PSSE: Physiotherapy Scoliosis Specific Exercises
We offer comprehensive conservative care
You will learn exercises that are specific to your curve, and you will have a better understanding of how your scoliosis affects your posture and activities of daily living. We will provide guidance with your bracing needs and communicate with your doctor and orthotist. We provide rehabilitation for non-operative, pre-operative and post-operative spine care for patients of all ages.
September 2015
Upper Thoracic left curve 36 degrees decreased to 31 degrees
September 2016
Main Thoracic right curve was 42 degrees, reduced to 27 degrees
May 2017
October 2019
March 2017
August 2019
At CT Scoliosis and Spine Rehab, Schroth therapy is our specialty. The Schroth Method is a conservative treatment option for scoliosis. It is a curve specific exercise method that was developed in the 1920's by Katharina Schroth. It is a 3 dimensional approach that focuses on breathing and exercise techniques tailored to the individual that is part of a class of exercises referred to as PSSE's (Physiotherapy Scoliosis Specific Exercises). The method is appropriate for all ages and stages of adolescence as well as adults.
The 3 dimensional approach also incorporates self-elongation, corrective breathing techniques and neuromuscular retraining. This hands-on guidance encourages strengthening the over stretched and weak muscles of the convexities while stretching the shortened muscles and fascia of all the concavities. This technique addresses all asymmetries and imbalances of the spine in all planes and are performed in a variety of positions, each focusing to promote de-rotation and deflection of the scoliosis.
History of Schroth
The system of exercises for scoliosis was developed in Germany in 1927 by Katherina Schroth, who was researching treatments for her own scoliosis condition. By the 1960s, the Schroth Method had become the standard non-surgical treatment for scoliosis.
The method was further developed by Katherina's daughter Christa Lehnert-Schroth. Schroth treatment is currently supported all over Europe and has gained a very strong reputation in the United States.
Right: (First) A 5-year-old boy, scoliosis
resulting from polio.
(Second) After 3 weeks of intensive
Schroth treatment.
(Third) After 8 weeks of Schroth scoliosis exercise therapy.
Copyright Christa Lehnert-Schroth
Schroth Patient Resources
Here are some helpful websites that will teach you about
the Schroth Method and scoliosis.
The Barcelona Scoliosis Physical Therapy School (BSPTS) was founded by Dr. Manuel Rigo in 2009, and is base off the original work of Katharina, and her daughter Christa Lehnert-Schroth. BSPTS teaches the original pricipals of Schroth with advanced concepts learned during years of clinical experience and research.
Random Controlled Trial Studies
Recent random controlled trial studies comparing Schroth PSSE added to bracing vs. conservative care only, which includes observation and bracing but not exercise, show a reduction in largest curve Cobb angle. Schreiber et al. 2016
Scoliosis Specific SEAS Exercise proved to be superior to natural history in Adult Idiopathic Scoliosis. Negrini et al. Scoliosis 2015
