Exercise prevention of scoliosis in preschool children. Scoliosis prevention measures. How scoliosis begins

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Scoliosis is called congenital, or that which occurs due to an improper lifestyle.

The causes of this disease are in the wrong lifestyle, uncomfortable shoes, non-compliance with safety rules when playing sports, as a result of metabolic disorders, etc.

It must be remembered that it is very difficult to treat, which is why it is necessary to regularly, from infancy, to prevent the disease.

Prevention of spinal curvature in adults

For the prevention of scoliosis in adults, it is especially important to lead a correct lifestyle.

Diet

Healthy food is quite an important aspect in life. A person needs to eat:

• fruits;
• vegetables;
• porridge;
• lean meat.

The menu should be selected in such a way that it consists of foods rich in vitamins and microelements. Fatty and fried foods must be excluded.

Lifestyle

Scoliosis is called a problem of our time. This is because most people are predominantly sedentary.

If a person has such a specificity of work, then he needs:

Oh sport, are you life?

Prevention of scoliosis in adult patients consists in following not only certain rules, but also in observing prohibitions.

Many people have a misconception that it cannot occur when playing sports, but this is far from the case. Sport in some cases is the cause of this disease.

If a person goes in for sports, then he needs to avoid unbearable physical exertion.

Sleeping mode

Those people who sleep without a pillow should understand how harmful it is. To prevent scoliosis, it is necessary to ensure healthy sleep.

That's why it is strictly forbidden to sleep without a pillow... For sleeping, it is best to choose an orthopedic mattress. It will allow the spine to be in its usual position during the rest period, which will be an excellent means of preventing spinal curvature.

Let's warm up a little ...

Also, to prevent the disease, it is necessary to do gymnastics. For this, 10-15 back exercises are used. They should be determined by the doctor depending on the individual characteristics of the patient.

You can also practice, the assanas of which not only warm up the back muscles, but also have a positive effect on the spine.

Prevention of scoliosis in adults is fairly straightforward. For this, a person needs to follow only simple rules.

We hurry to help the kids

As a rule, scoliosis in most cases develops in preschool and school age, the culprits of this diseases in most cases are parents who could not provide timely prevention of violations to their children.

In the context of the development of information technologies, children in preschool and school age are constantly at the computer.

And oddly enough, this is encouraged by the parents.

Long-term sitting is strictly prohibited. If a child is keen on a computer, then he needs to get up from his desk every half an hour and walk around the room for at least ten seconds.

Parents have to preschool age teach the child to sit still for 20 minutes. Initially, you need to ask the child to remain in the same position for five minutes.

With each subsequent exercise, the stationary sitting time should be increased by one minute. This will allow not only to develop the correct posture in the child, but also teach him discipline, prepare him for school.

As a rule, in elementary grades, children warm up in the middle of the lesson. If you teach a child to sit still for half the lesson, and then a warm-up is done, then this will be an excellent prevention of scoliosis.

In the lesson, the child needs to change the position of the legs. They are snapped together and placed, the feet are guided back and forth, etc. Doctors recommend doing a warm-up several times a day. That is why, starting from preschool age, parents should teach their child to do morning exercises, which includes twists and turns of the torso.

How to properly distribute the load on the spine

Children who go to school should carry a backpack with them. It is necessary to place not only books and other school supplies in it, but also a school breakfast. This is quite a big load for a school-age child.

That is why parents should be responsible when choosing a school backpack. To ensure an even load on the back, it is necessary to give preference to a backpack that is worn on two shoulders.

When using bags, the load is shifted to one side. Even if the child changes the shoulder on which he carries the bag, it still negatively affects the spine.

A fragile children's spine should be given rest. To achieve the highest possible effect, the child must take a lying position. The child should lie on his back or stomach.

You should not watch TV or read books during the rest period, as this negatively affects the child's eyesight.

If the child lies on his side, this will not provide him with rest, since the load in this position is equal to the load in the standing position.

Once again about posture

Parents should develop the correct posture in their child even in preschool age. He needs to be taught to walk and sit with straight shoulders. The head should be straight. Walking with the head down is not only harmful for a child, but also unsafe.

To rest the baby, you need to choose a medium hard bed. To avoid the appearance of tension in the muscles of the baby, parents should teach the baby to sleep on its side.

Doctors say that the best position for a child is the embryo's position - on the side with bent legs.

What is prohibited

In order to prevent scoliosis, children are strictly prohibited:

• carry a backpack on one shoulder;
• while resting, lean on your elbows;
• exercise intensively.

The child should not only have the correct period of activity, but also sleep.

Preventive exercise

In order to provide a full range of preventive measures, the child needs to do the following exercises daily:

These exercises can be performed to prevent scoliosis not only for a child, but also for an adult.

Scoliosis is very difficult to treat and easier to avoid. To do this, it is necessary to provide a correct lifestyle not only for yourself, but also for your children. Exercise has a high impact in the prevention of this disease.

The main disadvantage of the development of scientific and technical capabilities of mankind is the inexorable decrease in the physical activity of the world's population. The lack of systematic physical activity negatively affects, first of all, the condition of the musculoskeletal system. Therefore, the prevention of scoliosis in children is becoming more and more important every year. Curvature of the spine leads not only to poor posture, but also to the development of concomitant pathologies of internal organs.

Prevention of childhood scoliosis in infancy

An integrated approach is used not only in the treatment of diseases of the spinal column (see). Prevention of childhood scoliosis also involves the simultaneous use of various methods. At the same time, orthopedists insist on the need to take appropriate measures from the very birth of the baby.

