Children's Hospital is part of the UPMC family.
Our Sites
Be safe anytime, anywhere.
To find a pediatrician or pediatric specialist, please call 412-692-7337 or search our directory.
A resource for our network of referring physicians.
For more information about research, please call our main office at 412-692-6438.
Ranked #8 Nationally by U.S. News & World Report.
Not long ago, physical therapy wasn’t standard care in treating children and teens with a spine deformity such as scoliosis or kyphosis.
Doctors mostly used surgery and bracing. They relied less on natural methods to correct spinal curvatures.
At the Spine Center at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, our physical therapists have training in the innovative Schroth therapy technique.
The Schroth method of physical therapy — designed in the 1920s — is standard in some countries in Europe for treating scoliosis. It only recently became popular again in the United States.
The Schroth method involves creating a specific exercise routine for each child, based on the curve in his or her spine.
Our physical therapists will teach your child each set of moves so he or she can do them at home.
The form of treatment helps:
When your spine curves unnaturally to one side, it disrupts the body's natural balance.
The muscles on one side of the spine will be under more stress, as they support more of the body's load. In response to this, the muscles on the other side of the back become weaker.
The weaker muscles stretch, while the stressed muscles tighten. These two factors together make it easier for the curve to worsen.
We tailor Schroth exercises to the needs of each child to help target the weaker muscles of the back.
As the weak muscles become stronger, they will naturally pull the spine toward its normal position.
Many of our patients who wear a brace as part of their treatment will also use this therapy.
To make an appointment, contact the Spine Center at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh at 412-692-5530.
Children's Hospital's main campus is located in the Lawrenceville neighborhood. Our main hospital address is:
UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh One Children’s Hospital Way 4401 Penn Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15224
In addition to the main hospital, Children's has many convenient locations in other neighborhoods throughout the greater Pittsburgh region.
With MyCHP, you can request appointments, review test results, and more.
For questions about a hospital bill call:
To pay your bill online, please visit UPMC's online bill payment system.
Interested in giving to Children's Hospital? Support the hospital by making a donation online, joining our Heroes in Healing monthly donor program, or visiting our site to learn about the other ways you can give back.