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March 4, 2020

A Brief History of the Schroth Method – Our Guide

At first, the idea of the Schroth Method may not ring as many bells as other traditional forms of scoliosis treatment that have been around for far longer. Nevertheless, it has been gaining even more prominence thanks to its higher success rates. As opposed to other forms of scoliosis treatments, the Schroth Method helps enable a long-term recovery without the need for invasive procedures and dependence on heavy medications. 

Now, as easy as it may be to see that the Schroth Method is an effective form of alternative treatment, there’s one part about it that most have yet to know: its history.

To better understand how significant the Schroth method is and how far it has come from its humble beginnings, let’s go over a brief overview of its history to this day: 

The humble beginnings of the Schroth Method

The earliest record of the Schroth Method being conceived can be traced all the way to 1921 in Dresden, Germany. It was a time when Katharina Schroth experimented with various exercises that would go on to be the method’s core procedures. 

In pursuit of a more functional, practical, and non-invasive form of treatment for her own case of scoliosis, Schroth decided to take some much-needed inspiration from the fluidity, adaptability, and form of a balloon. Based on her key observations taken, Schroth attempted to correct the structural abnormalities in her spine and trunk by literally breathing them away, effectively inflating the concavities in her body.

As soon as Schroth realized that her experimentations with breathing exercises began to pay off, she moved on to copying the intricacies of her deformities by applying pattern-specific corrective movements. Throughout the course of her experimentation with breathing exercises, over-corrective movements, and patterned routines, Schroth also learned that postural perception can aid in recovery.

The first iteration of the finished Schroth Method and its professional application

Once she had the framework of her treatment method laid out, Schroth had set up an institute in Meissen from the late ’30s to the early ’40s to treat those with varying degrees of scoliosis. Although the Schroth Method was initially unheard of, many patients came to seek a cheaper remedy and found success in the three key dimensions of the treatment: 

  1. Specific postural correction
  2. Correction of postural perception
  3. Correction of breathing patterns for improved posture

Right after the Second World War, Schroth, and her daughter Christa, moved to West Germany and set up their institute in Sobernheim. This institute then went on to treat more than 150 in-patients every six weeks. 

Continuation by a second-generation Schroth: the late 80’s up to this day

After Katharina Schroth passed away in 1985, Christa went on to refine and improve the framework and treatment to create an iteration that would go on to be used until now. Today, the Schroth Method is carried out almost everywhere in the world from the headquarters at the Katharina Schroth Klinik to places such as Scolio Fit NYC in New York City.

If you’ve been looking for a scoliosis chiropractor in NYC, get in touch with us today to see how we can help!

February 26, 2020

Our Guide to Scoliosis: The Fault in Your Spine

A young man once said, “You don’t get to choose if you get hurt in this world. But you do have some say in who hurts you.” Well, he’s moved on to a better place now, but that’s not the point. The point is, he got everything right in that statement save for one tiny detail. Sometimes, it’s not a ‘who’ that has the power to hurt you. Sometimes, it’s scoliosis.

 

Affecting approximately three million adolescents in the United States alone, scoliosis, or the sideways curvature of the spine, is known to be one of the most common spinal cord conditions in the world. It usually affects children during their growth spurt just before they reach puberty; but don’t you worry. Most cases of scoliosis aren’t as life-threatening as the disease the young man above had. However, some adolescents may struggle with further deformities as they grow older and continue into adulthood. Its symptoms include unevenness in the hips, waists, and shoulders.

 

Understanding the Schroth Method

 

To quote the young man (bless his soul) above again, “The thing about pain is that it demands to be felt.” Well, excuse the lad for being young and naïve, but you really don’t necessarily have to go through all that pain, especially when you have scoliosis. There are different kinds of surgeries available, and non-invasive programs tailored to meet the specific needs of the patients to correct their spine.

 

One of these treatments is called the Schroth Method, and it aims to help the patients achieve the following:

  • Muscle development to centralize the spine
  • Improvement of the cardiopulmonary system functions
  • Improvement of the alignment of posture
  • Stabilization of the spine curvature
  • Muscle strength and endurance increase
  • Sustaining a healthier lifestyle
  • Neuromuscular control enhancement
  • Pain reduction

The main idea behind the Schroth Method is using corrective breathing techniques to straighten the spine. Depending on the acuteness of each patient’s case, the physical therapists will tailor their activities to match their needs. Often, their patients are asked to do low-impact exercises while in a sitting, standing, or lying down position with their therapists’ assistance. They may also use props like poles, ladders, therapy balls, and exercise bands on top of the corrective breathing exercises. 