Anatomical ones appear gradually and in sequence. To prevent anomalies in the development of the musculoskeletal system, parents must observe the following rules:

1. Properly organize a place for your baby to sleep: do not use a pillow until he is one year old. Make sure that the mattress in the children's bed is firm, dense and made of quality materials... Such measures will help prevent disturbances in the formation of the bend in the cervical spine.
2. When a baby is 2 months old, he begins to roll over on his side. Parents should make sure that these turns are carried out in both directions - both to the right and to the left.
3. Children make their first attempts to sit down six months after birth, sometimes even later. It is forbidden to try to plant a baby before he himself is ready for this. Increased loads on the child's spine contribute to the formation of a "round back": its curvature in the thoracic and lumbar segments.
4. Make sure that the child sleeps mainly on his back or stomach. If the baby sleeps on its side, the load on his spine increases by 75%.

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Sometimes parents try to help their child learn to walk faster. Orthopedists persistently do not recommend using walkers and other devices for this purpose, as well as independently putting the child on its feet. The increased loads acting on the unformed spine contribute to the development of pathologies in its various parts.

Principles of scoliosis prevention in preschool children

The first period of rapid growth of the child's body, when the risk of curvature of the spinal column increases, occurs at the age of 5-7 years. Prevention of scoliosis in preschool children consists of the following measures:

1. Developing the correct posture: do not allow the child to slouch (see).
2. Do not allow children to watch TV while lying in bed.
3. In the presence of congenital anomalies in the development of the musculoskeletal system, in particular, the shortening of one of the legs, carefully follow the recommendations of the orthopedist, use medical insoles.
4. Develop a rational daily routine and diet.
5. Form a habit of doing morning exercises every day.
6. Enroll the preschooler in the pool.

Parents should not only make sure that their children are not impaired in physical activity. Due attention must be paid to rest: preschoolers must sleep at least 9 hours a day.

Principles of scoliosis prevention in school-age children

With the beginning of the educational process, the load on the spine increases: children are forced to stay in a static position for a long time, carry a briefcase with textbooks. An additional negative factor is a change in the psycho-emotional background: a new team and an increase in social responsibility can provoke the emergence of stressful situations. Properly organized prevention of scoliosis in schoolchildren helps prevent anomalies in the development of the musculoskeletal system or significantly slow down the progression of an already formed pathology.

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A comprehensive application of the following measures helps to prevent curvature of the spine in schoolchildren:

1. Daily morning exercises. According to the rules, charging should begin with a short-term self-massage of the back and lower back in order to warm up and prepare the muscle fibers for subsequent loads. Only then can you start doing exercises to prevent scoliosis. It is necessary to finish gymnastics with water procedures.
2. Performing small physical exercises during the day, lasting 5-6 minutes. If a child is forced to sit still for more than 15 minutes, he should periodically change the position of his legs, move his feet in different directions.
3. Correct organization of the student's workplace. The distance between the desk and the student's chest should not exceed the width of the palm. The seat of the chair should be firm, which helps the student to keep their back straight during the lesson.
4. Swimming pool visit twice a week. Swimming on the back is the most effective in the prevention of scoliosis in schoolchildren.
5. The systematic performance of exercises that help to stretch the spine, for example, pure hanging on a horizontal bar, in which there is no support for the legs.

In the prevention of scoliosis, gymnastics, including special compensatory exercises, is of great importance. It can be performed in combination with morning exercises or throughout the day:

• hang on the horizontal bar and try to bring your knees to your chest;
• take the starting position on your knees, then first bend your back strongly, then bend it.

Note! The effectiveness of physical activities depends not only on the regularity of their implementation, but also on the duration.

Acceptable exercise for preventing scoliosis in children

Physical education helps a child not only improve appearance, but also contribute to the normalization of the functioning of all internal organs. Exercises for the prevention of scoliosis in children are aimed at strengthening all types of back muscles, as a result of which it is easier for the student to maintain correct posture:

1. While standing, put your hands behind your head, then with an effort take them to the sides, then up and bend. After a few seconds, return to the starting position.
2. Standing, put a gymnastic stick behind your back and press it to the body. Keeping your back upright, slowly sit down, then alternately tilt forward, right and left. After each movement, you must return to the starting position.
3. Lying on your stomach, lean on your hands and try to bend your back as much as possible. Make sure your hips touch the floor at all times.

The optimal set of exercises for the prevention of scoliosis can only be developed by an exercise therapy doctor. A specialist consultation will help to avoid the development of severe complications in the musculoskeletal system of a schoolchild and guarantee maximum success in preventing spinal curvature in a patient (see contact). That is why, during routine medical examinations under the age of one year, upon admission to kindergarten and the school provides an orthopedic consultation.

Scoliosis in children is a very common pathology that occurs very often not only among school-age children, but also among preschoolers. We will consider the causes of the development of the disease, its symptoms, methods of diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

Scoliosis concept

In a healthy person, the spinal column has four natural bends in the sagittal plane: two anterior (cervical and lumbar lordosis) and two posterior (sacral and thoracic kyphosis). The vertical plane dividing the body into the right and left halves is called the sagittal plane. Perpendicular to it, the same vertical plane, passing between the front and back of the body, is called the frontal.

Scoliosis is a pathological curvature of the spinal column to the left or to the right in the frontal plane, leading to further "twisting" of the vertebrae and an increase in physiological bends. The resulting compression of blood vessels and internal organs becomes the cause of disruption of the cardiovascular, respiratory, urinary, nervous and other systems of the body.

It is noticed that girls suffer from scoliosis about 9 times more often than boys. According to medical statistics, almost 10% of children and adolescents have curvature of the spinal column. Therefore, pediatric orthopedists confidently put scoliosis in one of the first positions among all pathologies of the musculoskeletal system.

