Schroth Method for Scoliosis Specialist

Park Sports PT’s newest Schroth Method Specialist Irina Taranenko

At Park Sports PT, we pride ourselves on recruiting the finest physical therapists. Our team is diverse, certified and compassionate about their patients and their careers. So, we’re excited to introduce Irina Taranenko. Irina’s focus is Scoliosis and she is a certified Schroth Method therapist.

Irina is a long time resident of Brooklyn and is passionate about her city, her community and her career. Sports played a big part of Irina’s childhood. She competed on a high level in numerous individual and team sports. As a result, these experiences gave her a unique awareness of her body and her health.

It was this combination of science and movement that really appealed to Irina as she began thinking about her career. Irina decided to pursue Physical Therapy and received her DPT and Bachelors of Science degree in from Touro College in New York City with a focus on research based patient care.

Struggling with Scoliosis.

Growing up, Irina struggled with scoliosis. Hence, she experienced two major surgeries and the arduous recovery from each surgery. Scoliosis quickly became a subject Irina could closely relate. Her personal experiences helped her understand the emotional challenges scoliosis presents to patients. Because of this Irina decided to obtain her C1 certification through the Barcelona Scoliosis Physical Therapy School (BSPTS) where she became a certified Schroth Therapist.

The Schroth method has recently gained more popularity in the US. As a result, method has built a strong reputation in the industry. It is known as a great way to successfully correct posture and halt curvature of the spine. The Schroth method was not readily available to Irina when she was dealing with her childhood scoliosis. Consequently, helping others with the Schroth Method became very appealing to her.

CLICK HERE for a detailed look into the history of the Schroth Method.

Irina specializes in the three-dimensional treatment of Scoliosis. The three dimensional approach to scoliosis deals with postural corrections to elongate the trunk and correct imbalances of the spine. The goal is to develop the inner muscles of the rib cage in order to change the shape of the upper trunk and to correct any spinal abnormalities.

Scoliosis affects 6-9 million Americans. The primary age of onset for scoliosis is 10-15 years old, occurring equally male and female. At Park Sports PT, we treat scoliosis using the Scroth Method. This specialized form of treatment has shown to greatly ease pain and improve current and potential quality of health for younger and older patients. Irina is part of our dedicated team of Park Sports Schroth specialists.

Contact us today to learn more.

Scoliosis Treatment: Schroth Method for 13 Year Old Female

The Schroth Method for Scoliosis

Scoliosis affects 6-9 million Americans. The primary age of onset for scoliosis is 10-15 years old, occurring equally male and female. At Park Sports PT, we treat scoliosis using the Scroth Method. This specialized form of treatment has shown to greatly ease pain and improve current and potential quality of health for younger and older patients.

One recent case here at Park Sports involved a 13 year old female named Kathy. Kathy was a highly energized, busy, and athletic young teen. She danced ballet, played lacrosse, and was a competitive swimmer. As is often the case, Kathy discovered she had scoliosis at a regular check up at her doctor’s office. As a result, her doctor monitored Kathy with x-rays every 6 months for a year. They determined that her spine displayed a curve progression over the 12 months. Kathy was also in pain and had to greatly reduce her activities.

Her Diagnosis.

The diagnosis Kathy received from her medical doctor was as follows:

Right Thoracic convexity with 11 degree Cobb angle
Left Lumbar convexity with 16 degree Cobb angle

Treatment at Park Sports PT.

Kathy and her family decided they wanted to pursue physical therapy. After researching Park Sports PT and visiting our clinics, Kathy began working with our Scroth Method specialist Dr. Kristin Romeo. One of the many aspects of Park Sports Kathy and her family liked was that Dr. Romeo is also an athlete and competitive soccer player and has a personal understanding as to how important body function and health is to athletic performance and everyday activity.

At the start of treatment, Dr. Romeo reviews all medical records pertaining to her patient’s scoliosis. She then performs her own examination, re-taking measurements and preparing her own evaluation. After Dr. Romeo performed these important tasks for Kathy, she designed a treatment plan and schedule.

Excellent results.

Kathy visited Park Sports PT 22 times over the course of three months. After these three months, Kathy was pain free and resumed her full slate of activities. In fact, her Left Lumbar convexity, which was 16 degrees when treatment began, was 11 degrees after three months. Kathy’s family purchased most of the Schroth equipment we used in her sessions at our clinic for home use to help Kathy continue her at-home plan.

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with Scoliosis, the Schroth Method might be a perfect solution for less pain and better future health. For more information on the Schroth Method, Park Sports PT, and a consultation, please visit us HERE. Park Sports PT is a Participating Member of the Hospital for Special Surgery Rehabilitation Network.

