The organizer
Founded in 2003, the Italian Scientific Spine Institute (ISICO) promotes and develops an innovative approach to the rehabilitation treatment of non-surgical diseases of the spine in individuals of all ages, from children to the elderly.
Why do we stand out?
Isico stands out for its considerable and cutting-edge clinical expertise, especially in the rehabilitation treatment of scoliosis.
Isico is an international reference point on account of its scientific research activity and the training programs it runs both in Italy and abroad.
Isico stands out at the national and international level for its considerable and always state-of-the-art expertise in the rehabilitation treatment of scoliosis, but also for the scientific research activity that has made our institute an international point of reference for specialists in this field. We use protocols and instruments of scientifically proven efficacy. Indeed, at Isico, medical practice is conducted according to the evidence-based medicine (EBM) approach, which has been defined as “the integration of the best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values”.
Isico stands out not only as a healthcare model in daily clinical practice but also for its ongoing research and training initiatives and for embracing new technologies.
We are one of the most known and credited scientific and clinical centres in the field of scoliosis rehabilitation treatment.
Thanks to our distinctive approach to scoliosis in children and adults, patients even come to us from afar for the treatments we offer. We are, indeed, currently treating patients from several countries worldwide.
An initial clinical assessment by our specialists here in Milan will determine whether bracing is necessary or alternatively whether treatment based on exercises (our SEAS protocol) may be sufficient.
Every year, we see over 8,000 patients (from all over Italy and beyond) in our outpatient clinics: in addition to our headquarters in Milan, we have a further 51 clinics in nearly all Italian regions where we treat all types of non-surgical back disorders.
The treatment plans we prescribe are drawn up by medical specialists and physiotherapists, applying the same agreed protocols and adopting a team approach that is crucial for the success of the treatments, which can often last many years.
The effectiveness of our approach is scientifically demonstrated at the international level. We strive to offer our patients a service that is tailored to their particular needs, always choosing the least invasive approach.
Once the treatment goals are established with a medical specialist, the spinal rehabilitation programme is drawn up. For patients requiring only exercise-based treatment, a specific exercise plan will be drawn up to be followed at home. The patient just has to visit the clinic on occasion for check-ups and updates because they are first instructed by a physiotherapist on how to execute the required exercises.
The relatively long intervals between these clinic appointments mean that our treatment and care pathways are both easier and less expensive for patients to follow.
Over the years, we have continuously introduced new technologies and innovations to improve the effectiveness of the treatments we provide; these include our clinical database, which is constantly updated and shared by all our clinical staff, sensors for use in brace treatments, and a clinical diary app for daily use.
What sets us apart in treating vertebral deformities (scoliosis, kyphosis, spondylolisthesis, etc.)?
- Our use of the SEAS (Scientific Exercises Approach to Scoliosis) protocol.
- Our use of the Sforzesco brace, created and developed by Isico
- Our use of SpineCor®, the last-generation dynamic corrective brace for milder forms of scoliosis
Our treatment of vertebral pain (low back pain, neck pain, stenosis, disc herniation, etc.) is characterized mainly by adopting a cognitive-behavioural approach associated with a program of exercises.
This method allows us to address even the most complex and long-term chronic forms.
Over the years, we have constantly asked ourselves why patients should come to our centres and choose our specialists and what they expect from their course of treatment.
We will never stop asking ourselves these important questions as we consider this kind of self-examination to be crucial if we are to go on offering our patients the best possible treatments: these must be based on scientific evidence but also on medical and human experience, which teaches us that the patient, as a person, should be the focus of the therapeutic team.
2003 The first Isico clinic is opened in Milan.
2004 The first Sforzesco brace is prescribed (in place of a plaster cast).
2005 The first Congresso R&R (national meeting) is held in Milan.
2006 www.scoliosi.org, the Isico blog, aimed at patients with scoliosis, goes online.
2007 Isico prescribes its first Spinecor® brace; Isico is the only clinical centre in Italy that uses this flexible brace for the treatment of mild scoliosis
2008 Isico launches its first Italian Master’s course in rehabilitation.
2009 Scoliosis Manager, our free software for compiling exercise plans for treating spinal disorders, is launched.
2010 Scoliosis and brace treatment: the Thermobrace sensor enters clinical practice.
2011 The first “Concorsetto” (a nationwide competition for brace wearers) is held.
2012 Ten years after the founding of Isico, the Rome clinic is opened, taking the total number of clinics in Italy to 20.
2013 Our training course for foreigners on the SEAS protocol reaches the USA and then Asia.
2014 Isico strengthens its online presence by opening a Facebook page and launching IsicoTv (a YouTube channel).
2015 Scolio-See, our first three-year European scientific research project within the FP7 program, ends.
2016 Isico launches the World Master Course, its first international online Master’s course.
2017 The Isico Congress "Spine & Rehabilitation" gets international and online streaming with simultaneous English translation.
2018 Isico provides patients with a free APP as support for the treatment.
2019 Isico presents itself on all social media
2020 First edition of the Online Master in Chinese language
2021 Launch of the free APP also for professionals
2022 Isico organised the first international online course on the prescription and construction of the Sforzesco brace
2023 ISICO is one of the partners of PREPARE, the second European project, this time we are talking about Artificial Intelligence
2024 2024 ISICO Alliance, the international network kicks off
Since 2003 we have treated over 60,000 patients and published 290 scientific articles in the international literature.
Following this link you will be redirected to our book (“THE EVIDENCE-BASED ISICO APPROACH TO SPINAL DEFORMITIES”) that describes Isico’s clinical approach.
