Scoliosis is a lateral curvature of the spine. Most often acquired (5-15 years), but it can also be congenital. Incorrect posture of children during classes leads to uneven load on the spine and back muscles.
Acquired scoliosis includes:
Prevention of scoliosis is, first of all, a healthy lifestyle, which includes physical therapy, exercise, proper balanced nutrition, rich in proteins, calcium and vitamins.
Although an external examination determines the presence of flat feet, there are a number of methods for a more accurate determination. In particular, this method: measure the height of the foot with a compass, that is, the distance from the floor to the upper surface of the navicular bone, which can be easily felt approximately a finger in front of the ankle joint. The amount of divergence of the legs of the compass is determined using a measuring ruler in millimeters, after which the length of the foot is measured - the distance from the tip of the first toe to the back roundness of the heel in millimeters, the value of the height of the foot is multiplied by one hundred and divided by the length of the foot. The resulting value is the “podometric index”. The normal arch index ranges from 31 to 29. An index from 29 to 25 indicates a low arch (flat feet). Below 25 - pronounced flat feet.
Reduction of the arch of the foot, its flattening weakens the shock absorption of vertical vibrations of the spine when walking and contributes to poor posture and the development of osteochondrosis. Flat feet changes gait and causes the development of fatigue with minor walking loads due to deterioration of blood supply and lymph flow in the small joints of the foot and lower leg muscles. Statistical loads on a flat foot increase even more with excess weight. Often, flat feet and lymphostasis (stagnation of lymph and venous blood in the lower extremities, swelling of the feet and ankle joints) cause pain, limit motor activity and aggravate the vicious circle of interrelated causes of general ill health.
Treatment: The choice of treatment depends on the origin, degree of deformity and age of the patient. For mild forms, no special treatment is required. Typically, exercise therapy, massage, physiotherapy, and wearing corrective shoes are prescribed. At our center we use the latest instrumental treatment methods. These include:
— adaptive biofeedback of the foot muscles;
— electrical stimulation of the foot muscles;
— vibration massage of the lower extremities.
— We recommend physical therapy as homework.
Exercises for children with flat feet:
1 - holding the ball between your legs, walk slowly, trying not to drop it;
2 - sitting on the floor, place your hands on the floor and try to lift the ball with your feet as high as possible;
3 - put a stick on the floor and walk along it barefoot, with your hands behind your head; 4 - pick up a handkerchief from the floor with your toes;
5 - rotate the ball on the floor with your foot;
6 - sitting on a chair, pick up pencils scattered on the floor with your toes;
7 - jumps on one leg, on tiptoes; a handkerchief is clutched in the toes of the other foot;
As children grow older, their posture changes and their body weight increases. Growth processes are completed by the age of 25. The formation and healthy functioning of body systems is influenced by healthy nutrition, sports, and environmental living conditions. Lack of vitamins and microelements, impaired motor activity, prolonged physical activity, concomitant or congenital diseases slow down metabolic processes in the human body.
Taking into account the modern dynamics of life, it has been established that the musculoskeletal system plays a large role in provoking diseases of internal organs. Often problems in the growth and development of the human skeleton lie in harmless pathologies of the feet. Prevention of flat feet in preschool children is the right decision for parents. What to do if flat feet were discovered later - in adolescence, what complex exercises need to be performed in complicated forms of flat feet, how to correct flat feet in children, whether flat feet can provoke scoliosis in children - we will find out in more detail.
Pathological curvature of the spinal column appears for the following reasons:
Preventive measures to prevent the occurrence of scoliosis and flat feet in children are carried out from an early age - preventive measures play an important role in prevention. Physical exercises can be done at home, in a preschool educational institution or in a medical institution under the supervision of a nurse according to a specially developed plan. Some clinics regularly hold presentations of new therapeutic physical education programs for children.
The main work program of preventive corrective gymnastics for children:
Preventive corrective exercises are performed with short breaks during the day, every 3-4 hours. They are easy to perform in physical education classes, in preschool educational institutions, on the street, on a treadmill.
Treatment of scoliosis is carried out in medical institutions as prescribed by a doctor under the supervision of a nurse. Basically, the program and plan of treatment measures are developed in the early stages of the development of pathology. To prevent scoliosis in children, parents and teachers are advised to:
It is possible to completely cure children from scoliosis in the early stages. The more severe the curvature of the vertebrae, the longer it will take to correct. In the early stages, the main methods of treatment will be gymnastics and specially planned physical activity on individual groups of muscle tissue. For these purposes, equipment from gyms or health centers (paths, bicycles) is used. The exception for such exercises is equipment that aggravates the deformation: physical activity on a barbell, manipulation with weights and heavy dumbbells.
