MD TESTIMONIAL ABOUT SCHROTH THERAPY:
“Having  professional Schroth-trained therapists available to our nonoperative, preoperative and postoperative spinal deformity patients at the Och Spine Hospital has proven to be extremely beneficial.  Their ability to provide this unique and respected therapy has improved our patient's understanding of their spinal deformity, and provided a means to optimize their spinal alignment, truncal posture and core muscle strength which undoubtedly has improvesd their outcomes.  We are proud to have this specialized area of expertise available to our patients. Hagit is a terrific Schroth-based therapist”
 
                                                                          Lawrence G. Lenke, MD
                                                                          Surgeon-in-Chief
                                                                          The Daniel and Jane Och Spine Hospital, New York-Presbyterian
                                                                          Professor and Chief of Spinal Surgery
                                                                          Chief of Spinal Deformity Surgery
                                                                    Co-Director, Adult and Pediatric Comprehensive Spine Surgery Fellowship
                                                                          Columbia University Dept. of Orthopedic Surgery
                                                                          www.spinal-deformity-surgeon.com

"I feel very fortunate to have such a range of expertise in our Center for Conservative Care for Scoliosis.  Working with such a passionate and skilled group of physical therapists has taught me so much about the complexities in nonoperative treatment of children with scoliosis.  Our weekly meetings are a think tank where we explore issues ranging from best in class, "smart-braces" which respect 3 dimensional anatomy, to ways to foster patients' compliance with scoliosis specific physical therapy.  This collaboration has resulted in a robust research program, including efforts to develop a best practice guideline for conservative care of adolescent scoliosis.  This is really how multidisciplinary, family centric care should be."
                                                                                                           Michael Vitale, MD MPH 
                                                                                                           Director
​                                                                                                           Center for Conservative Care for Scoliosis
                                                                                                           Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital
                                                                                                           Columbia University Medical Center

Lourine, 71 Years old

In February 2019, a scoliosis doctor recommended spine surgery to keep my significant lumbar curve - 42 degree Cobb angle -  from progressing.  He said that surgery would probably bring down my chronic low back pain that ranged from 2-5 on a 10 point scale.  But at 71 years of age, I instinctively knew that
surgery was not a sure thing.

At that point, I heard about the Schroth method of physical therapy for the first time.  I learned that this evidence-based method has been used throughout the developed world for a 100 years to keep people off the operating table - except for America.  Crazy.  And by God’s grace,  I found Hagit!  She was
certifying people from all over the world in Schroth, and she had a private practice in NYC where I live.
I had ten foundational sessions with Hagit to learn the basics of a set of Schroth exercises tailored to my curvature.  She taught me about the basics about scoliosis and my curvature, rotations, etc.  She gave me exercises to do each day to build on our sessions, with videos of each session to guide me into proper form.  The first week my pain began to decrease!  And my body began over time to look different - less leaning to the left, for example - as I learned her very specific postural adjustments when I sit, stand and walk. The deep breathing that is a key part of Schroth I found calming, and a motivator to be as present in other areas of my life in a new way.  And with
Hagit’s precise coaching, my brain is beginning to integrate and retain the postural adjustments with less conscious effort.  I now check in with Hagit every couple of months to refine my exercises.  In addition, with the help of a Physical Therapist and Pilates instructor Hagit has trained, I am learning how to adjust other fitness/strengthening exercises to my spine’s needs.

In September 2019, my follow up x-ray showed not the 1-2 degree increase in curvature the doctor anticipated, but 1 degree straighter !  My pain level is now often at 0.  If I am not mindful of my postural adjustments, it will go up, but only to a 2 max.  The exhaustion I used to have with the chronic lower
back pain is totally gone.  In summary, I have my active life back. :)  I see Schroth as a life-long addition to my life, with the surgery option closed. I think Hagit’s work and my progress in less than a year is in “miracle" category, and I will be forever grateful to have Hagit in my life!  I should add that she has a most wonderful way of working with a client … she is very
rigorous and precise, extraordinarily knowledgable about her craft (she does research also at Columbia University’s Spine Center, a first class ‘wonk’!) but she is also gentle and kind.  That’s an unusual & and awesome combination in my
experience.

Lourine Clark, NYC, retired Executive Coach, October 2019

Alexa, 11 years old
A Note from Dani Froder (Alexa's Mother to Hagit)
I would like to express my gratitude and respect to Hagit Berdishevshy for her commitment and patience in helping me and my daughter deal with her scoliosis diagnosis.  She has consistently gone above and beyond in empowering my 11-year-old daughter to help herself by using the Schroth method, both technically and emotionally.  She has not only able to teach an 11-year-old the mechanics of the exercises but offers a level of energy, fun, compassion and support that has kept Alexa motivated to always strive for her best.  I truly believe that the combination of her WRC brace and her Schroth exercises will lead to a successful outcome!”

Kate, 16 years-old

A 16 y/o after 3 years of Schroth and Bracing for scoliosis  
Kate Salerno:  “Hagit has helped me come such a long way and showed me that I could make a difference in my spine. I could never repay her for what she has done for me both physically and mentally.”
Lauren Salerno (Kate’s mother):  “Hagit has created a transformation in my daughter both physically and emotionally. When diagnosed with scoliosis, my daughter was devastated, assuming surgery was her only option. Hagit showed us that with hard work, determination, and dedication to the Schroth Method of physical therapy, my daughter could make a change. She did just that, reducing her curve out of her brace by nearly 10 degrees.  I am forever grateful to Hagit for her encouragement and knowledge.”

Schroth for any age!

