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  • Have any adults tried Schroth Therapy?

    Hi! This is my first post. I have congenital scolioisis, an S curve with a 60 degree lumbar curve. I'm 57 and had no problems till about 5 1/2 years ago. Problems began with sciatica that I could alleviate with yoga and swimming, but now it has gotten worse and the sciatica has turned into peroneal neuropathy and I have a lot of problems with my lower extremities, not directly with my back, because of L5/S1 impingement. I was thinking of seeing a Schroth therapist in NY and know this is designed for younger people, but talked to one person over 50 who found some success. Has anyone else tried this? Or I'm open to other ideas directed towards nerve impingement, other than yoga for scoliosis, which used to work for me, but now just made me worse. Thanks.
    60 degree thorocolumbar curve beginning at T12
    58 years old

  • #2
    Hi...

    If you do a search (see the search box above) on the word SCHROTH, you'll find several threads on the topic.

    With that said, I'm wondering if you've seen a scoliosis specialist, and if surgery has been recommended. Left too long, leg pain can easily become permanent. Having just had surgery for the same reason, I can tell you that I would have been devastated if my pain was permanent.

    Regards,
    Linda
    Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
    Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

    Comment


    • #3
      I've started some Schroth exercises and will be going for a 4-day treatment in a few weeks. Will report back how it goes.
      1993, Age 13, 53* Right T Curve w/ Left L compensatory
      2010, Age 30, 63* or 68* (depending on the doc) Right T Curve w/ Left L compensatory

      http://livingtwisted.wordpress.com/

      Comment


      • #4
        Thanks for your answer

        Originally posted by LindaRacine View Post
        Hi...

        If you do a search (see the search box above) on the word SCHROTH, you'll find several threads on the topic.

        With that said, I'm wondering if you've seen a scoliosis specialist, and if surgery has been recommended. Left too long, leg pain can easily become permanent. Having just had surgery for the same reason, I can tell you that I would have been devastated if my pain was permanent.

        Regards,
        Linda
        Hi Linda,
        I am about to see my first scoliosis specialist on Monday--William Welch. Upfront, when I sent my records I asked for physical therapy recommendations and his response through his receptionist is that physical therapy won't work so maybe you're right. How old were you when you had surgery? Right now, the physiatrist I saw didn't think I would get rid of my problems in my feet (at least without surgery), but she is not a scoliosis specialist. Also, I did check the Schroth thread and didn't find anyone who did it in my quick perusal. Thanks for your thoughts.
        Best,
        Lisa
        Last edited by lisazena; 03-04-2011, 02:33 PM.
        60 degree thorocolumbar curve beginning at T12
        58 years old

        Comment


        • #5
          Look forward to hearing how it goes for you

          Originally posted by mehera View Post
          I've started some Schroth exercises and will be going for a 4-day treatment in a few weeks. Will report back how it goes.
          Hi Mehera,
          I look forward to hearing how it goes for you. The person I am thinking of seeing just suggested one session.
          Best,
          Lisa
          60 degree thorocolumbar curve beginning at T12
          58 years old

          Comment


          • #6
            My experience

            I wanted to report back on my experience. I've learned a lot, but it is yet to be seen how much of it I am able to integrate into my daily life. It provided me with a lot of practical solutions for things that I can do do to improve my days in general and exercises to stretch and strengthen in ways specific to my curve. In my opinion everyone with scolioisis, fused and unfused, could benefit from Schroth. But I am not implying in any way that it is a miracle cure. It's like saying that everyone can benefit from daily exercise. I would say that as an adult, if you are in pain but not progressing, then it would be worth exploring first.

            A lot happened in those 4 days so please feel free to ask questions.
            1993, Age 13, 53* Right T Curve w/ Left L compensatory
            2010, Age 30, 63* or 68* (depending on the doc) Right T Curve w/ Left L compensatory

            http://livingtwisted.wordpress.com/

            Comment


            • #7
              Were you inpatient for those four days? Did they give you boatloads of exercises that you have to do every day? I'm interested in pain reduction as my surgeon thinks that surgery at this point will only increase my pain.
              Be happy!
              We don't know what tomorrow brings,
              but we are alive today!

              Comment


              • #8
                It was 5 hours per day, so 20 hours total. Yes, I have lots of exercises to do, and they do require getting some special equipment, but to me that part is worth it. The focus wasn't on creating a precise routine that I go home and follow every day, but more getting familiar with the principals, customize the exercises to my curve, and working on how to recreate them properly at home. Now its really up to me to figure out what routine works for me. I won't necessarily do every exercise every day, but maybe figure out a plan where I alternate exercises. And then there are also slight modifications once you understand the principals so you can get a nice little stretch any time in your day, like a quick bathroom break.
                1993, Age 13, 53* Right T Curve w/ Left L compensatory
                2010, Age 30, 63* or 68* (depending on the doc) Right T Curve w/ Left L compensatory

                http://livingtwisted.wordpress.com/

                Comment


                • #9
                  Last year, age 66, my back really became painful when walking, standing or cleaning house. By May I was beginning to feel unsteady when walking and found that my right foot was sometimes turning in. And I only felt safe if i walked with a cane. I was being to consider going to Europe for the Schroth Method when my son sent me the link to Scoliosis Rehab. I was extremely lucky to get in July 17, with 5 days at the Arizona clinic. ( Thur, Frid, Mon, Tue,and Wed). Entrance and exit photos showed definite improvement in posture and a measured 1/2in gain in height. Neighbors commented on my visible improvement in posture. in Oct, at annual physical, my doctor was astonished at the improvement in my back and i still had my 1/2 gain in height.

