What to Do if There Isn’t a CLEAR Doctor Near You

Clear Doctor on the phone

We pride ourselves in our ability to treat scoliosis effectively without surgery or cumbersome brace-wear. However, we know we can't be everywhere. Check and see if there's a CLEAR doctor near you. And if not, don't worry, there are still ways for you to get quality alternative treatment.

If there isn’t a CLEAR doctor within a comfortable daily driving distance from your home, you still have options. Our Intensive Care (IC) clinics provide treatment twice a day over 1 to 2 weeks so that you only need to make one trip. Patients like Rosemarie have experienced inspiring results with this compressed treatment schedule, and we have also conducted case studies (on both teenagers and adults) showing that this approach can be effective, even in the long-term.

In comparison, a Standard Care Treatment Plan means regular clinic visits, typically 3 times a week for 4 weeks, then twice a week for 6 weeks, and eventually once a week for 12 weeks.

To find an Intensive Care clinic that offers a compressed schedule, look for doctors with an Intensive Care certification level on our Find a Doctor page.

Traveling to a CLEAR Scoliosis Clinic

All CLEAR doctors go through a rigorous training process and every scoliosis patient receives the same quality services at every CLEAR clinic. Intensive Care doctors have simply gone through additional training in order to be able to provide these same services in a shorter time frame.

That said, there are some non-medical considerations that you should think about when choosing an Intensive Care clinic:

  • Ease of travel and flying to the location
  • Availability of rental vehicles or other transportation options if arriving by air
  • Whether or not you have friends and family in the area for support
  • Your options for nearby accommodations and meals
  • Nearby attractions and activities to enjoy when not at the clinic

Contact a CLEAR Doctor About Your Case

Once you’ve picked a clinic, it’s time to get in touch with them using the contact information in our directory. You’ll be asked to describe your case, and the clinic will send you a consultation form.

From here, you’ll also fill out a medical records release form and send it to any physician involved in your care, so that they may send copies of your records and x-rays to your chosen CLEAR doctor. This helps your CLEAR doctor understand everything that’s happened in your case, from your scoliosis diagnosis to the present day, and identify any gaps in the information they need before you arrive at their clinic.

A typical CLEAR treatment session is most likely very different from other more traditional scoliosis treatment methods you may have tried. When you’re ready, you and a CLEAR chiropractor will have a consultation over the phone to talk about treatment and answer any questions you might have about the process.

Schedule Your Treatment

Ready to schedule your trip to a clinic? Timing can be important. For school-aged children, many people choose to schedule during the summer, week-long breaks, and holiday time. If you plan to target these busy periods, plan on scheduling at least two months in advance. Otherwise, you’ll only need to schedule about a month ahead of time.

Grow the CLEAR Network Where You Live

We know that traveling to a clinic is not always an option. But don’t give up hope on alternative treatment - encourage chiropractors in your area to consider becoming CLEAR certified! Your local doctor might be interested in the CLEAR approach, and if so, you can refer them to our website for more information.

Although only chiropractors can provide CLEAR treatment, both MDs and DCs can find resources specifically designed for them, like training seminars, advanced scoliosis adjusting protocols, and tips on X-ray analysis for chiropractors. There are also detailed descriptions about how CLEAR is different from traditional chiropractic and the science behind CLEAR treatment as well as ways that we can work together for medical doctors and orthopedic surgeons.

Consider At-Home Exercises And Stretching

Even though you don’t have a local CLEAR doctor, you can still explore natural options for improving your quality of life. Stretching and yoga are great examples and can be done in the comfort of your own home. While these low-impact exercises don’t usually reduce the scoliosis, they can help you relax, feel better, and strengthen your muscles. And like any new physical activity or treatment, you should check in with a scoliosis specialist - preferably one who can answer these questions to your satisfaction - before starting a stretching or yoga routine to make sure that it is right for you.

It can be challenging to find the right care that meets your needs, especially when that means looking beyond your hometown for treatment. We hope that this post sheds some light on some of your options, including traveling to an Intensive Care clinic, recommending the CLEAR approach to a local doctor, and exploring at-home exercises.