A 78 y/o after a year of Schroth and Bracing for Scheuermann  Kyphosis (round back)
Top Left (Before therapy): 78-years-old woman with sever round back 
Top Right (During therapy): Example of 3 Schroth therapy exercises to improved round back, degenerated spine and scoliosis
Bottom (middle): End Results as of 2015 – Improved posture/kyphosis by 22 degrees

Candice: 59 Year-old:
Candice a mother of 3 from NJ. Describes how she met Hagit and her journey for ultimate spinal health using the Schroth Method and with the expert help and encouragement from Hagit
Talia: Age 13     
"Hagit’s expertise in many areas including Schroth is unique and is rare."
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Dana and Richard K, Parents of Talia,

“A child does not experience Scoliosis alone; the entire family does. Hagit Berdishevsky’s Schroth method sessions for the treatment of Scoliosis have been life-changing and transforming for my daughter.  This conservative approach for the treatment of Scoliosis gets my highest recommendation and most importantly, it gave us an alternative way to approach things.  Ms. Berdishevsky not only helped my daughter greatly but our entire family.  She is a professional, intelligent and a diligent person who openly shares her knowledge to those in need of specialized physical therapy.  Additionally,  through our journey, we have met the best in the field and interestingly, there are fewer advanced level certified physical therapists than one would think. Hagit is one of the best not only through her focused knowledge bank, but because she is a trusted person who motivates her clients and gives them the confidence to succeed. Hagit’s expertise in many areas including Schroth is unique and is rare.

She has our back and that’s comforting!”
Phyllis Ackman, PhD: “I have only the highest praise for the work of Hagit Bardishevsky.  After many years of working with a number of highly trained and excellent physical therapists, I finally  got to Hagit through a former physical therapist who had  been present at one of Hagit’s presentations at HSS. She was so impressed with her scoliosis work that she called me and told me to get an appointment,  At that point, a year and a half ago, I was walking with a cane, was in pain most of the time and was having trouble sitting.  My work as a psychotherapist requires continual sitting.  It was crisis time for me.  After only a few months with Hagit and the Schroth method and strengthening exercises I began to feel and function very much better.  A year and a half later I am still working with her but as a fully mobile person.  My scoliosis is very much there, of course, but very manageable.”Besides her professional excellence, Hagit is a fine, sensitive and caring person.  Her company is a pleasure.
Katherine Bayer:  “As a 71-year-old woman with scoliosis, I am most fortunate and privileged to be working with Hagit Berdishevsky, an extraordinary therapist and Schroth specialist. Adding to her considerable knowledge and expertise is  her  intense passion, contagious enthusiasm and  devout belief in the  Schroth method - all of which dramatically   enhance her effectiveness. Hagit is, unquestionably,  a bright star and an outstanding asset to her profession. Also, not surprisingly, she’s a wonderful, caring, sensitive human being as well!”
Benita Somerfield: “Working with Hagit to control my 65 degree scoliosis has been the best physical therapy experience that I have ever had! After living for many years with an increasingly curved spine,and an increasing amount of pain, the Schroth Method used by Hagit has arrested further deterioration and I can stay pain free by doing these exercises on my own. She is an excellent therapist and I’m so grateful to have found her and the Schroth Method.”
Anita Soto:  “I am 41 years old and have had a bad back as long as I can remember. Most of my life I have had back pain. I have spent a fortune on massages, chiropractors and every other technique trying to find something to get me out of pain. The Schroth technique has changed my life and given me hope. I no longer have any pain plus there is a massive visible difference. I stand visibly straighter and other people have commented on this change. I am excited that these results will be seen on an X-ray. I cannot thank you enough, Hagit Berdishevsky, for all of your help. This has changed my life forever.” 
Barbara Olsen: “Caring, kind and wise beyond her years, Hagit taught my body a new consciousness!  She stabilized my curve as it entered the dangerous 40 degree zone.  Every year in PT updates with her, I learn new exercises that I can do at home, in the gym, sitting at my work desk, waiting for a bus, or even when taking a walk.  Her instructions echo in my head many times a day how to respect my back with better posture.  I can’t thank her enough for still taking these walks with me – helping my muscles learn their own memory.”   
Rose-Ann Weinstein:  “Hagit Berdishevsky has been my therapist for the last 2 1/2 yrs. She was recommended to me by my scoliosis doctor at HSS. Hagit introduced me to Schroth. Since my visits with her I realize how my muscles and spine have changed. I don’t think I could achieve this without her. Her intensity in teaching is like no other therapist I ever had. The technique is inside out (for me) concentrating on muscles/breathing and positioning. The muscles we use have never been activated! My posture, exercising and appearance have improved substantially, I know and others have remarked. Since I am 18 years old I was diagnosed with scoliosis/ kyphosis. I was a candidate for surgery but opted for therapy, pilates and exercise.  I am 56 today and lucky to have met Hagit. I practice the Schroth method every day and strongly advise anyone with scoliosis to do so with her.”
Carl Roodman: “I started working with Hagit over two and a half years ago, about five months before my first total knee replacement. I knew  it was imperative that I strengthen my leg muscles. After three months, I discovered definition in my quadriceps.  I was amazed. This preparation really paid off.  Eleven days after the operation, I climbed over 140 stairs at the rehab facility and was immediately sent home. Hagit is an encouraging, supportive and no nonsense therapist, who can be tough when the situation demands it.  She is very intuitive, extremely talented and a caring woman, and she devised exercises that improved my balance to a level that I never thought possible.  I will be 80 in six months and my future looks very rosy to me. ”