CLEAR Institute Day 1

Threatened with surgery, my family and I searched for different options.  We found the CLEAR Institute, an alternative method of scoliosis correction that does not use bracing or any surgical option (http://www.clear-institute.org/Home/tabid/157/Default.aspx).  Instead, the brain is trained to correct the spine and spinal muscles through chiropractics and physical therapy.  At first we were skeptical, the correlation between brain and muscle and spine is different than any previous theory.  But after speaking with over twenty people who had undergone the program we decided it was worth a shot.

CLEAR runs in an intensive circuit of six stations repeated three times a day for two weeks at the program station, then exercises prescribed for the next several months at home.  Four of the stations work to mobilize the spine while two work to correct it. Each is specialized to the patients specific needs.

First, the Eckert Table to mobilize the spine: I lay down on my stomach on a six foot, segmented table.  There are five straps: two to correct curvature at the waist and chest; three to secure the patient to the table at the chest, the hip, and the feet. The top portion of the table is then turned 45 degrees to the right (I have a backwards-s curve).  When activated the bottom portion of the table (hips down) is raised and lowered 45 degrees each direction to create mobility for the following circuit round.  This station lasts for 20 minutes, and at the end a massage is given hips to shoulder by a mechanical chiropractic adjusting tool in order to increase mobility.

Second, the Saunders table to mobilize the upper spine: I lay on my back on a chiropractic table with a small roll under my neck.  My head is placed in a harness connected to the wall and my hips to a band connected to the end of the table.  When activated, the table extends three inches, pulling the hips and lower torso away from the upper back and neck. This station lasts for only ten minutes with extreme discomfort, but increased mobility.

Third, the Vibration Station (I do not know the official name) to mobilize the neck: This station involves laying on a similar table in the same position with foam blocks beneath the legs and lower back and a vibrating roll beneath the neck. The head harness in this station is weighted down to create increased vibration intensity as the roll popped every half-second. This station also lasts for ten minutes.

Next, the Doctor Visit to create personal mobility, each is specialized to the patient: For me, the Doctor pops my tailbone twice with compression.  Then, he cracks my upper back, and finally my neck both directions.  He also uses the chiropractic adjusting tool on my neck and top three vertebrae.  All of this is to mobilize the vertebrae and joints.

Then, the physical therapy begins in the Scoliosis Traction Chair: The chair has several straps tightened to specificity by curve direction and severity.  The straps are placed at the waist and chest and resemble the bracing system. Arms are suspended at a 90 degree angle to the shoulder. This station lasts for thirty minutes.

Finally, the Cantilevers: Each cantilever is made individually for each patient.  Consisting of PVC pipe and Styrofoam rolls, they are easily customizable. Each cantilever is also weighted at 15 lbs to naturally pull the muscles and spine straight. The cantilever is fit onto the patient while they stand on a Dyna Disc on a vibrating platform.  The balancing act occurs for twenty minutes at a time.

The focus of CLEAR is to train the involuntary muscles that act subconsciously and we have no control over, so that even after the program they will have the muscle memory to remain straight. We will see how it goes, I'll keep you posted!