Scoliosis ALIGN Program
The New Standard of Care
The Scoliosis ALIGN™ Program is the most comprehensive, science-driven approach to helping children and teens with scoliosis. Designed as a one-time, 3-day intensive experience, this therapy brings together cutting-edge technology, rehabilitation equipment and exercises, functional medicine, and functional neurology treatment strategies under one roof. Instead of the “wait and see” or repeat-program model, families receive a coordinated, immersive plan that’s customized to each child’s curve pattern, lifestyle, and health needs. By acting early and comprehensively, you give your child the best opportunity to keep small curves from progressing and to improve comfort, posture, and overall well-being.
Whole-Person, High-Tech, Personalized Care
During Scoliosis ALIGN™ Program, our team performs advanced diagnostic assessments to identify your child’s specific spinal dynamics, neuromuscular imbalances, and nutritional factors that may influence spinal health. We then combine targeted exercises, functional neurology protocols, and individualized nutritional and lifestyle recommendations to address root causes—not just symptoms. State-of-the-art technologies such as scoliosis genomic mapping, posture retraining, scoliosis-specific exercises, and neuro-sensory integration create a therapy experience that is both evidence-based and highly personalized. Parents consistently report seeing their children gain confidence, improve their curve measurements, improve body awareness, and feel empowered to take control of their spine health.
Following in-office treatment, patients are instructed on home exercise programs specific to their scoliosis curve patterns. This unique approach transcends geographical boundaries, enabling patients of all ages worldwide to attain outcomes previously deemed unattainable through conventional treatments.
A One-Time Immersion with Lasting Benefits
Unlike traditional intensives or ongoing bootcamps, Scoliosis ALIGN™ Program is designed to be a focused, one-time reset. Families leave with a clear at-home plan and ongoing support resources so their child can maintain progress without repeated intensive sessions. This approach saves time, reduces travel, and minimizes disruption to school and family life, all while delivering the most comprehensive non-invasive scoliosis care available. After all, you’re not only investing in treatment—you’re investing in your child’s lifelong spinal health, confidence, and freedom of movement.
Scoliosis-Specific Functional Medicine
Functional medicine principles offer a comprehensive and personalized approach to address the underlying causes of idiopathic scoliosis, a condition characterized by an abnormal sideways curvature of the spine with no known cause. While traditional medicine focuses on managing symptoms or resorting to surgery in severe cases, functional medicine seeks to identify and treat the root causes contributing to the development and progression of scoliosis.
One of the key principles of functional medicine is to view the body as an interconnected system, recognizing that imbalances in one area can affect the entire body. Functional medicine practitioners delve deeper into a patient’s medical history, genetics, lifestyle factors, and environmental influences to identify potential triggers or underlying factors contributing to scoliosis. By understanding the unique aspects of each patient’s condition, functional medicine can develop targeted treatment strategies.
Functional medicine also emphasizes optimizing overall health and well-being to create an environment conducive to healing. This involves addressing various factors that may contribute to scoliosis, such as nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, inflammation, structural imbalances, and poor posture. Through a combination of personalized dietary recommendations, targeted supplementation, lifestyle modifications, and therapeutic interventions, functional medicine aims to restore balance and address the underlying causes of scoliosis, potentially reducing the progression of the condition and improving overall quality of life.
It is important to note that functional medicine does not dismiss the benefits of conventional medical interventions when necessary. Instead, it complements them by providing a holistic and individualized approach that focuses on the underlying causes and aims to optimize the body’s natural healing mechanisms. By working on the root causes of idiopathic scoliosis, functional medicine offers a promising avenue for patients seeking comprehensive and integrative care to address their condition. Dr. Strauchman and Dr. Morningstar have extensive experience in the field of functional medicine. They have both been using functional medicine principles in their practices for more than 18 years, and have instructed other physicians and providers on such principles.
Scoliosis-Specific Exercise Therapy
Why Bracing, Scoliosis-Specific Exercises, and BootCamps Alone Aren’t Enough
Scoliosis develops from a combination of biomechanical, neurological, hormonal, and even genetic influences that can’t be reversed through a single burst of exercise alone. While intensive programs or rigid bracing may provide temporary relief or small improvements in posture, without addressing the underlying drivers of spinal imbalance these gains often do not hold over time. Parents deserve an approach that looks deeper than a quick fix and provides their child with a long-term plan.
How the ALIGN™ Program Changes the Equation
The Scoliosis ALIGN™ Program goes far beyond a current treatment models. Over 3 intensive days, our team creates a personalized master plan for each patient. This plan doesn’t just target spinal alignment and neuromuscular patterns; it also seeks to minimize the impact of genomic factors, hormonal imbalances, and neurotransmitter disturbances that contribute to the onset and progression of scoliosis. By combining advanced assessments, functional neurology protocols, tailored exercise strategies, and individualized nutritional and lifestyle recommendations, the ALIGN™ Program empowers families with a clear roadmap to continue progress long after the immersion week ends — moving from short-term improvement to lasting spinal health.