The Schroth Method Essential Components

 

Rotational Angular Breathing

Rotational angular technique exercises will help rotate the spine and reshape its surrounding and nearby tissues to promote better breathing for the patients. Its primary focus is around the rib cage area.

Muscular Symmetry

This technique focuses on the back area and aims to create a balance and improve the back’s muscular symmetry. These exercises will help the patient suffering from a painful imbalance due to their uneven muscle strength to lessen the pain and develop both sides of their back muscles equally.

 

Okay? Okay.

 

Despairingly, the world is not a wish-granting factory. Even if you wish and hope against hope that your condition will just disappear when you wake up one day, that’s not going to happen. But you don’t have to suffer for an infinity. You just have to remember that on top of the specific program designed to help you, the cooperation and total dedication from you as a patient is required to make it all work out.

 

If you’re looking to learn more about scoliosis systems in New York, get in touch with us to find out what type of treatment is the right one for you.

February 19, 2020

How the Schroth Method Can Help Your Scoliosis Symptoms – Our Guide

When the topic of treating scoliosis comes to mind, many people tend to think of various surgical procedures and forms of medication that each have their own degrees of effectiveness. Depending on the form of treatment that’s administered, anyone who is struggling with scoliosis can gain a certain degree of management over their symptoms and prevent the condition itself from progressing any further.

Although it may be clear that each form of treatment has its own respective level of effectiveness and long-term benefits, there’s one particular approach that has helped thousands of patients make tremendous improvements: the Schroth method.

The Schroth method

 

To put it simply, the Schroth method is a scoliosis treatment method that uses an exercise-based physiotherapy program that avoids any form of surgical intervention entirely.

Ever since it was devised, refined, and first introduced by Katharina Schroth—a German physiotherapist who suffered from scoliosis herself—the Schroth method has received acclaim all over the world from thousands of patients thanks to its effectiveness. By using the Schroth method, patients can significantly overcome even the most debilitating cases of scoliosis while improving their posture greatly in the long run.

 

Coming a long way from its experimental roots (as Schroth herself created the method through various tests and experiments on herself) the Schroth method is now a staple treatment in scoliosis clinics all around the world. 

 

How the Schroth method works, and what makes it so effective

 

Generally speaking, the Schroth method is composed of specialized exercises and stretches that target one of the main problem points in any case of scoliosis: the inner muscles of the rib cage.

 

Through a professionally constructed program that uses the list of specified stretches and exercises, the Schroth method helps develop the inner muscles of the rib cage to correct any presence of spinal abnormalities in the body’s three planes. Aside from the use of a consistent program comprised of stretches and exercises, however, the Schroth method also concentrates on enforcing a consistent and conscious correction of posture daily to ensure the longevity of the treatment.

 

In terms of components, the Schroth method is defined as a body of guidelines and systematic programs that are comprised of a large assortment of different approaches, exercises, and stretches, such as:

 

Prone on stool

 

As one of the core exercises of the Schroth method, the prone on stool exercises has been shown to help the most in alleviating the effects of scoliosis because of its ability to correct a thoracic curve with its various components, such as:

  • Shoulder traction
  • De-rotation breathing techniques
  • Shoulder counter-traction
Iliopsoas on a ball

 

In comparison with other core exercises in the Schroth method, the Iliopsoas on a ball exercise is much more patient-specific as it only works for patients that have a lumbar or thoracolumbar curve. By exercising with a ball, wall bars, and a specific set of movements, this particular exercise helps activate the iliopsoas muscle in an effort to de-rotate the affected area.  

 

Semi-hanging

 

The semi-hanging exercises are another primary Schroth core exercise that has been shown to achieve significant results through the use of gravity. With the implementation of an assisted hanging mechanism or method, the semi-hanging exercise uses a gravitational pull to relieve pressure on the vertebral joints and stretch the spine out to correct the posture. 

 

Final words

 

By using the Schroth method, any patient suffering from the difficulties posed by scoliosis can effectively relieve themselves of the condition in the long run without needing surgical intervention. If you’re in the New York City area and are looking for Schroth exercises, get in touch with Scoli-Fit NYC to schedule an appointment today!

