Dr. Moramarco immersed himself in the study of alternative treatments for scoliosis in 2001, after diagnosing his twelve-year-old daughter with rapid onset scoliosis. (He also has scoliosis). The orthopedic physicians initially consulted prescribed a brace and instructed her to wear it twenty-three hours per day. Although compliant, the results were disappointing and wearing the brace dimmed her usually bright, spirited personality. Dismayed, Dr. Moramarco immediately began a search for a non-surgical, conservative alternative for the treatment of scoliosis. Among the many experts he contacted was Dr. Hans-Rudolf Weiss, former director of the Asklepios Katharina Schroth Clinic, in Bad Sobernheim, Germany. Dr. Weiss is the grandson of Katharina Schroth, the founder of the Schroth method, and the author of numerous papers and texts on the conservative care of scoliosis. At Dr. Weiss’ recommendation he also called Dr. Martha Hawes, a pioneer in the area of conservative management of scoliosis and, at the time, soon-to-be author of “Scoliosis and the Human Spine”. The two began exchanging experiences and ideas and Dr. Moramarco arranged a visit to meet Dr. Hawes soon after. He then made plans to visit the German clinic, in the spring of 2002, to learn more about the Schroth method and consult with Dr. Weiss.
Upon returning home from Germany, father and daughter began practicing the Schroth physical therapy exercises daily, as instructor and patient. They were able to reduce one curve while successfully halting the progression of the other - without bracing.*
All the while, Dr. Moramarco continued his study of the Schroth Method. In 2005 he traveled to Wisconsin to study with Dr. Manuel Rigo of Barcelona, Spain, another esteemed expert in the Schroth method. Then in 2007, Dr. Moramarco returned to Germany to earn his certification in the Schroth method and “Best Practice” protocols, becoming the first U.S. based physician to be certified there under the direction of Dr. Weiss and the skilled and experienced clinicians of that facility.
Dr. Moramarco has been treating scoliosis regularly in his clinic, north of Boston, since gaining certification in this conservative approach to scoliosis. He continues to be inspired and encouraged, on a daily basis, by the results scoliosis patients achieve via the Schroth and ‘Best Practice’ techniques. Dr. Moramarco is dedicated to teaching these valuable techniques to scoliosis patients in the U.S. and showing them the German way of managing scoliosis, proactively, to empower and improve quality of life. He recently returned from his third trip to the German scoliosis clinic where he conferred with Dr. Weiss and attended additional training sessions to further refine his skills and knowledge of the Schroth method.
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*Dr. Moramarco’s daughter is now a thriving young adult. She went on to play varsity athletics in high school, including four years of ice hockey and three years of field hockey. After high school she played varsity field hockey in a Division I program. Dr. Moramarco attributes her ability to play entire seventy minute games, in spite of her scoliosis, to the pulmonary benefits acquired from performing the Schroth exercises.
