Expert: Gerald Anzalone, D.C. - 9/8/2009

Question
Hi Docs,
I have a question regarding treatment for you. I googled CLEAR Institute and noticed that you had a few questions in the past regarding treatment.

I am wondering if you have any first hand knowledge of what the treatment entails?  CLEAR is currently working on research studies to prove their work.  I personally do corrective care based on the CLEAR and Pettibon protocols.  I have been in practice for almost 17 years and until recently I was unaware the cervical curves can be restored but I now have first hand experience in doing so and would be happy to share that work with you.
Thank you,
Dr. Sue Bosler

Answer
Dear Dr. Bosler,

Thank you for your inquiry.

I do not have firsthand knowledge of the CLEAR Institute or their protocols. In response to previous questions I have received regarding whether or not chiropractic care specifically, or spinal manipulation in general, can correct scoliosis or restore hypolordotic cervical curvatures, I have responded as neutrally and as accurately as possible, basing my answers on what the consensus of the best current published evidence in peer-reviewed research and scientific journals supports, rather than on any personal opinion I may have.

To the best of my knowledge, there is no conclusive evidence that idiopathic scoliosis can be corrected by manual spinal therapy, and although a number of proprietary chiropractic techniques claim to alter or restore abnormal spinal curvatures, there is no compelling evidence to suggest that there is any specific health benefit to be gained by doing so.

As I have stated to other questioners, the scientific community regards meta-analyses, randomized clinical trials, and large-scale studies as more persuasive and conclusive than individual case reports, which while interesting, are statistically insignificant from which to draw more broad-based conclusions to be applied to the general population.

I am aware that many chiropractors would regard my response with a good deal of emotion. It is not my intention or my purpose to use this forum to insult other chiropractors or their patients. My bias, however, is decidedly against any unsubstantiated dogma or unethical marketing, business or treatment practices which embarrass and disparage the chiropractic profession in the eyes of the scientific and medical communities to which it is supposed to belong and contribute, and the public, which it is supposed to selflessly and ethically serve.

If I have overlooked any important published research in the peer-reviewed literature that is based on acceptable scientific protocols relevant to the CLEAR Institute and their protocols, I would certainly be interested in reading that research more closely. In perusing the articles that are available on the CLEAR website, I cannot find one that has been published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, which, unfortunately, relegates those "informational" articles to marketing and opinion status.

Sincerely,

Gerald A. Anzalone, D.C.