Three-Dimensional Treatment for Scoliosis: A Physiotherapeutic Method for Deformities of the Spine

Diagnosed at 14 with an approximately 15 degree lumbar curve-- not serious enough to treat. Leg length discrepancy -- a cause or a result of the curve? As I have gotten older have had increasing back stiffness and pain. Using a lift in one shoe to even out the hips did help but did not resolve the inflexibility and pain issues. Had many difficulties trying to do Pilates and Yoga, even with all the accommodations and modifications for spinal curve. Found "Three Dimensional Treatment for Scoliosis" by researching myself and ordered about a year ago. Although I cannot make optimum use of the book, I could get enough out of it to increase my understanding of my curve (comparing the photos to myself) and to start doing some of the stretches and exercises. The major insight came from understanding the impact of my curve -- I had assumed that the painful side was the weak side, but the Schroth book showed me that in fact this side is the tight, overly contracted and "strong" (not in a helpful way) side, and needed to be stretched. And the longer side needed extra attention in order to strengthen . This insight, all by itself, was incredibly empowering. Even though I cannot figure out exactly how to do all the exercises, I now understand enough to work each side in the correct mode. I have experienced a big improvement in flexibility and have been able to work the core muscles much more effectively, (and without back pain,) than I could in the Pilates classes. I saw in a recent NYTimes article that the Schroth method is starting to be more widely used in the United States. If there were a practitioner near me I would definitely go, but having the book and using it all by myself has been invaluable. Every so often I go back to the manual, and can glean more out of it and keep adjusting my program. Even if you are well past mid life and have a relatively small asymmetry you can help yourself using this book. So grateful to have discovered it.

This is a great book. I have scoliosis. I had stiff neck, my neck was almost locked, I could not turn it freely when I was getting off my drive way. I tried pilates, yoga, different PTs, chiropractors without too much help. I bought this book. It is the magic. The exercises are great, unique, and very effective. The philosophy is so right. The book is the most powerful tool that I found works so well. It takes time to master the exercises. I read it over and over. It is worth of the time and efforts. In the end, it is us that we will treat our scoliosis. PT can share their perspective, and we know our body too. We need to be the expert knowing the exercises that can serve us the best. Ms. Schroth is a genius. She treated her own scoliosis and she invented this method. I highly recommend this book.

Three-Dimensional Treatment for Scoliosis in the English translation is a book I've been waiting for a long time. Three years ago when I had an increase in my back pain, I began to search for something to relieve my pain. I had a spinal fusion in 1957 for a significant thoracic curve, with a good result. My post-op instructions were to not gain weight and keep moving.As time has gone by, three pregnancies, and a lot of hard work and physical activity, I notice a significant lumbar curve has developed. Since I have been told repeatedly that nothing more could be done for me, I've looked for something I could do for myself. Although I am a registered nurse, specialized in orthopedics and rehabilitation, I couldn't use this book on my own to actually treat my back, even with an understanding of the mechanics of scoliosis and the use of mirrors. However this book has given me an excellent background in the concepts of both the scoliotic processes and the philosophy of treatment. Scoliosis is not cured, even with fusion; it is a chronic degenerative disease which requires lifelong management. This book has a wealth of information, although I found it difficult to follow due to somewhat poor organization, which is why I gave it four stars. It has been invaluable to me as a resource, but not as a treatment tool. I recommend reading this book as a first step in treating scoliosis. I also want to mention that Hunter College in NYC has published online a list of certified Schroth therapists in the US, so this is no longer considered a "fringe" therapy. I am receiving Schroth therapy presently and receiving significant relief of pain. It's possible to have the therapy without reading the book, of course, but the book provides an excellent foundation for those interested in participating more actively in treatment.

