Athens, Greece
Nikos Karavidas
Physiotherapist, MSc
Founder & Chair of the PSSE-Schroth Method
Director, Schroth Scoliosis & Spine Clinic
🏛 SRS LEAD Member 🏛 SOSORT, Eurospine, SRS Committees Member
🌍 Education in 20+ Countries
🎓 1000+ Certified Therapists from 50+ Countries
📄 8 PubMed Publications
🏆 Multiple Best Presentation Awards
About Nikos
Nikos Karavidas is a Physiotherapist born on February 28th, 1985, in Athens. In April 2017, he found the Schroth Scoliosis & Spine Clinic — a specialized center for the treatment of scoliosis and other spinal deformities. Today, it is one of the largest clinics of its kind in the world, with more than 250 patients visiting weekly.
He is the Founder and Chair of the PSSE-Schroth method (Physiotherapeutic Scoliosis-Specific Exercises), the latest evidence-based development in scoliosis and kyphosis treatment. His method is now taught in more than 20 countries worldwide. More than 1000 physiotherapists, from > 50 different countries, have been certified in PSSE-Schroth method.
Nikos is internationally recognized as one of the leading experts in the non-operative treatment of scoliosis and kyphosis. He is an active member of the world's most important scientific societies in spine care, where he plays a key role in promoting conservative treatment approaches.
In December 2017 he began teaching Schroth courses in Greece and by September 2019 expanded internationally to Turkey and Egypt — becoming the first-ever Schroth Instructor in the entire African region.
He is among the very few physiotherapists worldwide certified in all Schroth-based techniques, having received his education directly from the leading experts: Dr. Manuel Rigo (BSPTS), Axel Hennes (ISST), and Dr. Hans Rudolf Weiss (Schroth Best Practice). Uniquely, he is the only physiotherapist in the world who was invited to become an instructor by all three major Schroth schools (BSPTS, ISST, Best Practice).
250+
Patients per week
20+
Countries teaching PSSE-Schroth
1000+
Certified therapists from 50+ countries
8
PubMed publications
2015→
SOSORT presenter every year
2017
Establishment of Schroth Scoliosis & Spine Clinic
3
Scientific Societies with Committee roles in EUROSPINE, SRS and SOSORT
2025
SRS LEAD — 1st physiotherapist ever
Education & Certifications
2007
BSc Physiotherapy
University of West Attica, Athens. Dissertation: "Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Conservative and Surgical Treatment".
2010 – 2012
MSc Sports Physiotherapy — Cardiff University
Dissertation: "The relationship between FMS scores, hip strength, and postural control measured as the COP excursion during single leg balancing in young healthy adults".
2012
SEAS Method Certification
Scientific Exercise Approach to Scoliosis — Milan, Italy.
2014
BSPTS method Certification — First Greek physiotherapist certified
Barcelona Scoliosis Physical Therapy School, with Dr. Manuel Rigo. C2 Level followed in 2015, Zwolle, Netherlands.
2015
Schroth Best Practice & McKenzie MDT
Schroth Best Practice Certification — Nijmegen, Netherlands, Dr. Hans Rudolf Weiss. First Greek physiotherapist certified.
McKenzie Institute Greece (Lumbar, Thoracic, Cervical).
McKenzie Institute Greece (Lumbar, Thoracic, Cervical).
2017
Founder of Schroth Scoliosis & Spine Clinic
Athens, Greece. Nowadays, it is one of the largest dedicated scoliosis clinics in the world. First BSPTS-Schroth course conducted in December 2017.
2018
Schroth ISST Certification
International Schroth Scoliosis Treatment — Bad Sobernheim, Germany, with Axel Hennes.
2019
First Schroth Instructor in Africa
Expanded teaching internationally to Turkey and Egypt — becoming the first-ever Schroth instructor in the entire African region.
2020
Lyon Method Certification
Dr. Jean Claude de Mauroy — Cairo, Egypt.
2022
PSSE-Schroth Method — Official Launch
Officially developed his own approach with a new scoliosis curve type classification and innovative concepts for 3D correction. Now taught in 20+ countries.
2024
Clinical Pilates — development of PSSE-Schroth exercises on Pilates equipment
PSSE-Schroth became the only technique applying scoliosis-specific exercises using Pilates equipment (Reformer, Cadillac, Spine Corrector, Ladder Barrel, Wunda Chair).