Severe curvature of the spine cannot be corrected through exercise. The outcome of treatment depends on the age of the child. If treatment is started in adolescence, a positive result is possible. The complex of medical measures includes:
Special vertebrological equipment is used for children. It, according to doctors, will help to finally get rid of scoliosis in children. Such exercises for preschool age are carried out in a playful way under the supervision of a nurse. For each age period, different degrees of physical activity have been developed. The duration of classes and the load depend on the age and weight of the child, the shape of the curvature of the spine. The design of the equipment has an arcuate surface. With its help, tension in the muscles connecting the spine is relieved.
In addition to correcting scoliosis, vertebrological equipment corrects postural deformation and stooping. Spinal deformities are corrected through surgery. The operation is performed in exceptional cases, when the disease progresses and the angle of scoliosis is 40-60 degrees. Surgery in this form is carried out to eliminate the external effect and remove compression of the diaphragm.
This form of scoliosis can compress the chest and limit the breathing capacity of the lungs. As a result, children suffer from bronchitis and pneumonia. In addition to the lungs, the chest can compress the muscle tissue of the heart, provoking the formation of cardiac pathologies in the form of heart failure or coronary heart disease.
Deformities of the foot or spine can be corrected and completely eliminated in the early stages of the disease. To get rid of pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, you need to learn how to properly distribute physical activity - this plays an important role in treatment. Even with a long static position of the body (near the computer, at a school desk, in a preschool educational institution) or when preparing homework on an adapted table, it is recommended to take short breaks and engage in motor games or do simple physical exercises.
Scoliosis is a lateral curvature of the spine. Most often it is acquired (5-15 years), but it can also be congenital. Incorrect posture of children during classes leads to uneven load on the spine and back muscles.
The disease begins with weakness of the back muscles, poor posture, and a protruding shoulder blade. Subsequently, changes occur in the vertebrae themselves and their ligaments, i.e. a persistent lateral curvature is formed. It may be a consequence of rickets, prolonged asymmetrical loads on the back muscles. Scoliosis can be caused by a vertebral fracture or its destruction by a painful process (osteomyelitis, tuberculosis, syphilis). When one leg is shortened, functional scoliosis can occur.
Treatment is mainly based on general mobilizing and special gymnastic exercises under the supervision of a doctor. Sometimes wearing a corset is recommended, and in advanced cases, surgery.
Flat feet in children and adults are a consequence of congenital defects of the musculoskeletal system, increased elasticity of joints and ligaments, weakness of small muscles that support the transverse and longitudinal arch of the foot, as well as the result of exposure to prolonged work in a standing position, walking in high heels and narrow shoes, deforming position of the toes and causing disruption of the spring function of the arch of the foot.
There are two types of flatfoot - transverse flatfoot, which accounts for 55% of the total number of foot deformities, and longitudinal flatfoot - 29%. By origin, flat feet are divided into: congenital flat foot, traumatic, paralytic and static. Congenital flat feet can only be diagnosed after 5-6 years of age, since all children younger than this age have all the elements of a flat foot. Traumatic flatfoot is a consequence of a fracture of the ankles, heel bone, and tarsal bones. Paralytic foot is the result of paralysis of the plantar muscles of the foot. Static flatfoot occurs as a result of weakness of the ligamentous apparatus of the muscles of the bones of the foot and lower leg. The following signs are typical for pronounced flat feet: the foot is elongated and widened in the middle part, the longitudinal arch is lowered, and the navicular bone is outlined through the skin on the inner edge of the foot, the gait is awkward, the toes are strongly turned to the side, and sometimes the range of motion in all joints of the feet is limited. As longitudinal flatfoot progresses, the length of the feet increases, mainly as a result of the lowering of the longitudinal arch. With the development of transverse flatfoot, the length of the feet decreases due to the fan-shaped divergence of the metatarsal bones and the deviation of the first toe outward.
Although an external examination determines the presence of flat feet, there are a number of methods for a more accurate determination. In particular, this method: measure the height of the foot with a compass, that is, the distance from the floor to the upper surface of the navicular bone, which can be easily felt approximately a finger in front of the ankle joint. The divergence of the legs of the compass is determined using a measuring ruler in millimeters, after which the length of the foot is measured - the distance from the tip of the first toe to the back roundness of the heel in millimeters, the height of the foot is multiplied by one hundred and divided by the length of the foot. The resulting value is the “podometric index”. The normal arch index ranges from 31 to 29. An index from 29 to 25 indicates a low arch (flat feet). Below 25 – for pronounced flat feet.
