Dedicated to the education of physical therapy professionals for safe and effective treatment of scoliosis.
Although scoliosis is often described as lateral curvature of the spine, it is now recognized and generally accepted to be a three-dimensional, asymmetrical spinal dysfunction.
Rehabilitation for scoliosis goes back to the time of Hippocrates who first described scoliosis and recommended treatment. Many methods for curve balancing and reduction have been tried since then, including use of various mechanical devices, exercises and bracing.
In the 1920’s in Germany, Katherina Schroth and later her daughter, Krista Schroth-Lehnert, significantly advanced rehabilitation for scoliosis. Their work emphasized not only comprehensive musculoskeletal rebalancing, but a strong recognition of the vital role of the respiratory and neurological systems. Their work also inspired the development of other scoliosis specific rehabilitation techniques across Europe. In 2004, the international Society on Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment (SOSORT) was created to support and research conservative treatment options for people with scoliosis.
Here in the US, there was minimal awareness of these global developments until the mid 2000’s. However, Ron Hruska, PT and Founder of the Postural Restoration Institute©, was at work during the 1990’s envisioning a tri-planar, asymmetrical, biomechanical framework of human function driven by the nervous and respiratory systems.
Our interest in treatment of biomechanical dysfunction using 3D asymmetric principles began in the early 2000’s. It was through the Postural Restoration framework that we began seeing the efficacy of treating the body as an integrated whole with a strong appreciation for the powerful influences exerted by the neurological and respiratory systems. This perspective and these techniques were transformative for many patients with various diagnoses, including patients with scoliosis. We became increasingly interested in this population because of the tri-planar, asymmetrical nature of scoliosis.
In 2013, we enrolled in the Barcelona Scoliosis Physical Therapy School (BSPTS) certification program, to enhance our skills with this population. We were struck by the congruency of these two Methodologies: Schroth and Postural Restoration, developed independently in far corners of the world. This experience and our follow up work in the advanced BSPTS C2 course helped us refine specific techniques for working with people with scoliosis. Attendance at multiple SOSORT conferences has continued to widen and deepen our understanding.
In 2017, we were invited to write a peer reviewed chapter for the INTECH book, “Innovations in Spinal Dysfunction and Postural Disorders”. In that chapter we describe the comprehensive, integrated framework of Postural Restoration for working with scoliosis and other spinal dysfunctions. We also lecture about scoliosis at the yearly Advanced Integration course hosted by the Postural Restoration Institute.
This course was created because of the many patients who have come to us following unsuccessful physical therapy interventions elsewhere. It is in the interest of our patients that a basic understanding of 3D asymmetry and how to translate that understanding into treatment is made available for any therapists working with this population. This is an introductory course. We encourage all to further your knowledge and skills by taking other courses offered by the Postural Restoration Institute or by other physical therapy scoliosis specific rehabilitation techniques.
Our Instructors
Susan Henning
Susan Henning is the co-owner of Advance Physical Therapy in Chapel Hill – a practice that specializes in scoliosis, spine deformity and Postural Restoration.
Susan Henning
Hear Susan Speak
Susan graduated from NYU with a BA in Physical Therapy in 1986. She worked in major medical centers in New York, then in California. Neurological rehabilitation was an early interest and taught her to respect and appreciate our complex nervous system.
In the 1990’s, she began exploration of orthopaedic manual based PT approaches including Paris, Maitland, Mulligan and Jackson.
After relocating to North Carolina with her husband and then, young son, she opened a small private practice which evolved into today’s Advance Physical Therapy in Chapel Hill.
In 2002, Susan was introduced to the extraordinary work of Ron Hruska, MPA, PT, founder of the Postural Restoration Institute©. She was immediately drawn to its holistic, biomechanically based concepts incorporating respiratory considerations and neurological re-patterning into its powerful therapeutic techniques. This influence precipitated a paradigm shift in her understanding and treatment of dysfunction. Susan became a certified Postural Restoration therapist in 2008.
Her passion for working with human asymmetry, respiration and movement developed into an interest in the treatment of scoliosis. Pursuing greater focus on this dysfunction, she studied the Schroth Method as taught by the Barcelona Scoliosis Physical Therapy School and was certified at the advanced C2 level in 2014. Susan has found the blending of the Postural Restoration framework and the Schroth Method to be highly effective.
Also in 2014, Susan was honored to become a member of SOSORT, the international Society On Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment. She is one of a handful of American physical therapists with this designation, and has attended multiple international SOSORT conferences.
Susan has lectured on the similarities between Postural Restoration and the Schroth Method. She co-authored a peer reviewed chapter entitled: Postural Restoration: A Tri-Planar Asymmetrical Framework for Understanding, Assessing and Treating Scoliosis and Other Spinal Dysfunctions in the book, “Innovations in Spinal Deformities and Postural Disorders”.
She has lectured on treatment concepts for scoliosis at the Advanced Integration course offered by the Postural Restoration Institute©. She is a founding member of and an instructor for the STRATER Scoliosis Institute.
Lisa Mangino
Lisa Mangino is a pediatric physical therapist who has worked at a private outpatient practice, Advance Physical Therapy in Chapel Hill, NC, including Early Intervention in the natural environment since 2014.
