Schroth

Schroth Method Explained

The Schroth Method is a non-surgical, conservative treatment program for scoliosis consisting of curve-specific exercises and corrective breathing techniques. However, Schroth ‘exercises’ for scoliosis are not typical of what a person thinks when they think of exercise. These scoliosis specific exercises are performed from the “core” or trunk and used to correct the spine in three dimensions through specific movements accompanied by “rotational breathing”, a technique developed in Germany years ago by founder Katharina Schroth. The purpose is to derotate, deflex and to correct the spine in the sagital plane while elongating the spine. Consistently working to correct the spine in this manner is the key to successfully incorporating the Schroth Method into a scoliosis patient’s life.

The Schroth Method is unique because it focuses the patient to think about re-establishing spinal symmetry. In scoliosis, the muscles along the spine become imbalanced on opposite sides. So, a patient must learn to shorten (tighten) the muscles on the convex side of the spine and lengthen the muscles on the concave side of the spine. Initially, this is no easy task and requires dedication on the part of both the clinician and patient. The Schroth Method then incorporates a unique technique called ‘rotational’ or ‘rotatory’ breathing. Simply stated, the patient is taught to breathe into the concave side of the trunk in order to rotate the ribs allowing them to return to a more ‘normal’ physiological position. Following this ‘inhalation’ phase, comes the ‘exhalation’ phase of Schroth, known as 3D stabilization. 3D stabilization helps restore a more stable three-dimensional spinal alignment. This helps the patient experience the feeling of the corrected spinal posture in order to recognize how to maintain it. The patient should strive to use this postural awareness during daily activities. More information is available at Christa Lehnert-Schroth’s site under Treatment concept of the Schroth Method.”

Schroth Sidelying Muscle Cylinder Exercise