Scoliosis in the back is a dangerous and quite common disease that is diagnosed in both adults and children. It happens to varying degrees and in all parts of the spine. If this pathology is not eliminated, then this can lead to certain complications in systems and organs. This condition of the back is characterized by a curvature of the spine to the right, to the left, forward and backward, but there are cases when it is around all its axes. Most often, scoliosis is diagnosed in patients of a younger age category, in children from 5 to 7 years old, and is especially dangerous for a young developing organism.
In modern medicine, there is also scoliotic disease, in which there are no changes in the spine, but disharmony of muscle tissue is noted. As a result, a lateral curvature of the back develops. How to strengthen your back with scoliosis? It is necessary to resort to physical education, massage. By strengthening the muscles, you can avoid manyproblems and diseases. At the first sign of problems with the back and spine, it is better to consult a neurologist, and if you have flat feet, you will also need to consult an orthopedist.
Causes of emergence and development
Scoliosis in the back is considered a multifactorial process. In recent years, a considerable amount of research has been carried out in medicine, which helped to identify certain associations that increase the risk of developing this dangerous pathology. These include:
- Osteopenia and osteoporosis. Adolescents with severe back curvature were diagnosed with below normal bone mineral density.
- Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. This violation occurs due to a small mineralization of the bones during the intensive growth of the body and, as a result, the back.
- Progressively increasing scoliosis. This condition negatively affects platelet calmodulin, which gradually decreases.
- CHD7 is a gene associated with the development of idiopathic spinal curvature.
Specialists identify three directions in the etiology of the disease. In this regard, there are idiopathic, degenerative and neuromuscular types of scoliosis, while the causes of the pathology will be diverse. Possible triggers include:
- If it was not possible to establish the cause of the curvature of the back, then the patient is diagnosed with "idiopathic scoliosis" (95% of cases);
- Congenital disorder.
- Neuromuscular diseases thataccompanied by asymmetry of muscle tone.
- Back with scoliosis occurs in patients with unequal length of the lower limbs.
- Inflammatory processes in the spine.
- Chronic type degenerative disc disease with shape changes.
- Ehlers-Danlos or Prader-Vill syndrome.
- Complex of chronic non-progressive diseases associated with the brain and spinal cord, acquired during prenatal development.
- Back pain due to scoliosis due to damage to the intervertebral disc.
- Atrophy and dystrophy of the muscular tissue of the back.
- Proteus or Marfan Syndrome.
- Hereditary pathology, which is characterized by an abnormal process of growth of nerve cells, as a result, a neoplasm is obtained in this tissue.
- Disorders of the connective tissue of a systemic type.
Only a specialist in a clinic after a thorough examination can determine the provoking factor of this condition. Based on the results obtained, therapy is prescribed, which in most cases has a positive outcome. You should not engage in self-treatment, as this can lead to a deterioration in the condition and other negative consequences.
Groups and severity of scoliosis
Specialists identify five main groups of this back disease. With the correct diagnosis, the treatment process is simplified.
Scoliosis groups in the back:
- Curvature of muscular origin. In this situation, the patient has poorly developed muscle tissue andligaments, as a result, they are not able to provide high-quality development of the spine (rachitic scoliosis).
- Curvature of neurogenic origin. Diagnosed in patients with diseases such as poliomyelitis, spastic paralysis, sciatica. This group also includes back pathologies, which are caused by degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs of the spine.
- Congenital curvature. Diagnosed in children due to impaired bone development while still in the womb.
- Curvature caused by diseases of the thoracic region: pleural empyema, burns in large areas, surgery.
- Scoliosis on the back, the provoking factor of which has not yet been studied.
The classification of this pathology also depends on the department of the curved spine. There are such variants of scoliosis as:
- Slouching. The thoracic curve is significantly increased at the top, while the lumbar region is straight.
- The back is rounded. Thoracic curvature is localized throughout this section of the spine.
- The back is concave. Violation is observed in the lumbar region.
- The back is round-concave. Simultaneous increase in flexion in the thoracic and lumbar regions is diagnosed.
- The back is flat-concave. Curvature in the chest area is reduced as a result of a normal or slightly increased lumbar curve.
In modern medicine, there are several degrees of pathology. Each of them has its own characteristics,taken into account in making a diagnosis. Scoliosis of the back of the 1st degree is characterized by a lateral deviation of the spine within ten degrees, and its slight twisting may also be noted. You can determine the violation using an x-ray.
