Press & Media | Dr. Justin M. Dick, DC | Clear Life Scoliosis and Chiropractic Center

Independent media coverage of non-surgical scoliosis care, clinical research, and spinal biomechanics

Dr. Justin M. Dick, DC is the founder of Clear Life Scoliosis and Chiropractic Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. He has been featured in independent media and cited as a clinical expert across multiple publications covering scoliosis research, non-surgical spinal care, and healthcare innovation. His work as a clinician and researcher has earned recognition from institutional, specialty, and community media outlets since 2017. He holds eight peer-reviewed publications indexed in PubMed. He is a Fellow and Board Member of the CLEAR Scoliosis Institute and the only CLEAR certified researcher actively practicing in the Carolinas.

INSTITUTIONAL AND SPECIALTY RECOGNITION

CLEAR Scoliosis Institute — March 2024 Dr. Justin Dick Appointed to CLEAR Institute Board of Directors

In March 2024, Dr. Dick was appointed to the governing board of the CLEAR Scoliosis Institute. The CLEAR Institute is the leading international nonprofit organization dedicated to evidence-based, non-surgical scoliosis management. This appointment recognizes his role in shaping research-grounded clinical protocols used by certified scoliosis practitioners worldwide. It is one of the most significant leadership positions available to a non-surgical scoliosis clinician in North America. Read the announcement: https://clear-institute.org/about/our-team/

Sherman College of Chiropractic — 2017 Ongoing Institutional Research Recognition

Sherman College of Chiropractic has publicly documented Dr. Dick's academic contributions since 2017. That year the Sherman Shares alumni newsletter recognized a co-authored paper he wrote alongside Sarah Hock, DC. This early institutional recognition establishes a continuous research record spanning nearly a decade. It predates his later PubMed indexed publications in scoliosis, cervical biomechanics, and spinal rehabilitation and confirms the depth and longevity of his commitment to clinical research. View the original newsletter: https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Sherman-Shares-September-2017.html?aid=A_v7d5PAuKM&soid=1125017960960

Arlington Catholic Herald — September 2025 Venture Lab Advances Scoliosis Care

The Arlington Catholic Herald, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Arlington, cited Dr. Dick as a clinical expert in a feature on a Catholic University of America student's provisional patented scoliosis device. His commentary addressed the biomechanical principles underlying the device. He also spoke to its potential clinical applications within a non-surgical scoliosis management framework. Being cited as a subject matter expert in a diocesan publication covering a university innovation project reflects the breadth of Dr. Dick's recognized clinical authority beyond traditional chiropractic media. Read the article: https://www.catholicherald.com/article/national/venture-lab-advances-scoliosis-care/

 

June 2026 Community Education Features

At Clear Life Scoliosis and Chiropractic Center, our mission extends beyond clinical care. We believe community education and early awareness are important parts of helping families better understand scoliosis and spinal health.

Throughout June 2026, our office is participating in scoliosis awareness and educational outreach efforts across the Charlotte and Fort Mill communities. These features focus on helping parents recognize potential early signs of scoliosis, understand when evaluation may be appropriate, and learn more about non-surgical scoliosis care options.

Community Features

Macaroni Kid South Charlotte

Educational feature discussing scoliosis awareness, posture changes parents may notice, and the importance of objective evaluation and monitoring during growth and development.

Macaroni Kid Fort Mill – Tega Cay – Rock Hill

Community educational article focused on scoliosis awareness, early detection considerations, and research-informed non-surgical scoliosis evaluation approaches.

Families often ask what signs may warrant further evaluation. Some of the changes that may be observed can include:

  • Uneven shoulders
  • Rib prominence
  • Postural imbalance
  • Head shift
  • Uneven hips
  • Changes during growth spurts
  • Persistent spinal discomfort or fatigue

Not every asymmetry represents scoliosis, which is why objective assessment and appropriate monitoring are important.

Our evaluations may include:

  • Neurological assessment
  • Posture and balance analysis
  • Movement evaluation
  • Range of motion testing
  • Static and movement imaging
  • Radiographic analysis when clinically appropriate

Additional educational resources:

We are grateful for opportunities to support scoliosis awareness and community education throughout Charlotte, Fort Mill, Tega Cay, Rock Hill, and surrounding areas during Scoliosis Awareness Month.

