The Schroth Method is a non-invasive Physical Therapy treatment that focuses on elongating and derotating the scoliotic or kyphotic spine, in an effort to stop/slow curve progression and prevent further spinal deformity.

Using a combination of hands-on treatment, passive corrections of spinal positioning in all three planes (frontal, sagittal and transverse), and active breathing techniques, the Schroth-certified Physical Therapist will aim to improve patients’ posture, eliminate pain, and enhance lung capacity.

Managing scoliosis with the Schroth Method and bracing may be an option for patients who want to avoid surgery. However, a long-term commitment to the Schroth guidelines is necessary to make this treatment successful. the progression of your curve before it’s too late.

The Schroth method uses specific exercises based on an individual’s scoliosis curve pattern. This method is based on self-awareness principals. This means that patients have to develop a self-awareness of where their body is in space, how they hold their bodies now, and how they should actually be holding their bodies; physical therapy and the Schroth Method can help patients to learn this self-awareness.

The patient will receive education on their first visit about their curve type and their current posture/pattern that is affecting their activities of everyday living. The abnormal posture of the patient needs to be corrected from an imbalanced position.

The patient will learn their corrected posture by supervised practice moving their body through space and holding this reformed position. The physical therapist works with the patient to help develop this self-awareness in three dimensions, along with a new breathing pattern to further expand concave or collapsed areas.

With these exercises, we are correcting as much of the postural collapse as possible, in order to decrease the forces that may be contributing to the progression of the curve, pain, and limited lung function.

Instead of waiting and seeing if your curve progresses, try Schroth based scoliosis treatment to help stop the progression of your curve before it’s too late.

• Stop Curve Progression
• Eliminate Pain
• Improve posture and appearance
• Increase lung capacity

The Schroth Method focuses on spinal corrections in all three planes of motion, to derotate the spine in the same planes of motion as the deformity, as opposed to traditional treatment which focuses on only one plane of motion at a time. This more effectively addresses the deformity in an attempt to halt or slow progression. The Schroth Method is primarily intended for use in 1:1 individual physical therapy treatment of patients diagnosed with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS).

• Patients should bring a copy of the most recent X-ray or have them sent over prior to initial evaluation.
• Wear clothes that can easily display the spine ie. bathing suit, non-racerback sports bar, cami.
• Patients should bring their brace, if applicable.

To allow for structural changes to be corrected, the exercises are usually initiated at a 10 degree Cobb angle and based on chance of progression. If there are any pain or issues present as a coexistent problem, therapy can begin on a case by case basis.