''This is a follow-up article to my letter to SAUK No. 67 when I briefly related my success story in Spain with Dr Rigo and his team of dedicated physiotherapists. Over this past year I have done the exercises as he taught me for 30 minutes every day without fail and I believe this is a small price to pay for a strong, flexible, pain free back.''
Many SAUK readers have contacted me wishing to know more about the treatment and from their response it is clear that there is great interest in this method. I was very pleased that our progressive editors have published an article by Dr Weiss, head of the Schroth Klinik in Germany (SAUK No. 68) and to read the success story by Geoffrey and Anna Walker. It underlines the fact that there are alternative methods of treatment and it is good to know that SAUK is helping to keep us informed.
I revisited Dr Rigo's clinic this summer for a check-up and adjustment to my exercise regime. During my 1st session of rehabilitacion treatment (Summer 2002) I reduced my lateral deviation from 42mm to 21mm. When Dr Rigo re-measured me this Summer 2003 I was comfortably reassured to hear him say that my correction had been maintained and my hard work and diligence in doing the exercises had been repaid. (See Reduction Evidence for photos to substantiate these measurements.)
I believe that I am living proof that the Katharina Schroth method works and is a viable alternative for people wishing to avoid an operation.
No curve is too big or too small and no person too old to be treated successfully with rehabilitacion. For example I met at the clinic a woman who had a very severe curvature and who had been told her scoliosis was beyond being treated with an operation. Prior to her treatment with Dr Rigo she was unable to carry out simple day-to-day tasks, work or travel alone. Having received the treatment and by doing extensive exercises she is now able to lead a normal life, work, travel alone and is improving all the time. Last year I shared a class with a 28 yr old who had a severe lumbar curve and this improved noticeably after 4 weeks of intensive training. 18 adolescent girls and boys were also there for the 4-week course and they all showed significant improvement by the end of the course.
It must be emphasized that rehabilitacion requires discipline and self-motivation. There can be no lasting benefit without diligent regular practise. It can only help those who are prepared to help themselves. It was all very well my mother arranging to take me to the clinic but it would have been a complete waste of time, money and effort on everybody's part had I not put in my share of the work which involves getting up half an hour earlier to do my exercises. No one can make you do this and no one can do it for you. It has to come from your own desire to succeed.
I would love to hear from anyone who is interested in exploring alternative routes for treating scoliosis or who have success stories of their own.
Part III
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