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!