It is always affirming to see support in the literature for the changes we see case by case at Advance Physical Therapy every day. Recently, a randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of professionally administered, 3 dimensional Schroth exercise program for the treatment of scoliosis. I think there are two key points… Continue Reading →
Vicious to Virtuous Cycle in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis – Part 2
* Muscle Imbalance * Gravity * Breathing * Body Schema * Walking The Vicious Cycle describes how these factors, listed above begin to reinforce curvatures that have developed, often in hypermobile, restless, young people. (see part 1) However, it has been postulated that these same factors could be utilized to re-balance curvatures if applied in… Continue Reading →
Schroth based Scoliosis Treatment in the Physical Therapy World
On 3/19/15, Jean Masse, PT, DPT, PRC, OCS, ATC, was invited to speak to the UNC Physical Therapy Class of 2017 about scoliosis. Jean gave an eloquent and enlightening presentation to these students, inviting them to explore rehabilitation techniques utilized in Europe for nearly 100 years, but only recognized in the US beginning in 2008…. Continue Reading →
Scoliosis: From Vicious to Virtuous Cycle- Part I
As mentioned in my previous blog, the vicious cycle concept has been researched and developed by Dr. Ian Stokes. Simply stated, it describes how environmental and physiological factors contribute to the progression of a curvature once that curve has passed a certain limit. About 25 degrees is the generally acknowledged tipping point. What are these… Continue Reading →
Keep Your Eyes On Those Growing Spines!
Early detection and treatment of abnormal spinal curves during growth can make a tremendous difference in the health of the mature spine. Keep an eye on your growing child’s spine, especially between the ages of 9 and 14 with this simple test: Adams Forward Bending Test: Have your child stand with their feet together and… Continue Reading →
The Tremendous Advantage of Early Detection and Treatment of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
While spinal curvature can develop at any time in a person’s life, there is a tremendous window of opportunity to rehabilitate these changes when it is noticed at a young age, before bony maturity is reached. In fact, idiopathic curvatures most frequently develop during growth spurts, before or during puberty. The etiology or the reason… Continue Reading →
Postural Restoration, the evolution of a new paradigm
As I was returning from another intensive study program, this time, the Postural Restoration Advanced Integration Course in early Dec. 2014, I reflected back, in awe, at the techniques, understandings and tools available to us for maximizing the ability to live balanced, healthy and creative lives in bodies which can move and rest efficiently and… Continue Reading →
Adolescent and Adult Scoliosis Advanced Treatment Certification
Susan Henning, Jean Masse, and Lisa Mangino have completed their advanced training in managing older adults with scoliosis. These therapists have already completed intensive training and certification (C1) in managing Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) using Schroth based Methods, from the Barcelona Scoliosis Physical Therapy School (BSPTS). The high level (C2) Schroth based certification program qualifies… Continue Reading →
Come See What We Do
We would like to welcome our colleagues, friends, clients and patients to a free public lecture reviewing the history, background and general “nuts and bolts” of the powerful work we are doing to address curvature of the spine. “The Influence of Position and Breath In the Treatment of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis using Postural Restoration and… Continue Reading →
Susan Henning PT, PRC Invited to Join SOSORT
In 2014, our own Susan Henning PT, PRC was again honored for her dedication to the progression of non-surgical treatment of scoliosis. She was invited to become a member of SOSORT – The ‘International Society on Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment‘. She is one of only a handful of American Physical Therapists with this… Continue Reading →
“Nu-Schroth” Not “Schroth Method” Says Krista Lehnert-Schroth
At this year’s meeting of SOSORT, the International Society of Scoliosis Orthopaedic Rehabilitation and Treatment, in May, in Wiesbaden, Germany, I had the great honor of meeting Christa Lehnert-Schroth, PT, author of “Three Dimensional Treatment for Scoliosis’, director of the Katharina-Schroth Clinic until 1995 and daughter of Katharina Schroth, the founder of the Schroth Method… Continue Reading →
When to start treatment for scoliosis?
