The approach we use to help individuals with scoliosis is the BSPTS-Concept by Rigo
The Barcelona Scoliosis Physical Therapy School (BSPTS) is a school created to offer education to Physiotherapists in treating patients with scoliosis and other spinal disorders, according to the general principles of the so called Physiotherapy Scoliosis Specific Exercises–PSSE (SOSORT Guidelines).
The Barcelona School was founded by Elena Salvá, a Catalan Physiotherapist, who introduced the German ‘Schroth Method’ to Barcelona during the 1960’s.
Thus, BSPTS, was initially inspired and based on the original physiotherapy method created by Katharina Schroth in 1921.
The Schroth method became popular in Germany through Katharina’s daughter, Christa Lehnert-Schroth. Elena Salvá learned from both women before bringing the method to Barcelona.
In the late 1980’s, Dr Manuel Rigo and his wife, Dr. Gloria Quera Salvá (Elena’s daughter), started educating Spanish Physiotherapists in accordance with Lehnert-Schroth and Dr H.R. Weiss methodology (Christa’s son). The BSPTS was certifying physiotherapists, both nationally and internationally, under the name of Schroth until the end of 2008.
Since then, three different branches emerged, the ISST from A.M. Hennes; Best Practice, From Dr. H-R-Weiss; and the BSPTS-Concept by Rigo. These three branches are based, in some way, on the original Schroth method, but nowadays, they can be considered relevantly different, conceptually as well as technically.
The general objectives of the physiotherapy certification are the following:
General Objectives of the BSPTS-Concept by Rigo certification course:
- Give the physiotherapist specific information and knowledge about scoliosis (assessment, natural history, prognosis and treatment) to become a qualified member of a multidisciplinary team according to SOSORT Guidelines.
- Encourage thinking and critical/constructive reasoning when facing the different theories on the causes and development of scoliosis, the assessment systems and the treatment strategies, mainly non-surgical (Rehabilitation and Bracing).