4 Important Facts about Scoliosis and Schroth Method

Have you ever imagined that you could manage to stop scoliosis from progressing? Well you can.

Back in 1927 in Germany, a physiotherapist named Katharina Schroth imagined that she could do this with her own scoliosis. Through decades of trial and error she learned methods of success managing her scoliosis by controlling muscles that contributed to her curvatures. Her success became so renowned that she began helping a lot other patients and pretty soon it became the premiere method of treating scoliosis in East Germany. Today, Schroth method is widely used in Europe. Now, SpineCor Associates of Chicago has brought this specialized scoliosis treatment to the Greater Chicago area.

1. How does Schroth method help treat scoliosis patients?

The Schroth method of scoliosis exercises helps a patient retrain their own body movement patterns to stop the progression of their curvatures and in many cases actually reduce the deformity of the spine. This is achieved by educating first the patient about anatomy. It involves the specific de-rotation of the thoracic and or the lumbar spine to correct biochemical faults. The method helps the thoracic and rib cage muscles to change the shape of the thorax to allow the correction of the disorder. It stops the progression of the scoliosis, improve the lung’s vital capacity, improve posture and mobility, and to reduce or diminish pain experiences.

The Schroth method of scoliosis exercises does not require specialized and expensive equipment. It utilizes specialized postures, movements and breathing techniques and involves the use of a exercise mats, hanging bars, bean bags, physio-balls in a variety of positions for standing, sitting and lying postures to assist the patient in learning new patterns of postural support in regaining and maintaining a proper position.

2. Is the Schroth Method Different than Exercises given by a Physical Therapist?

Yes, Not all scoliosis exercises are created equal. The fact is that some exercises can actually aggravate your curvatures!
Because scoliosis is a unilateral rotation dysfunction, (in other words the spine twists in a helix in one direction) the exercises needed to correct it must be done in unilateral direction to counter act the curvatures.

Most exercises are taught to be done bilaterally, which means they have the potential for doing more harm than good because at least one of the sides they are exercising increases the curvatures, causing the scoliosis to fall further into the curve pattern.

3. What are the different factors that affect the success of a Schroth method?

A successful Schroth exercise program shows an improved spine curvature and a lifetime control to it by the client. This could be affected by the following factor:

• Age of the patient – the more they are able to comprehend, understands and implement the method the better the outcomes will be
• Patient’s compliance
• The degree of the spine curvature (the sooner the scoliosis treatment begins, the better)

4. What scoliosis exercises are right for me?

Everyone’s curvatures are unique so the exact set of exercises used in a patient’s scoliosis treatment plan must be custom selected a certified Schroth Method therapist. Since there is no one-size-fits all treatment for scoliosis with the Schroth Method it’s important to find a Certified professional trained in providing these scoliosis specific exercises.

For more information about if the Schroth Method is right for your scoliosis, give us a call at (847) 562-5317 and we will be happy to discuss your case over the phone at no charge.

Dr. Gary Deutchman, D.C.
SpineCor Associates of Chicago
Certified SpineCor Provider
Certified Schroth Method Instructor
Founding Member of S.O.S.O.R.T.