For Professionals
Schroth Courses
Basic ISST course - part 1 + part 2
Goals and Description
In the Part I therapists will learn about theory and methods of the Schroth approach combined with broad aspects of scoliosis.
The students will learn to recognize scoliosis features, assess scoliosis, classify patients according specific ISST Schroth classification and start developing thinking in “Body Blocks” and necessary corrections in body planes around biomechanical axes. Corrective breathing is an essential element of Schroth and uses intrinsic forces to improve functional activities and mobility of the concavities of the deformed and altered trunk.
Positioning with simple tools is an important part in the learning process from a simple to a more complex understanding and also a first step in the adaptation of the ISST elements into the daily routine of the therapy process.
Participants learn the basic corrections including pelvic corrections with basic tension and assistive shoulder traction. Manual techniques will be used for proprioceptive teaching and to improve functional capability of the patients.
Basic 3D stabilizing exercises in stable positioning help to restore physiological alignment. It is important to adapt and internalize the typical exercise instructions in order to reach an automated state in the learning process.
At the end of Part I, students will sit for a written exam.
Homework task / study task
Between Part I and Part II participants have to prepare a documentation of 2 case reports for 2 different patients.
The documentation includes examination protocol, positioning diagram, photos from patients in standing position (front-back-side-Adams test), with basic corrections in lying and sitting position and the therapy plan: 3 exercises, 1 breathing exercise, 2 mobilizing techniques, 2 home-exercises. Some of the case reports have to be presented and discussed.
These study papers are a prerequisite for taking the Part 2 of the course.
Study task
Students have to read the 2016 SOSORT Guidelines for treatment of scoliosis during growth (please, note that the 2016 SOSORT Guidelines are soon to be published and the students should refer to those instead once published – the link to the new guideline will be posted here). Studying the SOSORT Guidelines 2016 helps to understand the range of different less and more intensive conservative therapy elements (observation, exercise based pro-active therapy, part-time/full-time bracing, rigid vs. soft bracing, surgical intervention) in relation to the assessment of the risk of progression. It is important to be in touch with current research and treatment recommendations to be up-to-date with evidence based practice.
Goal for the homework and study is to work independently with the examination assessment tools and practice the evaluation, preparation and documentation of the scoliosis specific therapy.
The case presentation at Part II describes ways to implement the program into the daily routine. The benefits and limitations of the approach can also be addressed.
Basic ISST Course – Part 2
Goals and Description
Part II gives a deep outlook of the ISST- Schroth method. The theoretical aspects will be revised and refined. Additional classifications of scoliosis, like King, Lenke and Rigo will be discussed. The main principles of bracing will be presented.
Part II completes the standardized therapeutic process from physical examination to the individual therapy plan consisting of exercises, postural teaching and more specific auxiliary manual techniques. The basic exercises can be used with more functional and challenging variations in order to adapt the therapy program to the developing exercise capacity of the patients.
The relationship between scoliosis and laterolisthesis will be introduced. Hereby the therapist learn more regarding scoliosis in adult and elderly patients. Scoliosis and pain is the main aspect for this group of patients and both have to be addressed appropriately in the therapy program.
In the practical parts the participants work self-independent supervised by the instructor and have the chance to discuss problems within the therapeutic team.
To understand more about the surgical way of treatment a short overview of the history and the typical techniques will be given.
In addition, treatment in the group setting will be discussed.
Ethics and certification process
The certification authorizes for the ISST treatment according to the concept of Katharina Schroth, but does not authorize to teach other professionals the method. In case of non-compliance the certification and the status of a ISST therapist will be revoked.
In order to receive a title of an ISST – Schroth Therapist, you must pass a written and practical exam after the basic courses Part I and Part II.
In the practical exam after Part II the student has to design a therapy plan for a fictional patient including therapy diagram, scoliometer data, standardized exercise program and an evaluation of the risk of progression. The patient has to be presented with his/her typical features and selected parts of the treatment program.
ISST Schroth Objectives and Goals Part 1 and Part 2