It is generally agreed that scoliosis is diagnosed when a curve of 10 degrees Cobb angle or greater is identified. Curves under 20 – 25 degrees are considered chaotic – that is – whether or not the curve will progress cannot be accurately determined. Once a curve reaches 25 degrees Cobb angle, it is likely… Continue Reading →
Advance Physical Therapy Treatment Featured at International Scoliosis Society Meeting
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… Continue Reading →
Cutting Edge is Old News for Conservative Treatment of Scoliosis
I have spent the last year intensively studying, practicing and developing treatment for scoliosis using Postural Restoration and Schroth based Methodologies. Scoliosis is diagnosed when a 10 degree curvature of the spine is present. Since few U.S. pediatricians or spine surgeons are aware of the rehabilitation potential for scoliosis commonly utilized in Europe, families are… Continue Reading →
Susan Henning PT, PRC to Present on Scoliosis at National Symposium
Our own Susan Henning PT, PRC has been doing groundbreaking work towards improving the lives of people with scoliosis. Susan combines the Postural Restoration approach and Schroth based principles of spinal correction. She has had dramatic clinical results and has been asked to share her unique approach with other experts and practitioners in the… Continue Reading →
Scoliosis and Schroth Method of exercises:
This is a patient testimonial offered by the parent of a current patient at Advance Physical Therapy: C is a (13 yr old female) who had a scoliosis upper curve of 51 degrees and lower one of 45 degrees in Jan 2013. Two top Ortho surgeons in Raleigh both recommended surgery ASAP. We felt that… Continue Reading →
A Patients Perspective on Managing Her Scoliosis
61 Year Old Female with Scoliosis I have been working with Susan Henning since the autumn of 2010. I am a 61 year old female whose scoliosis was diagnosed at the age of ten during a pediatric check up. I was most fortunate to avoid back surgery since my spinal growth stopped at about twelve… Continue Reading →
Make a “BAD BACK” a “GOOD BACK”
A friend mentioned to me the other day that they knew so and so who did this and that and….. it was “too bad they had a bad back”. I said “What do you mean?” “Oh, you know he has just always had a bad back, there’s really nothing you can do about that right? … Continue Reading →
Another APT Therapist Certified in Schroth-Based Scoliosis Rehabilitation
The most recent class of physical therapists certified in Schroth-based scoliosis rehabilitation at Scoliosis Rehabilitation, Inc. with instructors Beth Orthwein, PT, and Beth Jannsen PT (front row). Our pediatric PT, Lisa Mangino, is in the second row on the left. As she returns to work after spending 9 days in Steven’s Point… Continue Reading →
Scoliosis in Adolescents Needs PT Treatment – Don’t Wait!
Last night I spoke with yet another concerned parent about their teenaged child. Like so many others, this child was diagnosed some years ago, as a preteen, with mild scoliosis. This mother sought out the best medical help she could find and was told by a doctor, “Just wait and see what happens – there… Continue Reading →
Screening Children for Scoliosis
What do we look for? Does the child have natural curves at the back of the neck, middle and lower back? The start of scoliosis is often marked by a flattening or increase in spinal curvatures, before a more obvious sideways curve develops. When the child bends forward is there: a flattening between the shoulder… Continue Reading →
Scoliosis and Schroth-based Method of exercises
These are the experiences from one of our families seeing us for the treatment of their teenage child’s scoliosis: “C (13 yr old female) had a scoliosis upper curve of 51 degrees and lower one of 45 degrees in Jan 2013. Two top Ortho surgeons in Raleigh both recommended surgery ASAP. We felt that surgery… Continue Reading →
New York Times on Scoliosis
The July 17th, 2013 Health Section of the New York Times ran an extensive piece on scoliosis. I pulled out a small section of the article below – as I thought it contained useful norms and guidelines. Reference the entire article here. We are tremendously excited about the results we are seeing in patients with… Continue Reading →
Initial Thoughts following certification in the Schroth Method of Scoliosis Rehab
Jean and I have just returned from an intensive course on the physical therapy, 3-dimensional treatment of scoliosis in adolescents. This course, designed by the Barcelona Scoliosis Physical Therapy School, evolved from the Schroth method developed by Katarina Schroth, beginning in the 1930’s Germany. Techniques have been further refined by Christa Lehnert-Schroth, P.T., the… Continue Reading →