If you’re living with or have been recently diagnosed with scoliosis, performing your own scoliosis research may not be on the top of your to-do list. Instead, your diagnosis has most likely prompted a wide variety of emotions and raised endless questions.
Why me?
Will I live with constant pain?
How can I get more information?
What does this mean for my child or my family?
Will this condition ever go away?
Does this mean back surgery?
What can I do?
Traditional medicine offers little hope
However, targeted scoliosis research, such as this link, has determined that there are specific genetic markers, or “scratches on the DNA record” that show if you are likely to develop scoliosis. The advent of inexpensive private genetic variant testing – like 23andme or Ancestry – gives you the power to harness this information.
Read more: Symptoms of Scoliosis
With the help of ScoliSMART doctors, testing for these variants can lead to a highly targeted, nutrition therapy program that’s specific to your scoliosis condition. This non-invasive, effective option empowers you to take responsibility for treating your own or your child’s scoliosis.
Genetic Research designed for Scoliosis
The recent surge in private genetic testing allows you to collect your own genetic data and in turn, be fully informed to conduct your own personal scoliosis research. Similar to genetic tests from 23andme and Ancestry, the ScoliSMART genetic test asks for a saliva test collected from the comfort of your home.
Unlike the popular tests, results from the ScoliSMART genetic test are converted into a scoliosis-specific report. The report highlights what areas of your body need an additional, supplemental “push.” The ScoliSMART report further identifies the exact genetic deficiencies related to scoliosis.
Read more: Lab Testing for Scoliosis
Working in partnership with you, ScoliSMART experts recommend a specific supplementation program catered to your personal needs. Perhaps it’s an increase in your bone health or added support for the MTHFR enzyme pathway, which scoliosis research has shown to be genetically altered in the majority of patients with idiopathic scoliosis. Whatever information is presented through the test, ScoliSMART experts will work with you to develop your own personal treatment plan.
If you’ve already received results from a genetic test, ScoliSMART can review and interpret the data, and provide you with information that is specific to your scoliosis diagnosis.
Targeted supplementation, along with additional non-invasive options like the ScoliSMART Boot Camps and the ScoliSMART Activity Suit work in tandem to treat the whole scoliosis condition, and not just the curve.
Traditional Medicine has its challenges
Most likely, your orthopedist has given you minimal choices based on the information that they have available right now. Traditionally, scoliosis is viewed primarily as only a “cosmetic deformity” by the medical community. Outside of a “watch and wait” recommendation, rigid bracing, or spinal surgery, they simply don’t think there’s anything that can be done. Because of this, scoliosis research funding often reflects this low priority attitude towards treating the condition.
Until recently, scoliosis research has not been focused on the prevention of curve progression. Children are screened for scoliosis at each well-child check-up and if the pediatrician notices a slight curvature or imbalance in a child’s posture, they refer to an orthopedic surgeon.
Orthopedists offer what they know. The vast majority of scoliosis research is geared toward studying the treatment of scoliosis, not the cause of the condition. Studies are difficult to design and control due to the “unknown” idiopathic nature of the condition. Up to this point, the vast majority of research conducted by orthopedic surgeons focus on better ways to utilize bracing and surgery. Recent research from Stanford Medicine supports this and includes funding from the Scoliosis Research Society.
Read more: Boston Brace or ScoliSMART
In addition to the lack of research into the causes of scoliosis, there is a large (and growing) gap between what is known about scoliosis and how to treat the condition. The term “idiopathic” is used for a reason; the meaning of the term is “unknown cause,” and speaks to the fact that while scoliosis is the number one Google-searched childhood condition, and affects 3-5% of the population, the actual cause of the condition is still unknown.
Furthermore, most orthopedic surgeons treat other conditions besides scoliosis, and their bias toward conventional scoliosis treatment leads to a lack of diverse ideas. And while they work to be fully informed on the latest information about their patients’ diagnosis, poor communication between researchers and doctors treating patients negatively affects the exchange of information.
As someone craving information on non-invasive options for your own or your child’s scoliosis, knowledge and options from orthopedic physicians are limited.
The experts at ScoliSMART have determined a specific set of genetic variants that show a predisposition to scoliosis. Having access to this scoliosis research allows you to make smart, informed choices on how you treat your scoliosis condition.
Powerful results
Information…specific to you and your condition allows you to take control of your scoliosis. ScoliSMART experts will guide you through your genetic research, effectively read results, and provide direction on the next steps based on those results. When you partner with the experts at ScoliSMART, you receive targeted solutions that treat the whole scoliosis condition, and not just the curve.
Take control of your scoliosis through research
Order your ScoliSMART Genetic Test today.