Prevention: It is necessary to develop the correct gait and avoid spreading your toes when walking. It is very important to wear shoes that fit your feet well. The inner edge of the shoe should be straight so as not to point the first toe outward. The toe box is spacious. The heel height should be 3-4 cm. The outsole is made of elastic material. In some cases, the use of special insoles is recommended.
¨ adaptive biofeedback of foot muscles;
¨ electrical stimulation of the foot muscles;
¨ vibration massage of the lower extremities;
¨ We recommend physical therapy as homework.
Exercises for children with flat feet: 1 – holding a ball between your legs, walk slowly, trying not to drop it; 2 – sitting on the floor, rest your hands on the floor and try to lift the ball with your feet as high as possible; 3 – put a stick on the floor and walk along it barefoot, with your hands behind your head; 4 – pick up a handkerchief from the floor with your toes; 5 – rotate the ball on the floor with your foot; 6 – sitting on a chair, pick up pencils scattered on the floor with your toes; 7 – jumps on one leg, on tiptoes; a handkerchief is clutched in the toes of the other foot; 8 – walking alternately on toes and heels.
Clinically, three stages can be distinguished. First: when the back muscles get tired, scoliosis appears, and after rest the curvature disappears. Second stage: the curvature becomes permanent, the mobility of the spine sharply decreases. The shape of the chest changes, the scapula protrudes and becomes higher on the convex side of thoracic scoliosis. During the third stage, the position of the internal organs changes and their function becomes difficult.
Prevention is much more effective than treatment. Physical education and sports, correct posture of the child, and compliance with the work and rest regime are of great importance.
It is mainly built on general mobilizing and special gymnastic exercises under the supervision of a doctor. Sometimes wearing a corset is recommended, and in advanced cases, surgery.
Flat feet in children and adults are a consequence of congenital defects of the musculoskeletal system, increased elasticity of joints and ligaments, weakness of small muscles that support the transverse and longitudinal arch of the foot, as well as the result of exposure to prolonged work in a standing position, walking in high heels and narrow shoes, deforming position of the toes and causing disruption of the spring function of the arch of the foot.
There are two types of flatfoot: transverse flatfoot, which accounts for 55% of the total number of foot deformities, and longitudinal flatfoot, which accounts for 29%. By origin, flat feet are divided into: congenital flat foot, traumatic, paralytic and static. Congenital flat feet can only be diagnosed after 5-6 years of age, since all children younger than this age have all the elements of a flat foot. Traumatic flatfoot is a consequence of a fracture of the ankles, heel bone, and tarsal bones. Paralytic foot is the result of paralysis of the plantar muscles of the foot. Static flatfoot occurs as a result of weakness of the ligamentous apparatus of the muscles of the bones of the foot and lower leg. The following signs are typical for pronounced flat feet: the foot is elongated and widened in the middle part, the longitudinal arch is lowered and the navicular bone is outlined through the skin on the inner edge of the foot, the gait is awkward, the toes are strongly turned to the side, and sometimes the range of movements in all joints of the feet is limited. As longitudinal flatfoot progresses, the length of the feet increases, mainly as a result of the lowering of the longitudinal arch. With the development of transverse flatfoot, the length of the feet decreases due to the fan-shaped divergence of the metatarsal bones and the deviation of the first toe outward.
Static flat feet are characterized by certain painful areas: on the sole in the center of the arch and the inner edge of the heel; on the back of the foot in its central part between the scaphoid and talus bones; under the inner and outer malleolus between the heads of the tarsal bones; in the lower leg muscles due to their overload; in the knee and hip joints; in the thigh; in the lumbar region.
Prevention: It is necessary to develop the correct gait and avoid spreading your toes when walking. It is very important to wear shoes that fit your feet well. The inner edge of the shoe should be straight so as not to point the first toe outward. The toe box is spacious. The heel height should be 3-4 cm. The outsole is made of elastic material. In some cases, the use of special insoles is recommended.
adaptive biofeedback of foot muscles;
electrical stimulation of the foot muscles;
vibration massage of the lower extremities.
We recommend physical therapy as homework.
Exercises for children with flat feet: 1 - holding a ball between your legs, walk slowly, trying not to drop it; 2 - sitting on the floor, place your hands on the floor and try to lift the ball with your feet as high as possible; 3 - put a stick on the floor and walk along it barefoot, with your hands behind your head; 4 - pick up a handkerchief from the floor with your toes; 5 - rotate the ball on the floor with your foot; 6 - sitting on a chair, pick up pencils scattered on the floor with your toes; 7 - jumps on one leg, on tiptoes; a handkerchief is clutched in the toes of the other foot; 8 - walking alternately on toes and heels.