In childhood, there are two periods when there is a leap in the growth of the body: from 6 to 7 years and from 11 to 14 years. It is these age intervals that are considered periods of high risk of developing scoliosis.

Ask your child to stand up, turn their back to you, lower their arms along their torso and not strain. If you notice that one shoulder is higher than the other, or one shoulder blade is higher than the other, or there is more distance from the arm to the body on one side of the waist than on the other, ask the child to lean forward. In this position, you can see that not all vertebrae lie on the same line. The presence of at least one of these signs is a reasonable reason to go to an appointment with a pediatric orthopedist to exclude scoliosis. With this disease, the principle operates: early treatment is a favorable outcome. The child's body has not yet been fully formed, it continues to grow, so it is much easier to resist the progression of scoliosis in a child than in an adult.

Classification of scoliosis

In orthopedics, various classifications of scoliosis are used depending on the reasons for their development, the severity of the pathological process, the time of manifestation of the disease, etc.

If scoliosis manifests itself between the first and second year of a child's life, it is called infantile. If the disease manifests itself at the age of 4-6 years, they talk about juvenile scoliosis, at 10-14 years old - about adolescent.

There are two main types of scoliosis:

1. Congenital scoliosis, which is formed in the prenatal period due to the abnormal development of osteochondral structures. Its reasons can be:
   • spinal anomalies (hemivertebrae, wedge-shaped vertebrae);
   • dysplasia of the sacro-lumbar spine;
   • additional ribs or fusion of ribs.

In this case, the transitional parts of the spine (lumbar-thoracic, cervicothoracic, lumbosacral) suffer more often. But usually there is no large arc of curvature, since single vertebrae are involved in the process. Therefore, congenital scoliosis manifests itself not earlier than 5-7 years.

1. Acquired scoliosis formed in a child after birth under the influence of certain factors.

Depending on the origin and causes of the disease, 5 groups of scoliosis are distinguished:

1. Scoliosis muscular origin. They are formed due to the pathology of muscles and ligaments, for example, with muscular dystrophy, muscular hypotension, congenital dislocation of the hip, contracture of the hip or knee joint, congenital torticollis.
2. Scoliosis neurogenicorigin. They develop as a result of injury spinal cord, Friedreich's ataxia, past poliomyelitis, infantile cerebral palsy, syringomyelia and other pathologies of the nervous system.
3. Dysplastic scoliosis is all congenital scoliosis.
4. Scoliosis, which are based on injuries and diseases chest(spinal fractures, pleural empyema, extensive burns, thoracoplasty, etc.) and other pathological conditions (rickets, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, Hunter's syndrome, Marfan's syndrome, juvenile osteochondrosis, tumors of the spinal cord and spine, etc.).
5. Idiopathic scoliosis, the causes of which have not been established. This group includes most of the scoliosis developing in childhood and adolescence.

Factors contributing to scoliotic curvature of the spinal column:

• hypodynamia;
• asthenic conditions;
• not age-appropriate load on the spine;
• improper posture;
• the formation of the musculoskeletal system lasting up to 18 years.

By the shape of the curvature, scoliosis are as follows:

• C-shapedwhen the spine has one arc in the frontal plane;
• S-shaped - two arcs;
• Z-shaped - three arcs.

According to the location of the apex of the lateral curvature of the spine, several types of scoliosis are distinguished:

• cervicothoracic (at the level of III – IV thoracic vertebrae);
• thoracic (at the level of VIII – IX thoracic vertebrae);
• lumbar-thoracic (at the level of the XI-XII thoracic vertebrae);
• lumbar (at the level of I – II lumbar vertebrae);
• lumbosacral (at the level of V lumbar and I coccygeal vertebrae).

There are several different clinical and radiological classifications of scoliosis in terms of severity. Our doctors use the classification of the outstanding Russian orthopedic traumatologist Chaklin V.D.compiled in 1973.

I power, in which the lateral curvature of the spine is noticeable in the vertical position of the body and disappears in the horizontal position. If the child is standing, asymmetry of the shoulder blades and shoulder lines or waist is visible, which depends on the localization of the curvature. The angle of scoliosis on radiographs does not exceed 10 °;

II powerwhen the lateral deformity of the spine is more pronounced, and it does not disappear in the supine position. A rib hump begins to form, a compensatory arch appears. On the side of the curvature along the spine, a muscle roller is determined. The angle of scoliosis on an x-ray is greater than 11 ° but less than 30 °;

III power, in which a significantly pronounced lateral curvature of the spinal column is combined with a formed compensatory arch. The rib hump reaches large sizes, the chest is deformed. Unloading the spine has no effect. The angle of scoliosis on the x-ray is 31 ° –60 °;

IV powerwhen the angle of scoliosis exceeds 60 °. In addition to pronounced musculoskeletal deformities, there are disruptions in the work of internal organs (heart, lungs, etc.).

Depending on the nature of the course, scoliosis can be progressive and non-progressive.

Children's scoliosis symptoms

Children with grade I – II scoliosis do not present any complaints as such. But those around them always notice a lowered head, an asymmetry of the back, and flattened shoulders. At III-IV degrees of deformity, the child sometimes begins to complain of back pain, shortness of breath may bother him, he notices transient painful sensations in the heart and heart palpitations. Stiffness of movements increases, the child becomes inattentive, quickly gets tired. Young children may have difficulty walking, stumbling, or losing balance.

Scoliosis is not only a physical but also a cosmetic defect. Sick children may complain of a bad mood, fall into depression. Their relationships with peers are disturbed, self-esteem falls. Therefore, parents in the first place, as well as psychologists and doctors, must help the child overcome these problems.

