Five Days of Intensive Hands-On Training: These Rehabilitation Therapists Bring the Original German Schroth Method Back to China12
Source： News Center
2026-07-01
Five days of intensive professional learning, with valuable technical expertise gained! On June 30, 2026, the Hefei session of the German ISST (International Schroth Three-Dimensional Scoliosis Therapy) International Certification Course Part Ⅰ concluded successfully.
Over these five days, physiotherapists and rehabilitation practitioners from across the country gathered to systematically study this century-old conservative scoliosis treatment system.
This is not the first run of the course, yet every session witnesses deeper recognition of this method among participants.
01 What was covered in this course?
This Part I course was taught by Charlene Fan, ISST-certified instructor for China. Based on the original century-old German Schroth technical framework and aligned with the standardised international ISST clinical protocols, the course addresses real clinical challenges and fills the knowledge and skill gaps that many rehabilitation practitioners face in scoliosis correction.
Day 1｜Foundation Building: Introduction to Scoliosis Understanding and Assessment
Starting with the definition and classification of scoliosis, the content covers radiological assessment terminology, core concepts of the Schroth Method, treatment charts and positioning. The afternoon features the first hands-on practice – Shoulder Traction (ST), with learning through direct practice.
Day 2｜Core Techniques: Corrective Breathing and Physical Assessment
Focus on the relationship between corrective breathing and postural changes, pelvic correction, and psoas muscle coordination. Morning sessions cover theory, followed by hands-on physical assessment practice including Shoulder Counter-Traction (SCT) in the afternoon, and finishes with group case studies – to ensure proper application of the knowledge.
Day 3｜Advanced Hands-On Practice: Mobilisation Techniques & Home Exercise Programmes
Support grips and mobilisation techniques, side-lying and supine exercises, plus pelvic stabilisation techniques in practical sessions. A key focus is how to develop home exercise programmes, as the quality of patients’ daily home training directly determines long-term outcomes.
Day 4｜Integrated Application: From Individual Techniques to Complete Treatment Plans
Advanced seated and standing exercises with an emphasis on pelvic control. Afternoon group work focuses on designing home exercise programmes, integrating the separate techniques learned over previous days into complete treatment plans. Mastering individual techniques is not the goal; the goal is to integrate them into structured clinical programmes.
Day 5｜Assessment & Completion: Evidence Base & Integrated Clinical Practice
Review the scientific evidence base of the Schroth Method, followed by comprehensive hands-on practice. Participants present their treatment plans in groups with individual feedback from the instructor. The official certification is awarded at the end, completing the 5-day structured training journey.
Gain practical, expert clinical skills for immediate application
Five days of intensive training, with knowledge learned, applied and mastered.
Every participant who completes the ISST Part I course gains a complete conservative scoliosis treatment solution ready for direct clinical use, enabling immediate professional advancement and clinical application.
1）A systematic assessment method: Given an X‑ray image, you can accurately identify the scoliosis pattern, complete classification, and assess risk of progression. Instead of a vague visual judgment, you can precisely evaluate the Cobb angle, vertebral rotation, and sagittal plane imbalance.
2）A set of practical treatment techniques: including shoulder traction, counter‑traction, pelvic stabilisation and control, corrective breathing, and mobilisation with support grips. Every step follows clear clinical reasoning. No guesswork — the approach is evidence‑based, replicable and verifiable.
3）The ability to design individualised treatment plans – there is no universal exercise routine for scoliosis. Patients differ in curve pattern, age and disease progression stage, so treatment plans must be personalised. ISST teaches not a fixed set of exercises, but a clinical reasoning framework.
4）A starting point for international certification – The ISST programme represents the most complete and highly standardised version of the global Schroth system. Completion of the Module 1 certification confirms your competence to perform independent Schroth assessments and deliver basic Schroth therapy.
03 Why Are More and More Rehabilitation Therapists Choosing ISST?
There are seven major PSSE (Physiotherapeutic Scoliosis Specific Exercise) systems for conservative scoliosis treatment worldwide, including the German Schroth Method, Italy’s SEAS, Spain’s BSPTS, and France’s Lyon method.
Among these systems, the Schroth Method has the most robust research evidence and the widest clinical application.
Why?
First, A Century-Long Heritage & Complete System
Founded in 1920 by Katharina Schroth, the method was further developed by her daughter Christa Lehnert-Schroth into the "3D corrective" theory, and later globally standardised through the ISST Academy. Across three generations and nearly a century of clinical validation and iterative refinement, it has evolved into the most evidence-based and systematic 3D conservative scoliosis treatment framework available, with undisputed authority and professional credibility.
Second, Authentic Teaching & Pure Core Content
This course is taught directly by Charlene YL Fan, ISST-certified instructor for China. She has years of extensive clinical and teaching experience in spinal rehabilitation, holds multiple provincial research projects, and has contributed to international scoliosis textbooks. She deeply understands the real clinical challenges in China. The entire curriculum strictly follows the original German ISST framework without omissions or modifications, delivering authentic ISST techniques in their original form.
Third, 3D Clinical Thinking, Not 2D Postural Correction
Most posture training only focuses on left-right symmetry or sagittal curvature. However, scoliosis is essentially a three-dimensional deformity: lateral curvature, vertebral rotation, and sagittal plane imbalance. The core of ISST is three-dimensional intervention, addressing the coronal, sagittal and transverse planes simultaneously.
Fourth, Precise Classification & Individualised Treatment Plans
ISST uses the unique 3-curve and 4-curve classification system, which accurately categorises over 90% of scoliosis cases, with specific training protocols for each curve pattern. Instead of a one-size-fits-all routine, treatment is tailored according to curve classification.
Fifth, Treat the Whole Person, Not Just the Spine
ISST focuses on far more than corrective exercises alone. It includes daily posture management (ADL correction), home exercise programmes, bracing coordination, and psychological support — forming a full 24-hour integrated management framework.
That is why a growing number of rehabilitation therapists choose ISST as their top priority when pursuing professional specialisation in scoliosis management.
Participant Feedback
Upcoming Course Announcement
Module 1 builds the foundation: assessment, curve classification, basic correction techniques and corrective breathing training.
ISST Module 2 is an advanced follow-up course that directly builds upon the content of Module 1. It is an essential step for rehabilitation practitioners to move beyond foundational skills and develop advanced clinical expertise.
Going beyond basic manipulations, this course focuses on management strategies for complex curve patterns, advanced hands-on techniques and systematic clinical reasoning, helping practitioners break through clinical treatment bottlenecks comprehensively.
ISST Module 2 will run from September 20 to 24. See you for Part Ⅱ!
Additional ISST courses are open for enrolment. The combined two-module package is priced at 20,000 RMB per person. This all-in-one programme covers the full authentic German Schroth curriculum, including foundational training and advanced skill development, enabling you to master the complete workflow of conservative scoliosis treatment.
Spots are limited, so please register early. We look forward to joining more rehabilitation professionals to deepen specialisation and enhance clinical expertise. Together, we can deliver professional, evidence-based conservative treatment solutions for more scoliosis patients using the authentic ISST method.