Scoliosis (Greek skoliosis - curvature) is a severe progressive disease of the spine, characterized by an arched curvature in the frontal plane and torsion (torsio - twisting) of the vertebrae around a vertical axis. It is usually combined with anomalies of other parts of the musculoskeletal system (hip dysplasia, flat feet, etc.), and a number of somatic and neurological disorders, so it is more correct to talk about scoliotic disease. A polyetiological disease with a large share of heredity.
Scoliosis is classified into types:
The most common type of scoliosis is thoracic. The most pronounced torsion of the vertebrae is observed in the thoracolumbar type of scoliosis, and in combined (S-shaped) scoliosis, a compensated curvature of the spine is formed.
Spinal curvatures are divided into four degrees (according to V.D. Chaklin):
Scoliosis is divided into:
Rachitic scoliosis accounts for about 50% of all scoliosis in children aged 6 to 12 years. Incorrect posture at a desk is the initial provoking moment in the formation of scoliosis against the background of rickets. The entire spine is affected, but secondary fixed compensatory curvatures, especially kyphotic deformity, easily arise against its background. Static scoliosis develops against the background of any existing disease of the lower limb (congenital dislocation of the hip, ankylosis, malunion of a fracture), leading to absolute or functional shortening of the limb. Compensatory pelvic distortion and persistent scoliotic curvature of the spine occur. Static scoliosis can develop in schoolchildren, violinists and representatives of other professions due to prolonged exposure to a monotonous posture. In the development of scoliosis in children (“school” scoliosis), rickets, muscle fatigue and asymmetric load are important.
Scoliosis is a dynamic disease. The resulting curvature of the spine progresses as the child grows and stops by the age of 16-18, i.e. towards the end of the skeletal growth period. Idiopathic scoliosis occurs in children, the cause is unknown.
Proper nutrition and raising a child are aimed at preventing rickets, polio and other diseases leading to skeletal deformities. Scoliosis does not heal spontaneously. Treatment of scoliosis is aimed at eliminating identified etiological factors, correcting deformity within possible limits, consolidating the achieved results, as well as eliminating pathological changes in other organs and systems of the child’s body. A complex of means is used, including physical therapy, orthopedic correction methods (corsets, plaster beds, etc.). Conservative treatment methods do not directly affect structural changes in the spine, but eliminate or mitigate functional changes in it. At the first signs of rachitic scoliosis, antirachitic treatment is prescribed, a massage of the trunk muscles is carried out, and the child’s posture while sitting is constantly monitored. Children should regularly engage in general strengthening gymnastics, skiing, and swimming in the pool.
Special physical education is an important tool in the fight against scoliosis. Her tasks:
With scoliosis, it is necessary to strengthen the muscle corset, but this must be done without longitudinal-axial load, since when working with free weights, the condition may worsen. To create the physiological prerequisites for restoring the correct body position, gymnastic exercises are used that strengthen muscle groups that ensure the spine is kept in the correct position: back and lower back muscles, oblique and rectus abdominis, iliopsoas, gluteal, leg muscles. Exercises are carried out mainly in a position of unloading for the spine. This allows not only to increase the strength endurance of the back and abdominal muscles in the most favorable conditions for the formation of a natural muscle corset, but also creates the opportunity to consolidate the maximum correction achieved in a horizontal position, since by eliminating static muscle tension, scoliotic deformation is reduced.
Training of the lumboiliac muscles, as well as the muscles of the gluteal region, plays an important role in creating the physiological prerequisites for restoring correct body position. Training the iliopsoas muscle is especially important for thoracolumbar scoliosis. Massage is an important method in the complex treatment of scoliosis. It is used not only as a general tonic, but also as a corrective agent for muscle changes characteristic of this disease. They are expressed in asymmetry of muscle tone - increased tone and shortening of the muscles on one side, while at the same time overstretching and atrophy of the symmetrical muscles of the other. Elimination of such functional changes with the help of massage, and thereby reducing the asymmetric load on the vertebrae, makes it possible to stop the progression of scoliosis. Surgical treatment is carried out for scoliosis of degrees III and IV and in case of failure of conservative treatment and progression of spinal curvature.
Intervertebral disc protrusion is a pathological process in the spine in which the intervertebral disc bulges into the spinal canal without rupture of the fibrous ring. It is not an independent disease, but one of the stages of osteochondrosis, followed by a hernia. Most often it is localized in the lumbar and less often in the cervical region.
Protrusions occur at a certain stage of development of osteochondrosis and are a consequence of a degenerative-dystrophic disorder of the structure of the intervertebral discs, as a result of which the disc becomes dehydrated, its elasticity decreases, its height decreases, and cracks appear in the fibrous ring. The fixation of the vertebrae among themselves worsens, and instability develops in the affected motor segment of the spine.
