THESE TWO X-RAYS OF A TEEN WITH SCOLIOSIS SHOW THE PROGRESS MADE ON THEIR SPINE OVER A NINE-MONTH INTERVAL THANKS TO THE SCHROTH METHOD INCORPORATED AT ALLEGHENY HEALTH NETWORK. | PHOTOS COURTESY OF ALLEGHENY HEALTH NETWORK

Scoliosis affects about 7 million people in the U.S., or 2% to 3% of the population.

The condition is an abnormal curvature of the spine that is mostly diagnosed in adolescence, but can also affect infants and adults. Girls are eight times more likely than boys to have a curve that will progress to a magnitude that requires treatment, according to the National Scoliosis Foundation.

Most curvatures are considered minor and require monitoring by a health care provider. However, if left untreated, scoliosis can cause chronic back pain and impact heart and lung function, as well as self-esteem.

Two Allegheny Health Network therapists — A. Kimberlee Earman, manager of therapy services and wound clinic at AHN Grove City Hospital and manager of physical therapy services at the Seneca Valley Outpatient Center, and physical therapist Susan Pierce — are working to help alleviate pain and stabilize patients’ spines through a nonsurgical measure called the Schroth Method.

The Schroth Method, developed in 1921 by Katharina Schroth of Germany, uses exercises that are customized to each patient to help return the curved spine to a more natural position and to prevent scoliosis from advancing, according to the Johns Hopkins Medicine information. 

“What you don’t see with the naked eye is how the vertebrae in the spine rotate as they form the curve; that’s why physical therapy for scoliosis requires a 3D approach to address the curve from all angles,” the Johns Hopkins article reads.

“Susan and I are the only certified therapists in the Schroth Method in this area,” Earman explains. “We went to two courses, one in Wisconsin and one in New York. The goal of the program is to help our patients manage their curve independently.”

Earman says she and Pierce started the Schroth Method in 2015 and treat patients who travel from as far away as Erie and Ohio.

Earman says they mainly see adolescents who have scoliosis with no known cause, but also treat adult scoliosis patients.

“We see patients with varying degrees of curvature,” Pierce says. “We usually start with posture correction of the pelvis in 3D, then help patients with elongation and de-rotation through breathing exercises. Once they learn the techniques, they can use that correction in their regular activities.”

Though they can’t guarantee the method will work on every patient, they have seen a halt in the progression of many patients’ curves. 

“Some patients will need a brace to maintain stability and others may eventually need to have surgery on their spine,” Earman says.

Earman and Pierce spend an hour each session with patients, and typically see teens once a week for 12 weeks, following them through puberty. Adults are seen once a week for six weeks, with additional sessions as needed.

“They learn to continue what they learned here at home,” Pierce explains. “We start with more basic exercises and then move to advanced exercises that focus on core stabilization and teaching patients to be aware of their posture.”

According to the information provided by Johns Hopkins, Schroth exercises also help patients aim to achieve muscular symmetry, de-rotate the spine with breathing to help reshape the rib cage and surrounding soft tissue.

“This method also helps us to correct some body image problems that are associated with scoliosis, such as lowered shoulders and uneven hips. Correcting these issues really boosts their confidence,” Earman says. “It does require a lot of commitment from the parents and patients. We get to know our patients and their families and it’s very rewarding to see the progress.”

“I think this method is very empowering for the patient because they can take an active role in their treatment because they have to fix it themselves,” Pierce adds. “It’s nice to be able to offer that service to our patients and to the community.”