Doctors of all specialties who work with children know how important early diagnosis of scoliosis is. Therefore, a doctor of a children's institution, a district pediatrician, a surgeon, a pediatric neurologist, a physiotherapist, a dermatologist, etc. can suspect a deformity of the spinal column and send a patient for further examination.

Leads a child with scoliosis or with suspicion of it is a pediatric orthopedist, and in the absence of this doctor in the clinic - a surgeon. To make a diagnosis, the doctor examines the child from behind and from the front, from both sides, in the standing and leaning forward positions, as well as sitting and lying down. If there are signs of scoliosis (asymmetry of the back, costal hump, etc.), he uses a scoliosometer to determine the degree of curvature of the spinal column in degrees. If the spine is deviated from the vertical axis by more than 5–7 °, the doctor directs the patient to.

To identify the pathology of the spinal column, X-ray is performed in the vertical and horizontal positions of the patient in two projections. The radiologist in the conclusion indicates the degree of scoliosis, determining it by the Chaklin method. To obtain more detailed information and in the absence of contraindications, X-ray tomography, MRI or CT of the spinal column, myelography are performed. During treatment, to control its effectiveness, a non-radiation method of computed optical topography is used. Children's orthopedists often use a camera at all stages of observation and treatment of a patient. Comparing photographs taken at different times and from different angles, the doctor can indirectly judge the course of the disease.

If there are indications, a child with scoliosis is consulted by a gastroenterologist, cardiologist, pulmonologist, neurologist, who may prescribe additional examination (laboratory tests, ECG, ultrasound, etc.).

The orthopedic surgeon chooses the treatment tactics for each child strictly individually. It is determined by the patient's age, the severity of scoliosis, the course of the disease (with or without progress). All methods of treating this type of deformity of the spinal column are divided into conservative and surgical.

Conservative treatment includes an orthopedic regimen, massage, physiotherapy procedures, physiotherapy exercises, manual therapy, and wearing a corset. The orthopedic regimen includes constant monitoring of correct posture, sleeping on a hard shield, unloading the spine with a horizontal position of the body several times a day.

If a child has grade I – II scoliosis and the disease does not progress, all measures are taken to eliminate the causes contributing to the curvature, to organize the patient's correct motor activity and unload the spine. The main thing is to prevent the progression of the pathological process. The child is prescribed an orthopedic regimen, massage of the entire back, therapeutic exercises, swimming lessons.

If scoliosis of I – II degrees progresses, the orthopedist adds a special complex of physiotherapy exercises, manual therapy (soft techniques), physiotherapy (magnetotherapy, mud and hydrotherapy, CMT therapy, electromyostimulation, heat therapy, etc.) to the above appointments, wearing an orthopedic corset , correcting the position of the spinal column.

If conservative treatment does not give the desired effect, and the disease progresses, if the angle of scoliosis exceeds 40 °, and the child has impaired functions of internal organs, he is shown surgical treatment of the disease. Doctors try to do the operation after 10, but before 14 years, since this age interval is considered optimal for its implementation.

Surgical treatment involves the implantation of special devices (distractors, endocorrectors, etc.) into the chest, which fix the spine in the maximum possible straightened state. Surgical intervention is always preceded by traction of the spinal column. Other options for surgical treatment are osteoplastic (resection of the vertebrae), mobilizing (removal of the intervertebral disc, etc.) and cosmetic (resection of the hump, angle of the scapula, etc.) operations. After any surgical intervention, the child undergoes a long course of rehabilitation therapy.

Childhood scoliosis prognosis

Scoliosis, which manifests itself in a child at the age of 10–12, is less aggressive. The disease that manifests itself before the age of 6 years usually has a progressive course, accompanied by the early development of deformity of the spinal column. It is impossible to completely cure the disease, but it is quite possible to suspend the pathological process and reduce the severity of the curvature.

Children with scoliosis are subject to long-term supervision by an orthopedist and should receive specialized treatment at least twice a year. The prognosis in terms of mobility and independence is determined by the degree of scoliosis. Sick children with mild curvatures move freely, participate in active games on a par with their peers. In severe scoliosis, independence may be limited due to imbalance, and the child will need a cane or walker. In this case, mobility is most often also limited, especially the tilt of the trunk.

For girls with spinal deformity, the prognosis in terms of pregnancy is quite favorable, since special sets of exercises have been developed to facilitate the bearing of a child and prepare a woman for childbirth.

Young men of military age suffering from scoliosis are not or are subject to conscription with restrictions in the RF Armed Forces, which is determined by the severity of the deformity.

Disease prevention

Scoliosis, like many diseases, is easier to prevent than to cure. No one can cope with measures to prevent the development of spinal deformity better than the child's parents. Only parents have the ability to constantly monitor their child.

• before the age of one year, do not rush the child to grow: do not put him in pillows if he cannot sit on his own, and do not use a walker if the baby is not yet standing;
• enroll your son or daughter in the pool as early as possible, since swimming is the most efficient view sports in terms of scoliosis prevention;
• always monitor the correct posture of the child, his physical activity and motor regime;
• by personal example, teach him to do morning exercises every day;
• buy an orthopedic mattress for your child to sleep;
• organize it right workplace, buy a satchel for school.

Remember that in both the treatment and prevention of scoliosis, only patience and persistence combined with confidence and optimism will lead you to success.

Zaluzhanskaya Elena Alexandrovna, pediatrician

Scoliosis (from the Greek "curve") is a fairly common disease today. Few 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 can 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; and also around all its axes. In this state, the spine is like a twisted vine. Most often, scoliosis occurs in children, it is especially dangerous when such a diagnosis is made to children in preschool age, because scoliosis progresses rapidly from 5 to 7 years. Scoliosis in a teenager is not so dangerous, because there is a hope that the disease will not develop.