How do you get alternative treatment options in areas where scoliosis experts are scarce? Have you tried an Intensive Care clinic for scoliosis treatment? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

69 comments on “What to Do if There Isn’t a CLEAR Doctor Near You”

  1. My daughter Victoria, 15 has a scoliosis.( 26 degreees) I am interested in a two week or shorter intensive care situation. We live in Clover , SC about 30 miles south-west of Charlotte, N.C. How much would an intensive schedule of treatment cost. I have federal blue cross- blue shield insurance. Is there a particular clinic you would recommend to get some help ASAP?

    1. Hello! The CLEAR Scoliosis Institute is a Non-Profit Organization providing training & education to individual doctors of chiropractic. Once a doctor becomes certified, they are allowed to refer to their clinic as a CLEAR Scoliosis Center. However, each clinic is responsible for setting their own insurance billing policies and fees, so you will need to reach out to each clinic directly in order to find out what they charge. They will also be able to tell you whether they are in-network or out-of-network with your insurance company, and provide you with a list of questions to ask your insurance company so that you can determine how much of the treatment cost they might reimburse. To find a list of the clinics nearest you, click on the Find a Doctor link at the top=middle or bottom-right of the page, and enter in your zip code on the search field. All of the CLEAR doctors are wonderful people with a passion for helping those with scoliosis, and have completed the same rigorous training to ensure that you will receive the best possible results, no matter which clinic you choose. Please don't hesitate to let us know if we can provide additional assistance or information!
      [email protected]

  2. Iam 28 yrs old , I have lumbar levo scoliosis (40 degrees) but the problem that I live in Egypt .... is there anyway I could find a clear certified doctor in egypt ?
    Or if there is any other way I could benefit from your treatment ways ... I would love to be a research subject as a way to help find a cure for scoliosis

    1. While we do not currently have any CLEAR Certified doctors in Egypt, you may find this blog post helpful: https://clearscoliosis.wpengine.com/blog/no-clear-doctor-near-you/
      Our seminars are available online, and if you can find a chiropractor or physical therapist in your area who is interested in learning more about the CLEAR methods, they would certainly be welcome to sign up. The insights they gain from the seminar could be very useful in helping them to manage your condition!

  3. It looks like there aren't any CLEAR doctors in the Dallas area. I just want to make sure this is still the case. Thank you.

    1. That is correct, although we have one doctor in Dallas who is currently going through the Certification process. Hopefully we will have one in a few months - please check back soon!

  4. I have scoliosis and live in the Sacramento area. I am registered with a gym to increase strength throughout my entire body and would like to know what upper body exercises I can and cannot do. I am 73 years old and am worried that some exercises will cause my scoliosis (56 degrees) to get worse. Your closes doctor is too far for me to travel. Maybe you know of someone in the Sacramento area who has not gone through the certification process but is still skilled with exercises.

    1. Unfortunately, I do not know of any conservative scoliosis specialists in the Sacramento area. There are a few chiropractic clinics in your area which claim to treat scoliosis patients, but they do not have any type of credentialing, certification, or advanced training in spinal deformities. Perhaps someone else on the forum might have a recommendation for you. Alternatively, you could send this information to local chiropractors in your area and find out if any of them would be interested in taking the CLEAR online scoliosis seminar! https://clearscoliosis.wpengine.com/clear-certification/why-become-clear-certified/
      https://clearscoliosis.wpengine.com/doctor-resources/dc/

  5. Hello,

    I am in Seattle. I see that the nearest CLEAR certified chiropractor is in Oregon. Are there plans to have CLEAR certified doctors in Seattle, WA in the near future?

  6. Hello,

    Do you know if there are any chiropractors in the Philadelphia area who are currently in training? There is no one certified right now in my area. Thank you.

    1. There are a few doctors in Pennsylvania who have undergone CLEAR training, but unfortunately it is our policy not to recommend any doctors who have not completed the full certification process. Please sign up for our newsletter (at the bottom of any page) to be notified of any new doctors immediately once they become certified!