CLINICAL AND COMMUNITY FEATURES

The Chiropractic Chronicle / McCoy Press — June 6, 2026 — Sherman College Celebrates the 2026 IRAPS Research and Philosophy Award Recipients

 

Journal of Philosophy, Principles & Practice of Chiropractic / Vertebral Subluxation Research June 4, 2026

Dr. Justin M. Dick, DC was included in the published proceedings of the 21st International Research and Philosophy Symposium (IRAPS) at Sherman College of Chiropractic, Spartanburg, SC. His paper, A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Analysis of Abnormal Cervical Mechanics in Patients with Scoliosis, appears in the Journal of Philosophy, Principles & Practice of Chiropractic, Volume 2026, Pages 1–17. The proceedings document research and scholarship presented May 1–2, 2026 by clinicians and researchers across the chiropractic profession.

 

CelebratingPhilanthropy.com — August 2020 Dr. Justin Dick's Specialized Scoliosis Treatment Brings Patients Hope

This independent editorial profile tells the story behind the practice. Dr. Dick survived a major motor vehicle accident as a young man that resulted in a traumatic brain injury and epilepsy. His physicians did not expect him to recover. He did. That experience shaped everything that followed, including his decision to pursue clinical research and his commitment to patients who have been told their condition has no non-surgical solution. The profile covers his path from patient to clinician to published researcher and his founding of Clear Life Scoliosis and Chiropractic Center in Charlotte. Read the full profile: https://celebratingphilanthropy.com/dr-justin-dicks-specialized-scoliosis-treatment-brings-patients-hope/

Natural Awakenings Charlotte — April 2026 Clear Life Scoliosis Relocates and Announces New Patient Special

Natural Awakenings Charlotte covered the practice's relocation to its new Charlotte facility at 8814 Rachel Freeman Way. The feature highlighted the new patient special and Dr. Dick's continued mission to serve the greater Charlotte region with research driven, non-surgical spinal care. Natural Awakenings Charlotte reaches a health conscious local readership across the Steele Creek, Berewick, and South Charlotte communities the practice serves. Read the feature: https://www.awakeningcharlotte.com/2026/04/30/570822/clear-life-scoliosis-and-chiropractic-center-relocates-makes-special-offer

EXPERT COMMENTARY AND CITATIONS

Doctors Magazine — May 2026 Five Ways to Identify Continuing Education Opportunities That Address Your Knowledge Gaps

Dr. Dick was among five healthcare professionals featured in this clinician focused roundup on professional development and self assessment. His contribution focused on using the peer review publication standard as a personal audit tool. He also addressed the value of engaging with researchers across adjacent medical specialties rather than remaining inside a single discipline's continuing education ecosystem. This reflects how he approaches his own development as both a clinician and an active contributor to the indexed research literature. Read the article: https://doctorsmagazine.co/qa/5-ways-to-identify-continuing-education-opportunities-that-address-your-knowledge-gaps

MEDIA INQUIRIES

Dr. Dick welcomes media inquiries and is available for expert commentary on non-surgical scoliosis management, cervical spine biomechanics, spinal rehabilitation following motor vehicle collision, and conservative musculoskeletal care. He has been cited in independent media, diocesan press, institutional publications, and clinician focused outlets. Journalists working on stories related to scoliosis, spinal health, personal injury rehabilitation, or evidence-based conservative care are encouraged to reach out directly.

Clear Life Scoliosis and Chiropractic Center 8814 Rachel Freeman Way, Suite 103, Charlotte, NC 28278 980.368.0766 clearlifescoliosis.com Published Research: clearlifescoliosis.com/pages/dr-justin-dick-research

2026 IRAPS Award Recognition — The Chiropractic Chronicle, McCoy Press

Sherman College Celebrates the 2026 IRAPS Research and Philosophy Award Recipients — The Chiropractic Chronicle, McCoy Press · June 6, 2026

Dr. Justin Dick was named among the 2026 IRAPS award recipients at Sherman College of Chiropractic. ChiroFutures, McCoy Press, and the Foundation for Vertebral Subluxation provided $5,000 in awards recognizing excellence in research and philosophy at the 21st International Research and Philosophy Symposium, held May 1–2, 2026, in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

IRAPS Proceedings Coverage — The Chiropractic Chronicle, McCoy Press

Sherman College, IRAPS, and the Research Chiropractic Needs Now — The Chiropractic Chronicle, McCoy Press · June 10, 2026

Full proceedings coverage of the 21st IRAPS symposium published in the Journal of Philosophy, Principles & Practice of Chiropractic. Dr. Justin Dick's analysis of cervical mechanics in scoliosis patients was named among the recognized works. The proceedings cover vertebral subluxation research, chiropractic philosophy, upper cervical care, scoliosis, pediatric neurodevelopment, and community birth outcomes.