2025
SRS LEAD Program — First-ever physiotherapist
Accepted into the Scoliosis Research Society Leadership, Education and Development Program — a landmark recognition in the global field of spinal deformity care.
Scientific Societies & Leadership Roles
SRS
Comprehensive Care Committee Member (since 2024)
SRS LEAD Member (first-ever physiotherapist, 2025-26)
SRS LEAD Member (first-ever physiotherapist, 2025-26)
Eurospine
Program Committee Member (since 2024)
Nomination Committee Member (2025)
EDISC Faculty Member (since 2021)
Nomination Committee Member (2025)
EDISC Faculty Member (since 2021)
SOSORT
Society on Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment
Scientific Committee Member (since 2018)
Awards Committee Member (2025)
IRSSD
International Research Society for Spinal Deformities
Scientific Committee Member (2024)
BSS
British Scoliosis Society
Member
AO Spine
AO Spine
Member
HSS
Hellenic Spine Society
Member
PPA
Panhellenic Physiotherapy Association
Member
GSAP
Greek Scientific Association of Physiotherapists
Member
Awards & Honours
2017
Eurospine Travel Grant, Dublin, Ireland — 1 of only 5 awarded annually among hundreds of participants. Presentation: "Bracing for AIS and Scheuermann Kyphosis: The issue of overtreatment in Greece".
2021
SOSORT Award Session (online) — Research voted among the best for the 16th SOSORT Annual Meeting: "Brace and PSSE for AIS treatment: A prospective study following SRS criteria".
2022
Best Oral Presentation — 3rd SCOSYM, Athens, Greece, "Complete non-operative treatment with brace and scoliosis specific exercises can be effective for severe scoliotic curves exceeding 40 degrees at peak of growth".
2022
Best Oral Presentation — World Spinal Column Society 9th Congress, Athens, Greece : "Non-operative treatment with brace and PSSE for severe scoliotic curves exceeding 40 degrees at peak of growth".
2023
SOSORT Award Session, Melbourne, Australia — Research voted among the best for the SOSORT Annual Meeting: "Schroth – PSSE exercises can reduce the risk for progression during peak of growth in curves below 25 degrees: Prospective Control Study".
2024
SRS Comprehensive Care Committee Member
Eurospine Program Committee Member
IRSSD Scientific Committee Member
Eurospine Program Committee Member
IRSSD Scientific Committee Member
2025
SRS Leadership, Education and Development (L.E.A.D.) Program — first-ever physiotherapist accepted into this prestigious program for the next generation of leaders in global spinal deformity care.
Eurospine Nomination Committee Member
SOSORT Award Committee Member
Eurospine Nomination Committee Member
SOSORT Award Committee Member
2026
Spine Deformity Journal Editorial Board Member — first-ever physiotherapist accepted into the official SRS Journal Editorial Board.
Publications (PubMed indexed)
Scientific Journal Reviewer
European Spine Journal
Spine Deformity Journal
Eur J Physical & Rehab Medicine
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
International Conferences
- 21st SOSORT, April 2026, Turin, Italy
- Beyond Full-Time Bracing- Defining the minimum effective dose of brace wear and synergy of scoliosis specific exercises in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis treatment
- Psychosocial factors, body perception and treatment adherence in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis - A correlational study
- Early brace weaning in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS): Radiographic outcomes, post-weaning adherence, and re-bracing as a rescue mechanism within a monitored care pathway
- 20th SOSORT, April 2025, Dubrovnik, Croatia
- Brace and Kyphosis Specific Exercises can effectively treat Scheuermann kyphosis at the peak of growth
- 3D radiological and clinical prognostic factors for failures and improvements of bracing for AIS: A comparative analysis
- Association between quality-of-life questionnaires with curve magnitude, trunk rotation and body symmetry indexes in AIS
- Can non-operative treatment with brace and SSE be effective for severe scoliotic curves exceeding 40 degrees at peak of growth?