  7. Hello. I am on Cleveland, Ohio. I didnt find a Clear Dr nearby. I did print off the list of questions to ask. I saw a chiropractor twice however I didn't feel comfortable worth him. Any other suggestions? I need to find treatment quickly as I'm getting worse, not better. Thank you for your time.

    1. Hello! The CLEAR Institute, as an organization, can only outreach to chiropractors and encourage them to undergo the process to become CLEAR Certified. We often recognize states and regions where there is a high number of patients seeking CLEAR treatment, who have no Certified doctor nearby to treat them - Ohio is one such state. I will actually be speaking at the Ohio State Chiropractic Association this October 21st in Columbus; my sincere hope is that there will be one or more doctors in the audience who will recognize the need for a CLEAR Doctor in Ohio, and go through the process to become certified! While it usually takes doctors around six months to complete the training process, you can sign up for the CLEAR newsletter to receive immediate notifications of newly certified doctors.

  8. My 12 1/2 daughter has been diagnosed with curve of 42 1/2.. with about 2 more years of growth left. Initially surgery was the only talk, but now they are wanting to do brace as she could live with a 42 curve with minimum consequences. we live in Arkansas. Interested in back strengthening and natural way to prevent continued curve until we can get her growth completed. Any help is appreciated. thank you

  9. Hi. My son is 14 and has a 47 degree thoracic curve and a 55 degree lumbar curve. We have scheduled for surgery but do NOT want this to be the only option. He is in pain all the time. He sees a chiropractor regularly(since birth) and massage therapy every month. We only noticed the scoliosis onset suddenly after a big growth period this summer. Can this type of treatment be an alternative to surgery for an advanced case like his? Thank you.

    1. Yes, absolutely! Many patients who made the decision not to undergo surgery have been able to successfully reduce and stabilize their scoliosis over the long-term with the CLEAR protocols. For one such example, check out the case study "Long-Term Chiropractic Management of Progressive Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Case Study," which is available on our Research page (https://clearscoliosis.wpengine.com/about/research/). While treating a case of severe scoliosis requires dedication and a long-term commitment, many patients begin experiencing relief from pain and improvement in other areas after just a few visits. To find a CLEAR chiropractor in your area, visit https://clearscoliosis.wpengine.com/find-a-doctor/. If there is not a CLEAR doctor near you, you can learn more about IC care and other options available to you by reading our article on what to do if there isn't a CLEAR doctor nearby: https://clearscoliosis.wpengine.com/blog/no-clear-doctor-near-you/

  10. Has the CLEAR Institute of Dallas closed? Any progress on certifying a doctor in the Dallas area, mentioned in May 2017 above?

    1. Yes, I closed the CLEAR Scoliosis Clinic of Dallas at the end of 2012. While currently there are no clinics in the DFW area that are CLEAR Certified, if you visit Dr. Kimberly & Dr. David Erb in Coppell (www.erbfamilywellness.com) and tell them Dr. Josh told me to tell you guys to hurry up, there might be one soon. 😉

  11. Buena tarde, tengo un hijo de 6 años y 5 meses de edad, hace 4 meses le diagnosticaron escoliosis con curva lumbar de 17 grados, hace unos días volvieron a tomarle placa de RX y ha empeorado mucho hasta llegar a casi 30 grados en tan solo 4 meses después de su primera placa, vivo en México en Quintana Roo. Me gustaría saber si sus métodos pueden ser utilizados por niños de esta edad y los médicos o quiroprácticos certificados por Clear que podría consultar. Gracias

    1. Hola,
      Si, es posible ayudar a esta edad. Mi español no es bueno. Por favor comuníquese con el Dr. Daniel Hersh; sus oficinas hablan muy bien español, y pueden ayudarte con más información.
      Gracias!

    1. Hello,

      CLEAR is a Non-Profit Organization that provides training & education to doctors of chiropractic. Once they become certified, they are allowed to utilize the CLEAR trademark and refer to their clinic as a CLEAR Scoliosis Center. Think of us like an independent accrediting organization, similar to an organization that certifies farms or orchards as organic. We do our best to reach out to chiropractors around the world and encourage them to become certified, but we don't have any direct influence over when new locations will open up.