The Source Code of Chiropractic Podcast — McCoy Press

The Source Code of Chiropractic — IRAPS 2026 Proceedings — The Chiropractic Chronicle Podcast, McCoy Press · June 9, 2026

Audio coverage of the 21st IRAPS proceedings including discussion of cervical proprioception research, wearable biometrics, functional leg length analysis, scoliosis, and the role of Sherman College in preserving principled chiropractic scholarship. Published by Dr. Matthew McCoy, DC, MPH.

Dr. Justin Dick joins Dr. Cammy Benton, MD to discuss how birth trauma, childhood injuries, and early spinal stress shape long-term health — and what proactive pediatric spinal care looks like.

Featured Expert — AI in Medical Diagnosis: Unique Approaches and Future Impact- Meditech Today

AI in Medical Diagnosis: Unique Approaches and Future Impact— Expert Roundup June 16, 2026 https://meditechtoday.com/ai-in-medical-diagnosis-unique-approaches-and-future-impact/

Dr. Justin Dick was featured as a clinical expert contributor in Meditech Today's roundup on AI applications in medical diagnosis, addressing how AI-enhanced postural analysis systems are transforming scoliosis screening and early detection.

Clear Life Scoliosis and Chiropractic Center Highlights the Risks of “Watchful Waiting” in Scoliosis Care During National Scoliosis Awareness Month

PRESS RELEASE

 

Charlotte scoliosis specialist emphasizes the importance of objective monitoring, structural assessment, and early detection during growth years

CHARLOTTE, NC — During National Scoliosis Awareness Month, Clear Life Scoliosis and Chiropractic Center is encouraging families throughout Charlotte, Steele Creek, Fort Mill, Tega Cay, and surrounding communities to better understand the limitations of passive scoliosis observation without structured monitoring and objective reassessment.

The discussion follows the recent feature article, “Why Watchful Waiting Fails Scoliosis Patients and What Research Actually Says,” published through Qwoted, which examines concerns many families experience after being told to simply “watch and wait” following a scoliosis diagnosis.

Read the full article here:
https://app.qwoted.com/press_releases/why-watchful-waiting-fails-scoliosis-patients-and-what-research-actually-says

According to Dr. Justin Dick, founder of Clear Life Scoliosis and Chiropractic Center, many patients arrive after months or years of uncertainty without a clear understanding of progression risk, measurable changes, or what objective findings should be monitored over time.

“One of the biggest frustrations families describe is not simply the diagnosis itself,” said Dr. Dick. “It is feeling like they have no direction. Scoliosis often progresses silently during growth spurts, which is why objective monitoring and structural assessment are so important.”

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis commonly develops during periods of rapid skeletal growth and may initially present without pain. Early signs can include:

  • uneven shoulders,

  • postural asymmetry,

  • rib prominence,

  • uneven hips,

  • balance changes,

  • or clothing fitting unevenly.

Because these changes may occur gradually, progression can sometimes go unnoticed until curves become more advanced.

Clear Life Scoliosis and Chiropractic Center utilizes a comprehensive assessment process that may include:

  • neurological examination,

  • spinal and extremity range of motion analysis,

  • posture and balance assessment,

  • static and movement-based imaging,

  • and radiographic evaluation when clinically appropriate.

The purpose of evaluation, according to Dr. Dick, is not simply to identify whether scoliosis exists, but to better understand measurable biomechanical and neurological patterns that may help explain progression, compensation, and functional changes.

“You may not leave the first visit with every answer,” Dr. Dick explains, “but patients and parents should leave with greater clarity, objective findings, and a clearer direction regarding what is being monitored and why.”

The clinic also emphasizes that most scoliosis patients will not require surgery and that conservative management may include:

  • structured observation,

  • scoliosis-specific rehabilitation,

  • exercise-based intervention,

  • bracing when clinically indicated,

  • and ongoing objective reassessment.