Figure: Scoliosis. A real drug from 1894, housed in the Berlin Medical History 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 cannot be returned. And with scoliotic disease, there are no such changes, there is only muscle disharmony: on the one side of the spine, they are stronger, and on the other, weaker. This muscle imbalance is the cause of the lateral curvature of the spine. Therefore, by strengthening the muscles of the back, it is possible to get rid of posture defects. Untreated scoliotic posture can turn into scoliosis.

Scoliosis causes:

- prolonged stay in one position;

- uncomfortable and incorrectly selected desks and desks in accordance with the child's height;

- lack of physical activity;

- carrying weights (especially in one hand);

- visual impairment;

- diseases of internal organs;

- congenital defects.

Harbingers of scoliosis

Figure: Rickety skeleton. Real drug from 1900, housed in the Berlin Medical History Museum at the Charite clinic.

Rickets- a disease associated with a lack of vitamin D, which is formed under the influence of sunlight, therefore, 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 panes, therefore it is not enough to walk with a child only on a glazed balcony / loggia. The child needs "living" sunlight. Bones soften due to lack of vitamin D. The first signs of the disease are noticeable at 2-3 months of a child's life: he becomes excitable, whiny, sleeps poorly, shudders 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 chest is deformed, it becomes like a chicken breast or "shoemaker's chest" (depression in the middle), the pelvis and limbs are bent; the person becomes more irritable. The legs take an O-shape (varus deformity), the frontal and parietal tubercles protrude strongly on the skull. Small children with rickets later begin to crawl, sit, stand, lag behind in development, they often develop malocclusion, caries, and poor posture. While recovering, babies feel better, calm down, cry less, but skeletal deformities can persist for a long time.

Vitamin D is used to treat rickets, but only a doctor determines its dosage and duration of treatment. 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, trace elements.

Early and high-quality treatment in some children helps to cope with the disease.

Another major reason for slouching is flat feet. In people with flat feet, the center of gravity is displaced backward, thus disturbing the balance of the whole body. The person involuntarily leans forward so as not to fall, and begins to slouch. Most people have static flat feet, which develops due to congenital weakness of the ligaments, hereditary thinness of the bone, improper gait, excess weight. Improperly fitted footwear is perhaps the main cause of static flat feet. The mechanics of the normal step are disrupted and the foot deforms if stiletto heels or on a rigid platform are worn all the time. Professional activities (standing for a long time or carrying weights) can also cause flat feet.

Treatment of flat feet is carried out by an orthopedist. The treatment is based on special daily gymnastics, which is complemented by warm foot baths, massage of the feet and legs - to strengthen the musculo-ligamentous apparatus.

Ideal shoes - with a 2-3 cm heel and a thick heel. It is useful to use instep support insoles, which raise the flattened arch of the foot and improve posture. With flat feet, walking barefoot in nature, hardening, swimming, cycling give a good therapeutic effect. Neglected cases are treated promptly.

Very often, scoliosis is a manifestation of any other diseases and conditions, such as: diseases of the hip joints, diffuse diseases of the connective tissue, different lengths of the legs, cerebral palsy. These diseases, due to their characteristics, change the load on the vertebrae, distribute it incorrectly, and cause their deformation, which entails a curvature of the spine. Various intrauterine diseases lead to congenital scoliosis. The development of the disease can be provoked by birth trauma. Transferred to early age rickets and all sorts of injuries are the causes of improper posture (most often due to the developing muscle weakness). At an older age, scoliosis appears in children, whose workplace is not organized correctly and forces them to sit hunched over. Curvature of the spine can also appear in adults as a result of prolonged asymmetric loads on the back muscles.

5 main groups of scoliosis:

1. Scoliosis of muscle origin. Poorly developed muscles and ligaments cannot support the normal development of the spine. For example, rickets scoliosis occurs as a result of a dystrophic process in the neuromuscular tissue (along with those in the skeleton).
2. Scoliosis of neurogenic origin occurs with poliomyelitis, spastic paralysis, radiculitis. This also includes scoliosis caused by degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs.
3. Congenital scoliosis results from impaired bone development.
4. Scoliosis caused by diseases of the chest: pleural empyema, extensive burns, plastic surgery.
5. Scoliosis, the causes of which have not yet been studied.

Depending on whether which part of the spine is curved, the following variants of scoliosis are distinguished:

- "slouching": an increase in the thoracic bend in the upper sections with a straight lower back;

- "round back": an increase in the thoracic bend throughout the thoracic spine;

- "concave back": increased bending in the lumbar region;

- "round-concave back": an increase in the thoracic bend with an increase in the lumbar bend;

- "flat-concave back": reduction of the thoracic bend with normal or slightly increased lumbar bend.

The severity of scoliosis

Scoliosis of the 1st degree: lateral deviation of the spine up to 10 degrees and its slight twisting (it can be seen on an X-ray).

Scoliosis of the II degree: an angle of curvature of 10-25 degrees, pronounced twisting of the spine (hump can be determined), the presence of compensating bends (the spine is bent in the other direction and becomes s-shaped). The x-ray clearly shows the deformation of the vertebrae.

Scoliosis of the III degree: the angle of curvature is 25-40 degrees, severe deformity of the vertebrae, the formation of a large hump. In the places of greatest curvature, the vertebrae acquire a wedge-shaped shape.

Scoliosis of the IV degree: the angle of curvature of 40-90 degrees, disfigurement of the figure: posterior and anterior costal humps, deformity of the pelvis and chest, cinema scoliosis of the thoracic region.

At-risk groups:

- children with a hereditary predisposition to scoliosis;

- children who play a lot of music (violin and accordion especially contribute to the curvature of the spine);

- fast growing and thin;

- children from schools and kindergartens with increased workload.

