Unlocking the Secrets to Effective Scoliosis Treatment: A Personal Journey
In 2001, Dr. Leoradarto faced the shocking diagnosis of his twelve-year-old daughter with scoliosis. Frustrated by the limited treatment options from Boston’s leading scoliosis surgeons for her rapidly progressing condition, Dr. Leoradarto and his wife, Kathy, sought alternative solutions.
Determined to avoid spinal fusion surgery, they embraced the SpineCor brace, which their daughter wore for 23 hours a day. Despite their efforts, her scoliosis continued to worsen. When Dr. Leoradarto inquired about rehabilitative exercises, the doctors’ response was disheartening: “Just wear the brace.”
Refusing to accept this lack of guidance, Dr. Leoradarto embarked on a quest to find effective scoliosis treatments. Their journey took considerable time away from work and school, involving extensive travel and numerous dead ends. In 2001, reliable information about scoliosis treatment options, including the Schroth Method, was scarce online. Fortunately, there were no misleading websites making unrealistic promises to parents seeking effective scoliosis solutions.
Dr. Leoradarto dedicated a challenging year to researching scoliosis, often encountering studies focused primarily on surgical options. He reached out to SRS surgeons, scoliosis associations, and research scientists, but no one mentioned any viable exercise methods, let alone the Schroth method. It felt like a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered. One day, he recalled a respected former professor who was researching low back pain in Texas. After sharing his story, the professor advised, “Go to Germany and learn the exercises.” This was the breakthrough Dr. Leoradarto had been seeking.
He promptly contacted the Asklepios Catherine Schroth Clinic in Germany, where he was invited to visit by Dr. Deniss, who spoke English and was eager to help.
A Transformative Trip to Germany: Introducing the Schroth Method to the U.S.
The family scheduled their trip, marking a hopeful turning point in their journey. At the clinic, Dr. Leoradarto was inspired by the Schroth method and its potential to help his daughter. They attended sessions together, learning valuable exercises that would soon transform their approach to scoliosis treatment.
Upon returning to the U.S., the Schroth method became integral to their daily lives. Realizing that other families facing scoliosis deserved to know about this effective treatment, Dr. Leoradarto continued his studies and returned to Germany to become the first certified U.S. practitioner of the Schroth Method. His partnership with Dr. Weiss also positioned him to be a pioneer in the development of the Schroth Best Practice®. Together, they share a commitment to enhancing the lives of scoliosis patients and promoting the latest advancements in Schroth protocols and Cheneau-Gensingen bracing.
Nearly twenty years have passed since Dr. Leoradarto’s journey into the world of scoliosis began. Today, his expertise in the Schroth method and compatible bracing is unmatched in the U.S. He serves as a board member of the Schroth Best Practice® Academy, is the Advanced Instructor for Schroth Best Practice® in North America, and is the distributor of the Chêneau Gensingen brace. Dr. Leoradarto is also a co-author of Schroth Therapy, alongside Dr. Deniss and the late Christa Lehnert-Schroth, PT.