Schroth Weekend Immersive Classes
Although the Schroth Method of Scoliosis-Specific Exercise has been effectively used in Europe for nearly 100 years, it has just begun to gain traction here in North America in the past decade as an alternative to surgery, which has been the traditional orthopedic “gold standard” for scoliosis correction. Medical Consumers are now willing to question the conventional orthopedic wisdom that a highly invasive scoliosis surgery is their only option. Many have sought out this tried and true method of exercise therapy to help improve their curves. As a result, more doctors are now willing to this type of corrective exercise for their scoliosis patients including their adult scoliosis patients with pain related to their curves.
Old School Scoliosis Exercises In Need Of A Conceptual Makeover
Our Schroth Immersive Weekend Workshops teach the tried and true Schroth Method exercises that were first developed by Katharina Schroth in the 1920’s that have been continually refined and improved over the past 8 decades. Yet, while the exercises themselves have evolved over time, the overly simplistic explanation of how they worked has not been updated.
Katherina Schroth’s concept behind her treatment method for scoliosis correction with exercise was based on her observation of what was happening when the patient positioned their body in a way that helped correct some of the distortion caused by the scoliosis. Called the “Body Block Concept”, this explanation presupposes that the body parts that comprise torso and those that are also directly connected to it can be divided into different “body blocks” that ordinarily are stacked evenly, one on top of the other.
According to this static mechanical concept of how the posture of the body changes with scoliosis, the blocks tend to first shift laterally and then also start to counter-rotated against each other, causing the distortion of scoliosis. While these keen observations by Katherina Schroth that allowed her to designed her exercises to help reduce postural distortions that result from scoliosis. While the vast majority of the Body Block’s overly simplistic, static model of the postural distortions that occur in scoliosis are accurate and observable, they fail to address why they occur. In addition, as medical science has made giant leaps in its understanding of the human body, the Schroth concepts were never updated. As a result, the explanation for these exceptionally effective exercises for scoliosis never stays current with many of the advancements made in the understanding of kinesiology (the scientific study of human movement), neuroscience or physical rehabilitation over the past 20 years. We felt that it was time for that to change.
Old School Schroth + New Research & Understanding In Scoliosis = Nu-Schroth
When we designed our Schroth program we knew we needed to completely up update the understanding of how and why these scoliosis specific exercises work, but at the same time, we didn’t want to throw the baby out with the bathwater. So we kept the tried and true original Schroth exercises and applied contemporary concepts in the most effective way teaching new motor skills. This richer understanding of how the brain and the body integrate helps us enhance our patients learning experience and integration of the new movement patterns that can help them improve their curves.
Why We Teach Schroth In Weekend Immersive Courses?
As an example, we teach our Schroth Method workshops in weekend immersive classes instead of having you come into the office multiple times during the week to learn the exercise. We do this because research in learning new motor skills indicates that they are most effectively taught through doing multiple correct repetitions of simple, then gradually more complex movements over a short period of time. Then repeated at home to produce the long-term integration of the patient’s nervous system.
Our experience in teaching the Schroth Method exercises is that we recognize that what you are learning are new motor skills in how you move that are corrective for your scoliosis. The best way for you to learn a new motor skill it is best taught in multiple sessions over a short period of time, with multiple, supervised repetitions being the key to success.
The best learning analogy to illustrate this would be learning a new type of dance. If you go to a dance class one day a week and then you practice at home, you will gain some skill level in the dance over time, but if you go to a weekend dance workshop, your skill level at that dance will be accelerated considerably. The supervised immersion will allow you to develop the basic movements of these important new movement patterns so that when you return home you’ll have a greater level of proficiency.
Our Schroth Method scoliosis specific exercises are time-tested corrective movements that incorporate the advances made in neuro-muscular rehabilitation and incorporates them into the treatment of scoliosis. In doing this it enables the patient to access the portion of their brain nervous system that controls the map of the body in their brain that controls the postural muscles automatically so that the changes in the spine can become permanent.
