Sanja Schreiber Ph.D.

Sanja Schreiber

Sanja Schreiber Ph.D.

International Schroth Instructor

Phone: +1 780-619-8603
Company: Curvy Spine
Address: 10041 81 AVE NW, Edmonton AB, Canada

Biosketch

Sanja devoted much of her life to treating children and adults with spinal deformities. She became a certified Schroth scoliosis therapist in 2008 after being trained at the “Asklepios – Katharina Schroth Klinik” for spinal deformities in Bad Sobernheim, Germany, where she specialized in treating children with idiopathic scoliosis. Subsequently, she received her MSc in Sports Medicine and Kinesitherapy in 2009 from the University of Novi Sad in Serbia.

Based on observed benefits of the Schroth method for scoliosis, she decided to pursue a PhD in Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Alberta to systematically study the effects of the Schroth therapy. As the first Schroth scoliosis therapist in Western Canada in 2009, Dr. Schreiber’s objective was to test the effect of the Schroth exercises on curve severity, quality of life, perceived body image and back muscle endurance in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis. She defended her PhD thesis in August 2014. Dr. Schreiber’s work provided important evidence about the effectiveness of the Schroth exercises for adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis that could have a big impact on treatment guidelines in North America, where exercise treatment is not a part of standard care. During her graduate career, Sanja received several academic awards. Her research was supported by a local grant awarded by the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation, as well as an international grant awarded by the Scoliosis Research Society, whose recommendations directly influence the North American health care system for scoliosis. Dr. Schreiber’s research attracted public interest, and was mentioned in The New York Times.

Sanja is excited to continue to work on improving health and quality of life in children and adults with scoliosis both clinically and through research. Sanja is working towards becoming an International Schroth Instructor, and will soon be able to train other therapists in the method.

Education

  • Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Paediatrics – Alberta Research Centre for Health Evidence (ARCHE), U of Alberta, 2015 – 2016
  • Ph.D., Rehabilitation Science, U of Alberta, 2014
  • M.Sc., Sport Med. & Kinesitherapy, U of Novi Sad, 2009
  • Certified Schroth scoliosis therapist, Asklepios Katharina Schroth Klinik, Germany, 2008
  • B.Sc., Phys Ed. – Graduated Kinesitherapist, U of Novi Sad, 2005

Research

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a progressive three-dimensional deformity of the spine of unknown cause that occurs during the puberty. The prevalence in the general adolescent population is 2-3% and the annual incidence about 2%. The severity of scoliosis is monitored using the Cobb angle, which reflects the spinal curvature in the frontal plane, to inform treatment decisions. Scoliosis leads to decreased self-esteem, mental health concerns, pain, respiratory complications and limited function. North American standard of care for growing patients with AIS includes observation (curves between 10° to 25°), bracing (curves between 25° to 45°), and elective surgery (curves >45°). Patients and parents frequently ask for more proactive measures during the observation period or when a brace is refused, because of fear of scoliosis progression to the surgical range. The efficacy of exercise treatments is controversial. The literature on the effect of exercises for scoliosis has been criticized for the lack of strong evidence stemming from the poor designs of these studies. Hence, the exercise therapy has not yet been widely accepted in North America. Therefore, the objective of this first RCT on Schroth exercises was to determine the effect of a six-month Schroth exercise intervention added to standard care (observation or bracing) on the Cobb angle, quality of life and muscle endurance compared to the standard care alone in patients with AIS. This thesis provided information on both statistical and clinical importance of the results.

Scoliosis manifestations vary. Thus, it is important to provide an appropriate individualized therapy for patients. Schroth exercise prescription is based on a system of four scoliosis classifications. To assure an appropriate treatment delivery, this classification system should be reliable. Therefore, a rule-based algorithm to assist therapists in classifying patients and to optimize the reliability has been proposed and tested.

Grants

  • Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital – Glenrose Clinical Research Fund (co-applicant): “Reliability of Schroth Curve Type Classification and Exercise Prescription in Adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis”, 2010
  • Scoliosis Research Society – Small Exploratory Grant (co-applicant): “A Pilot Study for a Randomized Control Trial to Develop a Prediction Rule to Identify Patients with Adolescents
  • Idiopathic Scoliosis and Schroth Curve type 3c who will Respond to Schroth Exercises”, 2010