February 12, 2020

4 Benefits of Walking for Chiropractic Patients – What to Know

Health professionals have always included walking as a low-impact exercise as part of the doctor’s orders for decades. It can improve the overall quality of life as walking can strengthen the muscles and improves general well-being in spite of the idyllic effort, making it an excellent alternative for busy-goers who can’t spend at least an hour a day at the gym.

Walking is also versatile as individuals can push through a steep hill for a more challenging stroll or move forward over long distances. Not to mention, more than 200 muscles activate in different areas of the body, including the pelvic area and spine.

Its impressive benefit to spinal health makes walking a highly effective complement to chiropractic care. Here are different ways walking can support chiropractic patients:

Benefit #1: Prevents and Eases Back Pain

Walking is an excellent way to relieve back pain, according to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA). Anyone can get into walking as it is a low-impact exercise that can stimulate the back. It also burns 265 calories in 30 minutes, proving that it is slow yet steady progress to a healthier lifestyle.

Benefit #2: Improves Flexibility and Mobility

Adding some light stretching exercises to your walking regimen can reduce the risk of injury during the exercise and improve posture along the way. The ACA suggests that a series of stretches combined with cardio practices like walking can boost an individual’s range of motion and increase flexibility.

Meanwhile, chiropractic care eases the pain in the muscles and re-aligns the body, both of which can make the act of walking an easier ordeal for patients.

Benefit #3: Increases Blood Circulation

Walking can promote a continual flow of blood to the muscles, which increases the circulation throughout the patient’s body. Not only will it lower blood pressure, but better circulation also ensures nutrients are given to the spine to keep it nourished.

By flushing away harmful toxins with healthier blood flow, the body can welcome an increase in stamina, which also makes it easier to exercise. It’s a perfect supplementary routine for an individual’s chiropractic care.

Benefit #4: Promotes Weight Loss and Weight Management

Obesity or extra body weight can put a massive amount of pressure on the lower back, which can cause throw your body out of balance. Shifting an individual’s balance can cause significant stress for the overall spine health. Excess weight also makes it more challenging to maintain proper spinal alignment and posture, which results in a painful core and muscles as it works harder to support a patient’s size.

Walking regularly can help improve a person’s walk frequency and duration, which helps maintain weight management in the long run.

The Bottom Line: Walking and Chiropractic Care are a Match Made in Heaven for Your Health

Walking and chiropractic care are like two peas in a pod – both are designed to mitigate pain, increase range of motion, and enhance the overall health of chiropractic patients. Both practices are married in a way it supports each other’s technique, wherein chiropractic care reduces pain while walking strengthens the muscles in the back to maintain a pain-free body.

If you’re looking for a scoliosis chiropractor in NYC, get in touch with us today! We’re happy to help.

February 8, 2020

Spinecor Brace vs. ScoliSmart Activity Suit

Getting a Scoliosis Diagnosis is life-changing. If you’re like most people, you are educating yourself about Scoliosis treatment options, and most likely you’re using the internet for your information. The problem with this is the information we are consuming may not be the whole truth, and some of it is flat-out deceptive marketing.

Let me start by saying, scoliosis in the adolescent is best treated with a full-time brace. The published studies do not indicate which type of brace is best, just that bracing is necessary for optimal outcomes.

In the Adult with Scoliosis treatment is a little more complicated. Adult scoliosis is often complicated by arthritis, disc degeneration, and osteoporosis. For these reasons, adults with scoliosis should have a thorough evaluation and any treatment should be provided under the supervision of a trained professional.

So let’s Compare and Contrast the Spinecor Brace and the Scoliosmart Activity Suit.

Spinecor- Full-time Orthopedic Brace for Scoliosis
ScoliSmart Suit- Designed to be worn for 2 hours and is not a brace

Spinecor- 43 Published Studies in the Peer-reviewed Medical Literature.
ScoliSmart Suit- 0

Spinecor- Custom Fitted by a Doctor with over 26 fitting options
Scolismart Suit – mail order, not custom fitted

Spinecor- Has an Insurance Code, reimbursed as Durable Medical Equipment
ScoliSmart Suit-not recognized by major medical insurance carriers.

Please use this information to make informed decisions. Scoliosis is a medical condition and should not be treated with unproven methods.