As with any type of movement based therapy, it’s important to create new neural pathways by practicing repetitive patterns of movement that can replace the old default patterns which were driving your scoliosis to progress. The best way to do this is with time-space-repetition over a short period of time to develop a “soft habit” in the brain, then following that with a longer period of repeating the movements that were learned over a 4 – 6 week period until they become a “hard habit in the brain.
Another benefit to our weekend Schroth workshops is that it is more convenient for most people to attend and have the luxury of multiple hours that they could not do during the week to immerse themselves in the learning of these highly specific scoliosis exercises. By repeatedly practicing the Schroth exercises over the course of a couple of days it allows you to gain a better body awareness and confidence that you are doing these exercises correctly when at home. After practice each of the exercises multiple times over the course of the weekend and reviewing them all in the final session on Sunday you will have developed a “soft habit” for these new movement patterns. This means you will be able to reproduce them accurately starting on Monday when you are at home.
What you will learn:
- How to Identify Your Scoliosis Curve Pattern
- Corrective Directional Breathing Exercises to engage the diaphragm, intercostal and pelvic floor muscles
- Proper Stretching For Your Scoliosis based on your curve pattern
- Corrective Postures to reduce your scoliosis and relieve your pain
- Activation of Shortened & Weakened Trunk Muscles
- Stabilization Exercises to better support & reduce the imbalances in your back
- Do’s and Don’t For Scoliosis – To Keep from Making It Worse
- Improved Patterns of Movement to help reduce your scoliosis
- Integration of Postural Changes During Dynamic Activities such as walking to help re-educate motion patterns
- Much, much more.
Dear Dr. Diaz (or Brett),
I am interested in bringing my 16 year old daughter to one of your Nu-Schroth weekends but cannot do the Dec. 21st session.
What other weekend sessions are being planning for early next year?
She has been assessed at the Janzen Spine Clinic in San Jose – they have advised the Schroth exercise program as part of their 4 week intensive program but we do not have time or money for her to do that and she really needs a good exercise program to supplement her chiropractic sessions so she can make better progress in relieving her shoulder and upper back neuritis that has been disturbing her since June.
If you haven’t scheduled classes yet, we encourage you to do one in Northern California or Nevada – near where we live!
If not that, are private intensive weekends a possibility?
Thank you for your help!
Mary Alber
(775) 832-5477
Mary,
We are not planning any in Northern California, but I would suggest contacting Nancy Sherott, RPT at Janzen. She is an excellent Schroth Therapist who can help your daughter.
Dr. Brett Diaz, D.C.
Dear Dr. Brettt,
The situation of my daughter is very similar to Mary’s (above). But I live in Cambridge, MA. Can you indicate a Schroth therapist nearby? Best regards, Adriane
A follow up to my last message: I just watched the above video and heard that a common goal of the exercises is to increase kyphosis – yet a key problem with my daughter’s situation is excess kyphosis – with the vertebrae having changed shape. Can your exercise program address this as well as cervical kyphotic propblems that are causing neuritis?
In your daughter’s case we would need to do the opposite, to help reduce her kyphosis. That’s what’s great about Schroth, the exercises are specific to the curve pattern.
My son has 90 percent curves is 25 he is very afraid to have surgery he has a hump in his back and he has kyphosi
is scoliosis
My son has 90 percent curves is 25 he is very afraid to have surgery he has a hump in his back and he has kyphosi
is scoliosis
Can you help him
Linda,
A 90 degree curvature with a kyphosis is certainly well into the range that surgery is considered, but I can certainly understand his reluctance towards surgery. As far as surgeries go, scoliosis surgery is the most complex orthopedic surgery and because of that it is the second most expensive surgery in the hospital, only heart surgery beats it out in terms of costs.
None the less, he is definitely in need of some type of treatment to stabilize his spine because without it, his curves will almost certainly get worse. I would suggest you have him give us a call at (800) 943-1254 to discuss his case in detail to see if non-surgical treatment is even an option for him at this point.
Dr. Brett Diaz, D.C.
look up anterior scoliosis correction. its surgical tethering. non invasive. they also have an adolecent form of this. they do not do rods or fusion. I’m 47 with kyphosis among other things withn a 67/62 degree curve. i saw a 50 yr old woman with a 65 dgree curve go to a 30 and the younger you are the bettter results. 3-5 days in hospital, 4-6 week recovery. Dr. Antonacci in NJ or NY. complete range of motion and flexibilty. No fusion.
Michelle,
Thank you for your comment. Anterior Vertebral Body Tethering (VBT) has been successful in helping children who developed large thoracic curves early on to reduce the curve, without having to resort to fusing the spine. So it’s a definite advance in surgical treatment in that population as fusing the spine at such a young age is a big problem when they have so much growth left. Part of the reason they chose that population of patients for the procedure is that they had a lot of growing left to do, so they could influence the growth on the delayed side to help it catch up to improve the structural component of the curve and since these children are younger, they are usually very flexible.
While I have heard they are now starting to offer the procedure to adults, I don’t know of what the outcome studies for adults show. One of the challenges for VBT or any type of surgery, is the amount of stiffness in the spine will dictate how much reduction can be achieved. Obviously, in an adult the growth can’t be used to the advantage. Also, older adults bones do tend to be more brittle, which can be a complicating factor. That’s not to say it may not be a viable solution, I’ve just not seen any studies on it for adults.
Since it seems you’ve done your homework on this, I’d love for you to share any studies you’ve come across showing outcomes of VBT surgeries on adult thoracic curvatures, Please feel free to reply and shared them here. I have had some of my adult scoliosis patients with rather large thoracic curves asking me about the surgery and I’d love to be able to discuss the research with them.
We live in Minnesota. Is there a therapist in Minnesota for these exercises? If so, please forward more information.
What is the cost of the weekend seminar? Does insurance cover regular schroth treatment?
Jennifer, Please feel free to give is a call at (949) 606-5997 for a Free Phone Consult. If our treatments are right for you then will be happy to go over all the insurance and cost considerations for our treatments at that time.
my daughter has an s-shaped curve and surgery is the only thing they said could be done she is 68 and 45 Is there any other thing we can do
Karen,
Yes. There is a potential that conservative treatment could keep your daughter from having to undergo surgery but we would need to first evaluate her scoliosis to see if our treatments could potentially help her case. Please give us a call at (800) 943-1254 for a Free Phone Consult to discuss her case.
Dr. Brett Diaz, D.C.
I am very interested in starting this at the best and hopefully closest location.
Kate,
We have 16 offices across the US so just look at the locations on the Home page and pick the closest one to you and schedule a Free Phone Consult with the doctor in that office.
Dr. Brett Diaz, D.C.
Are there any classes in Oklahoma?
Unfortunately, no but we are looking for someone there who may be interested. For now Dallas is your closest location.
I live in Pensacola Florida. Is there any PT or MD who you could recommend?
Our closest providers to you would be in Tampa or Miami. If either of these offices would work for you then give us a call at (800) 943-1254 for a Free Phone Consult to find out if Schroth is right for you.
Where in canada, nl
Hi when is Atlanta? Didn’t see it on the calendar. Website a little confusing. Thank you. Fred
[email protected]
Fred,
The next Nu-Schroth class in the Atlanta office is June 18th & 19th. If you’re interested in attending call (800) 943-1254 for a Free Scoliosis Phone Consult to find out if our treatment is right for your scoliosis.
My name is Jill Riberts. I have three kids with scoluosus. But two of the it’s pretty severe and need surgery. I live un ATLANRA. This help is a dream come true for my family. And yes, we will hopefully be able to attend. The only thing that would hold us back is the cost.
Please keep me informed for this class!!
It is our miracle, hopefully!
THANKYOU.
Hi! How much it will cost for the 2 days class?
Arz,
Please give us a call at (800) 943-1254 to speak to one of our doctors for a Free Phone Consult to find out if Schroth is right for you. If so, they will give you information on cost and insurance coverage.
Looking for somewhere in Long Island, new york
Marie,
We don’t hold any classes in Long Island but we do have them in our Manhattan office which isn’t too far from you.
Dear Dr. Brett,
I am interested in bringing my 14 year old daughter to one of your Nu-Schroth weekends (maybe Houston) but do not still have enough money for her to do that (I am saving money) and she really needs a good exercise program to supplement her pilates and swiming sessions so she can make better progress
If you haven’t scheduled classes yet, we encourage you to do one in Mexico City – near where we live! (we live in Veracryz city, 5 hours driving to Mexico city)
If not that, are private intensive weekends a possibility?
Thank you for your help!
David Torres
David,
The challenge is that none of our doctors are currently licensed to practice in Mexico.
Do you have any suggestions for a local provider in the Sacramento, Ca area?
Nicole,
The closest provider we have to you would be in the San Jose area. If you can travel there then please give us a call at (800) 943-1254 for a Free Scoliosis Phone Consult.
Dr. Brett Diaz, D.C.
Scoliosis Treatment Alternatives
Hi my name is Johanna Martinez i have scholiosis and my life is really in pain I want a know if you have the classes in Arizona specially in Phoenix Arizona thank you
Johanna,
Yes. We do have classes in our Phoenix office. Please call us at (800) 943-1254 for a Free Scoliosis Phone Consult and ask to speak to Dr. Lamantia. He is our doctor who sees patients in that office so he can give you more details.
Thank you so much Dr.
I live in Orange County in Southern California, do you know of a provider that I could see about my impending Scoliosis changes. I was born with this my Mom has it and lately, I am having issues with falling and walking past my comfort zone. I tried weights in a gym and I could barely walk after I did all the machines .
They just ok’ed another test to check for my bone density numbers that 7 yrs. ago.had determined I have osteoporosis a severe case plus this.
Not sure what types of exercises I should be doing, I do resistance bands just about every night seems to take away the stiffness from gardening and doing domestics here.
Sure could use my own special practitioner to sort all this out and do something more before, this all progresses !
M
Marcia,
Scoliosis Treatment Alternatives does have an office in Orange County California. It is located in Irvine 5 minutes John Wayne Airport.
If you’d like to find out if our scoliosis treatments are right for you then please give us a call for a Free Scoliosis Phone Consult.
Dr. Brett Diaz, D.C.
Scoliosis Treatment Alternatives
Do you have any centers in Westchester county New York? My daughter has a 31 degree curve and just started wearing the Boston brace. We are currently looking for a pass or a therapist that can show her exercises for her siecific curve.
Debra,
Call our office at (800) 943-1254 and ask to speak to Dr. Deutchman. He may know of someone there who can help her.
We are in Northern Virginia. Is New York City the closest location for us? Thanks Brenda
Yes, the New York office would be the closest office for you.
Are there any locations near NW Indiana?
Our closest office to you would be in the Chicago IL. area. If that might work for you then please give us a call at (800) 943-1254 for a Free Scoliosis Phone Consult to discuss your scoliosis to find out if our treatments are right for you.
Do the clients just attend one weekend then do the follow up at home?
Christy, You are correct. You’ll learn the exercises in the weekend immersive course then do them at home. If additional training is needed then you can always repeat the course or just do a 1 hour refresher.
Are there any offices in the Dallas area? Also for a 78 year old?
Linda,
Yes, we do have an office in Dallas and we have had patients your age and older do the class. If you are interested to find out if the Schroth Method is right for you then please give us a call at (800) 943-1254 for a Free Scoliosis Phone Consult with our doctor in the Dallas office.
I am an adult with idiopathic advanced progressed Scoliosis..74 degree in the lower lumbar region & 48 degrees in the mid range.
The pain is debilitating & I am 51 yrs old not sure if this is for me but willing to try anything at this point..
Edie,
About half of all the patients we help are adults, some with very advanced curves like yours, so chances are we could help you too. The first step would be for you to talk with one of our doctors about your scoliosis to find out if our treatments are right in your case. We offer Free Scoliosis Phone Consults for that purpose, so please give us a call at (800) 943-1254 to schedule one with a doctor nearest you.
I live in New Harmony, Utah. Are there any classes in Cedar City, Utah?
Unfortunately no. The closest classes to you would be in California, but our weekend immersive Schroth classes are usually workable for people to attend who live out of state.
If this is something you’d consider then give us a call at (800) 943-1254 for a Free Scoliosis Phone Consult to find out if our treatments are right for you.
The closest classes to you would be in California.
my daughter is a 18 years old teenager . unfortunately we discovered her scoliosis just now . it is a C- curve thoraciolumbalis 50 C degree . i started with her at home the schroths exercises . we have a bar , ball & ordered a pilates reformer for her . i am an ENT Doctor living in Saudi Arabia , Dammam . we have only a plane x-ray for the spine . should i do for her lung function test & MRI ?
i think her scoliosis began at the age of 9 years old through review the case , she was in hospital for constipation % Abdominal x-ray was done .i noticed the L4 vertebra did not have the same hight from side to side . what can be done ? i will order for her also spine cor comfort plus for additional help is that wise ?
see above reply.
This was supposed to lead to information about the Spinecor adult scoliosis brace. Why am I seeing Scroth exercise classes?
Marcy,
The page that you’re on is for the Schroth Immersive Weekend workshops, which is why you got info on the classes. If you’d like info on the SpineCor brace then you can get more at this link: http://scoliosistreatmentalternatives.com/spinecor-evolution-pts-and-studies
Dr. Brett Diaz, D.C.
I am VERY interested in the Shroth Method weekend immersion. I live very close to St Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson, NY (which I believe has a program there) any contact info or classes scheduled there??
I’m not sure if they offer a Schroth program there or not. Our closest office to you that provides Schroth would be located in Manhattan. Here is the website for the office. http://scoliosissystems.com/
That is too far away, 1.5 hr away from me.
Sigh…
Carleen, Since our therapies are essentially home based programs, it is not unusual for someone to travel 1.5 hours or more to see us, because you don’t have to come into our office 3 times a week or anything like that. In fact, after your initial exam, you would be scheduled for the next upcoming Schroth Weekend Immersive Class.
You’ll learn the exercises in the office over that weekend then you will do them at home. So you eliminate the need to travel to see us on a weekly basis.
If that makes sense for you then please give us a call at (800) 943-1254 for a Free Scoliosis Phone Consult to find out if the Schroth Method is right for your scoliosis.
Is there a difference between the Weekend Immersive Class and the Weekends that give class times 9-12 and 2-4. Or are they same? Just trying to find a weekend that I can travel to Atlanta is the closest to me but they don’t have a class anytime soon. I can fly to Denver for the class at the end of February.
Shaunda,
They are one in the same class. The next available class of those 2 cities is the one in Denver. If you’d like to consider attending that class then please give us a call at (800) 943-1254 for a Free Scoliosis Phone Consult to discuss your case further and find out if our treatment programs are right for you.
Dr. Brett Diaz, D.C.
Scoliosis Treatment Alternatives
I keep making inquiries about the next weekend sessions in Atlanta/Roswell. No answer. Plus, it seems that you are publicizing classes there, but it’s never on the calendar page. What gives? I am interested, but your credibility is fading fast.
Monica,
Thank you for your interest in our Schroth classes in Atlanta. Our next Schroth class in the Atlanta area is April 22nd & 23rd.
I’m glad you brought this to my attention that it wasn’t listed on the Calendar page. Although the class is scheduled for those dates it appears that the staff simply forgot to add the date to the calendar. I’ve gone ahead and added the class to the Calendar so you should see it now.
If you’re interested in attending this class then please give us a call at (800) 943-1254 for a Free Scoliosis Phone Consult to find out if the Schroth Method is right for you.
Do you have available weekend Schroth classes in Virginia?
Susan,
Thank you for your interest in our Schroth classes. I’m not aware of any upcoming classes in the Virginia area but please don’t take that as an absolute no, as I am not the doctor who sees patients in that region. Please contact our main office at (800) 943-1254 to find out for sure.
Dr. Brett Diaz, D.C.
Scoliosis Treatment Alternatives
West Coast Direct of Clinical Services Scoliosis Systems
Do you run these weekend courses in the United Kingdom or can you put me in touch with someone in the U.K?
Andrea,
Thank you for you interest in our Schroth Weekend Immersive courses. Unfortunately we do not have any offices in the U.K. so we do not have any weekend Schroth courses there either.
If you are looking to learn Schroth in the U.K. the place I would recommend looking into is Scoliosis S.O.S. Clinic in London.
I’m down in Utah where would be the closest place?,and will you send me a website that I can send to my dad?
Beky,
Depending on where you live in Utah, our closest offices to Utah would be near San Jose California or in Irvine in Southern California.
Also, your father can read more about our treatments at http://scoliosistreatmentalternatives.com/
Please let me know the cost for Fort Lauderdale if still available.
Kimberly
Dr. Kimberly,
We currently are providing Schroth classes for our patients but we are also looking to train other doctors interested in providing alternative scoliosis treatments as well.
My 15 year old daughter has a 30% scoliosis. I would like to know if you know any therapist in LA area, who can help her. Thank you in advance
Mlizcano
Mercedes,
Sorry for the delayed reply. Actually we do have an office in Los Angeles County in Studio City. We have another office in Orange County also, in Irvine.
If you’d like to find out if our treatments are right for your daughter then please give me a call to schedule a Free Scoliosis Phone Consult to find out if our treatments are right for your scoliosis.
when will u come to our area-here in los angles county
Linda,
Thank you for your interest in our practice. Actually we do have an office in Los Angeles County in Studio City. We have another office in Orange County also, in Irvine.
If you’d like to find out if our treatments are right for you then please give me a call to schedule a Free Scoliosis Phone Consult to find out if our treatments are right for your scoliosis.
I live near Detroit, Michigan and my daughter who is 13 was just diagnosed. I am a physical therapist and would be interested in learning the Schroth method. What would be the nearest location to contact?
Mary,
Our Schroth classes are for patients and are not set up to teach instructors.
Do u have schroth intensive in Atlanta
I’m 59 and on Medicare and I hurt all the .my curve makes a big C.my right shoulder blade sticks way out. You cant even see. My left shoulder blade. I broke my neck 25 years ago and 5 years ago Mr right shoulder. My right side of my neck clear down to my hip hurts all time.I have osteoporosis now.can u help me please.I live in Las Vegas.thank you
Roseanna,
Unfortunately, we don’t have any offices in Las Vegas but if you are willing to come to one of our offices in California, we may be able to help.
Thank you ill do that
When is the next weekend immersive class scheduled for Houston?
I have already had my 40+year old Harrington rods removed then flat back revision surgery, which failed, causing severe kyphosis. I am 63. Will this method of exercize help or is it too strenuous? I don’t want to loosen any of the many screws back there. Also, do you now have locations on Long Island NY?
Is there any offices in FLorida?
Yes, we do have an office in Florida. Here is the link to the information about the Flordia office: https://scoliosistreatmentalternatives.com/2649/miami-florida/.
We would love to have a chat with you about your scoliosis, to make an appointment over the phone go to the link below.
https://scoliosistreatmentalternatives.com/free-scoliosis-phone-consult-adult
In a 50 year old with 70 degree kyphosis and severe pain with NO vertebrae wedging can normal thoracic kyphosis be achieved with the brace? And will it help with pain?