How to check if you or your loved ones have scoliosis?

1. Stand with your back to the wall or door. If a person is standing correctly, then his spine forms a concave curve in the neck and waist (lower back), a convex curve in the chest and pelvis, touching the wall in these places. Between the spine and the wall in the neck and lumbar region, there are gaps that are equal to the thickness of the examinee's palm. If these distances are greater, then there are posture disorders.
2. Find the bulging seventh cervical vertebra at the base of the neck. Take any weight on a string (plumb line) and, attaching it to this protruding place, see: does the plumb line go exactly along the spine and further between the buttocks? If so, everything is fine. If it doesn't go away, then there is scoliosis.
3. Bend forward, see if one of the shoulder blades is bulging. You can check yourself with a mirror: all changes in posture are clearly visible in it.

Scoliosis (especially III and IV degrees) is dangerous in that it contributes to the disruption of all organs and systems: the heart, lungs, blood circulation, organs suffer abdominal cavity, nervous system. People with scoliosis develop osteochondrosis earlier. In addition, scoliosis is a cosmetic defect that puts pressure on the human psyche and interferes with living a full life.

Scoliosis can be accompanied by lordosis (a strong forward bend of the spine) or kyphosis (backward bend), deformities of the shoulder blades, sternum and muscles. Kyphosis (hump) and lordosis are essentially different diseases, but they often accompany each other, because if kyphosis develops in one part of the spine, then lordosis develops compensatory in the other, and vice versa.

A person has physiological lordosis and kyphosis: normally, a small kyphosis is present in the upper part of the thoracic spine, in the region of the sacrum and coccyx. Lordosis is normally present in the lower thoracic, lumbar and cervical spine. The depth of the physiological curves 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 (the beginning of school). The second stimulus for the development of scoliosis is observed at the age of 12-13 - with intensive growth. With age, the curvature of the spine only aggravates, the deformation intensifies, the spine seems to twist around its axis. Deformities can be corrected only before the age of 14: the growth zones of the vertebrae have not yet been closed. After that, scoliosis cannot be cured, but it is possible to stabilize a person's condition and slow down the deformity of the vertebrae with the help of therapeutic exercises, massage, physiotherapy. The purpose of these methods is to form the so-called muscle corset from the muscles of the abdomen, lower back, back, muscles of the neck and shoulders. The muscular corset supports the spine in the correct position, thus reducing pronounced curvature.

It is impossible to come up with a set of exercises for strengthening the muscle corset on your own, 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, therefore, with scoliosis, you do not need to hang on horizontal bars or on Swedish walls.

Correctly selected therapeutic exercises should strengthen the muscles and not aggravate the course of scoliosis. All exercises are performed slowly and smoothly, with a minimum amplitude, while the spine should be practically motionless. Manual therapy and massage help to normalize muscle tone, increase joint mobility, and improve blood circulation. During their implementation, tissue nutrition is enhanced, and this, in turn, provides strengthening and more intensive development of muscles.

With the help of a corset, you can forcibly give the spine the desired shape. The most important thing is that the corset is correctly selected and does not squeeze the internal organs. But you do not need to get carried away with corsets, since the constant artificial support of the spine in the desired position contributes to inactivity and weakening of one's own muscles, which, ultimately, aggravates scoliosis. Therefore, if you wear a corset, it will not last long, and 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 therapist.

Kyphosis (hump) at an early stage is treated with the help of special styling, in which the patient is put for some time in the most correct position, relieving 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 need to be operated on. Surgical correction is carried out at III and IV stages of scoliosis. During the operation, the spine is fixed with metal rods, after which the patient wears a plaster corset for several months. After the operation, the lung volume does not increase, but the oxygen saturation of the blood improves. In the future, the possibility of carrying out (and directly carrying out) overinflating of the lungs using devices that create positive and negative pressure during breathing is considered.

Treatment of scoliosis will be effective only if you regularly perform the prescribed exercises, constantly monitor the correct posture, do a back massage, intelligently alternate between classes and active rest, and consult an orthopedic doctor. In addition, consultations of a gastroenterologist, neuropathologist, otolaryngologist and dentist are needed.

Enemies of good posture

1. Sleeping area. It is good to sleep on a hard bed, preferably in a prone or supine position. The pillow should not be too large or soft. The ideal option is to use orthopedic mattresses and pillows.

1. Clothes and footwear. The development of scoliosis is facilitated by tight clothing (shirts) that interfere with the normal growth and development of the chest. It is harmful to wear shoes that are "growing", tight or uncomfortable. Wrong position of the leg leads to flat feet and to a long-term result - curvature of the spine. If a child has flat feet or clubfoot, you should immediately start treating these diseases. For adults with scoliosis, it is undesirable to wear shoes on high heels and on a hairpin.

1. Bags. The surest way to get scoliosis is to carry a bag in one hand. For schoolchildren, it is preferable to choose backpacks with a rigid back and wide straps. The backpack must be sized correctly. And for adults, backpacks are preferable to bags.

1. The workplace should be comfortable and well lit. It is not suitable for tall students to sit on a low chair and at a low desk. If the child is short and does not reach the floor with his feet (sitting at a table), make a support for him so that the hip and knee joints are bent at right angles. The same rules apply to sitting at the computer. It is very important that the furniture fits the student's height. The state of posture is badly affected by insufficient lighting and visual impairment, because in this case the child sits hunched over and bends low over books and notebooks.

