Explanation Scoliosis has seven major systems worldwide, but when each system is considered separately, it seems that they are not very efficient in addressing scoliosis. However, each system provides us with different insights. Today, I will briefly share the BSPTS system.
Founders: Elena Salvá (A), Dr. Gloria Quera-Salvá (B), Dr. Manuel Rigo (C)
Origin
The Barcelona BSPTS Scoliosis Correction Academy originated from the Scoliosis Research Institute, named after the Spanish physiotherapist Elena Salvá. In the 1960s, Ms. Salvá met Katharina Schroth and her daughter Christl Schroth in Germany, where they shared similar ideas and learned from each other.
Later, Ms. Salvá returned to Spain and established the institute in Barcelona under her name, starting to use the Schroth method to treat scoliosis patients in 1968. She passed on her advanced technical knowledge to her daughter and son-in-law. In the late 1980s, she studied at Katharina Schroth’s clinic, then returned to Spain to successfully treat scoliosis patients and founded the Barcelona Scoliosis Correction Academy, developing her own system.
System Philosophy
3D Correction Technique: Achieved through translation, rotation, and combined movements.
Expansion and Contraction Technique: Actively assisting the concave side to expand while correcting breathing with rotation and contracting the convex side.
Stabilization through Muscle Tension: After improving muscle balance, it promotes the shortening of muscles to eccentrically contract and the lengthening of muscles to concentrically contract to generate tension.
Integration: Patients should maintain a three-dimensional self-correcting posture while relaxing.
Rotational Angle Breathing (RAB) activates the iliopsoas, erector spinae, and quadratus lumborum muscles, aiding in stabilizing and maintaining rib expansion and the vertebrae’s anti-rotation state, improving limb flexibility and relieving tense muscles.
Movement References
The four commonly used methods in BSPTS therapy are supine exercises, side-lying exercises, prone exercises, and muscle cylinder exercises.
Supine Exercises:The Schroth supine training is suitable for patients with lumbar curvature as the main curve. The blue arrows represent the traction force extending the head upward and the tail downward. The green semicircle represents the expansion of the concave area. The blue arrows on the patient’s arms represent the isometric traction of both shoulders outward. During bilateral shoulder traction, the position of the arms and muscle activity can assist in active self-extension and prevent postural collapse. The red arrows represent the reverse traction force, pointing towards the neutral position of the spine.
Side-Lying Exercises: Schroth side-lying exercises for patients with lumbar curvature as the main curve (above) and thoracic curvature as the main curve (below). The patient lies on the side of the lumbar protrusion. The light blue arrows represent the direction of trunk extension. The green semicircle arrows represent the expansion of the concave area. The red arrows represent the area of muscle activity, with the protruding part contracting towards the midline to correct the abnormal protrusion. The dark blue arrows represent the traction force on the shoulders.
Prone Exercises: Schroth prone exercises, with the leg of the protruding side (left leg) abducted, using a footstool to support and elevate the pelvis. A foam roller supports the lower abdomen, raising the trunk during movement for stability. The blue arrows on the shoulders represent the traction of both shoulder joints. The light blue arrows represent the extension of the trunk towards the head and tail. The red arrows represent the area of activity of the force directed towards the midline of the trunk. The green semicircle represents the expansion area of the concave part.
Muscle Cylinder Exercises: An advanced exercise for muscle activation in an anti-gravity state. The entire exercise process includes many additional exercises, but their descriptions exceed the scope of this article. Other exercises related to BSPTS therapy include postural corrections in daily activities.