If the development of the disease is not stopped at the initial stage, disc protrusion begins to progress and the next stage of the disease is damage to both the internal and external fibers of the fibrous ring of the disc. As a result, the nucleus pulposus, the most important element of the intervertebral disc, extends beyond the fibrous ring into the cavity of the spinal canal. Thus, the process of formation of an intervertebral hernia occurs.
Reasons for the formation of disc protrusion:
Our center’s methods usually give very good results. You will forget about your illness and pain if you follow all the advice of a specialist. First you need to understand and determine the nature and extent of the onset of the disease (individually for each case and prescribe an individual complex, based on the reasons that caused this pathology.
One day, when you woke up in the morning, did you feel that your lower back was pulling? You shouldn’t attribute everything to an uncomfortable body position during sleep, because pain in the back, lower back or neck, accompanied by tingling and weakness in the muscles, can be the result of worsened radiculitis. Typically, radiculopathy can be caused by osteochondrosis, intervertebral disc herniation, spinal canal stenosis, osteophytes, tumors, and various back injuries. In this case, pain appears in the neck, lower back or sternum. The anatomical cause of acute radiculopathy is inflammation of the spinal cord root(s), as a result of which its functions are impaired.
The 5 largest vertebrae are located in the lumbar zone, which, in turn, are quite mobile. At the same time, in the lumbar region there is a center of gravity, which is subject to constant, high loads.
Symptoms of lumbar radiculitis are pain in the lower back, numbness of the skin and lower extremities, as well as a feeling of “running goosebumps”. It is recommended to begin treatment of lumbar radiculitis immediately, because it is also dangerous because it can cause irritation of the sciatic nerve and the patient, along with radiculopathy, experiences sciatica.
Degeneration, herniation or protrusion of a cervical disc can cause cervical radiculopathy. In this case, patients feel unbearable pain, muscle weakness and numbness of the affected area. In addition, the disease can affect not only the cervical spine, but also cause loss of sensation in the shoulders, arms or fingers.
The thoracic spine, which consists of 12 vertebrae, can also become a target for radiculopathy. In this case, the patient develops symptoms characteristic of other types of radiculitis. However, it is extremely rare, because this area of the back is not so flexible and is not subject to high loads. If you suspect that your radiculitis has worsened, but you don’t know how to treat it, you should not resort to the advice of neighbors and relatives, trust our specialists. After all, we use the most effective and safe healing methods that will relieve you of pain and allow you to live a full life!
Arthritis is a more general concept. It describes certain conditions that underlie the development of inflammatory processes. In some cases, muscles, skin and organs may also be affected. Vivid examples are rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and gout.
Arthrosis is a disease that occurs as a result of natural wear and tear of joints and cartilage tissue. It is cartilage that helps move joints properly. Over time and certain factors, the cartilage gradually becomes thinner and sometimes almost completely disappears. Contact between bone structures occurs in this case and this causes pain, decreased mobility and in some cases swelling. With age, the risk of developing, at first, pain appears only with arthrosis, increases. Osteoarthritis can affect any joint. The difference between arthritis and arthrosis is that with arthrosis only the joints are involved in the process, the rest of the body is not affected.
The most common signs of arthrosis:
At first, pain appears only with significant loads and movement. Gradually it appears at rest.
What are the differences between the symptoms of arthritis and arthrosis?
Arthritis pain worsens at night. Stiffness can occur not only in the joints, but throughout the entire body. The inflammatory process is characterized by the appearance of swelling and redness in the affected area. It is very important to pay attention to the volatility of joint inflammation. One joint is affected, then the process fades and the next one is affected. A bad sign is a constant, elevated body temperature, even if the temperature increase is insignificant (37-37.2). Sometimes there may be increased sweating, obvious weakness, and decreased appetite. All these signs should alert the patient and the doctor.
The doctor is interested in complaints and collects anamnesis. The important point is whether there were similar or similar pathologies in the family. A blood test is performed to check for the presence of certain markers of the disease. The affected joints are examined using x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and arthroscopy.
Let us highlight some factors that contribute to the development of arthrosis and arthritis:
The form of the disease determines the treatment tactics. Antibacterial therapy, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, physiotherapy, therapeutic exercises are necessary links in the treatment of arthritis.
Osteoarthritis requires mostly outpatient treatment. In addition to medications and physiotherapy, special gymnastics plays an important role. It is aimed at restoring the body's reserve capabilities and strength. Mobility increases, pain goes away.
Arthritis and arthrosis are diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Joint damage occurs in both arthritis and arthrosis. However, arthritis and arthrosis are fundamentally different. Inflammation accompanies arthritis and it is extremely important to find other pathological processes occurring in the body. Arthrosis can be called a gradual change in only the joints.