The New Standard of Care
The Scoliosis ALIGN™ Program isn’t an alternative to the conventional rigid bracing treatment option – instead, it’s a more comprehensive version of that conventional option. Parents no longer have to choose between the orthopedic surgeon’s recommendation to wear a brace or not. The scoliosis ALIGN™ program is a comprehensive option that can include rigid bracing, giving parents the comfort of knowing that they are taking advantage of every conservative treatment option possible, rather than deciding between them.
Chiropractic Rehabilitation
The Pettibon System is a specialized approach within the field of chiropractic rehabilitation that focuses on restoring proper alignment and balance to the spine. It was developed by Dr. Burl Pettibon, a renowned chiropractor and researcher, who recognized the importance of addressing not only the misalignments in the spine but also the imbalances in the supporting musculature.
The underlying principle of the Pettibon Weighting System is based on the understanding that the spine is not a static structure but rather a dynamic system that interacts with the surrounding muscles and ligaments. When there is an imbalance or misalignment, it can lead to a cascade of issues, including pain, restricted range of motion, and decreased overall function.
One of the key elements of the Pettibon Weighting System is the use of weighted vests or other devices that apply precise amounts of weight to specific areas of the body. By strategically placing the weights, chiropractors can help restore proper alignment, improve muscle balance, and retrain the nervous system to support a more optimal posture.
The Pettibon Weighting System is a key component of our ScoliSMART BootCamp home care, which emphasizes patient involvement and active rehabilitation. This active home care participation helps accelerate the healing process, improve spinal stability, and promote long-term changes in posture and alignment.
Corrective Rigid Bracing
SCT Cheneau Brace
Providence Brace
The development of the SCT Cheneau Brace was a result of extensive research, clinical trials, and collaboration between Dr. Rigo and Dr. Cheneau. Their goal was to create a brace that not only effectively corrected spinal curvature but also addressed the individual patient’s unique needs.
The brace’s design incorporates three-dimensional corrective principles, aiming to gradually correct the spinal deformity while allowing the patient to maintain an active lifestyle. The SCT Cheneau Brace achieves this by utilizing the patient’s own body to create corrective forces and counteract the abnormal spinal curvature.
Key Features and Benefits
The SCT Cheneau Brace distinguishes itself from traditional braces through its innovative design and personalized approach to scoliosis treatment. Here are some key features and benefits of the SCT Cheneau Brace:
Customization: Each SCT Cheneau Brace is individually customized to the patient’s unique spinal curvature, ensuring an optimal fit and effectiveness.
Three-Dimensional Correction: The brace applies corrective forces in three dimensions, targeting the rotation, lateral deviation, and frontal deformity of the spine, promoting gradual correction over time.
Postural Awareness: The SCT Cheneau Brace encourages postural awareness and promotes the correction of faulty movement patterns, helping patients develop better posture and body alignment.
Comfort and Discretion: The brace is designed to be comfortable, lightweight, and discreet, allowing patients to wear it for extended periods without discomfort or self-consciousness.
Improved Quality of Life: By addressing the underlying spinal deformity, the SCT Cheneau Brace aims to improve the patient’s quality of life, minimize pain, and prevent further progression of scoliosis.
The Providence Brace, also known as the Providence Nocturnal Scoliosis System, is a custom-made orthopedic brace developed to manage and correct the progression of scoliosis. It was created by Dr. Charles d’Amato, an orthopedic surgeon, and his team at the Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island, hence the name “Providence Brace.” This innovative brace offers a non-surgical approach to treating scoliosis and is particularly effective in cases where the patient’s skeletal growth is not yet complete.
Development Process
The development of the Providence Brace involved a thorough understanding of the biomechanics of scoliosis and a desire to create a treatment option that was effective, comfortable, and convenient for patients. Dr. d’Amato and his team worked tirelessly to design a brace that could address the individual needs of scoliosis patients and allow them to maintain their normal activities while wearing it.
Key Features and Benefits
The Providence Brace stands out for its unique features and numerous benefits. Here are some key aspects of the Providence Brace that make it a popular choice among scoliosis patients:
Customization: Each Providence Brace is tailored to the patient’s specific spinal curvature, ensuring a precise fit and effective treatment.
Nighttime Use: Unlike traditional braces that require full-time wear, the Providence Brace is primarily worn at night while the patient sleeps. This allows for greater convenience and comfort during daily activities.
Effectiveness: The Providence Brace is designed to apply corrective forces to the spine, gradually straightening and reducing the curvature over time. Its effectiveness is enhanced by the nighttime wear when the patient’s spine is less influenced by external factors.
Comfort and Freedom of Movement: The brace is crafted from lightweight, breathable materials, ensuring optimal comfort for the wearer. Its slim design and low profile allow for freedom of movement, enabling individuals to engage in various physical activities without restrictions.
Psychosocial Well-being: The Providence Brace aims to minimize the psychosocial impact often associated with wearing a brace. Its discreet nature and nighttime usage provide a sense of normalcy, helping patients maintain their confidence and self-esteem.