Treating Scoliosis with The Schroth Method

The Schroth Method for treating Scoliosis

Park Sports PT offer patients who have been diagnosed with Scoliosis a highly experienced team focused on the Schroth Method. This specialized form of treatment has shown to greatly ease pain and improve current and potential quality of health for younger and older patients.

We treat a wide variety of patients at Park Sports PT and one case involved an active 67 year old female named Abby. Abby was used to playing tennis three times a week and walking three miles per day. Pain from her scoliosis rendered these activities impossible. As a result, Abby tried conventional physical therapy on two separate occasions, both leaving her in more pain and desperate for a solution. Consequently, these events lead her to seek the Schroth Method from Park Sports PT.

Patient Profile: Abby, 67 Year old Female

Abby met with our Schroth Method specialist Dr. Kristin Romeo. At the time of her evaluation, Abby presented with a L lumbar convexity of 42 degrees. Because of this, she was experiencing sever pain in her lower back, both hips, and pain in her neck region. She was in agony and questioned whether she would ever play tennis or walk more than a few blocks unaided again.

After conducting a thorough examination and reviewing all of Abby’s medical records pertaining to her Scoliosis, Dr. Romeo created a customized program of treatment for Abby. They met two times a week for eight weeks. After these eight weeks, Abby started to feel better. For example, she began to walk lengthy distances, first one mile, then two miles, pain free. Dr. Romeo focused on postural changes, specific breathing techniques based upon Abby’s posture and altered the way Abby sat and performed routine physical activities. By meticulously strengthening soft tissue, Abby was able to redefine and re-strengthen her posture.

As of this article, Abby is planning a tennis weekend and is confident she will be pain free.

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with Scoliosis, the Schroth Method might be a perfect solution for less pain and better future health. For more information on the Schroth Method, Park Sports PT, and a consultation, please visit us here.

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What is the Schroth Method?

Written by Kristin Romeo, DPT
Edited by Alex Ariza

What is Scoliosis?

Scoliosis is a three-dimensional abnormal curvature of the spine. Everyone’s spine has a natural curvature to it, however, if that curvature progresses beyond a certain degree it can be classified as scoliosis. Scoliosis occurs equally among genders but girls seem to be more likely to have scoliosis that has progressed to a level that requires treatment. There are an array of health issues that can accompany scoliosis such as abnormal breathing patterns, visible prominences and poor posture due to muscular imbalances.

What causes Scoliosis?

Scoliosis X-Ray — *X-ray image of a person with Scoliosis. Original Image Source: https://www.orthobullets.com/spine/2053/adolescent-idiopathic-scoliosis*

There are several different types of scoliosis, however, the majority of scoliosis cases are idiopathic, meaning it has an unknown origin. Idiopathic scoliosis typically begins at a young age and becomes more pronounced during periods of rapid growth.

What are the symptoms of scoliosis?

Pain does not always accompany scoliosis. Scoliosis can present in a variety ways such as abnormal trunk lean, uneven rib cage/shoulders or even back pain. If you suspect scoliosis contact your primary care provider to address your concerns. Prior to Schroth treatment, an x-ray is needed as scoliosis can present differently externally due to overlying musculature and does not give us the full picture. Knowing the bony anatomy allows us to monitor your progress and tailor your treatment to your specific curvature.

What is the Schroth Method?

The Schroth Method is a conservative form of scoliosis treatment designed to target the flexible, postural component of scoliosis. The method was created in Germany in the 1920’s by Katharina Schroth as a way to treat her own scoliosis. Since then the method has made its way across the globe, only recently in the US. Scoliosis specific exercises are targeted specifically to each patient’s curvature through the use of five principles of correction. Subtle postural corrections, spinal distraction and isometric tension help to increase muscle activation and strength in a neutral spinal alignment.

What can I expect during a session of Schroth method physical therapy?

On your first visit, you will be fully evaluated. We will take a look at your posture, your muscular imbalances, address any goals or concerns you may have and take a variety of measurements. You will be sent home the first day with the beginnings of a home exercise program. During your follow-up treatment sessions, we will be utilizing a variety of equipment such as a Schroth wall ladder, physioball, rice bags and Therabands. You will learn about the five principles of correction (1. Auto-elongation (detorsion); 2. Deflection; 3. Derotation; 4. Rotational breathing; and 5. Stabilization) and how to implement them into your home exercise program. We will discuss safe ways to lift, sit and postural corrections to integrate into your daily routine.

Do you or your child suffer from Scoliosis or Kyphosis? We can help. Schedule your evaluation today.

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