      One of the ways you can increase the chances of a doctor near you becoming CLEAR Certified is by reaching out to them and sharing our website with them, especially the free seminars & information found in our Doctor's Resources - DC section. Those doctors who find this info valuable can then take our Online Scoliosis Seminar and join our Online Classroom Community, consisting of over 100+ chiropractors, physical therapists, and medical doctors with a heart for scoliosis. We also have a page explaining numerous reasons why to become CLEAR Certified.

      You can also reach out to your local state chiropractic association, and encourage them to reach out to us to be a guest speaker at their annual conference. Our doctors have presented at numerous chiropractic universities, seminars, and state conferences, and we are always interested in encouraging chiropractors & other healthcare professionals to learn more about the spinal condition of scoliosis.

      Feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] if there is any additional assistance or information we can provide, and please don't hesitate to share our contact information with others. Together, we can make a difference!

  12. Hi,
    My 14 years old son is diagnosed with 43 degree cobb angle of lower lumber scoliosis a few months ago. Doctors planned to do surgery and I was looking for an alternate method. And I found Clear method and in fact I have already talked to Dr. Andrew of ISA, Dr Hieu of Singapore and Dr Albert of Singapore. I live in Yangon, Myanmar (Burma) and it is very expensive for me to travel to Spore and get the treatment. But as it is very important for my son I have to do. I would like to know is after 2 weeks of intensive treatment does my son still need to wear braces since his bone growth is still in progress. If so how long he need to wear it. I am planning to do it around September because I am a sailor and sailing to save money for the treatment. If brace is required I need to find and save more money for that too. Please revert.
    Thanks.

    1. Hello, and thank you for taking the time to post. I understand your situation; you are not alone. It can be very difficult to make the right decision for your child with scoliosis.

      Bracing is the most common non-surgical treatment for scoliosis, and the best research suggests that if it is worn for the majority of every day during the course of growth, it usually stops the curve from progressing to surgical levels. However, bracing is not an enjoyable experience for most teenagers, and while it might prevent surgery, it doesn't offer much hope of actually reducing the scoliosis or improving the quality of life. It is also of dubious value when the young person with scoliosis already has a severe curve (above 40 degrees). The best braces, prescribed in conjunction with a scoliosis-specific exercise program by an expert in scoliosis, do seem to offer some hope in preventing further progression, but the same problems remain; the definition of "success" is to prevent further problems & keep things the same, not necessarily to treat the problems that the patient already has or to improve their condition.

      CLEAR was founded to provide another option to people with scoliosis, besides bracing or surgery. We don't have a large research budget, and we don't have the same number of published research articles as bracing or surgery (the research we do have is available here). But there are many stories of people, just like your son, who were able to not only avoid surgery and prevent their scoliosis from getting worse, but actually reduce their curve and find relief from their pain, and also experience improvement in their quality of life (you can read many of these stories here and listen to them on our YouTube channel).

      I can't tell you exactly what your son will need, but most patients with severe scoliosis will need to receive on average 2-3 sessions of IC treatment every year until their spine is done growing. Bracing is not a formal part of the CLEAR protocols, but we are working together with ScoliCare & Dr. Jeb McAviney (www.ScoliCare.com) to see if their ScoliBrace could be helpful. In most cases, though, your CLEAR doctor will not recommend a brace, but will instead recommend a Scoliosis Traction Chair.

      Please let us know if you have any other questions we can help with, and feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] if you would like more detailed or specific information. I wish you & your son all the best of health & happiness!

    1. Hello,

      I'm afraid we currently do not have any clinics in this area. All current doctors are listed on our Find a Doctor page. Please also read our blog article on What To Do If There Isn't a CLEAR Clinic Near You. We also announce newly-certified doctors in our free Newsletter, so please sign up to be notified when a clinic in your area becomes certified. You can sign up by scrolling to the bottom of any page on our site, and entering your e-mail address.

