Here, at Curvy Spine, we are proud to say that the most important evidence on the effect of Schroth exercises on outcomes in scoliosis come from the PhD work of Sanja Schreiber, the owner of Curvy Spine.
Sanja devoted most of her life to treating children and adults with spinal deformities. She became a certified ISST Schroth scoliosis therapist in 2008 after being trained at the “Asklepios – Katharina Schroth Klinik” for spinal deformities in Bad Sobernheim, Germany. Subsequently, she received her MSc in Sports Medicine and Kinesitherapy in 2009 from the University of Novi Sad in Serbia.
Based on observed benefits of the Schroth method for scoliosis, she decided to pursue a PhD in Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Alberta to systematically study the effects of the Schroth therapy. As the first Schroth scoliosis therapist in Western Canada, Sanja’s objective was to test the effect of the Schroth exercises on curve severity, quality of life, perceived body image and back muscle endurance in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis.
She defended her PhD thesis in August 2014. Dr. Schreiber’s work provided most important evidence about the effectiveness of the Schroth exercises for adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis that could have a big impact on treatment guidelines in North America, where exercise treatment is not a part of standard care. During her graduate career, Sanja received several academic awards. Her research was supported by a local grant awarded by the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation, as well as an international grant awarded by the Scoliosis Research Society, whose recommendations directly influence the North American health care system for scoliosis. Dr. Schreiber’s research attracted public interest, and was mentioned in The New York Times.
“Patients undergoing Schroth treatment perceived improved status of their backs even if the Cobb angle did not improve beyond the conventionally accepted threshold of 5°. Standard of care aims to slow/stop progression while Schroth exercises aim to improve postural balance, signs and symptoms of scoliosis. Given the very small MID, perceived improvement in back status is likely due to something other than the Cobb angle. This study warrants investigating alternatives to the Cobb angle that might be more relevant to patients.”
Here, you can read all about our protocol for the randomized controlled trial conducted by Sanja Schreiber.