- Correlation between SRS-22 Questionnaire and ISYQOL Questionnaire. Can we use them for the same purpose
- 19th SOSORT, May 2024, Boston, USA
- AIS treatment, combining in-person and online sessions, can increase compliance, enhance effectiveness, and improve monitoring of patients with transportation barriers
- Bracing at later growth stage for severe scoliosis >40° can be effective for patients refusing surgical treatment
- Can clinical evaluation tools predict curve progression in AIS? A correlational study
- Inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of a new AIS curve type classification, based on clinical, radiological and prognostic criteria
- 18th SOSORT, SpineWeek, May 2023, Melbourne, Australia
- Non-operative treatment for AIS by a combination of Chenau brace and PSSE-Schroth, for curves at high risk of progression
- Schroth–PSSE exercises can reduce the risk for progression during peak of growth in curves below 25 degrees: Prospective Control Study
- 17th SOSORT, May 2022, San Sebastian, Spain
- Complete conservative treatment with brace and SSE can be effective for severe scoliotic curves exceeding 40 degrees at peak of growth
- 16th SOSORT, April 2021, (e-SOSORT 2021) — SOSORT Award Session
- Brace and PSSE for AIS treatment: A prospective study following SRS criteria
- 15th SOSORT, April 2020, Melbourne (e-SOSORT 2020, June 2020)
- Predictive factors for successful bracing in the treatment of AIS: Evidence to date
- 14th SOSORT, April 2019, San Francisco, USA
- PSSE can reduce the risk of progression in AIS during the peak of growth: A prospective study with a control group
- Non-fusion scoliosis treatment with ApiFix system: PSSE with Schroth method can significantly improve the final result
- 13th SOSORT, April 2018, Dubrovnik, Croatia
- Beyond the Cobb angle: Alternative methods for assessment of spinal deformity patients
- AIS treatment with the Dynamic Derotation Brace (DDB): An analysis using patients at high risk of progression
- 12th SOSORT, May 2017, Lyon, France
- Radiological and clinical improvement in scoliotic patients with single thoracolumbar curves, treated with Schroth BSPTS exercises
- Epidemiological analysis of AIS in terms of diagnosis, family history, hobbies, pain and curve type
- 11th SOSORT, May 2016, Banff, Canada
- ApiFix treatment for AIS: The importance of Schroth method exercises after the minimal invasive operation
- 10th SOSORT, May 2015, Katowice, Poland — First Greek physiotherapist to present at SOSORT
- Brace treatment for AIS and Scheuermann Kyphosis: The issue of overtreatment in Greece
- Milan 2012, Chicago 2013, Wiesbaden 2014 — attendance
- 33rd IMAST, April 2026, Toronto, Canada
- Beyond Full-Time Bracing: Defining the minimum effective dose of brace wear and synergy of scoliosis specific exercises in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis treatment
- 60th SRS Annual Meeting, September 2025, Charlotte, USA
- 3D Radiological and Clinical Prognostic Factors for Failure and Improvement of Bracing for AIS: a Comparative Analysis
- 32nd IMAST, April 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
- Brace and Kyphosis Specific Exercises can effectively treat Scheuermann kyphosis at the peak of growth
- Tele-Scoli-Screen & Treat (TSST) Protocol for scoliosis treatment, combining in-person and online treatment sessions, for patients with transportation barriers
- 31st IMAST, April 2024, San Diego, USA
- Can Non-Operative Treatment with Brace and SSE Be Effective for Severe Scoliotic Curves Exceeding 40° at Peak of Growth
- 58th SRS Annual Meeting, September 2023, Seattle, USA
- PSSE Indications, Protocols and Program Characteristics
- 30th IMAST, March 2023, Dublin, Ireland
- Non-operative treatment for severe scoliotic curves exceeding 40 degrees at peak of growth by brace and PSSE-Schroth
- 27th IMAST, April 2020, Athens (virtual July 2020) — First Greek physiotherapist to present at IMAST
- ApiFix treatment for AIS: Non-fusion technique combined with Scoliosis Specific Exercises
- Eurospine Meeting, October 2025, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Bracing and PSSE can be an alternative treatment option for severe scoliotic patients who refused surgery
- Physiotherapy for acute and chronic low back pain
- Non-Operative Treatment for Adolescent Scheuermann Kyphosis with Brace and PKSE
- 3D Radiological and Clinical Prognostic Factors for Failure and Improvement of Bracing for AIS: a Comparative Analysis
- Eurospine Meeting, October 2023, Frankfurt, Germany
- Combined non-operative treatment for AIS by brace and PSSE, for curves at high risk for progression
