The Schroth Method is a gentle yet complex, neuromuscular re-training program for all spinal disorders and postural mal-alignments, including scoliosis, hyperkyphosis and Scheuermann disease. It has been shown to slow, stabilize and stop the progression of posturally imbalanced curves by using an individually designed, curve-specific exercise program. The treatment is guided by a Schroth-certified Physical Therapist to actively self-positioning one's body and extremities to de-rotate out of and elongate each curve, offering symmetrical muscle firing and muscle memory in that region. Pulmonary function is improved by increasing the lung capacity in one's concavities using the Schroth breathing technique called Rotational Angular Breathing. Schroth breathing expands and ultimately reshapes the ribcage by strengthening weakened, inefficiently functioning intercostal and intervertebral muscles, improving breathing, decreasing pain, and slowing or halting the curve progression. Read more on the Schroth Method below.
The SEAS (Scientific Exercise Approach to Scoliosis) Method is another evidence-based and successful physical therapy treatment approach for postural mal-alignments that was developed by the Italian Scientific Spine Institute (ISICO) in Milan, Italy. This treatment begins with the patient's understanding and perception of their own posture. SEAS is unique in that it uses a group of specific exercises isolating the weaker muscles associated with each of their curves by initiating an Active Self-Correction. This Active Self-Correction results in their best postural alignment with the reduction or elimination of their curves, which can then be incorporated anytime during their regular activities of daily living, recreational activities, school and work environments. This approach is quickly learned and easily reproduced to improve symmetry and trunk stability, decompress spinal forces, and prevent or halt curve progression. Read more on the SEAS Method below.
Schroth & SEAS Therapy for Comprehensive Spine Care in the United States
Schroth Method to Treat Spinal Disorders and Scoliosis of All Ages “The Schroth method is a scoliosis specific back school. In the treatment programme, all possibilities for postural correction, including respiration, are used in order to enable the patients to help themselves.”
– Christa Lehnert-Schroth (1992)
In the 1920s, Katharina Schroth, born in 1894 in Dresden Germany, developed the Schroth Method to treat Scoliosis. It began when Katharina stood in her backyard as a teenager, afflicted with adolescent-onset scoliosis herself, and saw a half deflated balloon and envisioned her compressed rib cage. This inspired her to establish the orthopedic breathing technique called Rotational Angular Breathing, which opens the concavity of a scoliosis with air. Once the vertebrae have been de-rotated, elongated and restored to their best possible alignment, space is then created to inflate the concavity, or "fill the balloon up with air". She went on to successfully treat over ten thousand patients from all over the world, and in the 70s her daughter, Christa Lehnert-Schroth, further developed the method and ran the Institute in Sobernheim, Germany for many years.
This method has slowly trickled into the US, although is still relatively unknown to most Western medical practitioners.
The Schroth Method is also used to treat numerous spinal conditions in addition to scoliosis, including but not limited to Scheuermann disease, hyperkyphosis, Flat-back Syndrome and all postural mal-alignments.
The Schroth method aims to elongate, de-rotate and stabilize the spine, improving posture & reducing pain associated with spinal mal-alignments. This science-backed holistic method used to treat Scoliosis is different for each individual, as health requirements and conditions vary from patient to patient. Therefore, Schroth-Certified physical therapists will create a unique set of exercises using this approach to address your specific health conditions. These exercises can prevent Scoliosis and other spinal mal-alignments from progressing into further pain and disability, as well as lower your chance of requiring future intervention such as bracing or surgery.
Goals of the Schroth Method:- Creating mindfulness of your posture
- Patient education and empowerment
- Correct postural alignment through increased muscular endurance and strength
- Enhance the quality of your breathing
- Improve your height by improving your postural alignment
- Reduce and eliminate asymmetrical loading
- Reduce disc pathology
- Decrease pain and disability
- Long-term spinal stability and prevention of progression
- Avoid bracing and surgery
- Participate in physical activities & live a normal active life with Scoliosis.
Looking for Level 2 Schroth Physical Therapist near you? Look no further; at In Line Physical Therapy, LLC, you will get a customized physical therapy program based on your age, skeletal maturity, and specific spine curvature. Schedule your appointment today!
SEAS Method to Treat Spinal Disorders and Scoliosis of All Ages SEAS (the Scientific Exercise Approach to Scoliosis) is a unique approach to correcting spinal mal-alignments, in it’s simplicity and implementation in everyday activities of daily living. The SEAS method begins with the patient’s understanding and perception of their own posture. Once awareness is in place, the patient learns an “active self-correction”, where they are trained by a SEAS-certified physical therapist to find the best possible alignment of the spine and trunk in all three dimensions. The SEAS method then focuses on achieving trunk and spinal stability with individual exercises while maintaining one's active self-correction, progressing exercise challenges to increase strength and endurance in all postural musculature.
The key Goal of the SEAS Methods- Correction of spinal mal-alignments
- Restoration of a more natural spinal position
- Functional improvement
- Correct postural alignment through increased muscular endurance and strength
- Creating mindfulness of your posture
- Pain reduction and symptom management
- Reduce and eliminate asymmetrical loading
- Long-term spinal stability and prevention of progression
- Patient education and empowerment
These tailored exercises are easy to learn and easy to do on your own. They help make your body more balanced, relieve pressure on your spine, and stop your curves from getting worse. So, if you are ready to take control of your spinal condition, reach out to me today. I will assist you by teaching you these therapeutic tools to heal your spine's health.
Both Schroth & SEAS Therapy are used to treat Scoliosis and spinal disorders of all ages.
Ready to discuss the next treatment steps to treat Scoliosis, hyperkyphosis, Scheuermann disease, and other Postural mal-alignments? Schedule your appointment today.
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Click on the links below to read informative articles about the effectiveness of the Schroth method.
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Click here to read the latest research supporting the Schroth method
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3847831/Effect of conservative management on the prevalence of surgery in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14713587/Influence of an in-patient exercise program on scoliotic curve
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1308886/The efficacy of Schroth s 3-dimensional exercise therapy in the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in Turkey
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16155663/Great scoliosis informational resources:
Scoliosis Journal
www.scoliosisjournal.com
Setting Scoliosis Straight Foundation
www.settingscoliosisstraight.org info@ssshsg.org
Curvy Girls
www.curvygirlsscoliosis.com
Scoliosis Research Society (SRS)
www.srs.org
Society on Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment (SOSORT)
www.sosort.mobiExcellent Symposium on Spine and Non-invasive Scoliosis Treatmenthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcoN8Vk9Q4M
