SCOLIOSIS 3DC-Schroth Method Exercise

It is that time of year again when school and sports kick in to high gear. While these things are of highest priority for an adolescent and families, dare I say there is one thing of even greater importance, health and long-term well-being.

This time of the year finds me frustrated. We are barely into September and a couple of parents have – unknowingly- expressed that school, homework and sports take priority over their children’s spines. I don’t think for a moment this is in fact the case, but instead just confused priorities triggered by this overwhelming time of year.

Most of the time parents ask, how soon can I get my child in? And with good reason, since it is not known exactly when a scoliosis may progress. Conversely though, at this time of year I hear,  “I want my child to learn the Schroth method, but it will have to wait until such and such a date, or when their sports season is over, or how about Christmas vacation?”

As a parent, I understand what comes with the beginning of the school year, and the importance of education and sports commitments. We parents all want our kids to attend the best schools, achieve the highest grades and scores, and have our offspring find success on the athletic field, or at whatever their activities of choice may be.

Yet, the problem with adolescent spines and scoliosis is this: there is much opportunity for growth and with growth comes the risk of progression! Some curves do progress from month to month. One set of parents who heeded the “watch and wait” advice were sorry when they learned their child’s curve progressed 15º during the “watch and wait” time period.

Waiting until after Christmas to learn the Schroth method may be fine for the adult spine, but not the most prudent of decisions if your daughter/son is twelve, has a Cobb angle in the 15-25º range, a Risser sign of 0 or 1, and a bone age of eleven. Waiting could mean your child’s mild scoliosis may become a moderate scoliosis in no time.  If you are reading this, it is likely  you know that as the Cobb angle measurement increases so does the likelihood your child becomes a candidate for a brace.

We all know hindsight is 20/20 and with scoliosis it is unlikely the clock can be turned back once progression has occurred.

Believe me, incorporating scoliosis exercise to control progression is better learned sooner rather than later. If you plan to pursue scoliosis exercise specific to your child’s curve, don’t procrastinate. Otherwise – and this is not meant to be a scare tactic, simply a possible outcome- your child may be taking a lot more time off of school and sports for fittings with an orthotist, regular x-rays, psychological counseling (understandably, some kids have difficulties as a result of scoliosis during these tender years), orthopedic appointments, or maybe even spinal fusion surgery.

Additional benefits to our Schroth program include teaching minor postural modifications to be used during daily activities that may help prevent curve progression. For example, which seat to choose in the classroom and how to sit for a particular curve. Or, knowing which hand it is preferable to raise, how to carry a backpack, and how to lie properly – and more.

Stopping progression and empowering your child to manage scoliosis and avoid surgery is our number one goal! A few hours weekly or a few days off of school and a couple of long weekends to learn the Schroth exercises appropriate to her/his curve provides your child, your family, with a fighting chance against scoliosis. It’s a very small trade-off compared to the alternatives if scoliosis progresses.

If this is your window of opportunity for an attempt to halt curve progression, seize it. Scoliosis may not wait until soccer season is over!