Physical Therapy for Scoliosis: Schroth Method Treatment
Updated: Sep 16
Most people have heard about scoliosis, but not many know what the condition is, how it influences everyday life and what's the best way to treat it.
Scoliosis affects around 3% of the entire population. It can be mild, moderate, or severe and is more common among women.
While scoliosis can develop and be diagnosed at any time, generally, it's discovered in the teenage years.
There are many ways to approach the treatment and management of scoliosis, from exercise to surgery.
One of the most common and effective ways to treat it is physical therapy. Here is a closer look at the condition and how treatment works.
What is Scoliosis?
Scoliosis affects the curvature of the spine. When the condition is present, the spine twists and curves to the side. The spaces between the vertebrae may get compressed or stretched too.
The spine's shape can take the form of a "C" or "S" letter, and the severity of the curvature can vary from person to person. However, the degree of curvature and vertebral rotation are usually not visible to the naked eye and require imaging to assess.
During diagnosis, doctors and medical experts measure the angle of the curvature (Cobb angle), and if it's 10 degrees or more, scoliosis is confirmed.
There are a few different types of scoliosis, and a doctor or physical therapist assesses and diagnoses each patient individually.
Types of Scoliosis
Credits: 123rf.com
Before discussing how physical therapy for scoliosis can improve the condition and quality of life, let's briefly talk about the condition types.
Congenital scoliosis: This type appears in utero as the baby's spine develops, caused by a defect present at birth.
Early-onset scoliosis (EOS). EOS is a curvature of the spine diagnosed in children under the age of 10. It is significantly less common than adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. According to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, more than 100,000 children in the US are diagnosed with some form of scoliosis each year, though most of these diagnoses occur between ages 10 and 15 with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis rather than EOS.
AIS (adolescent idiopathic scoliosis). The most common type of scoliosis occurs between ages 10 and 18 and affects an estimated 2 to 3 out of every 100 children, according to the Scoliosis Research Society.
Neuromuscular scoliosis. The second most common form of scoliosis is associated with disorders of the nerve or muscular systems, such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and spinal cord injury. These conditions weaken the muscles that support the spine, which may lead to this form of scoliosis.
Syndromic scoliosis: This type is associated with underlying connective tissue or genetic conditions such as Prader-Willi syndrome, Rett syndrome, Beals syndrome, Marfan syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and Down syndrome (trisomy 21).
How Can I Tell If I Have Scoliosis?
One of the reasons why scoliosis can go undiagnosed for a long time is that it doesn't necessarily have painful symptoms.
Pain can occur when the curved spine affects nearby muscles and joints and is most commonly felt during specific activities or motions.
Scoliosis often develops without pain, but it can still affect posture, range of motion, and overall strength as the curve progresses. Common signs that it may be time to get checked include:
Uneven shoulder and/or hip height;
A sense of body misalignment;
Pain around the spine and/or during specific movements;
The appearance that the legs are uneven in length.
If you notice any of these, it's a good idea to get checked out by a professional physical therapist. While most children are screened during school years, it is possible for the condition to be undetected or develop later in life.
An X-ray will be needed to confirm the diagnosis, and physical therapy for scoliosis is an integral part of treatment.
How Physical Therapy Can Treat Scoliosis
Whatever the treatment plan, orthopedic rehabilitation can help every step of the way.
Generally, scoliosis treatment consists of two or three parts, surgery, bracing, and physical therapy, while surgery is not always necessary.
Physical therapy for scoliosis is helpful in all stages of treating scoliosis, which is best when approached with all disciplines.
The patient's doctor and physical therapist thoroughly examine and assess the patient before they agree on the best treatment plan.
But whatever the treatment plan, physical therapy can help every step of the way.
Physical therapy treatments for scoliosis include the following.
Stretching and Strengthening of Muscles
Strong back and core muscles are essential to support the spine. The physical therapist (PT) also focuses on the adjacent muscles and the hips, shoulders, and neck strengthening. Usually, PTs use hands-on modalities and prescribe physical therapy scoliosis exercises to achieve the best results. They also will help retrain the body and the way it moves.
