This week, I met with a new patient who came into our clinic for back pain related to scoliosis. During her discovery visit, she shared a story I hear several times each week.
She explained that she had tried many treatments over the years — including pain management, chiropractic care, and physical therapy. While some provided short-term relief, the pain always returned. Eventually, she found herself asking a question that so many people ask:
“Is there anything that will actually help?”
If you’ve ever asked yourself that same question, you’re not alone.
“How Are You Different From Other Physical Therapists?”
This question comes up often, and before answering it, I want to be very clear about something.
Over the past 14 years of treating patients in St. George, I’ve worked alongside chiropractors and physical therapists throughout our community. Many of them are friends and colleagues whom I respect deeply. We all play an important role in helping people feel better.
That said, Align Therapy St. George is different — and we take pride in that difference.
How We’re Similar to Other Providers
Whether you’re seeing a chiropractor or a physical therapist, the goal is the same:
- Reduce pain
- Improve movement
- Help you return to daily activities
We all have training in how the body functions and heals.
Returning to the patient I saw this week — she did nothing wrong by seeking care from providers she trusted. When pain interferes with life, we naturally turn to professionals we’re familiar with.
Where Align Therapy Is Different: Specialization Matters
Where Align Therapy stands apart is what we specialize in.
We focus almost exclusively on treating individuals with scoliosis and TMJ pain. In fact, we are the only physical therapy clinic between San Bernardino, California and Lehi, Utah that dedicates every day, all day, to caring for children, teenagers, and adults with scoliosis.
More than 90% of our patients come to us specifically for scoliosis or TMJ-related concerns.
Why General Physical Therapy Often Doesn’t Help Scoliosis
Scoliosis is not a condition that responds well to general physical therapy for back pain.
Early in my career, I tried treating scoliosis that way — and it didn’t work. This is likely one reason many people are told that “physical therapy doesn’t help scoliosis.”
What’s often missing from that statement is an important distinction:
👉 General physical therapy and scoliosis-specific physical therapy are not the same thing.
Scoliosis involves:
- Three-dimensional spinal changes
- Muscle imbalances
- Altered posture and breathing patterns
- Compensations throughout the entire body
If these specific factors aren’t addressed, meaningful improvement is limited.
The Schroth Method and Scoliosis-Specific Exercises (PSSE)
The primary non-surgical treatment approach for scoliosis is the Schroth Method.
Developed in Germany in the 1920s by physical therapist Katharina Schroth, this method has evolved over decades and is now commonly referred to as:
- Physiotherapeutic Scoliosis-Specific Exercises (PSSE)
- Scoliosis-Specific Exercises (SSE)
These approaches are supported by research and used worldwide by clinicians who specialize in scoliosis care.
How We Treat Scoliosis at Align Therapy
At Align Therapy St. George, our therapists are extensively trained in PSSE. This training includes:
- Many hours of specialized coursework
- Hands-on instruction
- Formal examinations
Through this training, we learn how to:
- Activate the correct spinal muscles
- Use targeted breathing techniques
- Address the entire spine and full-body posture
- Tailor treatment to each individual’s unique curve pattern
This is not a one-size-fits-all approach — and that’s exactly why it works.
A Patient’s Experience After One Visit
After her first visit, the patient I mentioned earlier sent me an email. With her permission, I’d like to share part of what she wrote:
“Thank you so much for what you do! I went into this with cautious optimism, especially after all of my previous failed chiropractic and physical therapy — not that they didn’t help me — but the specific exercises and treatment today made a huge difference.
After my appointment, I went grocery shopping and was surprised that even after one visit, my back seemed to be working with my hips. I felt like I was walking normally for the first time in over a year — even after nerve ablations a year ago.”
There Is Still Hope
As humans, we don’t want to be told that nothing else can help. Deep down, we want to believe improvement is still possible.
At Align Therapy, we take pride in being the clinic that offers hope grounded in research, specialization, and real-world results. We use treatment methods that are supported by evidence and validated every day by the patients we serve.
Southern Utah’s Scoliosis Specialty Clinic
We are proud to be the scoliosis clinic for Southern Utah and Southern Nevada.
If you or your child has scoliosis and you’re unsure whether physical therapy can help, we’d be happy to answer your questions and talk through your options.
📞 Call us at 435.222.0207 to learn more.
