Adult Scoliosis Bracing: Evidence-Based Care at Symmetry Health Center
At Symmetry Health Center, also known as Bay Area Scoliosis Center in Alameda, California, we specialize in non-surgical management of adult scoliosis using the ScoliBrace® and ScoliBalance® programs. Research supports conservative bracing as an effective strategy for managing pain and curve progression in adults, and our tailored approach optimizes these outcomes.
A landmark prospective cohort study by de Mauroy et al. (2016), drawing from a database initiated in 1998, followed 739 adults (mean age 57 years) prescribed rigid bracing, finding that 60% achieved curve stabilization or arrest, with a 17% non-adherence rate and benefits persisting even in patients over 60 when compliance was maintained [1]. A 2025 prospective pilot study by Zaina et al. further demonstrated that corrective nighttime bracing reduced visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores by 32% after six months in 20 adults with severe idiopathic scoliosis, providing a low-risk alternative to surgery [2]. These findings align with our clinical observations: consistent bracing delivers measurable benefits.
Our Approach: ScoliBrace® and ScoliBalance®
At our Alameda clinic, we utilize the ScoliBrace®, a custom, over-corrective brace designed in Australia and manufactured in the United States. Using 3D BraceScan technology and X-rays, we tailor each brace to the patient’s specific spinal curvature, surpassing the fit of traditional rigid braces like the Boston brace. The ScoliBrace® is paired with ScoliBalance®, a Schroth-based sensorimotor exercise program that reinforces brace corrections, enhances posture, and improves functional stability.
For adults, we prioritize daytime bracing to counter gravitational forces during daily activities. Research indicates that spinal loading during standing, walking, or hiking exacerbates pain and curve progression. In our experience, patients wearing the ScoliBrace® during these activities—typically 4 to 16 hours daily, based on curve severity—report improved comfort and function. While nighttime bracing is effective in some studies, daytime wear better supports the spine under load, aiding activities like prolonged standing or recreational hiking.
Out-of-Town Intensives: A Comprehensive Protocol
We serve patients from across the United States, with many traveling from states like Oregon, Nevada, and beyond for our one- to two-week intensive programs. Our structured protocol ensures lasting results:
Initial Assessment and Brace Design: On the first day, we conduct a thorough evaluation, including X-rays and BraceScan analysis, to design a custom ScoliBrace® tailored to the patient’s spinal curvature.
Pre-Brace Training: While the brace is manufactured (7–10 days with expedited shipping), we initiate daily ScoliBalance® sessions. These exercises align with the corrective positions the brace will enforce, preparing the body to adapt to the brace’s alignment and improving outcomes.
Brace Fitting and Customization: When the ScoliBrace® arrives, typically by the end of the first week, our team fits it precisely and makes in-house adjustments for optimal comfort and efficacy. Check out our shop here: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/r3s4GfawW70
Take-Home Plan: Patients leave with a personalized home exercise program, instructional videos, and a schedule for follow-ups and periodic X-ray monitoring to maintain progress.
This intensive approach leverages pre-brace exercises to prime the spine, enhancing brace effectiveness and patient comfort upon delivery.
Why Choose Bracing?
The evidence is robust: bracing outperforms no treatment for most adults with scoliosis. The de Mauroy study showed 60% of patients stabilized or reduced curve progression, with consistent wearers experiencing better pain relief and function [1]. For older adults with degenerative scoliosis, bracing minimized curve progression and reduced discomfort during daily activities. Our ScoliBrace® and ScoliBalance® programs build on this evidence, offering a personalized, non-surgical path to improved spinal health.
Whether you’re local to the East Bay or traveling from afar, Symmetry Health Center is dedicated to helping you manage scoliosis effectively. Contact us to schedule an evaluation or learn more about our intensive programs.
References
- de Mauroy, J. C., et al. (2016). Bracing in adult with scoliosis: experience in diagnosis and classification from a 15 year prospective study of 739 patients. Scoliosis and Spinal Disorders. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27785468/
- Zaina, F., et al. (2025). Bracing adults with chronic low back pain secondary to severe scoliosis: six months results of a prospective pilot study. Journal of Clinical Medicine. https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/14/13/4493