If the angle of curvature of the back is within 11-24 degrees and there is a pronounced twisting of the spine, then we can safely say that the patient has back scoliosis of the 2nd degree. Also, a specialist during the examination of the patient will note compensatory bends. As for the x-ray, you can see the deformation of the vertebrae on it.
Scoliosis 3 degrees. With this violation, the angle of curvature is diagnosed in the range of 24-41 degrees. As for the deformation of the vertebrae, it is very pronounced, in strong areas of the violation they become wedge-shaped, there is a hump.
4 degree of back scoliosis (a photo of the pathology will help to carefully study each stage separately) is represented by an angle of curvature within 41-92 degrees, while the figure will be disfigured. In a patient with this deviation, the posterior and anterior costal humps are noted, and the deformation of the pelvic region and thoracic region is also clearly visible. The patient is diagnosed with kyphoscoliosis of the chest.
Risk groups include patients such as:
- heredity child;
- Children or teenagers who are growing rapidly and not overweight for their age group;
- a child who spends a long time playing musical instruments such as the violin oraccordion.
Also, this category of children aged 3 to 17 who have increased physical activity can also be attributed to the risk group.
Children's scoliosis
The most common form of curvature in children is idiopathic. The Cobb angle in this situation will be more than 10 degrees, and there are no deviations in the sagittal plane. But the diagnosis may change after the age of 18, when the body will already be more formed. In this situation, it is recommended to constantly be under the supervision of specialists, undergo regular examinations.
You can determine the angle of curvature of the spine using an X-ray in the anterior-posterior projection. If a child has scoliosis of the back (the photos are presented in this article) began to develop from an early age, then, as a result, he will experience more severe spinal curvatures. The older the patient becomes, the more the situation worsens (provided that proper treatment is not provided). In this case, experts recommend surgery to correct the spine.
Category of idiopathic scoliosis depends on age:
- infantile (children under three years old);
- juvenile (four to nine years old);
- teenage (puberty).
Each of the presented categories has its own characteristics, periods of development, complications, and stages of treatment. Strengthening the back muscles with scoliosis is recommended in anysituations, exercises are selected for each patient individually, depending on the situation, general condition, age category and progression of the curvature.
Due to the formation of scoliosis in a child under the age of five, there is a high risk of developing problems with the cardiac and vascular systems, as restrictive respiratory disease, arterial hypertension and cor pulmonale are diagnosed.
Scoliosis in older patients
Strengthening the back muscles in scoliosis should be done at any age. Exercises are selected individually for each patient, depending on the condition and neglect of the disease. This pathology is most often diagnosed in women than in men. Neuromuscular scoliosis develops with severe defects in muscle tissue or nerve structures. As for the degenerative type, it occurs in patients under the age of 45 years. Idiopathic adolescent scoliosis, if corrective therapy has not been carried out, remains until the end of life.
In older patients, a degenerative type of curvature of the spine can develop, even without predecessors. In this situation, the Cobb angle will be within 12 degrees, sagittal deformity and axial rotation are diagnosed in parallel. Degenerative scoliosis begins to develop with the destruction of the intervertebral discs. If a patient is diagnosed with diseases such as osteochondrosis or osteoporosis, then the disorder will progress much faster, leading tosignificant deterioration and severe pain.
What affects posture? How to lift heavy objects correctly?
If your back hurts with scoliosis, you need to pay attention not only to strengthening exercises, but also to such important facts as a bed, clothes, shoes and more.
What affects posture?
- The place where we sleep. Experts recommend choosing a hard surface for sleeping, special orthopedic mattresses. It is best to sleep on your stomach or back. As for the pillow, it should not be voluminous and soft.
- Appearance. Tight clothing, especially in adolescence, can contribute to the development of spinal curvature, which will interfere with the proper growth and development of the thoracic region. As for shoes, they should be true to size. If it is incorrectly selected, then the likelihood of developing flat feet and, as a result, scoliosis increases. When diagnosing clubfoot, it is recommended to immediately seek advice from an orthopedist, start exercises, massages, exercise therapy. Patients of the older age category diagnosed with scoliosis should preferably wear shoes with heels.
- Carrying a bag in only one hand. This is considered a sure way to develop spinal curvature. Both adults and children are advised to wear backpacks that fit well, with wide shoulder straps and stiff backs.