Scoliosis (from the Greek “crooked”) is a fairly common disease today. Few people can boast of a perfectly straight spine and correct posture. Both adults and children suffer from spinal curvature to a greater or lesser extent. How dangerous is scoliosis? What could it lead to? And most importantly, how to prevent it?
Scoliosis is a condition characterized by curvature of the spine in all planes: right, left, forward, backward; as well as around all its axes. In this state, the spine looks like a twisted vine. Most often, scoliosis occurs in children; it is especially dangerous when this diagnosis is made to children in preschool age, because scoliosis rapidly progresses in the period from 5 to 7 years. Scoliosis in a teenager is not so dangerous, because there is hope that the disease will not develop.
Rice. Scoliosis. A real preparation from 1894, located in the Berlin Medical Historical Museum at the Charite Clinic.
Doctors share two concepts: scoliosis and scoliotic disease. With scoliosis, changes are observed in the vertebrae themselves, the correct shape of which can no longer be returned. But with scoliotic disease there are no such changes, there is only muscle disharmony: on one side of the spine they are stronger, and on the other weaker. This muscle imbalance causes lateral curvature of the spine. Therefore, by strengthening the back muscles, you can get rid of postural defects. Untreated scoliotic posture can develop into scoliosis.
- staying in one position for a long time;
- desks and desks that are inconvenient and incorrectly selected in accordance with the child’s height;
- lack of physical activity;
- carrying heavy objects (especially in one hand);
— diseases of internal organs;
Rice. Rachitic skeleton. A real preparation from 1900, located in the Berlin Medical Historical Museum at the Charite Clinic.
Rickets is a disease associated with a lack of vitamin D, which is formed under the influence of sunlight, so children born in winter and autumn are at risk. The ultraviolet spectrum of light, under the influence of which vitamin D is synthesized, does not penetrate through window glass, so walking with your child only on a glassed-in balcony/loggia is not enough. The child needs “living” sunlight. Due to a lack of vitamin D, bones become soft. The first signs of the disease are noticeable at 2-3 months of a child’s life: he becomes excitable, whiny, sleeps poorly, flinches at loud sounds, sweats a lot, and bald patches appear on his head.
In an untreated disease, after six months the symptoms become more pronounced: the back of the head flattens, the bones of the skull become pliable and soft. The breast is deformed, it becomes like a chicken breast or “shoemaker’s breast” (indentation in the middle), the pelvis and limbs are bent; the person becomes more irritable. The legs take an O-shape (varus deformity), and the frontal and parietal tubercles protrude strongly on the skull. Small children with rickets later begin to crawl, sit, stand, are delayed in development, and are more likely to develop malocclusion, caries, and poor posture. When children recover, they feel better, calm down, and cry less, but skeletal deformities can persist for a long time.
Vitamin D is used to treat rickets, but its dosage and duration of treatment is determined only by a doctor. In addition to drug treatment, it is important to properly organize the child’s day: hardening, gymnastics, massage. The diet should include a sufficient amount of foods rich in calcium, phosphorus, vitamins, and microelements.
Early and high-quality treatment in some children allows them to cope with the disease.
Another serious cause of stooping is flat feet. In people with flat feet, the center of gravity is shifted back, thus disrupting the balance of the entire body. The person involuntarily leans forward to avoid falling and begins to slouch. Most people have static flat feet, which develops due to congenital weakness of the ligaments, hereditary bone thinness, abnormal gait, and excess weight. Incorrectly selected shoes are perhaps the main cause of static flat feet. The mechanics of a normal step are disrupted and the foot is deformed if you always wear high-heeled shoes or a rigid platform. Professional activities (standing for long periods or carrying heavy objects) can also cause flat feet.
Treatment for flat feet is carried out by an orthopedist. The treatment is based on special daily gymnastics, which is supplemented by warm foot baths, massage of the feet and legs - to strengthen the muscular-ligamentous system.
Ideal shoes are with a heel 2-3 cm high and a tight heel. It is useful to use insoles that lift the flattened arch of the foot and improve posture. For flat feet, walking barefoot in nature, hardening, swimming, and cycling provide a good healing effect. Advanced cases are treated promptly.
Very often, scoliosis is a manifestation of some other diseases and conditions, such as hip joint diseases, diffuse connective tissue diseases, different leg lengths, cerebral palsy. These diseases, due to their characteristics, change the load on the vertebrae, distributing it incorrectly, and cause their deformation, which entails curvature of the spine. Various intrauterine diseases lead to congenital scoliosis. The development of the disease can be provoked by birth trauma. Rickets suffered at an early age and various types of injuries are the causes of incorrect posture (most often due to the resulting muscle weakness). At an older age, scoliosis appears in children whose workplace is organized incorrectly and forces them to sit hunched over. Curvature of the spine can also appear in adults as a result of prolonged asymmetrical loads on the back muscles.
