In a study out this month, researchers found that the administration of GABA to type 1 diabetic patients helped to improve beta-islet cell function (the cells that produce insulin in the pancreas) and reduce systemic cytokine production (inflammatory chemicals). This research may have implications for all autoimmune disorders, as increased inflammation and cytokine production is [...]
Although scoliosis has a documented occurrence rate of 5-10% in juveniles and adolescents, the rate of scoliosis jumps to at least 32%, and even up to 68% in seniors. A 2005 study revealed that the occurrence of a De Novo scoliosis, or a new-onset scoliosis in adulthood, may affect two-thirds of our elderly population. Although [...]
In the United States, scoliosis treatment focuses very heavily upon the actual spinal deformity itself, regardless of whether the treatment is conventional or alternative. There is a lot of research out there to suggest that scoliosis is a multi-system disease with a likely neurological and/or endocrine origin. However, treatment here in the US almost solely [...]
As I was checking out at the grocery store yesterday, with my boys in the shopping cart waiting patiently, I proceeded to observe the woman in front of me and her full cart of groceries. Her groceries totaled about $239, which already seemed like a good deal considering the volume of her purchase. However, she [...]
This is a bit of a departure for me in terms of how I write my posts on our clinic blog. Today, my family and I went to breakfast at a great place in Ortonville called Dan's Country Coney. They make the best omelets. Anyway, as we were there eating, another family came in a [...]
STUDY DESIGN.: A prospective study of magnetic resonance imaging findings in outpatients with idiopathic scoliosis. OBJECTIVE.: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of neural axis abnormalities in outpatients with scoliosis and to analyze the characteristics of patients who had such abnormalities. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA.: In previous studies, neural axis abnormalities [...]
Researchers recently evaluated whether the amplitude of spine deformation in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is an important factor for postural control at disease onset. AIS is related to disorders of postural control with potential involvement of vestibular, proprioceptive and visual input. So far no assessment of postural control has been done in an AIS population [...]
BACKGROUND: Treatment of children with early onset scoliosis (EOS) seeks to improve natural history and health related quality of life (QOL). QOL measurement presents a significant challenge given the young age, comorbidities, and heterogeneity of this population. The purpose of this study is to develop a disease specific measure reflecting issues of importance to EOS [...]
Scoliosis is a common disease in children that causes deformity of spine and thoracic cage. The deformity not only affects the appearance, but also leads to irreversible impairment of lung function and respiratory failure in severe cases. Research over the past 50 years demonstrates that scoliosis impairs growth and development of lungs, limits chest wall [...]
It is a broad consensus today that scoliosis curves cannot be improved through bracing, and the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) methodological criteria for bracing have the avoidance of progression as their only objective. Consequently, in curves more than 45°, fusion is considered as basically the only possible treatment. The purpose of the study was to [...]
