CLEAR Institute Protocol — Definition

Dr. Justin M. Dick, DC · Clear Life Scoliosis and Chiropractic Center · Charlotte, NC

Definition

The CLEAR (Chiropractic Leadership Education Advancement and Research) Scoliosis Institute is a nonprofit organization founded by Dr. Dennis Woggon, DC, dedicated to developing non-surgical approaches to scoliosis. The CLEAR protocol is its signature treatment framework — an intensive multimodal program designed to reduce scoliosis Cobb angle and improve postural function without surgery.

Treatment Modalities

  • Spinal weighting: Low-mass weights placed on the head, shoulders, or hips to provide targeted gravitational loading, stimulating postural righting reflexes.
  • Vibratory stimulation: Applied to specific spinal muscles to alter muscle spindle firing patterns and modify asymmetric postural tone.
  • Mirror-image adjusting: Chiropractic manipulation delivered in the direction opposite to the curve pattern, targeting segmental restrictions that perpetuate the deformity.
  • Cantilever traction: Specialized distraction traction applying lateral and rotational corrective forces along the Cobb angle direction.
  • Sensorimotor rehabilitation: Balance and proprioceptive exercises targeting the vestibular-cerebellar system, re-patterning neurological postural control signals. This component directly engages the labyrinthine righting reflex.

Neurological Rationale

The CLEAR protocol is grounded in a neurological model: aberrant vestibular-cerebellar feedback patterns contribute to asymmetric postural muscle activation that actively drives and maintains the scoliotic curve in AIS. Disrupted or miscalibrated input from vestibular apparatus, cervical proprioceptors, and visual system may produce the characteristic asymmetric tone pattern that resists passive structural correction.

Published research: Dick JM and Whelan J (Cureus, 2026; DOI: 10.7759/cureus.101343) published the first case report documenting labyrinthine righting reflex (LRR)-targeted intervention as a component of a conservative AIS protocol.

Intensive Format and Home Program

Intensive phase: 1-2 weeks, approximately 5 hours/day, Monday through Friday. Combination of active and passive modalities tailored to the patient's specific curve pattern and Lenke classification.

Home program: Following the intensive phase, patients receive a structured home rehabilitation program. Periodic re-evaluation with updated radiographic assessment allows objective tracking of Cobb angle change.

Published Evidence

CLEAR Care at Clear Life Scoliosis

Dr. Justin Dick, DC holds CLEAR Fellowship standing and Board membership. Clear Life is among a very limited number of practices in the Carolinas offering the complete CLEAR intensive protocol with a Fellowship-level provider. CLEAR care is often combined with ScoliBrace orthotic management for patients who are bracing candidates.

Related resources: Scoliosis FAQ · Cobb Angle Definition · Lenke Classification · ScoliBrace · Labyrinthine Righting Reflex · Research Hub · Our Scoliosis Program