CLEAR Institute Protocol: A Neurological Approach to Non-Surgical Scoliosis Treatment

Learn how the CLEAR Institute Protocol combines neurological rehabilitation, spinal correction, and scoliosis-specific exercises to support non-surgical scoliosis care.

Clinician guiding a patient through neurological rehabilitation using the CLEAR Institute Protocol, illustrating the relationship between the nervous system, balance, and scoliosis.

CLEAR Institute Protocol

A Non-Surgical, Neurological Approach to Scoliosis Care

Dr. Albert Winandar, DC

All Well Scoliosis Centre · Singapore

What Is the CLEAR Institute Protocol?

The CLEAR Institute (Chiropractic Leadership, Educational Advancement and Research) is a nonprofit organization founded by Dr. Dennis Woggon, DC, dedicated to advancing conservative, evidence-informed scoliosis care.

The CLEAR Protocol is the institute's comprehensive treatment system, combining spinal rehabilitation, neurological retraining, and scoliosis-specific exercises. Rather than focusing solely on the spinal curve, the protocol addresses the biomechanical and neurological factors that may contribute to scoliosis progression and postural imbalance.

Its goal is to improve spinal alignment, reduce postural asymmetry, enhance function, and support long-term spinal stability without surgery whenever appropriate.

Components of the CLEAR Protocol

Treatment is individualized according to each patient's spinal curve pattern, age, skeletal maturity, and clinical presentation. Depending on the patient's needs, the program may include:

Spinal Weighting

Light therapeutic weights are strategically placed on the head, shoulders, or pelvis to stimulate postural reflexes and encourage improved spinal alignment through controlled gravitational loading.

Vibratory Stimulation

Targeted vibration is applied to selected spinal muscles to influence muscle spindle activity and help reduce asymmetrical muscle tension commonly associated with scoliosis.

Mirror-Image Adjustments

Specific chiropractic adjustments are performed in the corrective direction opposite to the patient's curve pattern, with the aim of improving spinal mobility and reducing mechanical restrictions.

Corrective Traction

Specialized traction techniques apply three-dimensional corrective forces to encourage improved spinal positioning while promoting soft tissue adaptation over time.

Sensorimotor Rehabilitation

Balance, coordination, and proprioceptive exercises are used to retrain the body's postural control systems. These exercises target neurological pathways involving the vestibular system, cerebellum, visual system, and spinal proprioceptors to improve postural awareness and movement control.

Neurological Basis

The CLEAR Protocol is based on the understanding that scoliosis involves more than spinal bones alone.

Research suggests that, in some individuals with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS), altered communication between the vestibular system, visual system, cervical proprioceptors, and the brain's postural control centres may contribute to persistent asymmetrical muscle activation. These neurological patterns may influence posture and make the spinal curve more resistant to passive correction.

By combining structural rehabilitation with neurological retraining, the CLEAR Protocol aims to improve how the brain and body coordinate posture and spinal movement.

Intensive Rehabilitation Program

Many patients begin with an intensive rehabilitation program lasting approximately 12–14 days, with treatment sessions ranging from 4–8 hours per day, Monday through Saturday.

The intensive program combines multiple therapeutic approaches in a structured format designed to maximise neurological adaptation and postural correction.

Following completion of the intensive phase, patients transition to a personalised home rehabilitation programme. Regular follow-up visits and repeat radiographic assessments help monitor spinal alignment, Cobb angle changes, and overall functional progress.

Scientific Evidence

Growing clinical evidence supports components of the CLEAR approach.

Recent published studies include:

  • Dick JM, Whelan J. (2026). First published case report describing a conservative scoliosis intervention targeting the Labyrinthine Righting Reflex (LRR). Cureus. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.101343

  • Dick JM, Spurgeon S. (2025). Thirteen-month case report demonstrating Cobb angle improvement from 42.4° to 23.8° following conservative treatment. Cureus. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.78669

Although these reports are encouraging, additional high-quality clinical research is needed to determine how well these findings apply across larger patient populations.

CLEAR Care at All Well Scoliosis Centre

Dr. Albert Winandar, DC is a CLEAR Institute Intensive & Standard Certified, providing care using the CLEAR Protocol as part of a comprehensive, patient-centred scoliosis management programme.

Where clinically appropriate, CLEAR rehabilitation may be combined with ScoliBrace® bracing, scoliosis-specific rehabilitation exercises, and long-term home care to provide an individualized treatment plan based on each patient's spinal condition and treatment goals.

Medical Disclaimer

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

Scoliosis varies significantly between individuals. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new sport or exercise program, especially if you have scoliosis, spinal conditions, pain, or previous injuries. Participation in sports should be guided by individual assessment and professional recommendation.

The image is shared for educational purposes with patient consent. Individual outcomes vary. Structural correction does not automatically restore full respiratory function. Clinical assessment is required.

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