History of the Schroth Method and Its Acceptance in the USA

Katharina Schroth (1894-1985) developed the Schroth Method, based on her personal experience with scoliosis as a teen. She dedicated countless hours attempting different corrections of her curve and discovered certain positions, movements and breathing techniques which made her own torso deformity less obvious.

Trained as a teacher, Ms. Schroth started working with the method in the 1920's and eventually established her own clinic in Germany. Her daughter, Christa Lehnert-Schroth P.T. (www.schroth-skoliosebehandlung.de) helped her further develop the theory underlying the Schroth Method. Her grandson, Dr. Hans-Rudolph Weiss, MD is now the medical director of the clinic, Asklepios Katharina-Schroth-Klinic (www.Skoliose.com). The Schroth family has authored books, produced numerous articles, and lectured on these techniques. Today, over one thousand patients are treated annually at Asklepios Katharina-Schroth Klinic and there is a several month long waiting list.

This conservative method of treatment for spinal deformities is well accepted in Europe with centers in Germany and Spain. There is also a Schroth center in Israel and practitioners throughout the Middle East. Peer-reviewed research supports the effectiveness of this treatment (see resources section).

After reading the book, "Scoliosis and the Human Spine", by Martha Hawes, PhD. in 2003, Beth Janssen P.T, became convinced that more must be done with conservative intervention for scoliosis in the US. At that time, her son was 16 and had been in a Boston Brace for almost 2 years. His posture remained unbalanced and his vital capacity decreased during those two years. Understanding the positive impact which physical therapy can have on retraining muscles and alleviating pain, Beth wondered why the US standard of care didn't include a physical therapy component. Further, Beth had seen the long rehabilitation required for post-surgical back patients. After much consideration, Beth traveled to Barcelona, Spain with her son in October, 2003 to begin Schroth treatment.

As her son learned the exercises, Beth studied with Dr. Manuel Rigo MD, an internationally known professor who has dedicated his career to helping those with spinal deformities. Dr Rigo is director of the Elena Salva Institute for the Rehabilitation of Spinal Deformities and developer of the Rigo System Cheneau Brace.

Beth became one of the first certified Schroth Therapists in the US and began to formulate a vision to introduce the Schroth Method as a viable non-surgical treatment for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis in the US. Since her graduation from the Mayo School of Health Related Sciences in 1986, Beth has been a practicing Physical Therapist in Wisconsin, and brings with her a wide variety of manual therapy skills to complement the Schroth Techniques. Beth recently began a private practice dedicated to the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis based on her training in Spain in 2003 and further studies with Dr. Rigo.

Ms. Janssen is committed to training other dedicated physical therapists in a more complete understanding of conservative management of scoliosis and the Schroth method.