What is scoliosis?

 Scoliosis is a complex three dimensional deformation of the spine, which presents as abnormal twisting, lateral curvature and asymmetrical compression of the spine.  From the back, it looks like a sideways curve in a C or an S shape. What cannot be seen with a naked eye is how the vertebrae in the spine rotate as they form a curve. Spaces between the vertebrae may also become compressed in some areas and stretched in others. That is why physical therapy for scoliosis requires a 3-D approach to address all three imbalances.  Over time these imbalanced forces at the spine can accumulate and cause spinal instability, pain and disability. The  diagnosis of scoliosis is given when the lateral curvature (Cobb's angle) is greater or equal to 10 degrees. The degree of scoliosis can progress during any period of growth or later in life.

What is The Schroth Method?

The Schroth Method is a specialized physical therapy approach aimed at elongating, de-rotating and stabilizing your spine in a three-dimensional plane.  The method teaches you how to correct pelvic position and spinal rotation,  increase lung capacity, restore normal spinal position, and improve your posture during routine daily living, not just during therapy. It is a neuromuscular retraining which creates new muscle memory and teaches the brain to hold the spine straighter. Schroth must be performed by a certified physical therapist, as there are many different types of curves and the program must be customized for your unique spinal curvature.

To read more about the Schroth Method:
​www.schrothmethod.com

​How can I benefit from Schroth treatments if I have scoliosis?

​Millions of people in the United States are affected by Scoliosis, Kyphosis, or other abnormal curvatures of the spine. Even in mild cases, these conditions can be both painful and debilitating. A good portion of the population has a mild case of scoliosis that can contribute to imbalanced forces on  joints throughout the body, which in the long term can lead to unnecessary break down of joints (arthritis). For severe cases, surgery is offered as the only option. While those with mild to moderate cases are told to “Wait and see.”
There is another option, and it can be highly effective for all cases. Schroth therapy offers non-surgical treatment for scoliosis and other cases of abnormal spinal curvature. Through Schroth, many patients have been able to stop progression of curvature or even reverse curvature without surgery. Those with mild scoliosis can benefit from Schroth therapy by using muscles to decrease spinal curves and prevent arthritis, while those with moderate scoliosis can decrease spinal curves and risk for arthritis through use of Schroth therapy and bracing. Even severe cases (who have had surgery but still have pain) can benefit from Schroth therapy to achieve optimal muscular balance throughout the spine; this muscular balance will distribute forces more evenly and diminish/resolve pain.

Where do I start?

Early detection is very important to prevent the progression of scoliosis. If you notice any of the signs of spinal imbalance (shoulders not aligned, asymmetrical shoulder blades, deviated hip or spine prominence while bending over) you should consult your doctor and have an x-ray exam to determine the value of the Cobb angle. Treatment is then based on the value of the Cobb angle.

Cobb angle 10-20 degrees: observation with follow-ups, Schroth exercises
Cobb angle 25-45 degrees: Schroth exercises and bracing
Cobb angle >50 degrees: Surgery

The Schroth Method treats the following:
adolescent, adult and elderly scoliosis
scoliosis, including idiopathic scoliosis and de novo (degenerative) 
kyphosis (including Scheuermann's disease) 
kypho-scoliosis
post-surgical rehabilitation


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How do I know if the Schroth Method is effective at treating scoliosis?

​Please refer to the following articles: 
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Effects of the Schroth exercise on idiopathic scoliosis: a meta-analysis. European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine June 2018. 54(3):440-449.
schroth_research.pdf

Effectiveness of Schroth exercises during bracing in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Scoliosis Spinal Disord Oct 16 2017. 12:32
scoliosisjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13013-017-0139-6

The Efficacy of Three-dimensional Schroth Exercises in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Randomised Controlled Clinical Trial. Clinical Rehabilitation 2016. 30(2): 181-90.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Schroth Physiotherapeutic Scoliosis- Specific Exercises Added to the Standard of Care Lead to BetterCobb Angle Outcomes in Adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis- an Assessor and Statistician Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial. PloS One. 2016 11(12): e0168746.
journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0168746

 Active self-correction and task-oriented exercises reduce spinal deformity and improve quality of life in subjects with mild adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Results of a randomised controlled trial. European Spine Journal. 2014.23(6):1204-1214
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24682356

The effect of Schroth exercises added to the standard of care on the quality  of life and muscle endurance in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis. Scoliosis. 2015; 10(24)
scoliosisjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13013-015-0048-5

One Individual's Inspirational Story

​"When I was around 12 years old I was diagnosed with scoliosis. In the beginning, my curve was considered “mild”, and I was prescribed with a night time brace. After about 6 months of nightly bracing, my curve increased drastically, nearing the point of surgery. I was put in a full time brace when my mom began researching any other practices that could help improve, or at least maintain the curve. She discovered the Schroth Method after all her digging on the internet. Unfortunately, there was no one at the time practicing in the Vegas area, however, she found someone in St. George, Utah who did. For about two years, I spent every Friday afternoon making the 2 hour drive to Utah for physical therapy on my back. 

A few years of therapy and bracing went by and once my growth plates had closed I no longer needed my brace, and to the doctors’ surprise, not only did my curve stay the same, but had improved drastically. While they take credit from the years of bracing, I know that it was the Schroth Method that truly helped my back. After years of being in and out of doctors offices, receiving countless x-rays, and driving to Utah for therapy, I knew I wanted to practice some sort of medicine that could help people who struggled like I did."  
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​young female, MT

Scoliosis Solutions    
1309 Ponderosa Dr Ste 204, Sandpoint, ID 83864
2405 Brooks St, Missoula, MT 59801
406.920.8468    [email protected]