Body Mechanics Improvement
Body mechanics is how people move daily; doing it properly helps avoid muscle weakness, injury, and pain. During the physical therapy sessions, the PTs teach patients how body mechanics affect the body and how to improve them by retraining them.
The physical therapist also provides patients with an individualized range of motion treatment guidance that addresses and helps manage the limitations of scoliosis.
Improving body mechanics helps achieve optimal movement and function, prevent the condition from worsening, reduce symptoms and improve posture.
Stabilize the Spine
Physical therapy exercises for scoliosis include lumbar stabilization to strengthen muscles supporting the spine and prevent lower back pain.
The PT also teaches patients to find their neutral spine position and stay in it with a regimen of exercises. The professional PT initially leads these exercises, which can later be performed at home.
Various modalities
The physical therapist may also use such modalities as ice, heat, electrical stimulation, or ultrasound can help people reach their physical therapy goals. Your physical therapist will choose suitable methods for your specific case.
What is the Schroth Method?
Another scoliosis treatment is the Schroth Method. It's a nonsurgical approach that relies on custom exercises that help return the spine curvatures to a neutral position.
It uses specific exercises based on a patient's individual spinal curve and helps strengthen and lengthen the spine.
Credits: National Scoliosis Center
Schroth exercises work to prevent scoliosis from advancing. Some patients with more severe scoliosis may require bracing to achieve results.
Active postural alignment of the spine helps reduce deformity and is an essential component of the method.
The Schroth Method typically consists of five to twenty sessions that last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the patient's endurance and the severity of their case.
Schroth Method includes:
Muscular symmetry
Rotational angular breathing
Awareness of posture
What are Schroth Exercises for Scoliosis?
The Schroth method or Schroth therapy is tailored to the patient's spine curvature. Schroth exercises are performed standing, sitting, or lying down, and various props, such as balls or bars, are used during the program.
The end goal of the Schroth method for scoliosis is to elongate, stabilize and de-rotate the spine.
While these scoliosis-specific exercises are tailored to each patient, all of them are built around three core components.
Muscular Symmetry
With scoliosis, the muscles on either side of the spine can weaken unevenly. Regular exercises help rebalance them, keep them strong, and restore symmetry.
Rotational Angular Breathing
Breathing is an important component of the scoliosis Schroth method. The Schroth Method uses a specific breathing technique called rotational angular breathing. Combining breath with spinal rotation helps reshape the rib cage over time. This, in time, helps improve posture.
Posture Awareness
Awareness of the spine's position is one of the foundational elements of the Schroth Method.. It's the ability to be aware of your own posture without a mirror or someone else observing. Postural awareness is essential during everyday activities as some positions worsen the condition and become more painful.
What Results Can Be Expected After Completing a Schroth Method Treatment?
After completing the Schroth method program and physical therapy treatment for scoliosis, most patients will notice a difference in their spine.
Besides correction of the spinal curve, patients can expect to:
Better core stability and strength
Reduced pain
Improved posture
Better body alignment
Improved movement
Easier breathing
One of the most important outcomes of the Schroth Method is that it may help avoid surgery.
It's important to mention that patients need to commit to the process in order to see real results.
Usually, depending on the individual case, the program takes between 5 and 20 hourlong sessions. Some sessions can be shorter.
Final Thoughts
Scoliosis affects around 3% of the population, and while it is commonly discovered in childhood or teen years, sometimes it goes undiscovered for years.
Physical therapy is beneficial throughout scoliosis treatment, whether that includes bracing, surgery, or neither.
A common method to treat scoliosis is Schroth therapy (or Schroth Method), with exercises tailored to each patient's spine curvature.
After completing the program, which may take from 5 to 20 sessions, most patients will notice a difference in their spine, improved posture, and improved quality of life.
If you're looking for physical therapy for scoliosis in Michigan, get in touch with Miracle Rehab Clinic for professional care.
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