Canadian Directory of Brace makers / Certified Orthotists

The Canadian Scoliosis Screening Coalition

www.ScoliosisCanada.ca contact us by email: CSSC@scoliosiscanada.ca

Added: Jan 19, 2026. (Draft text - Revised: March 21, 2026 )

Orthotic Bracing in the Management of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS)

Custom Spinal Orthoses/Braces (also known as Thoracolumbosacral Orthoses [TLSO]) have long been a cornerstone of conservative, non-surgical treatment for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS), and remains the standard of care for managing moderate spinal curves. Its primary objective is to prevent scoliosis from progressing to the point where surgery becomes necessary. Early detection and intervention are crucial for optimal outcomes, especially before or during early puberty, when the spine is at highest risk for curve progression, the spine is usually still flexible and spinal curves are typically mild for most children. (However, it should be noted, not all spines are flexible at this age and moderate curves can also be treated successfully as well.) Patient compliance is also a well-established factor in treatment success. Bracing is generally required throughout the adolescent growth period until skeletal maturity is reached—that is, when the child stops growing. Because children grow rapidly during this stage, they often need to be refitted multiple times for new custom spinal braces, similar to outgrowing shoes.

Spinal Orthoses are prescribed for children diagnosed with AIS (as well in a minority of cases for some children with Early-onset (EOS) or Juvenile Scoliosis) by health professionals, 'spine specialists' who may be a Nurse Practitioner, a Physiotherapist or Pediatric Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon typically in a Scoliosis or childrens' hospital clinic across Canada. As well, family doctors, Paediatricians, and Chiropractors may also prescribe Spinal Orthoses. Parents need to be aware that some private health insurance companies and provincial funding programs do not accept prescriptions/claims from Chiropractors for reimbursement. For adult patients, custom TLSOs or soft orthotic braces may be used to manage pain or provide spinal support in cases of late-diagnosed AIS or degenerative scoliosis. However, there is currently no peer-reviewed evidence that braces can stop or reverse curve progression in adult patients.

The Role of Certified Orthotists

Certified Orthotists (CO(c)) or Certified Prosthetist/Orthotists (CPO(c)) are specially educated and highly trained healthcare professionals with expertise in a division of human pathology—particularly conditions (eg spina bifida, cerebral palsy, scoliosis) affecting the nerves, muscles, and bones—as well as materials science, manufacturing, gait analysis, and biomechanics. This multidisciplinary training allows them to design, fabricate, and fit custom orthotses/braces tailored to individual needs. Educational training and requirements to becoming a CO or CPO in Canada:

4 years Bachelors in Science, Kinesiology, or related field,
2 years Post Graduate completion of the Clinical Methods in Orthotics/Prosthetics Program at George Brown Polytechnic in Toronto @ Sunnybrook Hospital or British Columbia Institute of Technology @ Burnaby Campus
2-year residency in an Orthotics Clinic under the supervision of a Certified Orthotist or Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist.
National Clinical Practical and Written Certification Exam
Certification is granted by Orthotics Prosthetics Canada (OPC), the national regulatory body responsible for maintaining rigorous education and practice standards that align with international standards.
In Quebec, an Orthotist is certified with the title Orthésiste Diplômé T.P. (Technologue Professionnel) Quebec's version of a Certified Orthotist C.O. of English Canada and the 3 year clinical methods program is offered at Collège Montmorency in Laval. The "T.P." stands for Technologue Professionnel (Professional Technologist). To use this title and practice, they must be certified members of the Ordre des technologues professionnels du Québec (OTPQ), Quebec's regulatory body.

Unfortunately, funding for orthotic braces is not universally provided across all provinces and territories in Canada, creating significant disparities in access to care—particularly for children from low-income families or those living in remote regions. These disparities are further exacerbated by limited access or complete lack of early detection and scoliosis screening programs and poor awareness of AIS in primary care providers.

For educational materials and patient videos about bracing, visit the Scoliosis Research Society’s Bracing page or What to expect from the Orthotics Clinic after a referral from Toronto Sickkids Hospital and the very informative Scoliosis Bracing how does it work? from CHU Sainte-Justine of Montreal, Quebec.

Important Considerations for Parents

Parents should be aware of ongoing concerns surrounding soft, flexible scoliosis braces promoted by some private providers. Multiple studies^38,
40 over the past decade have shown that these braces are significantly less effective than rigid custom orthoses in treating progressive idiopathic scoliosis in children. Parents should also be cautious of private providers that are not qualified and regulated Certified Orthotists or Orthésiste Diplômé T.P's and scoliosis braces ordered from a catalogue for their child.

Choosing the wrong type of brace, managing bracing improperly or late referral, can result in a missed window of treatment during the critical adolescent growth phase, allowing scoliosis to progress to a surgical threshold.

A custom rigid Spinal Orthosis/brace prescribed by a health professional and fitted for your child by the Certified Orthotist is supported by high-quality, peer-reviewed scientific evidence/studies for the treatment of progressive AIS. Families are encouraged to discuss conservative treatment options with their health-care providers to determine the most appropriate management strategy based on curve magnitude, skeletal maturity, and individual patient factors. Please refer to the curated list of links to published peer-reviewed evidentiary studies on Orthotic Bracing provided here.

Providing support for children and youth is important. Being diagnosed with AIS, facing the challenge of bracing and navigating the medical journey can be a stressful and isolating experience for adolescents. The CSSC endorses Scoliosis Common Grounds for Canadian youth A safe (free) virtual monthly peer group for Canadian youth 13+ diagnosed with scoliosis moderated by a Certified Child Life Specialist, an Upopolis initiative sponsored by the Canadian non-profit Kids Health Link Foundation.