Stay Away From Scoliosis Brace, Reinforcement & Props!
Scoliosis brace (straps, reinforcements, or props) has been a standard method of treatment and management of scoliotic patients. Bracing children with scoliosis started some 450 years ago in Paris. And during all this time, there is little published literature that showed clinical successes. Recent published medical research has been critical of bracing regardless of type. Therefore, we encourage our patients to avoid scoliosis bracing. So, stay away from bracing the spine and as an alternative get corrective therapeutic measures that target the malfunctions of tissues in a scoliotic spine. Before we get too in-depth into the scoliosis brace or bracing, it might be of help for some to cover some basic scoliosis information.
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is the most common form of scoliosis, which makes up about 80% to 85% of the total scoliosis population. Scoliosis is usually confirmed through a physical examination by a clinician or a physiotherapist, or through an X-ray.
Scoliosis is classified as mild, moderate, and severe, depending on the degree of curvature.
- Mild: 10° to 20°
- Moderate: 20° to 40°
- Severe: b 40°
Straps and Reinforcements of the Spine have shown little to no Benefits
Most centers recommend a scoliosis brace for scoliotic children between the ages of 10 to 15. The vast majority of these centers target kids with curves between 20 and 40 degrees for their scoliosis brace. They promote their scoliosis brace as a means of delaying or halting the progression of scoliosis and scoliosis pain. Some recommend bracing because they believe that a growing child needs restricted support during active growth periods. Others relate that bracing will further weaken the soft tissues, leading to additional issues that would otherwise not be present if the child were not braced. While both have merits, we tend to relate to those who recommend the avoidance of braces when it comes to scoliosis.
Bracing was a great option in the 1500s when Ambrose Pare, a French surgeon developed it for spinal deformities such as scoliosis. However, times have changed and today’s modern therapeutic approaches are superior to those provided a few years ago, let alone some 500 years (when bracing stated). As such, we encourage parents with scoliotic children and adults with scoliosis to opt for target-specific treatment and to avoid any form of bracing for scoliosis whenever possible. However, there are situations where a brace can be helpful. So, the only time we would recommend a brace is for infants (infantile scoliosis) who are diagnosed with scoliosis. Before we expand on this topic, it would serve us better if we provide some basic information on the types of braces available.
Types of Scoliosis Braces, Belts, Straps or Reinforcements Available for the Scoliotic Spine in Malaysia
Bracing, regardless of type, is meant to manage scoliosis. To date, there aren’t any braces that can effectively reduce or reverse scoliotic curvature. However, there are plenty of researched documents suggesting progression of the curve in those that wear braces. Having said that, let’s look at the types of braces available on the market today as well and the standard recommendation on their use.
There are different kinds of braces available today. Some braces require full-time wear, which is worn around 18 to 23 hours a day, whereas others are only worn 8 to 10 hours per night while sleeping. Some braces are made of rigid plastic while some are made of elastic materials.
Here are some of the common types of scoliosis brace:
- Boston Brace
- Charleston Bending Brace
- SpineCor Brace
Boston Scoliosis Brace, Belt or Support A.K.A Thoraco-Lumbo-Sacral-Orthosis
The Boston brace or strap was the most commonly used brace for scoliosis. This strap or support is worn 23 hours per day. It is also known as an underarm brace. Their plastic components are custom-molded to fit the patient’s body. This type of brace works by applying 3-point pressure to the curve in hopes of preventing progression. It forces the lumbar region into flexion while pushing the abdomen to flatten the posterior lumbar curvature. The TLSO brace is prescribed for scoliotic curves in the thoraco-lumbar or lumbar sections of the spine.
What is the advantage of Boston’s Bracing MethoMany years ago?
What made it famous long ago was that it eliminated the metal superstructure it used once, making it less noticeable beneath clothing? Nowadays, almost every brace did away with the metal frame! No advantages, whatsoever anymore.
What are the disadvantages when it comes to Boston’s Brace?
Compliance issue. Teenagers find it tough and uncomfortable to wear rigid plastic for 18 to 23 hours per day. It squeezes the chest and ribs, which makes breathing difficult. Children can suffer from losses in breathing capacity. It limits muscle and soft tissue mobility, thus weakening their strength, which links to the worsening of scoliotic disorders.
