The Schroth Method

Delaney Harris
 Introduction
The Schroth Method is used to treat Idiopathic
Scoliosis, and sagittal plane deformities
(hypokyphosis and hyperlordosis).
It uses muscular symmetry, rotational breathing and
awareness of posture to help correct and stabilize the
curve.

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 Scoliosis
Apex
Convexity and Concavity
Rib Screening
• Adams Forward Bend test
• Ribs hump appears on the side of the
convexity.

Measuring Angle
• Cobb angle
• How you measure the severity of the curve
• >10 degrees is classified as a scoliosis
• MDC: 5 degrees
• Scoliometer
• Measures the amount of rotation 3
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6399566/#:~:text=A%20Cobb%20angle%20in%20the,40%20d
Presentation title 4
https://brownmedpedsresidency.org/scoliosis/ https://www.researchgate.net/figure/The-thoracic-kyphosis-angle-Thoracic-kyphosis-angle-calculated-by-the-
summation-
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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/
 Other Factors of Treating Pediatric Scoliosis

Right vs Left Curve Risser Score Spinal Fusions

• Right Curve- Dextroscoliosis • 0 to 5 Scale to tell

• Typical • Changes the treatment but
skeletal maturity keeps the same principle.
• Left Curve- Levoscoliosis • 0: No ossification
• RED FLAG • 5: Complete fusion
of the apophysis

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 Risser Score and Fusion

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/spinal-fusion-surgery-for-scoliosis

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/The-French-and-US-Risser-staging-
systems-have-six-stages-Stage-0-in-the-US-and-French_fig1_224855306

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 Background information
• Katharina Schroth
• Born in 1894 in Germany
• 1910- She started correcting her own curve
• 1921- She was successful, and it was gaining attention
• 1930’s- The Schroth Method was widely recognized to
treat scoliosis in Germany
• 1980’s- Reached the U.S.

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 3 Main Principles of Schroth
• Aligning posture and restoring muscular symmetry

• Rotational breathing into the concave side

• Teaching to be aware of posture

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 Steps to Treat with the Schroth Method

• 3D Pelvic Correction
• Hanging with corrective
breathing and auto elongation
• Asymmetrical sagittal
strengthening

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 Goals of Treatment

Decrease Pain Stabilize the Curve

Correct Posture/Pelvic
Alignment

Improve Core Stability Improve Functions of daily living

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Questions?
 References
• Horng MH, Kuok CP, Fu MJ, Lin CJ, Sun YN. Cobb Angle Measurement of Spine from X-Ray Images
Using Convolutional Neural Network. Comput Math Methods Med. 2019;2019:6357171. Published
2019 Feb 19. doi:10.1155/2019/6357171
• Jin C, Wang S, Yang G, Li E, Liang Z. A Review of the Methods on Cobb Angle Measurements for
Spinal Curvature. Sensors (Basel). 2022;22(9):3258. Published 2022 Apr 24. doi:10.3390/s22093258
• Berdishevsky H, Lebel VA, Bettany-Saltikov J, et al. Physiotherapy scoliosis-specific exercises - a
comprehensive review of seven major schools. Scoliosis Spinal Disord. 2016;11:20. Published 2016
Aug 4. doi:10.1186/s13013-016-0076-9
• What is levoscoliosis of the lumbar spine? treatment options. Dr. Tony Nalda. April 18, 2023. Accessed
October 3, 2023. https://drtonynalda.com/levoscoliosis/#:~:text=In%20typical%20cases%20of
%20idiopathic,there’s%20likely%20an%20underlying%20pathology.
• Schroth method for scoliosis. Johns Hopkins Medicine. March 14, 2023. Accessed October 3, 2023.
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/scoliosis/schroth-method-for-
scoliosis#:~:text=The%20Schroth%20Method%20is%20a%20nonsurgical%20option%20for
%20scoliosis%20treatment,in%20a%20three%2Ddimensional%20plane.

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