R&D Report: The Curve Restorer
R&D Report: The Curve Restorer
August 2007
by Calvin Hargis, DC, DABCO
Chiropractic Products Magazine
The improvements we are seeing in patient cervical curve restoration are impressive
Cervical curve reversal is one of the leading causes of patient symptoms and degenerative spinal changes. Accompanied by forward displacement of the head, the muscles of the neck and upper back must contract progressively harder as cervical kyphosis worsens. The increased muscular force needed to hold the displaced forward head increases spinal compression, leading to advancing disk and joint deterioration. A host of patient symptoms are related, including neck pain, headaches, TMJ pain, radiculopathy, myofacial syndromes, upper back pain and fatigue, occipital neuralgia, balance problems or in-coordination, and emotional stress.
As I have treated hundreds of patients with cervical curve loss over the years, I had tried several devices that claimed to restore patient curves. I found none effective. Some devices indicated curve improvement while patients were x-rayed with the devices in place, but made no permanent correction when removed from the patient.
Dissatisfied with such offerings, I began to seriously consider how a device could be constructed to achieve permanent and lasting curve correction. Obviously, one would need to first stretch the reversed cervical curve forward and then, at the same time, be able to work the major muscles of the neck and upper back to strengthen and hold the correction. It also seemed obvious that this would take time.
Having three young daughters, all of whom had worn braces (a fact that had taken its toll on my pocketbook), I realized that it was not the vertebrae that would be resistant to change, but instead the soft tissue of the disks, joints, ligaments, and muscles. The patient would also need to use the device daily for best results, making affordability and ease of use important.
Beginning in 2003 with my partner Hill Laboratories, I began working with patients in a clinical setting. We have continued to refine the device and monitor patient progress over the past 4 years. The improvements we are seeing in patient cervical curve restoration are impressive. Using comparative lateral cervical spine x-rays on a quarterly basis, we have validated our patients' consistent progress.
Cervical Curve Restoration
We have seen dramatic permanent restoration of cervical curvatures. With daily use of the Curve Restorer (manufactured by Hill Laboratories), the typical patient is achieving curve correction in 6 to 12 months. A typical case is that of a female patient in her 20s who was an active horse trainer and riding instructor. She had taken numerous...
Calvin Hargis, DC, DABCO, is a 1980 magna cum laude graduate of Palmer Chiropractic School and a board-certified chiropractic orthopedist. He is a patented inventor with various braces currently in production. Contact him at healthline@drhargis.com
Votes:0
Comments: 0