Schroth Method: A non-surgical alternative for treating scoliosis

In my previous hub, I mentioned (very briefly) the treatments for scoliosis, or the abnormal curvature of the spine. In this particular hub, let's take a closer look at one of the non-surgical alternatives, the Schroth Method.

Schroth Method was pioneered by a lay woman named Katharina Schroth, a teacher from Germany. Katharina had an abnormal spinal curvature and spent countless hours trying to minimise her deformity using a very simple, yet effective technique. She combined breathing technique, to expand the spine, and positioning of her torso, so that her deformity is minimized. In such position, she added basically strengthening exercises, to build the muscle for the corrected position. With time and discipline, Katharina managed to correct her scoliosis, and, as an adult, lived without her spinal deformity.

After the method is further developed, it was then introduced to the public, first, of course, in Germany. The Asklepios Katharina-Schroth-Klinik in Bad Sobernheim, Germany, is the clinic for intensive Schroth Method therapy, ran by Katharina's grandson. Since then, similar clinics appear in different parts of the world, including the United States (the Scoliosis Rehab Inc.)

I came across Schroth Method, while I was living in Germany. In one of my visits to the orthopedists there for my back pain, I was recommended to see a physiotherapist who was a licensed Schroth Method therapist. The training required blood, sweat, and tears...

After the first session, I came home (still) with my back pain and sore muscle! And that was all for the simple exercises of inhaling deeply, positioning my posture to minimize my apparent deformity - I was to hold two poles to help achieve the correct posture, and then to hold that position for 2 to 3 minutes. I had to repeat this set for four to five more repeats, before getting a relaxing massage at the end.

Two days thereafter: same exercise and a homework, that I got to do the exercise myself every day. We met again the next week after the initial therapy and did the same exercise, but with a twist. This time, we did muscle strengthening exercises, while holding the correct posture. Mind you, I went home that day with even more sore muscle, but amazingly enough, no back pain!

I went through this therapy for a good 2 months. Unfortunately, that was not enough to transform my curved spine- something I've always dream of - back to normal (see photo below). What I should have done is to spend two weeks or more in the clinic. But being a self-supporting student back then, my bank account wasn't exactly the kind that would support such a therapy...

Yet with the limited therapy that I did back then, I must say, it was worth the pain and ache. In comparison to the usual physiotherapy and muscle strengthening trainings, Schroth Method is most logical because it challenges my body to first be in the position that it should have been, before commencing any other muscle exercises or trainings. I would definitely recommend this training to anyone wishing to correct her or his spinal deformity.