After more than 15 years of teaching movement practitioners to train clients living with scoliosis, internationally recognized scoliosis expert Erin Myers and her staff have designed a program that is accessible, concise, and applicable to clear the confusion surrounding scoliosis movement.
The research-based Scoliosis Movement Specialist Certificate equips Pilates instructors, physical therapists, and all other movement professionals with the knowledge and tools to confidently assess, support, and train clients with scoliosis.
Elevate your career. Empower your clients. Transform lives.
Through evidence-informed methodology and Spiral Spine’s signature movement-based approach, you’ll learn to:
- assess and understand spinal curves and postural imbalances.
- design customized, curve-specific, safe, and effective movement plans.
- alleviate pain and improve spinal function.
- understand how to influence a reduction in both rotation and lateral bending of scoliosis.
- confidently train teens, adults, and aging populations with scoliosis.
- expand and retain your client base.
A certificate created by people living with scoliosis.
The Scoliosis Movement Specialist Certificate is built differently from other scoli movement courses to ensure understanding, maintain accessibility, and offer customizable support. It mixes online modules that cover foundational theory with live workshops that focus on applying that knowledge through practice, discussion, and problem-solving.
Join a global community of specialists redefining scoliosis care through movement and be featured on our Scoliosis Movement Specialist Finder Map.
Those living with scoli have been contacting Spiral Spine from around the world, begging for local teachers to help them… but there isn’t anyone equipped to aid them nearby. While we are happy to work with clients virtually and know they are receiving significant benefits from it, it’s just not the same as working with someone locally in person. We want to help fill this gap in the scoli community worldwide.
Take online modules anywhere, anytime to learn at your own pace.
Each online module includes:
- hours of expert-led video instruction by Erin Myers.
- scoliosis medical research (explained and in full).
- downloadable handouts—complete with page references from Erin’s books, I Have Scoliosis; Now What? and Analyzing Scoliosis (sold separately), so you can follow along and apply key concepts with confidence.
Progarm Structure
Through teaching movement practitioners for over 15 years, Erin and her team have found that instructors need time to learn content before applying it, which is why modules must be taken in order as they are progressively built upon one another.
Modules 1, 2, and 3 are accessed online, so you can spend time studying the content and ensuring that you understand it before moving on. Module 4 is a live hybrid workshop taught by Program Director Jennifer Stark, where you will apply the knowledge gained from the first three modules and attend a Q-and-A session with Erin Myers. The Scoliosis Retreat live workshop serves as an optional Module 5, which allows you hands-on experience at Spiral Spine with Erin, Jennifer, and other Spiral Spine Scoliosis Educators. Once you’ve completed Modules 1-4, you can begin the 3-step test-out process, including a final exam, case study, and practical demonstration.
Module 1
Scoli School
In Module 1 you will learn about:
- what scoliosis is.
- which scoliosis myths are true and false.
- common types of scoliosis.
- guiding your clients to identify the possible causes of their scoliosis.
- common secondary pathologies associated with scoliosis.
- scoliosis bracing options.
- scoliosis surgical options.
- benefits of movement on scoliosis.
- your scope of practice when it comes to addressing scoliosis.
Requirements: None
$179/3.5-hour online course
Module 2
Scoli Detective
In Module 2 you will learn about:
- emotional and psychological impacts of scoliosis.
- supporting the whole person—physically, emotionally, and functionally.
- creating a supportive initial contact experience for scoliosis clients.
- conducting visual and hands-on assessments.
- using a scoliometer and how its readings can help you understand a client’s scoli.
- using dot stickers as a visual aid for yourself and your clients.
- creating a diagram sketch with or without an x-ray.
- placing pads to derotate and realign the spine.
- assessing proprioception, core stability, and movement quality.
- identifying and differentiating between structural and functional leg length discrepancies.
- safe movement rules and restrictions for clients with spinal fusions.
