The curvature of the spine, called scoliosis, has become more common lately, and many suspect this disease in themselves. But you should not make a diagnosis yourself: perhaps you consider the normal curves that absolutely every person has as a defect. It is better to consult a doctor so that he can assess the situation with his experienced look and identify or refute your diagnosis - scoliosis of the spine. In addition to this pathology, there are also defects called kyphosis and lordosis. In the first case, a person has a clearly visible curvature, his spine is tilted back. Kyphosis can be sacral, as well as thoracic. As for lordosis, his specialist can determine at a glance. In this case, the human spine is tilted forward. Lordosis is lumbar and cervical. If a person has already developed right-sided scoliosis, then further deterioration and curvature can be expected - with a high probability they will make themselves felt.
Children are prone to scoliosis, especially girls. Most often, the disease occurs in children who have reached the age of ten years, although there areexceptions. Scoliosis, unfortunately, is transmitted from sick parents to children, although not always. It also happens that a person has a strong curvature, and his child will have a barely noticeable, small defect. There are also reverse situations.
Scoliosis of the spine: symptoms
Perhaps as the disease develops, you will notice some changes in your body. Usually, a person first develops a curvature in the vertical plane, and after some time in the horizontal. If a child is sick, then his spine will grow more slowly. In very deplorable situations, patients develop paresis of the legs, and then they become paralyzed.
Degrees of disease
Specialists distinguish the following degrees of spinal scoliosis:
- 1st - deformation at an angle up to 5º.
- 2nd - it is 6º-25º.
- 3rd - the angle reaches 26º-50º.
- 4th - exceeds 50º.
What is the first degree of scoliosis? This is not a very pronounced defect, although noticeable upon closer inspection. The muscles of the abdomen and back of a person, figuratively speaking, like semolina. Especially when he is standing, you can see how weak they are. The patient also has asymmetric clavicles and shoulder blades. If you measure the distance from the latter to the spine, it turns out that it is different. When the patient bends down, it is noticeable that the triangles of his waist are not symmetrical. This is how scoliosis of the spine of the 1st degree can disfigure a person. But this is not the worst option yet.
But the II degree is already more difficult. At this stage, there is a curvaturein the shape of the letter S. When the body is tilted, a small hump is visible, asymmetrical waist triangles, as well as uneven shoulder girdle. Often such patients are sent for x-rays, which show the vertebrae literally rotated around a vertical axis - an unpleasant sight. They are actually bevelled.
III degree of scoliosis is characterized by an even more pronounced deformation in the form of the letter S. A person has a skewed pelvis, a hump is clearly visible. The spine at this stage is in a very deplorable state, often even the spinal cord is displaced. In addition, all organs suffer and do not work properly. The curvature, in particular, affects the lungs, as a result the patient is very susceptible to pneumonia and bronchitis. Scoliosis of the spine, the photo of which you see, can significantly reduce the quality of human life.
IV degree entails growth arrest, the whole body is deformed. As a bonus, strong kyphosis is added, and often lordosis. The body is completely off axis. The vertebrae are deformed wedge-shaped. The spinal cord is now precisely displaced, which means that a person may have serious problems with his legs - it will be difficult to walk.
In patients with III and IV degree of curvature, disorders of the cardiovascular system are quite common. Stagnation in the gallbladder is also a common thing for them. Pancreatitis and cholecystitis are their faithful companions, people cannot get rid of these diseases. Some have problems with the reproductive system and bladder.
Cervical Scoliosis
Scoliosis of the cervical spine is a very dangerous disease. He makes peoplesuffer severely. This disease has a second name - high scoliosis, because the problem area is at the top, near the head. People with this curvature do not have symmetrical shoulders. The disease also affects the skull, neck muscles, and in some cases even the bones of the face. If a person's ears are at different levels, then it is safe to say that he has cervical scoliosis.
The vast majority of patients often experience headaches, as blood circulation is difficult, the brain does not receive enough oxygen. But a person can always help himself by doing a light neck massage. It will help improve blood circulation and will have a beneficial effect on the spine. Many people live with cervical scoliosis for years and do not see a doctor. But it is still advisable to visit a specialist. He will prescribe the necessary therapy that will help prevent all sorts of complications.
Cervical-thoracic scoliosis of the spine is also rare. It's also a very annoying disease. It is characterized by a curvature in the region of the third and fourth thoracic vertebrae. It remains only to be glad that this disease is not too common. It cannot be acquired during life, it is innate. How to determine that a person has cervicothoracic scoliosis? His figure will look strange and unnatural, the forearms will be at different levels. Another characteristic feature is an asymmetrical face.
This type of scoliosis can be cured with effort. Definitely needs to be correctedspine. Also, a person must perform therapeutic exercises. It is the cervical vertebrae that need correction. After conducting it, you can save the patient from the progression of the disease, as well as make the curvature less noticeable. Often this procedure helps people forget about this pathology and other defects of the shoulders and neck forever.
