Our Program

EXPERT TRAINING

Our program is modeled after the outpatient program used at the E. Salva Institute for Rehabilitation of Spinal Deformities in Barcelona, Spain. The clinic in Spain is directed by Dr. Manuel Rigo MD, a world renowned professor and Physician specializing in conservative management of scoliosis. Dr. Rigo has traveled to the USA three times since 2004, and it is through his efforts that we have Physical Therapists certified in the Schroth Method in this country. In our program, you will work with some of these specially trained PHYSICAL THERAPISTS.

INDIVIDUAL EVALUATION

In order to receive insurance benefits, a Doctor's Order requesting "Physical Therapy Evaluation and Treatment for Idiopathic Scoliosis or Scheuermann's Kyphosis" is required. Prior to treatment, your x-rays will be reviewed, and your curve will be classified according to the Schroth Method. Digital photographs of your posture will be taken to help you understand the location and pattern of your curve, and to document your posture prior to treatment. Range of motion, strength, and functional mobility will be assessed. Special tools will be used to quantify your torso shape and lung function. Consultation on your brace can also be provided, if needed.

EMPOWERMENT THROUGH KNOWLEDGE

Stokes, I.A.F.: Hueter-Volkmann effect.
Spine: State of the Art Reviews (modified from Stokes)

INTENSIVE TREATMENT

A minimum stay of two weeks for intensive training in the Schroth method is usually recommended for adolescents. It will include approximately two hours of Physical Therapy in the morning and two hours in the afternoon for 5 days, with Saturday and Sunday off. All sessions are directed by a Schroth Certified Physical Therapist. Adult intervention must proceed more slowly than adolescent intervention, due to possible rigidity of the tissue, more well established movement patterns and arthritic changes. Some sessions will be individual, and some may be in small groups. The use of small groups allows participants to observe how other people are able to perform the exercises and learn from them.

The exercises, initially, will require assistance from a physical therapist. The goal is for you to be independent with the basic exercises and to be able to integrate these new movement patterns into your every day activities. The basic exercises include principles of: self -elongation, correction of the postural asymmetries - both passively and actively, isometrics, corrective breathing, and integration into your movement patterns with specific coordination exercises.

To learn the exercises, you must understand your specific curvature and be able to feel the shape of your back. You will become more aware of the prominent and sunken areas in your back, and how you tend to hold your hips and shoulders. You will learn how to sense the position of your spine in space and correct this alignment from inside with muscle activation and the breathing mechanism.

ACHIEVABLE GOALS

The goals of treatment are:

• Independent correction of the curvature in 3 dimensions with carryover in daily life
• Improved strength and balance of muscle activation
• Decreased trunk asymmetry
• Decreased pressure on internal organs
• Increased lung function
• Decrease in the mechanical forces that promote progression of the curve
• Pain relief (if present) with self-management of symptoms
• Avoidance of invasive treatment, especially surgery

MANAGEABLE HOME PROGRAM

It is recommended that the exercises learned be done 5 days a week for approximately 30 minutes. Regular repetition of the exercises helps you "reprogram" your posture away from your specific scoliotic posture to a new more balanced one.

REFRESHER SESSIONS

Opportunities for refresher sessions exist and will be arranged as needed.

LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES

For those living within commuting distance to Stevens Point, Wisconsin, a more flexible schedule is available.