Requirements: Module 1: Scoli School
$179/4-hour online course
Module 3
Scoli Movement
In Module 3 you will learn about:
- Scoliosis Movement Principles.
- testing muscle function.
- assessing joint function.
- evaluating myofascial connections.
Requirements: Module 1: Scoli School & Module 2: Scoli Detective
$179/4-hour online course
Module 4
Advanced Applications for Scoliosis Live Workshop
9 am – 6 pm Central Time
Offered simultaneously in-studio and online
In Module 4 you will:
- apply the knowledge gained from Modules 1, 2, & 3.
- review Spiral Spine client case studies, analyzing real clients.
- have an opportunity to analyze your own body or your clients’ bodies.
- attend a Q and A with Erin Myers.
Requirements: Module 1: Scoli School, Module 2: Scoli Detective, & Module 3: TBA
$379/8-hour hybrid live workshop
Optional Module 5
While not required, the Scoliosis Retreat is designed to allow you to apply knowledge gained in Modules 1-4 under the supervision of Spiral’s staff.
A two-day, in-studio workshop, led by Erin and her teachers, that allows practitioners a fast-paced, hands-on, real-life studio setting experience. You’ll be shadowing and assisting Spiral’s teachers with attendees who have scoli throughout the entire Retreat. Learn more about the Scoliosis Retreat here.
$725/12-hour in-studio live workshop
Certificate students can contact the Education Coordinator for 25% discount when registering for the Scoliosis Retreat.
Optional Support
Book a lesson with one of Spiral Spine’s Scoliosis Educators at any point for assistance on tricky topics.
Virtual Scoliosis Research Seminars
90-minute webinars covering scoliosis research with lecture, movement, and Q&A session. Recordings are available for two weeks after the live seminar. Follow Spiral Spine on social media to stay up-to-date on offerings.
Testing Out
Requirements for testing out:
- successful completion of Modules 1, 2, and 3 online courses
- attendance of at least one Module 4 live workshop, either in-person or online
- OPTIONAL: attendance of at least one Module 5 in-person, live workshop
Process of testing out:
Step 1: Final Exam
Take the final exam online. This exam will be similar to the quizzes taken in Modules 1-3. Upon passing your final exam, you’ll gain acces to materials for Steps 2 and 3.
Step 2: Case Study
Complete and submit a client case study. Using the provided materials, you’ll put together a case study similar to those used in Module 4.
$179/Steps 1 & 2
Step 3: Practical Demonstration & Consultation
Perform a 30-minute practical demonstration of you analyzing and teaching the person you used as your case study. Afterward, you’ll have a 30-minute consultation with Program Director Jennifer Stark.
$105/Practical Demonstration & Consultation
Bundle and Save
Purchase the Final Exam now, and receive Module 1: Scoli School for FREE!
Bundle includes Module 1: Scoli School, Module 2: Scoli Detective, Module 3: Scoli Movement, the Final Exam, as well as Case Study and Practical Demonstration materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Erin and her team are working to wrap up filming and creating handouts for the remaining modules. To stay up-to-date on the Scoliosis Movement Specialist Certificate, follow Spiral Spine on social media and/or sign up for the newsletter.
There’s a deficit between those with scoliosis who need care and movement practitioners who are highly trained in caring for those with scoliosis. Scoliosis affects over 7 million people in the U.S. alone — yet most movement professionals feel unsure about how to safely support these clients. This certification is designed to help you serve an underserved population by teaching you evidence-based methods to:
- reduce pain
- improve posture
- enhance breathing mechanics
- slow curve progression
- improve biomechanical function
- increase confidence, trust, and loyalty
Movement professionals have been asking Erin for a program for over 15 years; however, she couldn’t launch a scoliosis movement educational program without her ducks in a row.
First came a 6-hour workshop, Analyzing Scoliosis, which was developed into Module 2: Scoli Detective.
Next came the book Analyzing Scoliosis: The Pilates Instructor’s Guide to Scoliosis, which is one of the textbooks for this program.