  13. Oi, tenho um filho especial e cadeirante com escoliose de 42 graus.
    Não quero fazer cirurgia por ser muito agressivo, moramos no Brasil, teria algum médico aqui ???
    Como faria para ir até aí se for o caso???
    Obrigada

    1. Eu sinto Muito. Não há médicos no Brasil.
      Se a viagem não for possível, encontre um quiroprático perto de você e incentive-o a aprender mais sobre nós.

    1. Hi, Jin,
      Unfortunately there's no CLEAR certified doctor in Melbourne. You can find a list of all CLEAR certified doctors world-wide here.

  14. Hello,

    Do you know whether there will be any CLEAR certified doctors/clinics in the Washington, DC area anytime soon?

    1. Hello,

      Unfortunately, there won't be a CLEAR certified doctor/clinic in Washington, D.C in the near future. Consider encouraging your local chiropractor to become CLEAR certified. You can find a list of CLEAR doctors nearest you by searching your location here.

  15. I currently reside I. Republic of Panama, 2 hours from Panama City. There are two very good English speaking yoga and PTs. Is there anything online to help her with the exercises?

    We will be relocating to NW Arkansas (Eureka Springs) as soon as we sell our condo in Coronado, but if there is anyone here in Panama, I would start right away. Back in the US, driving any distance would be a problem.

  16. Just had a consultation at the Spine Correction Center in Fort Collins CO. They do not show up as certified? Though found your site from an article on them. We are looking into treatment there but live inColorado Springs so was looking to see if there are any providers in Colorado Springs

    1. No, they are not CLEAR certified. Unfortunately, CLEAR does not currently have a certified clinic in Colorado.

  17. I'm in the Washington DC area. Closest option for me is 3.5hrs away in NJ. Are there any CLEAR specialist in the area or coming soon/soon to be certified?

    1. Unfortunately, no, there aren't any CLEAR-certified doctors in the Washington, D.C. area, and won't be in the near future.

    1. The CLEAR doctor nearest Fort Worth is Dr. Collin Hilliard in Austin. You can reach him at 512-331-9999.

  18. We are in Colorado and would like to have our daughter treated for her Scoliosis with the CLEAR method. Are there any clinics in Colorado that are certified by you?

    1. Unfortunately, no, there are currently no CLEAR-certified clinics in Colorado. You can search for the CLEAR doctor nearest you here.

  19. I don’t see any doctors located in the Las Vegas area. Is this accurate?
    Also, after the 1-2 week treatments at the center, will the remaining treatments will need to be done at the same location?

    1. Yes, it's accurate that there are no CLEAR-certified doctors in the Las Vegas area. The nearest doctor would be Dr. Dio Kim in Tustin, CA (714-505-1514). Since all CLEAR doctors are trained in the same CLEAR protocols, you could see another CLEAR doctor and expect to receive the same treatment.

    2. Are there any CLEAR doctors in the Albany, NY area? Nanuet was the closest that I saw but that is too far to do on a daily basis.

    3. The nearest CLEAR clinic is in Winsted, CT. You can contact Dr. Kaila Hersh or Dr. Daniel Hersh at 800-204-5676.

  20. Hello, I am from Perú, I have 33 years old and I have a lumbar scoliosis with 25 degrees aprox., It was diagnosticate 4 years ago but it must to be many years before. I have pain every single day, a few days worse than others. I research and there is not any CLEAR doctor in my counthye, maybe the closser is in Panama. I am Interesting for intensive care in a CLEAR clinic. I have family in Bartlett, TN. Is there any CLEAR clinic in the area? Or could you send me the ubication of the every CLEAR clinic to choose the one that has more chances of reaching.
    Thanks

    1. Hello, Raquel,

      Unfortunately, there isn't a CLEAR clinic near Bartlett, TN. You can find a list of all CLEAR-certified doctors and their locations here.

    1. The CLEAR-certified doctor nearest you is Dr. Mark Myers in Wheaton, IL. His clinic phone number is 630-868-8480.

    1. Hi, Brandi,

      The CLEAR-certified doctors nearest Oklahoma/the TX panhandle area are Dr. Nick Weddle in Belton, MO (816-425-5578) and Dr. Collin Hilliard in Austin, TX (512-331-9999).