For office workers who spend 7-8 hours at work, it is important to properly organize the workplace, because sedentary work puts a huge load on the spine. The height of the table should be 2-3 cm higher than the elbow of the seated arm, and the height of the chair should not exceed the height of the lower leg. When working for writing desk you need to lean on both elbows, both legs, the back should touch the back of the chair, keeping the lumbar bend. A fist should fit between the chest and the edge of the table.

1. The daily routine should be rational: sedentary work should be alternated with physical warm-up. For schoolchildren, this can be physical education minutes. When working at a computer, children need to take breaks every 15-20 minutes. It will be useful to enroll the child in the sports section. Office workers should take breaks for 5-10 minutes every 45 minutes, and during this time do a little gymnastics to stretch the stiff muscles. Walking, hiking, swimming are very useful for both children and adults.

How to lift weights correctly?

Try never to lift anything from an inclined position! Use the principle of a jack, not a crane. Sit down and lift the load with your back straight, or even better, while maintaining the lumbar bend. In this case, the muscles of the legs should work, and not the spine. If possible, press the load towards you so that the load is evenly distributed over the spine. The same rules must be followed when lowering the load. If the lifting of the load is carried out at the expense of the back muscles, their work can be facilitated by simultaneously bending the legs. It is very dangerous to lift weights in a state of physical fatigue when the muscles do not provide the necessary protection for the spine.

Keep your back straight!

In institutes of noble maidens, girls to create a beautiful posture were forced to walk several times a day, holding a stick behind their backs: their shoulders were straightened, a beautiful, proud posture was fixed. The standard of correct posture: the head is slightly raised, the shoulders are deployed, the shoulder blades do not protrude, the abdominal line does not go beyond the chest line. This posture can be developed with special exercises that strengthen the muscles of the arms, legs, back, abdomen, and neck.

Exercises to strengthen back muscles

1. The starting position (i.p.) is lying on the stomach. Raise your head and shoulders, clasp your hands at the back of your head, spread your elbows to the sides.
2. I. p. - the same, arms to the sides. Alternately and simultaneously, lift your straightened legs without lifting your pelvis off the floor.

Exercises to strengthen the abdominal muscles

1. I. p. - lying on your back, arms along the body, lower back pressed to the floor. Raise your straightened legs alternately and simultaneously.
2. I. p. - same. We make a smooth transition to a sitting position, while maintaining the correct posture.

Exercises to strengthen the lateral muscles of the trunk

1. I. p. - lying on the right side, the right arm is extended, the left is located along the body. Raise and lower your left leg. Do the same exercise on your left side.
2. I. p. - the same, the right hand is extended, the left palm rests on the floor. Slowly raise and lower both straightened legs. Do the same exercise on your left side. At the same time, movements should be smooth, rhythmic (one movement is performed in 2-3 seconds).

Exercises to form correct posture

1. Lean tightly against the wall with your back straight, shoulders slightly apart, chin raised (correct posture). Then take 2 steps forward, sit down, stand up. Take the correct body position again.
2. I. p. - lying on your back. Head, torso, legs are in line, arms are pressed to the torso. Raise your head and shoulders, fix the position of the body, slowly return from the SP.
3. Exercise with a weight on your head (sandbag or thick book): Squat, walk with correct posture, and step over obstacles.

Morning gymnastics

Exercise is best done on the floor or bed.

Lying on your back

1) Alternately pull your knees to your chest, wrapping your hands around your lower legs while pulling the toe towards you.

2) Do the bicycle exercise for a minute. If it is difficult to work with both legs at the same time, work with them in turn. Pull the sock towards you.

3) I. p. - lying on your back, hands are clasped at the back of the head, legs are raised at an angle of 90 degrees. Raising the body as high as possible, try to touch the left knee with your right elbow, 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 the oblique abdominal muscles work.

4) Lying on your back, bend your knees, leaning on the back of your head and elbows, lift your pelvis, straining your buttocks. Hold 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 as possible to the sides and pull together with force. When you feel tired, lower your pelvis, rest and repeat the exercise.

On knees

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 a few times.

3) Straighten and lift your left leg at the same time as your right arm. Return to 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. While doing this exercise, try to straighten your shoulders as much as possible, touching the shoulder blades, buttocks and heels of the wall. 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.

With weakness of the ligamentous apparatus, it is prohibited: exercises on the horizontal bar, lifting weights, basketball, hockey, football. In other words, all "asymmetrical" sports are prohibited, in which all physical activity falls on one side of the body.

When sitting for a long time, for example on the sofa watching the TV, change the position of your legs, head, move the pillow, do not freeze in one position.

To improve muscle performance, it is useful to take natural vitamins and minerals, trace elements (B vitamins, calcium, silicon, zinc and others).

Scoliosis in children is a common pathology, the etiological factor of which is most often rapid growth. At this age, the disease can be treated with one hundred percent result, since the process of forming the child's spine has not yet been completed. There are many methods for treating scoliosis, both inpatient and at home. What will be their therapeutic effect, depends on the age at which the pathology was diagnosed and therapy was started, which includes gymnastics and special scoliosis exercises for children, massage and other measures. Only a doctor can make a correct diagnosis.

Scoliosis is a lateral curvature of a specific area of \u200b\u200bthe spine. The disease is especially dangerous for preschool children. Often, parents neglect the prevention of the disease, which is based on therapeutic exercises for the back and spine, because of this, they miss the moment of its onset, so they have to treat an already neglected disease, which includes symptoms up to flat feet.

Etiology

It must be said that the reasons for the appearance of this pathology are diverse.

