Schroth 3 Dimensional Scoliosis Rehabilitation

Contact Dr. Gail Lauro to find out about the Schroth weekend course in your area.

*1-800-281-5010 Classes are limited to 3 persons per instructor.

Mobilization of the ribs can help reduce the rib approximation inside the thoracic concavity

The Schroth Therapist can help mobilize the spine into rotation.

The major goals are to reduce the incidence of scoliosis progression, reduce the spinal deformity, improve mobility, postural stability, reduce pain, and improve cardiopulmonary function.

Schroth Method- Conscious Posture- Re-education of the mind-body system is encouraged in the Schroth Method using tactile stimulation, visual self inspection and focused movement.

Schroth Method Mobilization- Adult scoliosis may require manual techniques to improve flexibilty and mobility to maximize the effects of the Schroth exercises. Patients are taught Scoliosis exercises to be done at home. This is done to encourage self help and self monitoring.

Schroth Method Mobilization- Adult scoliosis may require manual techniques to improve flexibilty and mobility to maximize the effects of the Schroth exercises.Schroth Method Exercises- Patients are taught Scoliosis exercises to be done at home. This is done to encourage self help and self monitoring.

Schroth mobilization of the lumbar curvature.

Scoliosis exercises (as described by Katharina Schroth) were developed as a three dimensional therapy to reshape the ribcage and reduce the deformity associated with Scoliosis.

Scoliosis exercises for adults and children should reduce the incidence of scoliosis progression, reduce postural rotation, improve mobility, improve postural stability, reduce pain, and improve cardiopulmonary function.

Schroth Method Scoliosis Exercises:

Schroth Breathing *(Focused Inspiration)

Through focused expansion of the flattened portion of the ribs (within the thoracic concavity) during inspiration, and forced contraction of the rib hump(s) on exhalation, the Schroth Method has been shown to successfully reshape the rib cage, decrease rotation of the vertebral bodies, and improve vital lung capacity (Ottman et al 2005) in patients with Scoliosis. Patients are taught to breath while in seated, lying and specific standing postures.

Schroth Exercises *(Isometric Postures)

Scoliosis is not a primary problem with the muscles, however, the stabilizer muscles of the trunk, pelvis and spine do become imbalanced, and, can be reconditioned to help slow, stop and reverse the scoliosis curvature. This is especially true in the lumbar spine. The Schroth Exercises are designed to be isometric contractions of the core while in mechanically advantageous positions. In other words, patients are shown postures which would help reduce the postural deformity associated with their scoliosis, and asked to hold those postures during Schroth breathing.

Schroth Walking (Dynamic Postural Control)

The pelvis can rotate in Scoliosis causing lumbar rotation, hip height discrepancy, pain and progression of the Scoliosis. Often Schroth therapy and chiropractic treatment are necessary to improve flexibility in this area. When a patient can create pelvic corrections which improve the alignment, he or she can learn to move with the pelvis in this more desirable position. This is done in the very beginning by having the patient consciously hold the pelvis during controlled walking ("walking through tall grass"). Schroth described 5 pelvic corrections, basically all degrees of freedom should be considered, 3 rotations and 3 translations, and of course every combination in between. Mostly the corrections can be visualized without diagnositc measures.

Vestibular Rehabilitation: Neurological connections between the eyes and the spine have long been neglected in non-surgical treatment of scoliosis, despite the many studies which identify vestibular and oculomotor dysfunction in the majority of patients with Scoliosis. Habituation training and vestibular enhancement exercises may be appropriate in patients with vestibular involvement in their Scoliosis. Therapies and exercises to improve the central neurological controls of posture may include home, computer or in office procedures. Following a functional neurological evaluation, including the use of state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment to evaluate vestibular function, a neurological retraining program is designed for patients individually.

Scoliosis Exercises for Pain Relief: Scoliosis pain in adults can be relieved with proper exercises designed to help activate neglected muscles, however, not all exercises are appropriate for patients with chronic pain. Often the use of an Elastic Tension Orthosis is more appropriate for these patients, and when pain relief is evident, exercises may be more effective for stabilization.

Scoliosis Exercises for Lumbar Scoliosis: Lumbar Scoliosis can result in pain in adults and can be progressive if measuring over 30 degrees cobb. Scoliosis exercises for lumbar scoliosis are desgined to activate muscles which straighten and de-rotate the scoliosis.

Scoliosis Exercises for Thoracic Scoliosis: Scoliosis exercises for Thoracic scoliosis are designed to expand the flat area of the thoracic concavity and derotate the ribhump using respiration and posture correction.