Albuquerque Women's Scoliosis Specialist
Reclaim Your Vitality
Take the first step toward better spinal health by booking a free 15 minute phone consultation with Dr. Karen Pettine, DPT.
Experience personalized, compassionate care designed to help you manage scoliosis and improve your quality of life.
Dr. Pettine is a leader in scoliosis treatment with advanced training in the Schroth Method, SEAS (Scientific Exercise Approach to Scoliosis). She also provides strength training for women with scoliosis and low bone density.
Discover how expert guidance can make a difference in your journey to a stronger, healthier spine.
TESTIMONIALS
Patients Share Their Stories
L.S.
"Karen was very knowledgeable and helped me with my scoliosis more than anyone I had encountered previously. A bright light in the field of spinal curvature therapy."
M.M.
"Being able to work with an expert on scoliosis is a new experience for me. In 28 years of struggling with my spine, no one has ever known much about it. After only one session with Karen a problem that I have had with my pelvic bone for two decades was alleviated."
P.B.
I've had back pain for years and it had begun to really limit my activities in the past year. I have a mild scoliosis and I've been losing some height over the years due to osteopenia of my spine... After two days of doing the exercises I had significant improvement in my back pain!
Comprehensive Scoliosis Solutions
Personalized care for women with scoliosis across the lifespan.
Physiotherapeutic Scoliosis-Specific Exercise (PSSE) is designed to manage and treat scoliosis, a condition characterized by a curvature of the spine.
This therapy utilizes tailored exercises and techniques, such as the Schroth Method and The Scientific Exercise Approach to Scoliosis (SEAS), to:
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Improve spinal alignment
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Increase core strength
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Reduce discomfort
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Prevent or slow the progression of the curve
By focusing on individualized care plans, PSSE helps patients enhance their posture, maintain spinal stability, and achieve better long-term outcomes.
PSSE is particularly beneficial for those seeking non-surgical management of scoliosis, offering a proactive way to live comfortably and confidently with scoliosis.
The Schroth Method is a highly effective, non-surgical treatment approach for scoliosis, focusing on customized exercises that aim to improve spinal alignment and stability.
Developed by Katharina Schroth, this method uses specific breathing techniques, postural corrections, and targeted muscle activation to reshape the spine's curvature. By addressing the unique needs of each individual, the Schroth Method helps reduce pain, enhance posture, and slow or halt the progression of scoliosis.
The Schroth Method can be applied to patients of all ages. This evidence-based therapy empowers individuals to manage their scoliosis and maintain a healthier, more balanced spine.
Dr. Pettine's strength training programs are designed for women with a diagnosis of scoliosis who also have or are at risk for low bone density. The key tenets of her strength training programs are:
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Postural recalibration
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Strengthening out of the curve pattern of scoliosis
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Safe movement for those with osteoporosis or osteopenia
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Education for activity modification and lifelong spine health
Participants will improve posture, strength, and overall confidence in managing their scoliosis and bone health, empowering them to live an active, balanced life.
ABOUT
Dr. Karen Pettine, DPT
Women's Scoliosis Specialist & Physical Therapist
Dr. Karen Pettine, PT, DPT, is a highly skilled physical therapist and scoliosis specialist known for her expertise in managing scoliosis across the lifespan. A native of New Mexico and fluent in both English and Spanish, Dr. Pettine earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. Her journey into scoliosis treatment began as a patient herself, where she first encountered the Schroth Method—a pivotal experience that ignited her passion for helping others manage scoliosis effectively.
Dr. Pettine is fully certified in the Schroth Method, having completed her BSPTS C1 and C2 certifications under the guidance of Dr. Hagit Berdishevsky in New York. In addition, she has obtained certification in SEAS (Scientific Exercise Approach to Scoliosis), further enhancing her expertise. Recognizing the need for comprehensive, long-term management strategies for scoliosis, she also provides strength training specifically for scoliosis, which focuses on lifelong scoliosis management and bone health through postural recalibration, core stabilization out of the curve pattern, and activity modification to relieve pain and prevent worsening of the curvature of the spine.
Her practice emphasizes a holistic approach, integrating advanced techniques such as dry needling and postural correction to promote optimal spinal health. Dr. Pettine is dedicated to working closely with her patients, helping them achieve lasting improvements in their spine health and overall well-being.