- Eurospine Webinar, January 2023 — SpineTuesday "Rehabilitation of AIS"
- Evidence based recommendations on exercise therapy in AIS
- Exercise Approach to Scoliosis · Exercises for Spinal Pain during growth: Theory and Practice
- Eurospine Meeting, October 2021, Vienna, Austria
- Brace and PSSE for AIS treatment: A prospective study following SRS criteria
- Eurospine Diploma in Interprofessional Care (EDISC), every year since 2021, Online
- Exercise Approach to Scoliosis
- Exercises for Spinal Pain during growth - theory and practice
- Eurospine Meeting, October 2017, Dublin, Ireland — Travel Grant recipient (1 of 5 worldwide) · Only Greek presenter
- Bracing for AIS and Scheuermann Kyphosis: The issue of overtreatment in Greece
- Global Spine Congress - AO Spine, May 2026, Istanbul, Turkey
- Bracing and Physiotherapeutic Scoliosis Specific Exercises (PSSE) can be an alternative treatment option for severe scoliotic patients who refused surgery
- 3D Radiological and Clinical prognostic factors for failure and improvement of bracing for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS): A comparative analysis
- 4th Brazilian Scoliosis Day, March 2026, Recife, Brazil
- Advancing non-operative scoliosis care through an algorithm based PSSE-Schroth classification
- BSS & NSDS Meeting, November 2025, London, UK
- Brace and kyphosis specific exercises can effectively treat Scheuermann Kyphosis at the peak of growth
- Effectiveness of Bracing and SSE for severe curves over 40 degrees during peak growth
- Prognostic factors for Bracing success and failure in AIS: A Comprehensive evaluation
- Radiological and clinical assessments in AIS: Do they truly reflect Quality of Life?
- 5th Brazilian Congress on Scoliosis, June 2025, São Paulo, Brazil
- Effectiveness of Bracing and SSE for Severe Curves Over 40° During Peak Growth
- Prognostic Factors for Bracing Success and Failure in AIS: A Comprehensive Evaluation
- Radiological and Clinical Assessments in AIS – Do They Truly Reflect Quality of Life
- 5th SCOSYM, September 2024, Split, Croatia
- Bracing at later growth stage for severe scoliosis >40° can be an alternative for patients refusing surgical treatment
- Inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of a new AIS curve type classification
- AIS treatment, combining in-person and online sessions, can increase compliance and improve monitoring for patients with transportation barriers
- Can clinical evaluation tools predict curve progression in AIS? A correlational study
- IRSSD Scientific Meeting, June 2024, Hong Kong
- New AIS curve type classification, based on clinical, radiological and prognostic criteria
- Non-operative treatment at late growth by brace and PSSE for severe scoliosis
- 4th SCOSYM, September 2023, Istanbul, Turkey
- PSSE-Schroth can reduce the risk for progression during the peak of growth in curves below 25° – Prospective control study
- AIS treatment by bracing and PSSE-Schroth, for curves at high risk of progression
- World Physiotherapy Congress, June 2023, Dubai, UAE
- PSSE-Schroth reduce the risk for progression during the peak of growth: Prospective Control Study
- China International Conference, October 2023, Online
- PSSE-Schroth method: The latest advancement in scoliosis and kyphosis treatment
- Romanian International Conference, October 2023, Online
- PSSE-Schroth new curve type classification
- Diploma of Hellenic Spine Society, April 2023, Athens, Greece
- Conservative treatment of spinal deformities: The role of rehabilitation
- Pediatric Orthopedic Conference, March 2023, Ankara, Turkey
- AIS and Physiotherapeutic Scoliosis Specific Exercises (PSSE)
- World Spinal Column Society 9th Congress & 15th Hellenic Spine Society, October 2022, Athens — Best Oral Presentation Award
- Non-operative treatment with brace and PSSE for severe scoliotic curves exceeding 40 degrees at peak of growth
- Non-fusion surgical treatment for AIS by ApiFix system
- 3rd SCOSYM, September 2022, Athens, Greece — Best Presentation Award
- Physiotherapeutic Scoliosis Specific Exercises (PSSE) Schools
- Complete non-operative treatment with brace and SSE can be effective for severe scoliotic curves exceeding 40 degrees at peak of growth
- Albanian Physiotherapy Congress IV, 2022
- Physiotherapeutic Scoliosis Specific Exercises PSSE – Schroth method
- International Gazi Health Sciences Congress, December 2021, Online, Turkey
- Orthosis for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Treatment
- 3rd Scientific Conference of Physical Therapy, November 2021, South Valley University, Egypt