- Equipment of the workplace. It should be well lit and comfortable. The hip and knee joints should be bent at right angles while sitting. Bad lighting is negativeaffects not only the quality of vision, but also bends the back, because due to the lack of light, one has to hunch over and bend low. It must be remembered that sedentary work puts a lot of stress on the spine and spinal muscles. During your activity, you need to lean on both elbows, legs and back should touch the back of the chair, while the lumbar curve is fully preserved. A fist is placed between the chest and the table.
- A well-formed mode of operation. If an employee is in a sitting position for a very long time, then it is necessary to carry out a 15-minute exercise every hour. Gymnastics helps to stretch and strengthen the muscles of the back and the whole body. Experts recommend that if your back hurts with scoliosis, sign up for a sports section, walk more and set aside time for swimming.
In order not to harm the spine, it is necessary not only to choose the right mattress and pillow or equip the workplace, but also to lift heavy objects without harm to he alth. It is recommended to use the jack principle. Do not lift weights from an inclined position.
First of all, it is better to sit down, then lift the load. The back should be completely straight, preferably with a preserved lumbar curve. It is recommended to concentrate on the work of the muscles of the lower extremities, and not the spine. If possible, press the weight to the chest, in which case the load will be evenly distributed.
The same sequence is recommended to follow when lowering the weight. If you are very tired, then this condition increases the risk of stress on the spine and can harm. When working hard, you can use special corsets for the back from scoliosis.
Right and left curvature of the back
This type of pathology is diagnosed in the region of the thoracic spine, the rib hump is noted in parallel, as the frame is deformed. If the patient has a right-sided curvature of the neck, a feeling of motion sickness and cephalgia may torment. Right-sided scoliosis of the lumbar spine is accompanied by pain symptoms in patients of the age group from 20 to 35 years. These two disorders are rarely diagnosed.
Left-sided scoliosis is most often observed in older patients. If 1 or 2 severity was diagnosed, then there are practically no symptoms. As a result of the examination, deformation of the muscles of the lumbar region is revealed. At the initial stage of the disorder, the patient complains of severe pain, a protruding iliac crest is noted. Formed left-sided scoliosis of the chest with violations of T1-T12. This type of pathology is not very common. At the third stage of scoliosis, experts note the symmetry of the upper body and face, the thoracic region is limited in movement, and the breathing process is disturbed. If the situation is not neglected, then in 80% of cases the outcome of therapy will be positive.
Curvature of the spine of different parts of the back
Scoliosis can be of different localization. Depending on this, therapy is adjusted, it is recommended to perform exercises. Definetype of pathology is capable only of a specialist after a thorough examination of the patient.
In modern medicine, there are such categories of spinal curvature as:
- Chest. It is most often diagnosed in younger patients. Most common among girls. It is almost impossible to detect at the initial stage, since there is no visualization of the curvature. In this case, the patient may complain of increased fatigue, pain in the back, as well as a short walk. Provoking factors: sedentary lifestyle, poor posture, heavy loads on the back, problems with muscles and ligaments, hereditary factor, lower limbs of different lengths, injuries. It is difficult to detect thoracic scoliosis at the initial stage. As for the second degree, then with it there is an asymmetry of the cervical and waist, which persists in any position. The third stage is characterized by the protrusion of the costal arches, weakened muscle tissue in the abdomen. Exercises for the back with scoliosis of 1 or another degree are selected exclusively by a specialist. The fourth degree of pathology is characterized by a pronounced costal hump, as well as concomitant diseases of the cardiovascular system.
- Lumbar. In this situation, the back will be curved more to the left. This disorder can be provoked by such factors as deviations in development in the perinatal period, trauma, intensive growth, overload of the spine. You can determine this category of scoliosis visually or using an x-ray. The rib hump is necessarily absent, sincethe bend in most cases does not affect the thoracic region.
- Thoracolumbar. There is a simultaneous curvature of the spine between T1 and L5. The patient is like a writhing snake. This violation causes considerable discomfort to the patient, and can be corrected for a long time.
- Combined. Diagnosed among the female population. Includes a combination of right-sided thoracic curvature with left-sided lumbar violation. Without appropriate therapy leads to serious consequences.
The muscles of the back with scoliosis in any case suffer greatly, and in order to somehow alleviate the tension in the back, it is necessary to do exercises, exercise therapy.
Diagnosis
To make an accurate diagnosis, the patient needs to go for an examination. Based on the results obtained, the specialist not only determines the disease, its degree and severity, but also prescribes the treatment of back scoliosis. To obtain a positive result, you must adhere to all the doctor's recommendations and take preventive measures.