Awards

  • WCHRI – Women’s and Children’s Health Research Institute Trainee Travel Grant, 2016
  • Society on Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment (SOSORT) Award Winner for the best abstract presented at the international SOSORT conference (free publication of the full article in the Scoliosis Journal, official journal of the society), 2014
  • University of Freiburg Stipend for participation in the on-line web based course “Regression Models in Medical Research 2014”, 2014
  • IDGS – Interdepartmental Graduate Studentship awarded by University of Alberta CANADA – renewal, 2012-2014
  • IHDCYH Travel Awards Research Award awarded by the Institute of Human Development – Child and Youth Health, CIHR CANADA, 2011
  • Graduate Student’s Association Professional Development Grant for research related travel, 2011
  • Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine Travel grant for graduate student related to research, 2011
  • WCHRI – Women’s and Children’s Health Research Institute Graduate Studentship, 2011 – declined=
  • IDGS – Interdepartmental Graduate Studentship awarded by University of Alberta CANADA, 2010-2012
  • Edmonton Scoliosis Research Group Scholarship – Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital Edmonton Scoliosis Research group CANADA, 2010
  • Edmonton Scoliosis Research Group Scholarship – Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital Edmonton Scoliosis Research group CANADA, 2009
  • Government Tuition Remission Award for Top 5% Students – Government of Serbia, 2005-2009
  • Government Tuition Remission Award for Top 5% Students – Government of Serbia, 1998-2003

Upcoming Courses

ID Course Name Duration Start Date
ISST-4011 ISST Basic Course Part II (Mumbai, India) 5 days June 5, 2024