- PSSE: Barcelona Scoliosis Physical Therapy School (BSPTS) – Rigo Concept
- 2nd SCOSYM, September 2021, Novi Sad, Serbia
- Barcelona Scoliosis Physical Therapy School (BSPTS) – Rigo Concept
- Nordic Spinal Deformities Society (NSDS) Meeting, August 2021, Online
- Brace and PSSE for AIS treatment: A prospective study following SRS criteria
- 1st International Conference on Scoliosis Management, April 2019, Istanbul, Turkey
- Assessment of Adult Scoliosis
- 10th International Prosthetics & Orthotics Conference, October 2018, Ankara, Turkey
- Scoliosis exercises within the braces and Brace modifications for exercises
- Global Spine Congress 2016, Dubai, UAE
- The ApiFix automatic self-correction technique for AIS at 1½ years follow-up: A preliminary report (e-poster)
- DKOU 2015, October 2015, Berlin, Germany — Invited Lecturer
- Corrective Exercises in the treatment of Scoliosis
- 19th Panhellenic Spine Society Meeting, May 2026, Kalamata
- Early brace weaning in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS): Radiographic outcomes, post-weaning adherence, and re-bracing as a rescue mechanism within a monitored care pathway
- Diploma of Hellenic Spine Society, equivalent with Eurospine Diploma, May 2026, Athens, Greece
- Conservative treatment of spinal deformities: The role of rehabilitation
- MISS Congress, November 2025, Thessaloniki
- Schroth method for scoliosis
- 18th Panhellenic Spine Society Meeting, October 2025, Larisa
- Combined brace and kyphosis specific exercises for effective management of Scheuermann Kyphosis during growth spurt
- Predictive factors for successful and unsuccessful bracing in AIS
- 17th Hellenic Spine Society Congress, October 2024, Athens
- Scientific Evidence for PSSE for AIS treatment – What do we know?
- Can clinical evaluation tools predict curve progression in AIS? A correlational study
- Tele-Scoli-Screen & Treat (TSST) Protocol for scoliosis treatment
- Diploma of Hellenic Spine Society, equivalent with Eurospine Diploma, October 2024, Athens, Greece
- Conservative treatment of spinal deformities: The role of rehabilitation
- 16th Hellenic Spine Society Congress, October 2023, Porto Cheli
- Schroth–PSSE exercises can reduce the risk for progression during peak of growth in curves below 25 degrees: Prospective Control Study
- Non-operative treatment for AIS by a combination of Chenau brace and PSSE-Schroth, for curves at high risk of progression
- Diploma of Hellenic Spine Society, equivalent with Eurospine Diploma, April 2023, Athens, Greece
- Conservative treatment of spinal deformities: The role of rehabilitation
- 15th Hellenic Spine Society Congress, October 2022, Athens — Best Oral Presentation Award
- Non-fusion surgical treatment for AIS by ApiFix system
- Non-operative treatment with brace and PSSE for severe scoliotic curves exceeding 40 degrees at peak of growth
- 14th Hellenic Spine Society Congress, October 2021, Thessaloniki
- ApiFix treatment for AIS: Non-fusion technique combined with PSSE
- Brace and PSSE for AIS: A prospective study following SRS criteria
- 13th Hellenic Spine Society Meeting, November 2019, Ioannina
- Bracing in AIS: Predictive factors and evidence to date
- 12th Hellenic Spine Congress, October 2018, Volos
- AIS treatment with the Dynamic Derotation Brace (DDB): An analysis using patients at high risk of progression
- PSSE can reduce the risk of progression in AIS during the peak of growth: A prospective study with a control group
- ApiFix treatment for AIS: The importance of Schroth method exercises after the minimal invasive operation
- 11th Hellenic Spine Congress, October 2017, Athens
- Epidemiological analysis of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) in terms of diagnosis, family history, hobbies, pain and curve type
- Radiological and clinical improvement in scoliotic patients with single thoracolumbar curves, treated with Schroth BSPTS exercises
- 10th Hellenic Spine Congress, October 2016, Thessaloniki
- PSSE: Recent evidence and the position of the International Scientific Societies, an updated review
- ApiFix treatment for AIS: The importance of Schroth method exercises after minimal invasive operation
- 9th Hellenic Spine Congress, October 2015, Nafplio
- ApiFix treatment for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Minimal invasive surgery followed by scoliosis specific exercises. A multi-center sudy in Israel and Greece
- Brace treatment for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis & Scheuermann kyphosis: The issue of overtreatment in Greece