  21. I live in Houston, Texas and I am considering taking my daughter to be seen by Dr Strauss in Hudson Valley, NY! He has a great experience and is recommended for correcting mild curves for adolescent patients. I noticed that you have a CLEAR certified doctor in Austin, first name is Collin but his website does not provide sufficient information on the nature and the extent of the programs he offers. Any thoughts please?

    1. Hi, Tony,
      Both Dr. Strauss and Dr. Hilliard are fine doctors. If you're interested in taking your daughter to Dr. Hilliard, we recommend calling his office to speak with him and ask him about the CLEAR program he offers.

  22. I'm just trying to confirm that there is no Clear doctors in the Houston area. I'm really interested in this treatment for my scoliosis.

    1. Hi, Alicia,

      Yes, unfortunately, there are no CLEAR doctors in the Houston area. The only CLEAR-certified doctor in Texas is Dr. Collin Hilliard in Austin.

  23. Hello...I am 17 years old and live in Washington state, USA, in a very tiny town sort of between Longview and Vancouver. According to the map there is no CLEAR doctor here. I just would like some advice on how to lessen the pain which mostly is dull ache but also gives very painful jabs sometimes. I had an x-ray done which shows a very defined curve that I think may be moderate AIS, but I keep getting new doctors and the last one (now replaced again) said that it's too late to do anything about it, so they don't tell me anything. My right foot now is injured because it slaps the ground harder and I had a sudden desire to run a 5k, and loose shirts always fall off of my left shoulder. For me the back pain appeared long after the migraines which may have been a result of autism, or scoliosis...for now I'm just trying to keep the pain at bay by sitting in a little rocking chair to do my online school (so I can exercise my back and abs), doing Pilates and yoga, and frequently stretching. Do you have advice or anything? I've been doing my own research but my parents are so busy I don't bother them with my complaints (so, of course, I'm taking them to you). Sorry for how long this is.

    1. Hello, Evelene,
      I understand scoliosis can be frustrating and confusing; however, I strongly recommend discussing these issues with your parents.
      It is important to stay active and stretching; however, those things will not cure or address your scoliosis, more so just help with movement. I'm not sure why any doctor would have told you it is too late to do something for your scoliosis, as that is not true. Most medical doctors use either a brace or do surgery, and those are the only things they do. Our CLEAR Scoliosis Institute Doctors work with scoliosis patients to help avoid surgery. We use a lot of vibration therapy, as well as specialized equipment to address muscles, ligaments and discs. It is never too late to get treatment in one of our clinics. Because of our doctors' specialty, there are not a lot of them throughout the US or internationally. I do, however, suggest speaking with your parents to possibly have your x-rays sent to whatever clinic may be closest to you to determine if you would qualify to be a patient in their office. They offer what is called Intensive Treatment where you would be seen for one or two weeks of care. To find the nearest clinic, please visit our website under Find a Doctor. Best of luck to you. There is hope.

  24. Hello,
    I did not find any CLEAR Doctors in the Minneapolis/St Paul area or anywhere in Minnesota for that matter. Can you please confirm that this is correct?

    1. Hello, Vicki,

      No, that is not correct. There is a CLEAR-certified doctor in St. Cloud, MN:

      Dr. Dennis Woggon, DC
      Certification Level
      Honorary Fellow | Intensive & Standard Care
      Founder
      437 33rd Ave N
      St. Cloud, MN 56303
      320-252-5599
      [email protected]

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

CLEAR provides a unique and innovative way of understanding scoliosis. Sign up to receive facts and information you won’t find anywhere else.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

CLEAR scoliosis institute logo
CLEAR Scoliosis Institute is a 501(c)3 registered nonprofit.

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Copyright © 2022 CLEAR Scoliosis Institute 
Disclaimer
This website is for informational and general purposes only. Information provided is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice because of something you have read on this site. 

CLEAR Scoliosis Centers are privately owned and operated chiropractic clinics. Doctors at CLEAR Scoliosis Centers are personally responsible for all clinical decision making. CLEAR Scoliosis Institute, a nonprofit organization, does not have any authority over the clinic, make any clinical recommendations, or dictate patient care.
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram