I stumbled upon this quote early on in my physical therapy career, possibly even while I was still a physical therapy student, tucked into our curriculum by one of our wise professors. It has always stuck with me.

Patients, and sometimes personal trainers and general physical therapists, observe, feel, and miscategorize what is called the prominence in scoliosis lingo.

Devices like inversion tables have flooded the market in recent years as the U.S.'s appetite for consumerism and quick fixes has soared. We think it’s important to address them as a unit to help you all distinguish between passive and active treatments for scoliosis.

Most of our teenage patients here at SchrothDC have been given the diagnosis of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS). It’s fairly common: out of 100 kiddos, approximately 3 of them will be diagnosed with it.

Adult scoliosis is surprisingly prevalent in our population. There are three types: Adult-onset, also known as De Novo Scoliosis, Progressing or Stable Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis, and Secondary Scoliosis.

Ok, I know what you’re thinking…I’m going to try to sell you on some crazy contraption to the likes of the waist trainers that the Kardashians use and promote. Make some grandiose promises about body transformation that sound too good to be true…Not quite, although torso re-shaping can seem pretty magical.

So many of our patients walk into their first visit with us saying, “I’m here because I’ve seen those little old ladies hunched over their walkers, and I don’t want to be one of them.” The medical term for what they are referring to is kyphosis.

There’s a good chance you’ve encountered this long, imposing word while attempting to read through your lumbar MRI report. These reports can be full of words that hold very little or no meaning to the average human. Today we will attempt to shed light on a common occurance in scoliosis, spondylolisthesis, or for short, listhesis.

If you google search “Schroth Physical Therapy”, you will likely see pictures of people doing exercises on these sleek wooden ladder-looking contraptions. They are called Swedish ladders, or stall bars. These ladders are handmade, sturdy, aesthetically-pleasing, perfect for doing Schroth Physical Therapy…

I’m stepping up on my soapbox today to discuss a commonly prescribed movement that is driving me nuts in the clinic. The posterior pelvic tilt, or “tucking of the tailbone”, has somehow become a panacea for all low back issues. People get this advice ALL. THE. TIME.

Many of us humans move through life at breakneck speed. All of these obligations take up A LOT of headspace. We often miss the small details unfolding around us. How does this tie into the Schroth Method? What I’m describing above is called awareness. (The popular buzzword for this is Mindfulness.) The Schroth Method requires a great deal of awareness; more specifically, it requires a great deal of body awareness.

So your kid was just recently diagnosed with scoliosis. Where do you go from here? Are they eligible for a brace? Will it be a nighttime-only brace or a full-time (21 hours/day) brace? Will it prevent them from having to have surgery? Navigating the world of scoliosis bracing can be daunting. Consider this your instruction manual.

Can you imagine being responsible for remembering to breathe 22,000 times per day? While we slumber, or while our brains are busy with another task – working, child-rearing, solving the problems of the world – our brainstem keeps our respiration going so that we stay oxygenized and alive.

How is it possible to not realize that you are leaning to the left, that your weight is mostly on your left foot when you’re standing, or that your neck is tilted to one side? Answer: That big old adaptable brain of ours. Specifically, the vestibular system.

How many of us have envied those who are flexible, or have marveled at the amazing feats of gymnasts, ice skaters, yogis, and Cirque du Soleil performers? As a culture, we are entranced by flexibility; the beauty, the gracefulness, the perceived greatness of being flexible.

I often hear patients lament about their lack of core strength, and attribute this to “not doing enough crunches”. Why is a crunch the first exercise we think of when we think of the core? There are many options for core exercises that avoid the crunch-like motion.

Tight hip flexors can lead to Lower Crossed Syndrome, a common contributor to low back pain. Find out why this is often overlooked in medical settings, as well as how to assess and treat this common condition.

Taking care of your spine is so important. The spine serves as a relay-station for the limbs. It’s designed for mobility and stability. And at the end of the day, lengthening your spine can actually lengthen your life. Hear me out.

Many patients ask me “How did you get into scoliosis treatment?”, usually followed by, “Do you have scoliosis?” Surprisingly to most, I do not have scoliosis. I like to say that scoliosis found me; not vice versa.

We look forward to sharing information about the Schroth Method with you to help lengthen your spine and your life. We love seeing you live your best lives, regardless of your diagnosis. Cheers to a new year and the birth of Schroth DC!