1. Incorrect posture during training sessions. Because of it, the load on the muscular apparatus of the back is unevenly distributed, and this negatively affects both the muscles and the spine.
2. Cervical scoliosis develops as a result of developmental pathologies, acquired injuries, and various diseases (rheumatism, rickets).
3. Thoracic scoliosis is formed as a result of uneven development and weakness of the muscular corset. In addition, its causes are congenital malformations, infantile cerebral palsy, spinal atrophy, tumors, muscle dystrophy, rickets. May cause the development of flat feet
4. Lumbar scoliosis develops as a result of congenital pathologies, acquired traumatic injuries, uneven development of the muscles of the back and extremities, malnutrition, and inflammatory processes (pleurisy, sciatica). Symptoms of flat feet may be its consequence.

Types of curvature of the spine in children

There are two options for the development of this pathology. Despite their differences, the etiological factors are similar, and the pathology itself requires immediate correction of symptoms. If untreated, symptoms of flat feet may appear.
Arcuate. The most common option. The apex of the curvature is localized on the lumbar vertebrae and most often has a left-sided character. In this case, visual signs are characteristic: a noticeable arch in the lumbar spine; the muscles of the back are most heavily loaded in the left side of the waist, which forms their hypertrophy.

S-shaped. The curvature of the spine in this case resembles the letter S. In this type, the curvature is localized in two parts of the spine at once. Rapid development is characteristic.

Scoliosis in children of both school and preschool age can have varying degrees of severity.

First degree. This degree is characterized by a complex of symptoms: a slanting pelvis, reduced shoulders, stoop, back curvature up to ten degrees. It should be treated with exercise.

Second degree. It is characterized by a visually noticeable rotation of the vertebrae along the vertical axis, a beveled pelvis, visible curvature, and a curvature angle in the range of 11-25 degrees. Amenable to correction when performing exercises that are provided by physiotherapy exercises. It progresses rapidly and is able to move to the third in a short time.

Third degree. At this degree, the following are observed: a large costal hump, sinking of the ribs, weakening of the abdominal muscles, a strong slope of the pelvis, an angle of curvature of the back 26-50 degrees. This pathology is difficult to treat.

Fourth degree. There is an increase in the symptoms of third-degree pathology, the muscles in the curvature zone are significantly stretched. The curvature angle is greater than 50 degrees. Severe deformity of the spine is noticeable. The pathology is extremely severe and almost impossible to correct.

Launched scoliosis in children poses a serious danger to the patient's health and quality of life. If the diagnosis is late, and the treatment measures are not followed, pediatric scoliosis leads to irreversible consequences: deformity of the spine, pelvic asymmetry, the development of flat feet, impaired development and functioning of internal organs.

Diagnosis of scoliosis

There are signs of the disease by which you can detect the development of pathology in a child. These include a set of symptoms:

1. The location of one shoulder is higher than the other.
2. Bulging of the scapula angle.
3. Visually noticeable curvature of the spinal column when bending forward.
4. Symptoms of flat feet of the initial degree.

In children under one year old, the parents themselves are unlikely to be able to determine the presence of pathology. Therefore, it is necessary to be observed by a local pediatrician, because only a doctor can detect the disease and the diagnosis will be correct.

Treatment of scoliosis in children should be comprehensive and include all measures prescribed by the doctor. Typically, the tactics of therapy consists of the following points:

• wearing a corset;
• gymnastics and scoliosis exercises for children, which includes physiotherapy exercises (LFK), as well as classes at home;
• special children's massage for scoliosis;
• toning procedures.

In severe cases, or in case of non-compliance with medical recommendations, surgical intervention may be required to correct the pathology, which is carried out by a doctor of the corresponding specialization.

Therapeutic physical culture (LFK) - a set of physical exercises used for prevention and treatment of scoliosis... Classes are often prescribed in groups, which improves the socialization of young patients. At the same time, the physical therapy doctor conducts a course of treatment that corrects the pathology. It should be noted that gymnastics and any exercises provided for by the exercise therapy course and carried out by a specialist bring significant improvements in health and are mandatory.

Complexes of exercise therapy can be performed at home. There are various exercises for scoliosis in children. For example, when doing exercises in the morning, in a standing position, you need to walk in place with the most even posture. Gymnastics also provides for the benefits of lifting on toes with arms outstretched, and then slowly taking the starting position.

A detailed set of exercises can be advised by an exercise therapy doctor. However, at home, such techniques are appropriate. In difficult cases, special exercises and gymnastics are prescribed to correct flat feet.

Physiotherapy

It is a complex of natural and artificial methods of therapeutic influence on the patient. These include mud baths, heat therapy, paraffin baths, as well as the use of electricity, magnetic radiation and ultrasound in medicinal purposes... At the same time, children's scoliosis heals faster.

Correct massage for scoliosis in children is a mandatory item in the prescribed course of therapy. With its help, scoliosis, a disease of any severity, should be treated. Its relevance remains unchanged. You can carry out a set of massage techniques prescribed by a doctor at home in the presence of an appropriate specialist.

Manual therapy

Consists of techniques that relax the muscles of the back and direct the joints to their natural position. Manual therapy sessions should not be scheduled more than once every seven days. At the same time, a complex of therapy methods is appropriate for the correction of first and second degree scoliosis.

Preventive measures for scoliosis

To prevent the appearance of signs of the disease, scoliosis prevention in children should be carried out at home, which includes:

1. Correct body position during training sessions.
2. Correct mattress and pillow.
3. Correct diet, including vitamins and minerals.
4. Morning exercises at home and exercises from the exercise therapy complex for children.

All these measures, taken at home and at school, can prevent the development of pathology, make the posture correct and beautiful. The correct regimen, correct load, daily exercises and massage are the key to the health and good mood of the child. However, if there are signs of illness, starting with flat feet, you should immediately consult a doctor. Timely diagnosis and competent treatment will prevent the occurrence of undesirable consequences. Moreover, what the result will be depends only on the timely adoption of the necessary measures.