Hormone and Neurological Link to Cause of Scoliosis Leads Doctors to Develop More Effective Treatments

LITITZ, PA, February 16, 2012 (Press-News.org) Although the human cerebellum is not considered as part of the endocrine system, the external zone of the cerebellar molecular layer has a high density of melatonin receptors and new research by Manzoni, Miele, and Pompeiano et al have proposed that the melatonin deficit in idiopathic scoliosis patients has an inhibitory effect on the vestibule-spinal activity which could lead to abnormal activities of the cervical and spinal muscles. Impaired vestibular information from the cerebellum to the vestibular cortical network or alteration of this cortical network could also lead to an alteration of back muscle activities. Therefore, vestibulospinal, as well as corticospinal abnormal activities may be part of the mechanisms leading to the onset and progression of idiopathic scoliosis.

Scoliosis occurs in approximately 4.5 percent of the general population. Scoliosis occurs when the spine of the back forms a C or an S shaped curve. The incidence is greater in females than males. Scoliosis patients have symptoms such back pain, hip pain, leg pain, and muscle spasms and in severe cases digestive symptoms, trouble breathing, and significant disability. About 80 percent of all scoliosis cases are idiopathic (unknown cause).

A few symptoms that could indicate a person might have scoliosis are
- Uneven shoulders
- If you wear a shirt or blouse with horizontal stripes and the stripes seem to be going diagonal (this effect caused by body distortion from a curved spine)
- Rib cage sticks out on one side

Scoliosis is often first diagnosed during the teen years at a back to school physical or sports physical. For many years, scoliosis treatment consisted of watching and waiting, rigid back bracing for 23 hours a day for many years, or spinal surgery, depending on the degree of spinal curve.

The treatment consists of head/body weighting, vibrational traction, scoliosis traction table and chair, and home exercises. Care is initiated by taking x-rays to determine the severity of the scoliosis by measuring the spinal curves (Cobb angles). The treatment involves approximately 36 office visits over a 4 month period. Dr. Stitzel explains, "Our non-surgical scoliosis treatment program is based on a unique system of scoliosis exercises that actually supplements the stimulation the cerebellum portion of the brain isn't getting, because of the melatonin deficit. Essentially the scoliosis exercises are replacing the feedback the brain isn't getting in order to train the cerebellum and muscles to learn how to hold the spine in a straighter position automatically."

Dr. Stitzel is one of the few Pennsylvania Doctors who offer this new scoliosis therapy and Dr. Stitzel has brought this new treatment to southeastern Pennsylvania. "A non-bracing, non-surgical approach to the treatment of scoliosis has been long overdue. I am proud to bring this new and innovative approach to all scoliosis patients." comments Dr. Stitzel.

Dr. Clayton Stitzel is a Lancaster County, Pennsylvania native who graduated from Manheim Central High School. He earned a bachelors degree from Penn State University in 1998 majoring in kinesiology (the advanced study of biomechanics). Dr. Stitzel is a 2002 graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. He is the co-developer of the scoliosis traction chair. Dr. Stitzel is one of eleven health care providers in the U.S. that have received advanced certification in the care of scoliosis patients by the CLEAR Institute- scoliosis intensive care certified Appointments for scoliosis consultations with him can be made by calling (717) 627-3009.

For more information on scoliosis, please visit these websites http://www.lancasterspinalhealthcenter.com and http://www.treatingscoliosis.com.

Treating Scoliosis.com offers alternatives to scoliosis surgery when treating scoliosis of the spine in adults and children. Visit Treating Scoliosis.com for more information on non-invasive scoliosis treatment plans.