                  Schroth does require that one does the individualized exercises forever. But mine take 20-30 min, 3 X week. And the installation of two bars. But I must admit I have slipped a couple of times. And have left a couple of weeks go by without my exercises.

                  Patricia 67 Atlanta
                  (2009) 59 degree right curve L1 to L4 ; 32 degree left T6 to T12. A very pretty S.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Patricia, maybe I not understand correctly what you are saying.
                    Do you gained 1/2 inch in height when you are standing in a natural way? If it's true, then you should have reduced degrees.
                    I have never heard something like that in an adult with a surgical curve with this method. I have heard some cases with Spinecor or IY, but never with Shroth.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      I had a phone conversation with a local Schroth practitioner (I had already emailed him my x-rays and photos of my torso from various angles, etc), and he said that because adult skeletons are less malleable than children, the cobb angle would probably not improve. Just from reading the experiences of members who have done it I can see that they vary a little from place to place. Here are some notes from my conversation:

                      There are 8-day courses for out of town people, and weekly or bi-weekly options for locals. He stressed three times that it is a serious commitment and "not for the faint of heart"! The course lasts 8 to 10 to up to 23 hours, depending on your situation and how quickly you learn and adapt.

                      The home practice would require 30 minutes a day for 4-6 times a week, though he also has a variant for busier people as well.

                      The exercises themselves involve "unilateral breathing", which sounds a bit like the breathing into the compressed lung exercise from 'Yoga for Scoliosis', though he mentioned there was a visualization aspect involved. The patients get their body into a corrected posture (I think that means a straighter spine) and then you do the strengthening exercises. I think I saw some video of this on Youtube. I would also get DVDs of myself doing the exercises as reference/reminders.

                      I was curious about props I might need, and what specialty equipment might cost. It seems that most of what I'd need are things most people already have: chin-up bar, chair, stool, dowels, etc. If he feels I'd need bolsters or rice bags he would provide them. I asked about "wall bars" and he said they weren't mandatory, but they'll provide blueprints if I wanted to make my own of have someone do it for me.

                      I asked him what I could realistically expect (without him yet examining me in-person), and he said these are likely for someone in my situation:

                      Pain reduction
                      Lung capacity 15-20% possible improvement
                      Chest expansion, improved rib mobility
                      Improved posture and cosmetic appearance
                      Cobb angle not likely to improve because adult spines are less mold-able because they've stopped growing.
                      Possible height gain of 1/2-1" because of strengthened muscles

                      <end of notes>

                      That's a good question about how the person could get taller without reducing the cobb angle.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by pmc View Post
                        That's a good question about how the person could get taller without reducing the cobb angle.
                        Apparently there is some play in these curves. If the first measurement was taken near the end of the day and the other measurements were taken in the morning, that might explain the 1/2" difference. The PT might just work to help hold that longer and longer.
                        Sharon, mother of identical twin girls with scoliosis

                        No island of sanity.

                        Question: What do you call alternative medicine that works?
                        Answer: Medicine


                        "We are all African."

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by pmc View Post

                          That's a good question about how the person could get taller without reducing the cobb angle.
                          It's not possible. Cobb angle in some plane (not necessary the frontal) should to be reduced.

                          Originally posted by pmc View Post
                          Cobb angle not likely to improve because adult spines are less mold-able because they've stopped growing.
                          If it's only a matter of bones, how may be that adults has a reduction while using the Spinecor?

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by Pooka1 View Post
                            Apparently there is some play in these curves. If the first measurement was taken near the end of the day and the other measurements were taken in the morning, that might explain the 1/2" difference. The PT might just work to help hold that longer and longer.
                            It occurs also in normal spine, because disks decompression. I cannot imagine how a PT may hold it.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Originally posted by lisazena View Post
                              Hi! This is my first post. I have congenital scolioisis, an S curve with a 60 degree lumbar curve. I'm 57 and had no problems till about 5 1/2 years ago. Problems began with sciatica that I could alleviate with yoga and swimming, but now it has gotten worse and the sciatica has turned into peroneal neuropathy and I have a lot of problems with my lower extremities, not directly with my back, because of L5/S1 impingement. I was thinking of seeing a Schroth therapist in NY and know this is designed for younger people, but talked to one person over 50 who found some success. Has anyone else tried this? Or I'm open to other ideas directed towards nerve impingement, other than yoga for scoliosis, which used to work for me, but now just made me worse. Thanks.
                              Spinecor cannot be used in congenital scoliosis? It not seems so clear why. I think that curve also should to be reduced while using this brace.

                              Comment

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