If you have scoliosis and are looking to improve your condition without surgery, the Schroth Method is an approach which can benefit people of all ages. Motus Integrative Health’s own Dr. Newhalfen has completed a course on the Method, studying with Dr. Marc Moramarco, who co-authored a book on the practice. But what is it, and how does it work?
According to John Hopkins Medicine, “the spine is made up of a stack of rectangular-shaped building blocks called vertebrae.” Normally, these building blocks are stacked straight up and down. When scoliosis occurs, those vertebrae curve or rotate instead.
Scoliosis can sometimes occur alongside conditions like cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy, but in most cases the effects are mild and the cause is unknown. Scoliosis usually occurs during adolescence, but can also result from a degeneration of spinal discs later in life.
Treatment options for scoliosis may differ depending on the severity of your spine’s curve. For instance, according to the Mayo Clinic, if a curve is mild enough, your doctor may simply wish to monitor it to make sure it doesn’t progress. In some cases, especially in children, a doctor may recommend wearing a brace to help prevent the curve from worsening as they grow. When the curve is severe, surgery may be recommended to help correct it.
However, Johns Hopkins Medicine writes that the Schroth Method, a form of physical therapy, “may benefit patients of all ages, regardless of the severity of scoliosis.” If you are looking for a way to improve your scoliosis,
With the Schroth Method, a trained specialist guides you in customized exercises to help improve your spine’s positioning. According to Johns Hopkins, these exercises help “de-rotate, elongate and stabilize the spine” through breathing techniques, restoring muscular symmetry, and awareness of posture. Because the ways that the spine is affected differ from person to person, your physical therapist can help tailor these exercises to best help your specific condition.
In addition to helping to correct the spine’s curve, the Schroth Method for scoliosis can help patients improve their posture, core strength and breathing. These exercises are especially helpful in patients who wish to prevent scoliosis from worsening over time, and are sometimes used alongside bracing in children. Like many other forms of physical therapy, the Method can also be effective at relieving pain that results from scoliosis.
If you have been diagnosed with scoliosis, the Schroth Method is an excellent way to lessen your symptoms and correct the curve without surgery. Through specialized exercises, your physician can help you feel your best by working to improve your posture, core strength and breathing. To find out if the Schroth Method is for you, reach out to Motus Integrative Health for a FREE consultation today!
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