What Is the Schroth Method, and Does It Help Scoliosis?
The Schroth method is a physiotherapy approach. It uses exercises made for scoliosis, rotational breathing and posture correction to reduce the visible and functional effects of a spinal curve. It does not cure scoliosis. But research shows it can slow curve progression, improve posture and reduce pain when you practise it regularly with a certified therapist.
Key points
- Schroth exercises work in three dimensions. They target the rotation, side-shift and flattening that define a scoliosis curve.
- Evidence supports Schroth therapy as an effective non-surgical approach, especially when combined with regular monitoring.
- Results depend on correctly classifying your curve pattern, a certified therapist and steady daily practice.
- Standing imaging shows your curve under real weight-bearing load. This gives your therapist a more accurate starting point and follow-up comparison.
What is the Schroth method for scoliosis?
The Schroth method is a system of exercises made for scoliosis. Katharina Schroth developed it in Germany in the 1920s. It treats the spine as a three-dimensional structure, not just a side-to-side curve on an X-ray. A certified Schroth therapist assesses your own curve pattern. They then teach you targeted exercises that aim to lengthen, de-rotate and stabilise the spine.
This is not general fitness or stretching. Every Schroth exercise is tailored to your curve type. Two people with scoliosis may have very different curve patterns, so they would be given different exercises. This personal approach is central to how the method works.
How do Schroth exercises work?
Schroth exercises target all three planes of a scoliosis curve at the same time. Your therapist will classify your curve pattern. They will then guide you through a programme built on four core principles.
Your therapist finds out whether your curve is thoracic, lumbar, or a combination, and gives you a specific set of exercises.
You learn to direct your breath into the collapsed side of your ribcage. This helps expand areas that the curve has compressed.
Each exercise lengthens, de-rotates and deflects the trunk at the same time, working across all three planes.
You practise corrected postures in everyday activities, such as sitting, standing and walking, to reinforce the new muscle patterns.
The goal is not to force the spine straight. It is to train the muscles around the curve so they hold a more balanced position in everyday life. Sticking with it matters. Research consistently shows that people who practise daily get better results than those who only exercise during clinic sessions.
Does the Schroth method actually work?
Yes, there is a growing body of evidence supporting the Schroth method for managing scoliosis. A number of controlled studies and systematic reviews have shown that exercises made for scoliosis can slow curve progression, improve trunk symmetry and reduce pain that patients report.
The 2016 SOSORT (Society on Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment) guidelines recommend scoliosis specific exercises as a first-line conservative approach for mild to moderate curves. They also recommend them alongside bracing for larger curves. More recent reviews have confirmed these findings.
It is important to be honest about the limits, too. Schroth therapy does not reverse established structural curves. The evidence is stronger for slowing progression and improving function than for large, lasting reductions in curve size. Results also depend heavily on the therapist's skill and your commitment to daily practice.
Several randomised controlled trials show that scoliosis specific exercises reduce curve progression compared with observation alone. Improvements in pain, quality of life and self-image are also well documented. SOSORT recognises the Schroth method as one of the main evidence-based exercise approaches worldwide.
Most studies are fairly small and measure outcomes in different ways. Long-term follow-up data beyond a few years is limited. Results depend on therapist skill and how closely patients stick to the programme, which are hard to standardise in research. The method does not replace a surgical consultation for severe or rapidly progressing curves.
Who is Schroth therapy best suited for?
Schroth therapy is best suited for adults with mild to moderate scoliosis who want to manage their curve without surgery, reduce discomfort and improve their posture. It is also used alongside bracing when both approaches are appropriate.
- Mild to moderate scoliosis curves
- Back pain or stiffness linked to a curve
- Postural imbalance you want to improve
- Keeping alignment after surgery
- Alongside bracing for added stability
- Severe or rapidly progressing curves needing surgical assessment
- Sudden numbness, weakness or loss of bladder or bowel control (get urgent medical help from your doctor or the nearest emergency department)
- Cases where the underlying diagnosis is still unclear
When MRI is the better tool: EOS imaging shows bones, joints and alignment under weight-bearing load. For soft tissue detail, such as discs, nerves or spinal cord compression, MRI is usually the better tool. Your treating specialist can advise which you need.
How does standing imaging help track Schroth therapy progress?
Standing imaging gives your Schroth therapist a true picture of your curve under gravity and load. When you lie down for an ordinary X-ray, your muscles relax. The curve can then look different from how it behaves in real life. A standing, weight-bearing image captures what your spine actually does when you are upright.
