Blog Post Written By: Dr. Caroline Joy, PT, DPT, Certified SSOL Schroth Specialist
If you or a loved one have recently been diagnosed with scoliosis or kyphosis, you likely have come across a form of physical therapy called the Schroth Method. If hearing about this treatment has brought you here, you are in the right place to be educated on Schroth and learn if it is the right treatment option for you.
Disclaimer: The below article focuses on the Schroth Method as a Physiotherapeutic Scoliosis Specific Exercise (PSSE), for more about the Schroth Method as a treatment for kyphosis related deformity, please refer to my blog on this topic
What is Schroth?
The Schroth Method consists of three-dimensional correction of the specific curve pattern of a patient using a combination of sensorimotor, postural, and corrective breathing exercises.(1) As defined by the Schroth Method founder herself, Christa Schroth, “The Schroth Method aims to reverse all of the abnormal curvatures with a variety of means, based upon the therapist’s analysis of a patient’s muscle imbalances.”(2)
Schroth is the most common Physiotherapeutic Scoliosis Specific Exercise (PSSE) and is recognized globally for its cognitive, sensory-motor and kinesthetic training used to teach the patient to improve her/his aligned posture. (3)
The goals of the Schroth Method include but are not limited to the following: stop curve progression, prevent or treat respiratory dysfunction, prevent or treat spinal pain syndromes, improve aesthetics via postural correction, correction of the “scoliotic posture,” stabilize the spine and arrest curve progression, patient and family education, improve respiratory function, improve function, activities of daily living, improve self image, and reduce pain.(3)
Does Schroth Really Work?
Yes, Schroth has been proven in the research to be beneficial for a number of objectives including stabilizing/reducing Cobb angle, reducing trunk rotation, improving pain, and improving overall functional and quality of life (QOL). A 2023 systematic review and meta analysis points to Schroth alone being significantly more effective than traditional exercise at reducing Cobb angle, reducing trunk rotation, and improving overall QOL.(1)
A common misconception is that the goal of Schroth is to reduce the Cobb angle associated with scoliosis. This is not a major objective or a guarantee. Although reducing the cobb angle is a frequent outcome, the goals of Schroth, as listed above, include stopping curve progression.
Who Performs the Schroth Method?
The Schroth Method can only be performed by a certified Schroth Therapist. You can find a certified Schroth Therapist in the US following this link: https://schrothptsintheus.com/
How Do Sessions Work?
A Schroth Evaluation will require your Schroth therapist to read your X-ray reading prior to seeing you, and then doing a formal in person evaluation. A typical Schroth evaluation will be about 90 minutes long. Patients will leave understanding every nuance associated with their curve by way of patient/family education. Patients will also leave understanding their individual active self correction (ASC) in both seated and standing.
The most effective form of Schroth treatment is done with ten 60-minute treatment sessions. Each session, a patient’s program is strengthened with additional Schroth exercises and previous exercises are polished. Depending on the curve type, patients may have a total of 6-10 exercises by the end of their 10 visits. After 10 visits, with the therapist's approval, patients will be able to continue with their own self maintenance. Once managing on their own, patients frequently decide to come in for a “tune-up” or join group Schroth classes for accountability. In regards to treatment, the goal of a Schroth therapist is to empower our patients to become partners in their care. For information on pricing on Schroth sessions at The Green Room, refer to the link here: https://www.thegrpt.com/services-2
References
Ceballos-Laita L, Carrasco-Uribarren A, Cabanillas-Barea S, Pérez-Guillén S, Pardos-Aguilella P, Jiménez effectiveness of Schroth method in Cobb angle, quality of life and trunk rotation angle in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a systematic review an meta-analysis. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med 2023;59:228-36. DOI: 10.23736/S1973-9087.23.07
Kwan et al. Scoliosis and Spinal Disorders (2017) 12:32 DOI 10.1186/s13013-017-0139-6
SOSORT 2011 Guidelines
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