Wow! This has been an exciting week for Advance Physical Therapy and for a spotlight on our approach to conservative spine and scoliosis management. Advance Physical Therapy’s co-owner Susan Henning PT, PRC is a nationally recognized speaker on the topic of scoliosis management, was invited to present her work on the powerful combination of Schroth based scoliosis management with the Postural Restoration approach at an International Scoliosis Society meeting in Germany. Here is what she writes of her experiences this week:
SOSORT, or, The International Congress on Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment, is a scientific society dedicated to the promotion of non- surgical management of spinal deformities. It brings together MDs, PhDs, orthotists and physical therapists. This year, 30 countries were represented at the meeting! I was privileged to attend this year’s conference which was held in Wiesbaden, Germany, May 7-10.
I believe this was the first introduction of Postural Restoration methodology to the scientific community focused on non- surgical treatment for Scoliosis. My poster presented a case study of early detection of scoliosis in a 9 year old girl and successful treatment which eliminated the curvature using Postural Restoration methodology. Postural Restoration concepts were briefly introduced.
In Europe, there are a number of methodologies for scoliosis specific physical therapy treatment of curvatures of the spine. The Schroth Method, first developed in Germany in the 1920’s by Katharina Schoth, serves as a foundation, as inspiration, for most of these. Postural Restoration and the Schroth method are powerfully complimentary. We use both techniques at Advance Physical Therapy. Much research was showcased by MDs, PhD’s, orthotists and physical therapists demonstrating an increasing body of knowledge supporting implementation of early, non- surgical treatment for scoliosis.
The myths in the US that discredit or ignore established scoliosis specific physical therapy are now being overtaken by credible scientific recognition of the efficacy of these treatments, not to mention the advisability of early intervention. We are increasingly hopeful that school screening programs will be revitalized, that pediatricians and spine surgeons will recommend early interventions to avoid curvature progression, and that the many youths and adolescents who develop curvature of the spine will have access to scoliosis specific rehabilitation programs when the curvature is still small – to minimize curve progression and to empower them to be proactive in achieving maximal postural alignment, and maximal quality of life.
Also in the New York Times this week is a feature article on Schroth based scoliosis management. The featured therapist, Beth Janssen is an internationally trained therapist whom we have been lucky enough to study under. Here is the link to that article:
It is an exciting and hopeful time for conservative management of scoliosis with these long accepted and established spinal treatment approaches from Europe and the US finally making their way to the mainstream. These approaches are a real alternative to the dreaded “wait and see” (until curvature progression is bad enough for surgery) approach so common with scoliosis management in the United States.
Please call us to speak with a trained therapist about your questions regarding our conservative approach to scoliosis management at: (919) 932-7266.
Jean Masse PT, DPT, OCS, ATC, PRC