Diagnosis of scoliosis includes techniques such as:
- Functional tests. They mean conducting a study that helps to exclude nervous and muscular pathologies. Also, this technique helps to assess the location of the shoulders and iliac crests, spinous processes, spinal disorders. A flexion test is mandatory.
- X-ray. This technique makes an assessment of the degree of scoliosis. The picture is taken in a sitting or standing position. Suchdiagnostics is considered the most common and accessible, it is highly informative. The study helps the specialist to differentiate idiopathic-type scoliosis from a congenital disorder. Radiography determines the angle of curvature, rotation and torsion. Since this method is characterized by increased radioactive radiation, it is advisable to use low-dose images. They reduce the patient exposure period, but only help to determine the angle of curvature of the back.
- Magnetic resonance and computed tomography are highly effective in diagnosing this pathology. The only disadvantage of examinations is the high cost.
- Assessing the violation using a photo. The technique has a low cost, availability, and the absence of radioactive radiation. Minus - insignificant accuracy, but there are no contraindications. To obtain accurate research data, it is recommended to follow the generally accepted rules: the photo is taken against the background of a surface with a cell (1010 cm), a tripod is used, constant side lighting, the picture should consist of several photos in full growth and from different sides. This technique allows you to evaluate the disease in dynamics, to establish whether the curvature is progressing or not.
Early diagnosis (preclinical, subclinical and clinical stages of pathology) involves visual examination, computed optical tomography, EMG, OSP, determination of neuropeptides. Attention is paid to the spinal column, spinal cord and brain, muscle corset.
How to treat back scoliosis?
Healingactivities are divided into several groups. The first includes such areas as correction of hormonal status, functionality of the brain and spinal cord and ANS, vertebral growth zones, back muscle tone. The second group of measures provides a favorable background for the success of the first methods. It includes exercise therapy for the back with scoliosis, various types of massage, swimming, wearing a corset. If the patient was diagnosed with the last stage of the disease, then you should not count on an instant effect, the recovery process may take about six years.
Treatment of curvature in adults is a time-consuming process. The patient is recommended to wear a belt, put special insoles in shoes. Corsets for the back from scoliosis help to fix the body, have an effect on various curvatures. To support the body, bandages are also used that hold the intervertebral discs and the axis of the spine. In such a situation, muscle tension is not able to have any negative effect on the back. But it should be borne in mind that they have not only negative aspects, but also contraindications. They need to be worn for a long time - several years. They are able to provoke tissue atrophy, disrupt blood flow in the lumbar region, and provoke the development of osteoporosis. Also, this type of bandage is forbidden to be worn during the period of bearing a child.
If a patient has severe back pain due to scoliosis, then drug therapy is prescribed. It is recommended to take vitamin complexes, various restorative medicines. Analgesics help relieve discomfort andunpleasant sensations. In rare cases, if necessary, hormone therapy is prescribed.
With this pathology, it is advisable to pay attention to your lifestyle. Give up a sedentary lifestyle, properly arrange your workplace. It is better to go in for sports, swimming. Every day, it is recommended to do exercises for the back with scoliosis, which is selected by a specialist individually for each patient, so that the load is even and eliminates muscle strain.
If a curvature was diagnosed, then do not forget about proper nutrition. The diet must be balanced. It is worth giving up spicy, fatty foods, smoked meats, pickles, alcoholic beverages. It is recommended to focus on plant foods, dairy products, cereals, lean meats and eggs are allowed. The diet will help to make a nutritionist. The key points of such a diet are potassium and magnesium s alts, a sufficient amount of vitamin D.
Surgery
What to do if back scoliosis of the last stage? To get rid of the curvature of the 4th degree, surgical intervention is performed. If the disease was diagnosed in a teenager or a child, then such treatment will preserve the growth of the spinal column, align the back, maintain and restore the physiological curve of the frontal and sagittal profile and the balance of the body. Surgery prevents the subsequent development of the deformation process.
The operation is indicated for patients whose Cobb angle is more than 50 degrees and whose age is within 13 years. Periodrecovery can take several months. It includes strengthening the back with scoliosis with exercises, proper nutrition and reflexology. The absolute contraindications of the operation include the serious condition of the patient, chronic pathologies progressing in the body, the formed vital capacity of the lungs below the age norm, insufficient blood flow, diseases of the cardiovascular system.
Surgical intervention may be delayed for a certain period of time due to such disorders and pathologies in the body as hormonal imbalance, diseases of the kidneys and liver, blood, benign and malignant neoplasms, exacerbation of chronic processes and others.