Depending on which part of the spine is curved , the following types of scoliosis are distinguished:
— “stooping”: increased thoracic curve in the upper sections with a straight lower back;
— “round back”: increased thoracic curve throughout the entire thoracic spine;
— “concave back”: increased bending in the lumbar region;
- “round-concave back”: an increase in the thoracic curve with an increase in the lumbar curve;
- “flat-concave back”: a decrease in the thoracic curve with a normal or slightly increased lumbar curve.
Scoliosis I degree: lateral deviation of the spine up to 10 degrees and slight twisting (visible on an x-ray).
Scoliosis II degree: curvature angle of 10-25 degrees, pronounced twisting of the spine (a hump can be detected), the presence of compensating bends (the spine bends in the other direction and becomes s-shaped). The X-ray image clearly shows the deformation of the vertebrae.
Scoliosis grade III: curvature angle of 25-40 degrees, severe deformation of the vertebrae, formation of a large hump. In places of greatest curvature, the vertebrae acquire a wedge-shaped shape.
IV degree scoliosis: curvature angle 40-90 degrees, figure disfigurement: posterior and anterior costal humps, deformation of the pelvis and chest, cinematic scoliosis of the thoracic region.
- children with a hereditary predisposition to scoliosis;
- children who play a lot of music (the violin and accordion especially contribute to the curvature of the spine);
- fast growing and thin;
- children from schools and kindergartens with increased workload.
Scoliosis (especially grades III and IV) is dangerous because it disrupts the functioning of all organs and systems: the heart, lungs, blood circulation, abdominal organs, and nervous system suffer. People with scoliosis develop osteochondrosis earlier. In addition, scoliosis is a cosmetic defect that puts pressure on a person’s psyche and prevents them from living a full life.
Scoliosis can be accompanied by lordosis (a strong forward curve of the spine) or kyphosis (a backward curve), deformities of the shoulder blades, sternum and muscles. Kyphosis (hunchback) and lordosis are essentially different diseases, but they often accompany each other, because if kyphosis develops in one part of the spine, then compensatory lordosis occurs in the other, and vice versa.
A person has physiological lordosis and kyphosis: normally, a slight kyphosis is present in the upper part of the thoracic spine, in the area of the sacrum and coccyx. Lordosis is normally present in the lower thoracic, lumbar and cervical spine. The depth of the physiological bends corresponds to the thickness of the human palm.
Scoliosis usually occurs at 6-7 years of age, which is associated with a sharply increasing load on the spine (starting school). The second stimulus for the development of scoliosis is observed at 12-13 years of age - with intensive growth. With age, the curvature of the spine only worsens, the deformation intensifies, the spine seems to twist around its axis. Deformities can only be corrected up to 14 years of age: the growth zones of the vertebrae have not yet closed. After this, scoliosis cannot be cured, but it is possible to stabilize a person’s condition and slow down the deformation of the vertebrae with the help of therapeutic exercises, massage, and physiotherapy. The purpose of these methods is to form a so-called muscle corset from the muscles of the abdomen, lower back, back, neck and shoulder muscles. The muscle corset supports the spine in the correct position, thus reducing severe curvature.
You cannot come up with a set of exercises on your own to strengthen the muscle corset, because some types of exercise for scoliosis are strictly prohibited (jumping, lifting weights, stretching and flexibility exercises). Stretching for scoliosis is not recommended, because a person stretches, first of all, healthy parts of the spine, which are already very mobile. Because of this, scoliosis develops faster, so if you have scoliosis, you don’t need to hang on horizontal bars or wall bars.
Properly selected therapeutic exercises should strengthen the muscles and not aggravate the course of scoliosis. All exercises are performed slowly and smoothly, with minimal amplitude, while the spine should be practically motionless. Manual therapy and massage help normalize muscle tone, increase joint mobility, and improve blood circulation. During their implementation, tissue nutrition is enhanced, and this in turn ensures strengthening and more intensive development of muscles.
With the help of a corset, you can forcefully give the spine the desired shape. The most important thing is that the corset is correctly selected and does not compress the internal organs. But there is no need to get carried away with corsets, since constant artificial maintenance of the spine in the desired position contributes to inactivity and weakening of one’s own muscles, which ultimately worsens scoliosis. Therefore, if you wear a corset, it won’t be for long, and it’s even better to create your own muscle corset. Manual therapy can help in the early stages of scoliosis, but only if done by an experienced professional.
