Headline: Schroth therapy worked for me!…read more
The 2 Rachels and the Katie of Clay Scoliosis Clinic spent 2 months easing my back into a different shape. Yes, I mean my back, not only my spine. My back looks different now.
This woman-owned business is the only Schroth therapy office in St. Louis. I'm not sure how much of this review should be for the clinic vs. the therapy style. I'll try to keep this balanced and topical.
My curve: My curve is moderate; it is S-shaped, though it's a subtle S.
My origin story: I've had a tightness, a burning, in my shoulders and neck for decades. I have migraines. For years medical professionals and well-intentioned laypersons told me my pain would improve with "better posture." I tried. Chiropractors, acupressure, massages, yoga, meditation, and good solid effort would make me feel better temporarily. For years I wondered why one side of my torso had more height and why it is so tense despite my having removed most stressors from my life. I had moderate pain in my mid-back for a few years. I started having more intense pain and then spasms in 2023. Turns out scoliosis has been behind my health issues! I was formally diagnosed with moderate scoliosis about a year ago. A hospital PT employee suggested I try Schroth @ Clay Scoliosis.
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What I learned:
1. How curvy I am and what that means: Rachel Clay, the clinic owner, did a thorough assessment and review of my x-rays. She measured my Cobb angles as a little bigger than the spine doctor did a few months earlier: 20 and 16 degrees, I think.
2. How to decrease the curve: I learned how to unwind, lengthen, and encourage my spine to be more balanced. What I said about posture above--we can't just "change our posture" that much. Rachel drew on a white board to show me what's going on in there. She taught me how to sit, stand, and even breathe in a Schroth way. This started with learning work certain muscles differently than I'd ever thought. Now I breathe in a way that counters my curve. (No, each breath I take is not a Schroth breath, but more breaths are than the exercises call for. Just habit!)
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How I improved: My shoulders were noticeably uneven when I started therapy. The height was off by well over an inch. Was it 2 inches? More? I don't know. My shoulders are even now! They are even when I stand up, when I walk, etc. But I didn't care about the aesthetics. I cared about how much pain I was in. It's a lot better now. They measured great improvement. I may have another x-ray taken in the future because I like data.
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Other stuff...
The staff is great: I saw Rachel Clay for my assessment, Rachel Webster for most of my therapy sessions, and Katie for one of my therapy sessions. All of the staff were so nice and accommodating when I needed to change appointments due to illness. I miss Rachel W. so much!! We got to be buddies!
The cost: It isn't covered by my insurance, but I used my flex spending card to save. Items like weights, wedges, and other therapy needs, most of which you can get at 5 Below or online, are extra. The therapists make suggestions on substitutes for these things that you may have around the house. I'm getting a lot of use out of everything. Nothing cost more than $10!
Waiting: This is the only Schroth therapy in StL. I had to wait a few weeks to for an opening (when someone concludes therapy). I got in sooner by taking a mid-morning timeslot.
Make time and do your homework: I waited until I had time for Schroth. The appointments are an hour per week for 6-12 weeks. I think mine was 8 weeks. You'll do the same day and time each week, but if you have a conflict, they can accommodate you with a different day and time. Building the habit of doing the exercises may be the hard part. Don't start the therapy until you can prioritize it.
The exercises don't hurt: Some exercises seem weird at first. Some are difficult to learn. None hurt. Some I like! Those core exercises, though... they don't hurt, but I feel them. After you are taught each exercise, you are filmed as they verbally take you through it; they share it with you on the app so you have a perfect reference as you do these at home. (Oh, and it's a good app and not a dumb app... I find most apps irritating.)
Schroth and scoliosis continue: You keep doing the therapy after it's over. I do some exercises 2-3 days/week, some 4-5 days/week, and a couple daily. This takes anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes/day. I still have pain sometimes; I still have scoliosis. But it's so much better. And I usually feel good unless I start slacking.
The staff is there for you after: You can return for one-off sessions after therapy concludes: You can have them check your form and make new suggestions in sessions of half an hour or an hour. You can message them through the app indefinitely. You can stop by for an spare set of wedges in case you have a habit of leaving yours somewhere when you travel.
I've reached my word count ok bye!