Lisa Mangino
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Lisa Mangino is a pediatric physical therapist who has worked at a private outpatient physical therapy practice, Advance Physical Therapy in Chapel Hill, NC, including Early Intervention in the natural environment, since 2014. Other work experience includes pediatric inpatient, outpatient and home health PT at Duke University Medical Center for 15 years prior. She holds a transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from Duke University, earned in 2000, and a MS degree in PT in 1999.
She received her Certification in Neuro Developmental Treatment for pediatrics (C/NDT) in 2009. She was board certified in pediatric PT (PCS) by the APTA in 2011. She holds the advanced certification in Schroth RigoTreatment for Scoliosis (SBC-C2) from 2014. Lisa is a member of the Postural Restoration Institute® (PRI) Faculty and has co-created two continuing education courses examining the application of PRI science to a pediatric population. The current course course, “HUMAN EVOLUTION: An Integrated Approach to Optimizing Functional Development and Upright Growth” was created with the institute’s founder, Ron Hruska, MPA, PT.
Lisa is a contributing author for the chapter “Postural Restoration: A Tri-Planar Asymmetrical Framework for Understanding, Assessing, and Treating Scoliosis and Other Spinal Dysfunctions” in the book Innovations in Spinal Deformities and Postural Disorders, published in 2017 (download a chapter here).
She is a co-founding member, content creator and instructor for the STRATER Scoliosis Institute TM (SSI). Lisa taught a summer selective course to High Point University’s PT school on the methodology of Postural Restoration Institute® in 2021. She has given multiple guest lectures at Duke University PT school throughout the years.
Lisa enjoys gardening and landscaping, running with her dog, Enzo, creating pottery, dabbling in piano and guitar playing, volunteering with Special Olympics and spending time with family and friends.
Jean Masse
Jean Masse is the co-owner of Advance Physical Therapy in Chapel Hill – a practice that specializes in scoliosis, spine deformity and Postural Restoration.
Jean Masse
Hear Jean Speak
Jean Masse is the co-owner of Advance Physical Therapy in Chapel Hill – a practice that specializes in scoliosis, spine deformity and Postural Restoration. Jean received her BS degree in Physical Therapy from SUNY Stony Brook in 1991, then a Masters Degree in a dual program of Human Movement Science and Athletic Training from UNC Chapel Hill in 1996.
Jean is a nationally recognized Orthopaedic Certified Specialist through the American Physical Therapy Association since 1999.
To gain greater understanding about why some patients struggle with persistent pain, Jean returned to UNC Chapel Hill in 2008 where she earned a Doctoral Degree in Physical Therapy, focusing in chronic pain management. This led directly to an opportunity to serve as adjunct faculty at UNC Chapel Hill in the Physical Therapy Department, in addition to her ongoing work with patients at Advance Physical Therapy. Jean continues to be a regular speaker at UNC Chapel Hill Department of Physical Therapy on the subject of scoliosis and chronic pain.
During this time, the world of Postural Restoration unfolded as a powerful resource and remedy for both spine deformity and chronic pain. Jean completed many years of training to attain her Postural Restoration Certification (PRC) in December of 2013.
Also in 2013, Jean combined the tri-planar Postural Restoration approach with a complimentary, Schroth-based approach to specifically address the tri-planar condition of scoliosis. Jean obtained advanced (C1 and C2) certification in Schroth-based scoliosis rehabilitation as taught by the Barcelona Scoliosis Physical Therapy School (BSPTS).
Jean is a contributing author for the chapter “Postural Restoration: A Tri-Planar Asymmetrical Framework for Understanding, Assessing, and Treating Scoliosis and Other Spinal Dysfunctions” in the book Innovations in Spinal Deformities and Postural Disorders, published in 2017. (link to free chapter download:
She is a founding member and instructor of the STRATER Scoliosis Institute, and co-creator of the Level One STRATER continuing education course: A 3-Dimensional Approach for the Conservative Treatment of Scoliosis.
Jean Masse blends her passion for education, human movement and function with patience, knowledge and consideration of each patient as an individual.
Molly Miller
Molly Miller has worked at Advance Physical Therapy, a Postural Restoration Certified clinic, located in Chapel Hill, NC since 2018. She received her Doctor of Physical Therapy from UNC Chapel Hill in 2017 and holds bachelor’s degrees in both Psychology and Exercise and Sport Science.
Molly Miller
In her first two years of practice, Molly completed Basic and Advanced training in utilizing scoliosis specific exercise from the Schroth Barcelona Institute. She also gained her Postural Restoration Certification (PRC) from the Postural Restoration Institute (PRI) in 2020.
Molly now specializes in treating patients with curvature of the spine, blending these approaches for conservative treatment of spinal asymmetry. Molly initially became interested in the treatment of spinal alignment after having to wear a back brace for a diagnosis of spondylolysis while in middle school. Through physical therapy exercises, she was able to navigate school and sports pain-free. Molly’s personal and professional experience inspired her passion for spreading awareness about the power of conservative treatment, and she was excited to join the STRATER team in 2019.
Molly whole-heartedly enjoys the challenges and rewards that come from treating patients with scoliosis, and strives to reduce curve angles, improve posture, eliminate pain, and empower patients to develop life-long practices to protect spinal health.