This matters for Schroth therapy because the whole point of the exercises is to change how you hold yourself when standing and moving. If your progress images are taken lying down, they may not show the real-world improvements your exercises are producing.
A Cobb angle measurement taken in the same standing position each time gives you and your therapist a reliable comparison. EOS imaging at ScanAlign, low dose standing imaging uses about 90% less radiation than a standard X-ray, around ten times less. That lower dose makes regular monitoring more practical, so you and your therapist can see how your curve responds over time.
Working with a Schroth therapist and thinking of coming to London for a standing baseline or follow-up image of your scoliosis curve?
Book a free video consultationWhat happens in a Schroth therapy session?
A typical course of Schroth therapy follows a set process. Here is what most people experience.
Your therapist examines your posture and reviews any imaging. They classify your curve pattern using the Schroth system. This decides which exercises you will be given.
You learn how to lengthen and de-rotate your trunk using specific body positions. Your therapist guides you with hands-on cues and a mirror so you can see the correction.
You practise breathing into the concave side of your ribcage while holding the corrective position. This helps expand areas that the curve has compressed.
You take home a personal daily exercise programme. Your therapist reviews and adjusts it at follow-up sessions. Regular practice is the biggest factor in results.
Before you start treatment, or change the one you are on, it is worth getting a detailed diagnosis. Knowing whether the cause sits in the pelvis, the legs or the spine changes what will actually help.
Frequently asked questions about the Schroth method
The Schroth method is a physiotherapy approach. It uses exercises made for scoliosis, rotational breathing and posture training to manage the effects of a spinal curve. It treats the curve in three dimensions, not just the side-to-side bend.
No. Schroth therapy does not cure scoliosis. It can slow curve progression, improve posture and reduce pain, but it does not remove a structural curve. It is a way to manage scoliosis, not a cure.
Most people notice better posture and comfort within a few weeks of daily practice. Measurable changes on imaging may take several months. Results depend on how severe the curve is, how regularly you practise and the quality of guidance from your therapist.
Yes. Schroth exercises are often used alongside bracing. The exercises help keep muscle strength and flexibility while the brace gives outside support. Many specialists recommend this combined approach.
Look for a physiotherapist with specific Schroth certification, such as training through the Barcelona Scoliosis Physical Therapy School (BSPTS) or the Schroth Best Practice programme. In the UK, some hospitals and private clinics list certified therapists on their websites. Ask for their qualification details before you start.
Yes. Much early research focused on younger patients, but Schroth therapy is widely used by adults with scoliosis. Adults often find it helpful for managing pain, improving posture and keeping function.
Standing imaging captures your curve under gravity and load, which is how your spine behaves in real life. Lying down relaxes the muscles and can make the curve look different. Standing images give your therapist a more accurate and consistent measurement for tracking change over time.
An EOS scan uses about 90% less radiation than a standard X-ray, around ten times less. This lower dose makes it more practical for repeat imaging when you and your therapist want to track progress over time.
No. ScanAlign accepts self-referrals. You can book a monitoring scan directly without a letter from your doctor. Many people are referred by their Schroth therapist or physiotherapist, but it is not required.
There is no single rule. Your therapist or consultant will advise based on your curve, your age and how your treatment is going. Because EOS imaging uses a very low radiation dose, repeat scans are more practical than with standard X-rays. A common approach is a baseline scan before starting therapy and a follow-up at an agreed interval.
Track your scoliosis curve with standing imaging
A low-dose standing image gives you and your Schroth therapist a clear, weight-bearing starting point to measure progress against.
Book a free video consultationSources
- Negrini S, Donzelli S, Aulisa AG, et al. 2016 SOSORT guidelines: orthopaedic and rehabilitation treatment of idiopathic scoliosis during growth. Scoliosis and Spinal Disorders. 2018;13:3.
- Schreiber S, Parent EC, Moez EK, et al. Schroth physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercises added to the standard of care lead to better Cobb angle outcomes in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis. PLoS ONE. 2016;11(12):e0168746.
- NHS England. Scoliosis: overview, treatment and management. nhs.uk. Accessed 2024.
Written by Abbas Dhami (Specialist Diagnostic Radiographer)
This page is general information and not a diagnosis.
ScanAlign is the trading name of CoreMed Solutions Ltd and operates under The Harley Street Hospital's CQC licence.