chiropractic, we are making sure each patient gets “the right treatment at the right time”. This is especially true of bracing. As a general rule we will brace a patient when there is a high chance that their scoliosis will get worse without a brace, or, if there is an opportunity for the patient to see some improvement from bracing. Typically, bracing will be recommended if a patient has a curve above 20 degrees. |
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Who treats scoliosis in adults?
We do! Unfortunately, scoliosis is a condition that you have for life. At Spinecare we have treatment options for patients of all ages which, of course, includes adults. We have a number of different options for the adult patients ranging from scoliosis specific rehabilitation using our ScoliBalance program, all the way through to our custom-made braces. Each brace is individualised. Once we meet you and undertake an assessment, we’ll be able to determine what the best course of action is for your scoliosis, including finding a protocol that fits your lifestyle. |
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Are scoliosis braces effective?
In many cases, yes. A big part of our assessment at Spinecare is determining the goals of the patient and what they would see as ‘successful’ treatment. We find that each patient has different goals and so we work with you to ensure we are on the same page. We then come up with an action plan to guide you towards that success. This can mean a few different things when it comes to the bracing part of the treatment options. We can use a brace to help reduce pain or to stop a curve from worsening. If the curve is flexible enough, we can even see scoliosis curves become smaller. Our treatment plan is always individualised for the patient, with their specific goals in mind. |
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What is the best treatment for scoliosis?
The treatment recommended for scoliosis will vary with the individual patient. Their individual situation, the severity and location of the curve, their age and potential for further growth will all contribute to finding the right treatment for them. |
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If I have scoliosis, will my children have it?
Scoliosis is considered a partially genetic condition. With this in mind, it is important to have children screened regularly if you have a family history of scoliosis especially during their growth spurts (10 to 15 years old). Or if your mother or father is experiencing back pain they should be checked for scoliosis. |
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Why didn’t we recognise the scoliosis sooner?
Scoliosis curves can worsen very quickly particularly during pre-adolescence. You may not have taken your child to see your doctor at this time of growth. |
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How is adult scoliosis treated?
The usual care recommended for patients suffering back pain with adult scoliosis is pain killers, anti-inflammatory or other drug treatments, back strengthening exercises, surgical decompression and a whole range of other medical and complementary treatments used to treat common lower back pain. On the whole these treatments do not manage the pain over the medium to long term as they generally do not help to treat the underlying condition causing the pain, which is the scoliosis.
Specialised conservative scoliosis treatments and specialised surgical treatments have been developed to treat adult scoliosis. Unfortunately as adult spines have finished growing, the potential to make correction is limited to the inherent flexibility of the scoliosis. However in many cases, the scoliosis need not be corrected to reduce pain. As the majority of adult scoliosis patients suffering pain do so because of the altered spinal balance and not because of the size of the curve, both conservative and surgical treatments that specialise in treating adult scoliosis can be beneficial. In some cases, pain relief and stabilisation can be achieved with intensive specialist physiotherapy which works on spinal balance, not just strengthening core muscles. The goal of these programs is to teach the patient to overcorrect the abnormal position the scoliosis causes in their posture. Once the patient can make these correction movements, there a series of exercises can be used to re-enforce the correction and assist the body to maintain the correction itself. |
Recommendations when wearing the ScoliBrace
Getting started
Day 1 - Begin wearing your ScoliBrace. Your doctor will recommend you a minimum length of time required when you begin each day.
Each Day - Build up the wear time gradually, until you are wearing it at an optimal number of hours every day or night.
It is important for getting the best results, that you aim for the maximum wear time prescribed.
Please seek advice from a chiropractor.
Tip: Start by putting your brace on lying down. This helps get your brace and your body in the best position for the best results.
Each Day - Build up the wear time gradually, until you are wearing it at an optimal number of hours every day or night.
It is important for getting the best results, that you aim for the maximum wear time prescribed.
Please seek advice from a chiropractor.
Tip: Start by putting your brace on lying down. This helps get your brace and your body in the best position for the best results.
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Weaning In
If you're a student, do not wear the brace at school for the first week after fitting. After 1 week, wear to school but take regular breaks from sitting. If recommended that you wear the brace full time, this will mean sleeping in the brace. This can be a little uncomfortable at first, but persevere and it will get easier. |
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Comfort and cleaning
It is recommended to wear a clean, soft shirt or clean body sock under the brace to reduce discomfort and skin irritation. Showering daily will significantly reduce skin irritation. Keep your ScoliBrace clean and avoid skin irritation or infection by wiping the inside of the brace regularly with isopropyl alcohol wipes. |
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Wear and tear
ScoliBrace is designed to be strong, but it is not indestructible, so treat your brace with care. Don't leave it out in freezing conditions, or let it get too hot in car or by a fireplace. Some accessory parts of the brace may wear over time, for example, the straps. Let your ScoliBrace Provider know if you notice any wear and tear. Each ScoliBrace has a 12 month manufacturer's warranty which covers any "material faults". |
What to expect
The brace may feel uncomfortable initially. It is normal to feel some discomfort while your body is adjusting to the brace. This can last up to 3 weeks in some cases, but will improve with time. It is also common to have slight redness, discolouration or slight bruising of the skin. Again, you body should adapt and this will resolve on its own. If it worsens contact your ScoliBrace Provider for review.
Sometimes you might experience a slight numbness or 'pins and needles' feeling in an arm or leg due to the pressure of the brace. This should resolve when the brace is removed. If the feeling persists, contact your ScoliBrace Provider for reassessment.
The brace may feel uncomfortable initially. It is normal to feel some discomfort while your body is adjusting to the brace. This can last up to 3 weeks in some cases, but will improve with time. It is also common to have slight redness, discolouration or slight bruising of the skin. Again, you body should adapt and this will resolve on its own. If it worsens contact your ScoliBrace Provider for review.
Sometimes you might experience a slight numbness or 'pins and needles' feeling in an arm or leg due to the pressure of the brace. This should resolve when the brace is removed. If the feeling persists, contact your ScoliBrace Provider for reassessment.
Staying on track for success
It is essential for best results that you have regular follow-up appointments with your ScoliBrace Provider.
Follow-up appointments after the initial fitting usually occur at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and then ongoing depending on each case. Check with your ScoliBrace Provider for your exact schedule.
It is essential for best results that you have regular follow-up appointments with your ScoliBrace Provider.
Follow-up appointments after the initial fitting usually occur at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and then ongoing depending on each case. Check with your ScoliBrace Provider for your exact schedule.
