Course Description:

BSPTS Program Purpose
The BSPTS program teaches 3-D scoliosis treatment according to the principles of Katharina and
Christa Lehnert Schroth that began in Germany in the 1920’s. The Institut Elena Salvá in
Barcelona offered Schroth’ course for physiotherapists from 1989 to 2008. The principles have
been further developed by Dr. Manuel Rigo and the staff of the Institute of Elena Salvá and are
now offered in courses through BSPTS.
The treatment is based on sensory-motor and kinesthetic principles. Goals of treatment are to
facilitate correction of the altered posture, and teach the patient to maintain the corrected
posture in daily living activities in order to minimize scoliosis progression and further spinal
deformity. In this course, therapists are trained to treat patients on a 1:1 basis. With
experience and additional training, therapists may advance to treating in groups or using
intensive programs. This technique has been used in Europe for decades and has been
available in the United States since 2003.
Course Objectives
1. Understand multidisciplinary approach to conservative management of scoliosis
2. Perform an individualized scoliosis patient clinical evaluation
3. Understand radiological variables in scoliosis assessment and classification
4. Identify scoliosis patients appropriate for conservative management
5. Develop specific treatment plans and goals based on the patient presentation
6. Treat patients with basic 3-D principles of correction according to Schroth principles
7. Treat in 5 basic starting positions (supine, prone, side-lying, sitting and standing) as well
as in some specific starting positions according to the curve pattern
8. Teach joint protection and proper ADL principles for patients with scoliosis
9. Understand the different way to apply Schroth principles according to age and patient
condition: Adolescents, adults, and adults with painful degenerative scoliosis.
10. Understand Chéneau-RSC bracing principles
C2 Course Content
The C-2 course is a hands-on course covering the specific PT exercises to treat adolescents and
adults diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis according to the Barcelona Scoliosis Physical Therapy
School (BSPTS) following Schroth principles. Participants will be observed, supervised and
evaluated while providing specific treatment to patients with different curve patterns according
to the principles and methods learned during the C1 course. Patient evaluation and principles
of correction for the different curve patterns are also reviewed during this present C2 course.
There will also be a presentation on brace principles according to Chêneau-RSC principles.
There will be a final evaluation based the ability of the participant to apply the different
principles including:
1) Patient evaluation and classification;
2) Selection of a proper exercises program according to individual indications;
3) Starting position for the exercises;
4) Passive corrections;
5) Oral instructions and manual indications and techniques to help the patient to reach the
best active correction;
6) Corrective breathing techniques;
7) Stabilization and muscle activation techniques