Then Analyzing Scoliosis: The Pilates Instructor’s Guide to Scoliosis was developed into the Scoliosis Intensive, a 2-day workshop that included her original workshop and the content that became Module 3: Scoli Movement.
After the Scoliosis Intesive was developed, Erin wrote I Have Scoliosis; Now What?, which is used as one of the textbooks for this program.
Finally, the Scoliosis Retreat workshop was created, which serves as an optional module only so that people are not required to travel to obtain their certificate; it provides an experience unlike any other.
These endeavors thoroughly allowed Erin and her staff to thoroughly test her research-based methods and ensure the Scoliosis Movement Specialist Certificate is in the most concise and effective form.
This certificate is designed for Pilates instructors, physical therapists, yoga teachers, personal trainers, occupational therapists, and other movement professionals who want to specialize in working with clients who have scoliosis. No prior scoliosis training is required—just a solid understanding of movement instruction.
No! Anyone can take these modules to learn about scoliosis. Spiral Spine clients often decide to take Pilates teacher training courses from the studio to simply learn more about their bodies. These modules are designed to educate those who have an existing understanding of anatomy and teaching movement; so if you don’t have a background in movement instruction, you may need to use outside resources to fully comprehend the materials provided.
The Scoliosis Movement Specialist Certificate modules are not yet pre-approved CECs. You will need to petition the NPCP, NASM, ACE, or other certifying body for approval with the materials provided in the modules, along with your module certificates of completion.
The first three Modules are built to be accessed for the life of the program after purchase and completion. You’ll be able to go back to them whenever you need or desire.
Module 4 is taught live but does include online materials that you will retain access to for the life of the program.
First, you’ll take the three online Modules designed to be completed at your own pace.
Second, you’ll register and take the Module 4 workshop either virtually or in-studio. Register here.
Third, you’ll take your Final Exam and complete your Case Study online at your own pace.
Finally, you’ll complete your Practical Demonstration and have a Consultation with the Program Director Jennifer Stark either virtually or in-studio. Book a Private Lesson with her to schedule this.
The Certificate is built based on the experiences Erin and her team have had in teaching scoliosis courses for years. Spiral Spine’s team has found that instructors need time to learn content before applying it, which is why the Modules are ordered as they are; they progressively build upon one another.
As the Certificate is designed progressively, Spiral Spine’s team wanted those taking it to know where Scoliosis Retreat attendance would be most beneficial.
Spiral Spine staff also recognizes that traveling to Nashville, TN is not accessible for everyone who wants to become a Scoliosis Movement Specialist. The Certificate is built to be completed entirely online or in a hybrid form to meet the needs of anyone.
No. You will not be required to complete CECs to retain your Scoliosis Movement Specialist Certificate; however, you can always stay up to date on the latest scoli research by following Spiral Spine on social media and/or signing up for the newsletter.
Book a private lesson with one of Spiral Spine’s Scoliosis Educators at any point during the Scoliosis Movement Specialist Certificate for assistance on tricky topics.
The lessons are built to open up as you complete the previous lesson.
This means that if you are currently working on Lesson 2 of Module 1: Scoli School you won’t be able to access Lesson 3 of Module 1: Scoli School or any lessons from the Module 2: Scoli Detective or Module 3: Scoli Movement.
We offer private training for Module 4. Get in touch with the Education Coordinator via [email protected] for more information and to schedule.
You can purchase the Final Exam separately or in the bundle; however, you won’t gain access to the exam until after you have attended Module 4: Advanced Applications for Scoliosis.
If you have attended Module 4, have purchased the Final Exam, and still cannot access the exam contact the Education Coordinator here.
Spiral Spine staff will not be traveling to teach any of the Modules for the Scoliosis Movement Specialist Certificate. It is designed to negate the need for Spiral Spine staff to travel.
Once you have completed the full Scoliosis Movement Specialist Certificate, you’ll have the option to have your information added to our map of Scoliosis Movement Specialists around the world.