Kyphosis (hunchback) at an early stage is treated with the help of special positions, in which the patient is placed for some time in the most correct position, unloading the spine.
The effectiveness of treatment largely depends on the degree of spinal deformity. In most cases, congenital pathologies are more difficult to correct. Older children and adult patients often have to undergo surgery. Surgical correction is performed for stages III and IV of scoliosis. During the operation, the spine is fixed with metal rods, after which the patient wears a plaster corset for several months. After surgery, lung volume does not increase, but blood oxygen saturation improves. In the future, the possibility of carrying out (and directly carrying out) overinflation of the lungs using devices that create positive and negative pressure during breathing is being considered.
Treatment of scoliosis will be effective only if you regularly perform the prescribed exercises, constantly monitor correct posture, massage your back, wisely alternate between classes and active recreation, and consult with an orthopedic doctor. In addition, consultations with a gastroenterologist, neurologist, otolaryngologist and dentist are needed.
For office workers who spend 7-8 hours at work, it is important to properly organize their workplace, because sedentary work puts a huge strain on the spine. The height of the table should be 2-3 cm above the elbow of the seated arm, and the height of the chair should not exceed the height of the shin. When working at a desk, you need to lean on both elbows, both legs, your back should closely touch the back of the chair, maintaining a lumbar curve. A fist should be placed between the chest and the edge of the table.
Try never to lift anything from an inclined position! Use a jack rather than a crane. Squat down and lift the load with a straight back, or even better, while maintaining the lumbar curve. In this case, the leg muscles should work, not the spine. If possible, press the load towards you so that the load is evenly distributed along the spine. The same rules must be followed when lowering the load. If the lifting of the load is carried out by the back muscles, their work can be facilitated by simultaneously bending the legs. It is very dangerous to lift loads in a state of physical fatigue, when the muscles do not provide the necessary protection to the spine.
In the institutes for noble maidens, girls were forced to walk several times a day, holding a stick behind their back, to create a beautiful posture: their shoulders were straightened, a beautiful, proud posture was strengthened. The standard of correct posture: the head is slightly raised, the shoulders are turned, the shoulder blades do not protrude, the line of the abdomen does not extend beyond the line of the chest. This posture can be developed with special exercises that strengthen the muscles of the arms, legs, back, abdomen, and neck.
Exercises to strengthen your back muscles
Exercises to strengthen the abdominal muscles
Exercises to strengthen the lateral muscles of the trunk
Exercises to develop correct posture
Exercises are best done on the floor or bed.
1) Alternately pull your knees towards your chest, clasping your shins with your hands and at the same time pulling your toes towards you.
2) Perform the “bicycle” exercise for a minute. If it is difficult to work with both legs at the same time, work with them in turns. Pull the toe towards you.
3) I.p. - lying on your back, hands clasped at the back of your head, legs raised at an angle of 90 degrees. Raising your body as high as possible, try to touch your left knee with your right elbow and lower yourself. Then try to touch your left elbow to your right knee. Repeat the exercise 10 times on each side. During this exercise, the back muscles and oblique abdominal muscles are worked.
4) Lying on your back, bend your knees, leaning on the back of your head and elbows, lift your pelvis, straining your buttocks. Stay in this position for a few seconds and lower yourself to the floor.
5) A variation of the same exercise: lift your pelvis, spread your knees as far apart as possible and bring them together with force. When you feel tired, lower your pelvis, rest and repeat the exercise.
1) Alternately pull one or the other knee to the opposite hand.
2) “Kitty”. Arch your back and stretch your spine up, then bend your lower back properly. Repeat several times.
3) Straighten and lift your left leg at the same time as your right arm. Return to the starting position. Then straighten and lift your right leg at the same time as your left arm. Repeat the exercise several times.
Constantly watch how you stand, walk, sit. Stand against a wall several times a day. When performing this exercise, try to straighten your shoulders as much as possible, touching the wall with your shoulder blades, buttocks and heels. The duration of the exercise is 3-4 minutes. Then walk around the room, but continue to control your posture. All exercises aimed at strengthening muscles should be performed symmetrically on both halves of the body, the loads should be distributed from top to bottom with a gradual increase.
If the ligamentous apparatus is weak, the following are prohibited: exercises on the horizontal bar, weight lifting, basketball, hockey, football. In other words, all “asymmetrical” sports, in which all physical activity occurs on one side of the body, are prohibited.
When sitting for a long time, for example on the sofa watching TV, change the position of your legs, head, move the pillow, do not freeze in one position.
To improve muscle function, it is useful to take natural vitamins and minerals, microelements (B vitamins, calcium, silicon, zinc and others).