Archived Events

ID Course Name Duration Start Date
ISST-4010 ISST Basic Course Part I (Mumbai, India) 5 days December 6, 2023
ISST-3224 ISST Basic Course Part II (Perth, Australia) 5 days November 9, 2023
ISST-3219 ISST Basic Course Part I (Dubai, UAE) – CANCELED 5 days October 11, 2023
ISST-3220 ISST Basic Course Part II (Dubai, UAE) – CANCELED 5 days October 6, 2023
ISST-3221 ISST Basic Course Part II (Edmonton, Canada) 5 days August 31, 2023
ISST-3223 ISST Basic Course Part II (Mumbai, India) – RESCHEDULED 5 days June 29, 2023
ISST-3222 ISST Basic Course Part II (Jerudong, Brunei Darussalam) – RESCHEDULED 5 days June 23, 2023
ISST-3225 ISST Basic Course Part I (Perth, Australia) 5 days May 6, 2023
ISST-3601 ISST Basic Course Part I (Edmonton, Canada) 5 days April 19, 2023
ISST-3458 ISST Basic Course Part I (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia) 5 days March 7, 2023
ISST-3216 ISST Basic Course Part II (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) 5 days February 28, 2023
ISST-2997 ISST Basic Course Part I (Edmonton, Canada) – CANCELED 5 days February 17, 2023
ISST-2998 ISST Basic Course Part II (Tucumán, Argentina) – RESCHEDULED 5 days February 1, 2023
ISST-3215 ISST Basic Course Part II (Rio De Janeiro, Brasil) 5 days January 12, 2023
ISST-3214 ISST Basic Course Part I (Rio De Janeiro, Brasil) 5 days January 7, 2023
ISST-3213 ISST Basic Course Part I (Mumbai, India) 5 days December 9, 2022
ISST-2991 ISST Basic Course Part I (Jerudong, Brunei Darussalam) 5 days November 5, 2022
ISST-2990 ISST Basic Course Part II (Dubai, UAE) 5 days October 10, 2022
ISST-2992 ISST Basic Course Part I (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) 5 days October 4, 2022
ISST-2996 ISST Basic Course Part I (Tucumán, Argentina) – RESCHEDULED 5 days September 13, 2022
ISST-2461 ISST Basic Course Part II (Edmonton, Canada) 5 days September 2, 2022
ISST-2473 ISST Basic Course Part II (Mumbai, India) – RESCHEDULED 5 days July 21, 2022
ISST-2470 ISST Basic Course Part II (Rio De Janeiro, Brasil) 5 days June 26, 2022
ISST-2989 ISST Basic Course Part I (Rio De Janeiro, Brasil) 5 days June 20, 2022
ISST-2993 ISST Refresher Course (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) 2 days June 18, 2022
ISST-2464 ISST Basic Course Part II (Totowa, NJ-USA) 5 days April 1, 2022
ISST-2466 ISST Basic Course Part I (Dubai, UAE) 5 days March 7, 2022
ISST-2468 ISST Basic Course Part II (Dubai, UAE) 5 days March 2, 2022
ISST-2459 ISST Basic Course Part I (Edmonton, Canada) 5 days February 18, 2022
ISST-2472 ISST Basic Course Part I (Mumbai, India) 5 days February 2, 2022
ISST-2460 ISST Basic Course Part II (Edmonton, Canada) 5 days November 19, 2021
ISST-2471 ISST Basic Course Part I (Rio De Janeiro, Brasil) 5 days November 7, 2021
ISST-2469 ISST Basic Course Part II (Rio De Janeiro, Brasil) 5 days November 2, 2021
ISST-2467 ISST Basic Course Part II (Dubai, UAE) 5 days October 8, 2021
ISST-2465 ISST Basic Course Part I (Dubai, UAE) 5 days October 3, 2021
ISST-2463 ISST Basic Course Part I (Totowa, NJ-USA) 5 days September 15, 2021
ISST-2119 ISST Basic Course Part II (Dubai, UAE) 5 days September 7, 2021
ISST-2458 ISST Basic Course Part I (Edmonton, Canada) 5 days August 12, 2021
ISST-2117 ISST Basic Course Part I (Dubai, UAE) 5 days May 26, 2021
ISST-2118 ISST Basic Course Part II (Dubai, UAE) 5 days May 21, 2021
ISST.CAMP-1597 ISST Camp, (Edmonton, Canada) 5 days April 6, 2021
ISST-1556 Basic ISST Part II (Rio De Janeiro, Brasil) 5 days March 17, 2021
ISST-1560 Basic ISST Part II (Edmonton, Canada) 4 days February 12, 2021
ISST-1739 ISST-Basic Course Part I (Mumbai, India) 5 days February 2, 2021
ISST-1594 Basic ISST Part II (Brunei Darussalam) 5 days January 9, 2021
ISST-1551 Basic ISST Part II (Penang, Malaysia) 5 days December 5, 2020
ISST-1551 Basic ISST Part II (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) 5 days December 1, 2020
ISST-1550 Basic ISST Part II (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) 5 days November 20, 2020
ISST-1397 Basic ISST Part II (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) 5 days November 15, 2020
ISST-1558 Basic ISST Part I (Edmonton, Canada) 5 days September 4, 2020
ISST-1554 Basic ISST Part I (Rio De Janeiro, Brasil) 5 days August 19, 2020
ISST-1555 Basic ISST Part II (Rio De Janeiro, Brasil) 5 days August 12, 2020
ISST-1593 Basic ISST Part I (Brunei Darussalam) 5 days July 4, 2020
ISST-1549 Basic ISST Part I (Penang, Malaysia) 5 days June 6, 2020
ISST-1548 Basic ISST Part I (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) 5 days June 1, 2020
ISST-1399 Basic ISST Part II (Edmonton, Canada) 5 days May 16, 2020
ISST-1559 Basic ISST Part II (Edmonton, Canada) 5 days May 16, 2020
ISST-1396 Basic ISST Part II (Abu Dhabi, UAE) – CANCELED 5 days April 1, 2020
ISST-1398 Basic ISST Part I (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) – CANCELED 5 days March 25, 2020
ISST-1547 Basic ISST Part I (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) – CANCELED 5 days March 20, 2020
ISST-1564 Basic ISST Part I (Canton, MI) 5 days February 6, 2020
ISST-1395 Basic ISST Part I (Abu Dhabi, UAE) 5 days October 30, 2019
ISST-1170 Basic ISST Part I (Edmonton, Canada) 5 days July 13, 2019
ISST.CAMP-1175 Adolescent Schroth Camp, (Edmonton, Canada) 5 days July 8, 2019
ISST.CAMP-1173 Adult Schroth Camp, (Edmonton, Canada) 5 days July 3, 2019
ISST-1172 Basic ISST Part II (Rio De Janeiro, Brasil) 5 days June 26, 2019
ISST-1090 Basic ISST Part II (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) 6 days June 6, 2019
ISST.CAMP-1176 ISST Camp, (Chapel Hill, NC-USA) 5 days April 13, 2019
ISST-883 Basic ISST Part I (Rio De Janeiro, Brasil) 5 days March 27, 2019
ISST-1091 Basic ISST Part II (Edmonton, Canada) 5 days January 31, 2019
ISST-848 Basic ISST Part I (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) 5 days December 3, 2018
ISST-877 Basic ISST Part I (Edmonton, Canada) 5 days September 3, 2018
ISST-651 Basic ISST Part I (Rio De Janeiro, Brasil) 5 days August 1, 2018
ISST-769 Basic ISST Part I (Edmonton, Canada) 5 days June 4, 2018
ISST-637 Basic ISST Part II (Edmonton, Canada) 5 days February 19, 2018
ISST-678 Basic ISST Part I (Edmonton, Canada) 5 days November 27, 2017
ISST-533 Basic ISST Part I (Edmonton, Canada) 5 days October 5, 2017
ISST.CAMP-448 (ex.022) ISST Camp, (Edmonton, Canada) 7 days July 24, 2017
ISST.CAMP-445 (ex.021) ISST Camp, (Edmonton, Canada) 7 days July 14, 2017