Charleston Bending Spine Brace, Strap & Support Systems
This type of brace is worn only at night; it is also known as the “part-time” brIt is the first side-bending brace molded to follow the patient’s spine while the patient is bent towards the convexity of the curve. The concept behind this design is that it fixes the patient in an overcorrected position to stretch the spine more aggressively, with a more potent corrective force than the traditional TLSO brace.
What is the Advantage of the Charleston Scoliosis Brace ( Charleston Bending Spine Strapping System)?
Wear time is significantly reduced to only 8-10 hours at night during sleep.
Are there Disadvantages with the Charleston Bending Support Methods for the Spine?
The overstretching of the spine can be very uncomfortable. This brace can cause a lot of muscle soreness. The brace can worsen a secondary curve if there is any because it only addresses the major or primary curvature. The brace leads to decreased muscle activity and eventual weakness, though not as severe as other braces. Published research discovered no advantage in 83 patients that wore the brace daily for 1-2 years. Quite a number of patients in this study ended have spine surgery as their scoliotic curves worsened significantly.
SpineCor Scoliois Brace & Scoliois Straps
SpineCor is a flexible bracing system that allows partial movement and is adjustable to accommodate a child’s growing body. It is different from conventional non-surgical treatments, which are primarily rigid and stiff. Usually, this brace is worn 20 hours per day and must be worn while sleeping. The length of SpineCor bracing will depend on the child’s age which is always a minimum of 18 months.
What are the advantages of the Strapping with the SpineCor Brace?
It is fully flexible, allowing normal body movement, and children can lead a normal life. It is easily worn underneath clothing.
What are the disadvantages when it comes to the SpineCor Straps?
The Scoliosis Research Society found no significant difference between SpineCor and TLSO braces regarding improving or stopping a patient’s curvature. Muscle atrophy can happen even with an elastic brace. The costs involved and lack of the clinical data revealing reduction of the scoliotic curve makes this brace as well as all others in our opinion useless. In short, our clinal teams of scoliosis-specific physiotherapists coupled with our target-specific scoliosis Chiropractic treatment works better in comparison to a scoliosis brace.
Why Scoliosis Braces, Straps Supports, Belts & Reinforcements of the Spine has Failed to Show Clinical Significance?
While many believe that scoliosis braces can stop the curvature from worsening, bracing of any kind has failed to show tangible improvements. Scoliosis bracing has shown some infantile usefulness, but for juvenile, adolescent, and adult scoliosis, braces have been unable to deliver on the slogans they use through marketing. As such, we have deemed them all unnecessary except on certain types of infantile cases. Here’s why:
- Over a period, the muscles in the whole trunk atrophy. They cause muscles to weaken. Being in the braces for 18 to 23 hours a day significantly reduces muscular activity.
- The curve will undergo a sharp increase once the brace is removed. This is because the surrounding muscles and joints are weakened.
- It creates self-esteem issues. Teenagers do not find bracing to be physically appealing; they might develop social anxiety and negative self-image issues.
- Braces, especially TLSO braces, squeeze a person’s abdomen and chest wall, which significantly reduces a person’s breathing capacity, causing pulmonary-related problems.
Visit a Chiropractic Specialty Center® near you for Proven Scoliosis Treatments.
In our centers, we do not recommend bracing as the solution to treating scoliosis. Instead, we recommend patients live a healthy and normal lifestyle. In addition to our targeted scoliosis treatments, we recommend patients perform a series of specific scoliosis exercises to strengthen the weakened muscles and stretch the tight muscles. Our scoliosis treatment methods combine the efforts of physiotherapists, chiropractors with specialized devices, and advanced technology. Scoliosis is a three-dimensional disorder that can only be treated through holistic means. Braces for scoliosis are unable to deliver the comprehensive three-dimensional care needed for strengthening and correction. In fact, some have even experienced worsening scoliotic conditions due to bracing. Are you curious about what we do for scoliosis patients? Call us now to book an appointment today before you opt for the useless scoliosis brace!