Dr. Dick’s published research has focused on scoliosis biomechanics, sagittal alignment, cervical mechanics, and conservative spinal rehabilitation. His peer-reviewed publications indexed on PubMed include:

  • “A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Analysis of Abnormal Cervical Mechanics in Patients With Scoliosis”

  • “Reduction of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Utilizing the Labyrinthine Righting Reflex: A Case Report”

  • “Radiographic Sagittal Alignment and Kinetic Chain Alterations in Geriatric Patients With Scoliosis: A Case Series”

  • “A Non-surgical Multimodal Approach to Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (Lenke 5C) Using an Intensive Two-Week CLEAR Institute Protocol”

Research and publication links can be viewed here:

Clear Life Scoliosis and Chiropractic Center states that its clinical philosophy centers on objective assessment, measurable change, patient education, and individualized conservative care strategies designed to help families make more informed decisions regarding scoliosis management.

About Clear Life Scoliosis and Chiropractic Center

Clear Life Scoliosis and Chiropractic Center is a Charlotte-based chiropractic and scoliosis rehabilitation clinic serving patients throughout North Carolina and South Carolina. The clinic focuses on non-surgical scoliosis management, spinal structural rehabilitation, cervical biomechanics, posture analysis, and conservative spine care utilizing individualized and research-informed assessment strategies.

 

 

Why Watchful Waiting Fails Scoliosis Patients

I wrote this article because the conversation families have at the point of diagnosis is too often incomplete. Watchful waiting is presented as the cautious choice. The research says otherwise. Curves progress during growth. The window for conservative intervention closes. And the long-term consequences of unaddressed structural imbalance show up decades later in patients who were told to simply come back in six months.

This piece, published through Connectively, draws from my clinical experience at Clear Life Scoliosis and Chiropractic Center and from seven peer-reviewed papers I have published examining scoliosis biomechanics and spinal alignment. The evidence for early conservative intervention exists. Most families never hear about it at diagnosis.

Read the full article here: Why Watchful Waiting Fails Scoliosis Patients

Carolinas Scoliosis Screening Initiative

 September 2026 Quarterly Screening Natural Awakenings Charlotte — Event Listing September 2026 https://www.awakeningcharlotte.com/events/343713/carolinas-scoliosis-screening-initiative

Carolinas Scoliosis Screening Initiative

Scoliosis Screening event December 17, 2026 · 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM View Event Listing on Natural Awakenings Charlotte

Carolinas Scoliosis Screening Initiative

Scoliosis Screening event March 26, 2027 · 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM View Event Listing on Natural Awakenings Charlotte

Explore Clear Life Scoliosis and Chiropractic Center

Dr. Justin Dick practices at Clear Life Scoliosis and Chiropractic Center in Charlotte, NC — a specialty non-surgical scoliosis and spinal trauma practice serving patients from across the Carolinas and nationally for intensive scoliosis programs.

About Scoliosis — what scoliosis is, how it progresses, and why early detection matters

CLEAR Scoliosis Protocol Charlotte — the five-component CLEAR Institute multimodal treatment protocol explained

ScoliBrace Charlotte — custom 3D over-corrective scoliosis bracing at Clear Life

SpineCor Charlotte — flexible dynamic scoliosis bracing for smaller curves and adult pain management

BackGenius Charlotte — functional medicine integration for scoliosis

BioPosture Charlotte — FDA-determined therapeutic sleep support for scoliosis patients

Chiropractic BioPhysics Charlotte — ligament remodeling and structural correction

Why CLEAR Institute — Not General Chiropractic or Physical Therapy — clinical comparison of scoliosis treatment approaches

Scoliosis Screening in Charlotte — what parents need to know about home screening and North Carolina's lack of school mandate

Personal Injury Care — spinal trauma rehabilitation following motor vehicle collision

Treatment Options — full overview of non-surgical scoliosis care at Clear Life

Dr. Dick's Published Research — eight peer-reviewed studies indexed in PubMed

Research and Evidence — the published basis for all treatments at Clear Life

Patient Reviews and Testimonials — patient and physician experiences at Clear Life

Book Your Evaluation — schedule at Clear Life Scoliosis and Chiropractic Center in Charlotte, NC

Clear Life Scoliosis and Chiropractic Center hosts the Carolinas Scoliosis Screening Initiative — a quarterly free community screening program serving Charlotte and the greater Carolinas region.

Clear Life Scoliosis and Chiropractic Center · 8814 Rachel Freeman Way, Suite 103 · Charlotte, NC 28278 · 980-368-0766 · office@clearlifescoliosis.com