Schroth therapy is physical therapy that consists of specific exercises and hands on mobilizations proven to prevent the increase or actually decrease the degrees of curve angles of scoliosis and kyphosis in adolescents. It also decreases pain and prevents curve progression in adults with scoliosis and kyphosis. Schroth therapists also teach resting and active postures that help to decrease scoliosis curve severity
Schroth therapy was developed by Katharina Schroth who opened a clinic to treat scoliosis in Meissen Germany in 1921. She first improved her own scoliosis by de-rotating, expanding and stretching her spine. She was so successful that she was asked to teach her method. She then further improved her skills by studying Swedish gymnastics from Per Henrik Ling, the founder of physical therapy. In 1983, Katharina and her daughter Christa, a physical therapist, founded a new clinic for scoliosis in Bad Sobernheim Germany. The Asklepios Schroth Klinic still exists and accommodates nearly 200 patients who stay in the clinic for 2-3 week periods.
Schroth Therapists carry on Katharina’s legacy by teaching the same exercises Katharina and Christa did. Certified Schroth Therapists are trained at the Schroth clinic in Germany. ISST trains therapists throughout the world in the Schroth method as taught in Germany. The Barcelona Schroth Institiute was founded by Manual Rigo, and teaches Rigo’s method based on his studies of the original Schroth exercises. Dr. Mosesson was certified in Schroth Therapy at the Asklepios Schroth Klinic by Axel Hennes PT, a career long protégé of Christa Schroth. Axel is also the founder of ISST. Schroth exercises as taught by Axel were used in the recent research studies that prove Schroth therapy works
In 2016, Schreiber, S et al. published the most valid and reliable research to date on the Schroth Method. Her study proved that the Schroth method in addition to the standard of care (bracing or watching the curve) prevented the prevention of scoliosis and improved scoliosis curves significantly more than the bracing and watching alone used for most teens with scoliosis. In 2017 A meta analysis of many different studies performed by Park, J., Jeon, H., & Park, H. W. demonstrated that due to a high overall effect size, Schroth was indicated as a valid intervention for scoliosis.
More information can be found at
http://www.schrothmethod.com/http://globalnews.ca/video/embed/3206235/
https://scoliosisjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13013-015-0048-5