This book by Christa Lehnert-Schroth, P.T., contains the most amazing treatment for deformities of the spine I have ever seen. I would highly recommend this book to any physical therapist who works with scoliosis patients. As a registered nurse in the United States, the text books and classroom instructors taught that scoliosis was generally treated with bracing and/or surgery. No where had I EVER seen this Schroth Method mentioned. I got this book when my husband was diagnosed with Scheuermann's Kyphosis at the age of 64. (Four years ago, an incorrect diagnosis was made: osteoporosis with vertebral compression fractures.) Exploration of Scheuermann's Kyphosis on the Internet led him to the Schroth Method and three locations in the United States where physical therapists, who have been trained in the Schroth Method, are available. They treat both scoliosis and Scheuermann's Kyphosis (a.k.a. juvenile or adolescent kyphosis) or kyphoscoliosis with the Schroth Method. Unfortunately these trained physical therapists are not listed in the book but were located with deeper research into the treatment method. The mother of Ms. Lehnert-Schroth, the late Katharina Schroth, was a true genius, researcher, and therapist who deserves high respect and an honorary doctoral degree for the development of the Schroth Method and meticulous documentation of her work. The book is invaluable for understanding the deformities of the spine and the photographs speak volumes to the success of her treatment. Western medicine in the United States (US) advocates surgery. Since the Schroth Method is not well known in the US, persons with deformities of the spine are not given the Schroth Method as a choice. The spine surgeon who correctly diagnosed my husband had not heard of the Schroth Method. It is hoped this book will become better known in the US so that thousands of persons who have spine deformities will seek out alternatives to a horrendous surgical treatment.

I was looking for options to treat Scoliosis since I practice Manual Therapy and outcomes and opinions vary quite a bit within this field, but overall, there is a lot of questioning about positive outcomes. There is a lot of great info presented in this book, a lot of statements that will make you think twice about everything that you've done before for this dysfunction.There are a lot of pictures that clarify some of the more difficult exercises descriptions and a lot of pictures that show their great outcomes. However, the method is complex. At least, it does appear so by just reading the book and not seeing it done in person.Besides that, I was looking for a little more organizaton when it comes to steps to follow;I'm not talking about protocols though. I'm talking about a clear description of steps to follow when you are treating this pts. To give this book the benefit of the doubt, I'm reading the highlighted areas again. Maybe I missed it. But be ready to come out of it not only with a lot of info that will open up your mind but also with the need to review info and think quite a bit about it. As I said before, great info though.

The book is outdated and uses old terms etc (not anatomical terms). But the concepts, examples, explanations really help. When you take your Schoth course, the instructors jargon doesn't always give you the full understanding of a concept. But this book and the other Barcelona Schroth book uses other descriptions. So some concepts suddenly sink in, and you are able to more fully see the whole picture. In addition, the certification course takes you through the positions, but when you start treating, you need more than those 4 exercises and these books provide you with those exercises and concepts. However, I purchased these books before taking the 10 day certification course. Before the course, the reading was difficult. After the course, you can skim through to find the nuggets of information you need.

I am so glad I found this book I have scoliosis and I did an exercise which is required for breathing properly to help straighten out my back it allows the oxygen to float through into my vertebrae and my spine started realigning after one 1 hour session it helped relieve my pain without pain medicine

As a person with scoliosis this book was more technical than I expected. Thought I could get some clear exercises that might help but that wasn't the case. Would be good if you had a Scroth method instructor to see but couldn't find one in the Phoenix area.

A lot of information on scoliosis and the various exercises and treatment options. Very in depth. Would recommend to anyone wanting to dig deeper into their condition and gain an understanding of to help themselves take charge of their back health.

Good book

I bought this book for my wife as she suffers terribly with Scoliosis. Also good for me to read so I can be of some help to her. Hopefully with the exercises and treatments explained in the book she can avoid surgery as long as possible. Very helpful and informative, a great reference book.

Il libro è in lingua inglese, molto chiaro sui concetti, molto ben fatto. Una bibbia da avere per il trattamento delle scoliosi. Bisogna anche tenere in conto che è l'unica metodica di trattamento delle scoliosi molto valida a livello di EBM.

i love this book, put in to words and pictures the things i was thinking and gave me so many treatment ideas thank you spread the word