Gymnastics should be prescribed by a doctor, based on the type and degree of deformation. The doctor must be nearby and observe how the patient performs the exercises.
Experts say that the combined method of therapy for curvature of the cervical spine is the most effective and popular.
Lumbar Scoliosis
This department is formed by several large vertebrae. In all he althy people, physiological lordosis can be seen in this place (the so-called slight forward deflection). What is the function of the lumbar spine? It connects the thoracic region with the sacrum. The vertebrae located in the lumbar region take on the main load of the upper body.
What is the reason for the development of lumbar scoliosis? Why is it being formed? Scoliosis of the lumbar spine develops when a person has one leg longer than the other. And it’s really bad if the patient has rickets - this will only complicate an already difficult situation. Weak back muscles also worsen the condition. In lumbar scoliosis, a person has no waist, and the stomach protrudes forward.
Diagnosis of this pathology
To make a diagnosis, the doctor needs to analyze the patient's complaints, andthen inspect it. But that's not all: you also need to take an x-ray, which will help determine the degree of pathology. During the study, a person is standing, a picture is taken from behind, from the side and with a deflection. But the most accurate results are obtained by magnetic resonance and computed tomography.
Therapy
If you realize that you have scoliosis, treatment should follow immediately. It will depend on the type of disease, its neglect and your age.
It is easiest to get rid of scoliosis for children who have I and II degree of pathology. They need to exercise, play in the pool (swim, do special gymnastics), wear a corset and try to keep their back straight. If your child develops scoliosis because one leg is shorter than the other, special shoes can be ordered or just one thicker insole.
If you have a III or IV degree curvature, do not rush to go for an operation - like autogravity therapy first. You will lie on a side bar bed with a slightly higher top. Such a procedure should be carried out regularly, for a period of two to four months. If no results are seen, surgery will be required.
Scoliosis, which, as you already understand, is a lengthy process, can go away with regular acupuncture and massage. Breaststroke is also recommended.
Therapy for scoliosis should include ultrasound (to get rid of discomfort), electrical stimulation of the abdomen and back, electrophoresis. lightenthe condition is helped by therapeutic baths, ozocerite and paraffin.
Gymnastics
A patient diagnosed with spinal scoliosis should do exercises daily. Gymnastics is generally the most important thing in the treatment of this pathology. Let's look at examples of exercises for curvature of I and II degrees.
- Starting position - standing. We put our hands on our heads. Throw them sharply to the sides, then lift them up and arch your back. We stand like this for half a minute.
- Starting position - standing. Behind us, we hold a special stick for exercises with our hand, the upper part of which is in contact with the head, and the lower part is in contact with the buttocks. Squatting.
- Starting position - on the stomach. Hands rest on the floor, hips are pressed to it, the back is arched. We stay like that for half a minute. It may be a little difficult for you to perform this exercise, but such gymnastics for the spine with scoliosis gives a wonderful effect.
- We stand near the wall, pressing our palms against it. Then we begin to slowly bend back, hands rush up. You need to repeat this exercise several times.
- We stand near the wall, turning away from it. We touch it with shoulder blades, buttocks and heels. We take a step forward, trying not to change position.
A few more exercises
Do you think enough is enough? No, the more you exercise, the better. Let's look at a few more. Perhaps they will help you forget about spinal scoliosis once and for all.
Exercise 1. Lie down on your stomach, stretch your armsforward. Legs should be straight. We bend the left hand. Raise the right side a little. The same must be done with the left leg. We are in this position for half a minute. Then you should repeat everything again, changing the leg and arm. Pay special attention to this exercise if you have right-sided scoliosis. It will take some time, and you will be able to do it several times without straining. Then it will already be possible to think about weights: take a dumbbell or a bottle of water in a raised hand. Over time, it is recommended to replace the selected item with a heavier one.
Exercise 2. Lie on your stomach, stretch your arms forward, legs lie flat. At the same time, we tear off all the limbs from the floor and stay in this position for half a minute. In the future, you can also pick up dumbbells. So the exercise will be more effective, and the scoliosis of the spine may recede faster.
Exercise 3. We get on all fours, hands lie exactly at the same level. The legs must be bent at the knees. We throw forward the right hand. At this time, we stretch the left leg back. Both limbs should be straight and parallel to the floor. We stay like that for half a minute. The exercise should be repeated using the other arm and leg. Again, dumbbells may come in handy. One of them will need to be taken in the hand that you throw forward.
Traditional pull-ups
In the fight against scoliosis, the classic crossbar can help you. Scoliosis is ugly and insidious, treatment can drag on for years, but it is necessary to fight it. Start pulling up today. It may be a little strange and difficult for you at firstunderstand with which grip it is better to perform the exercise. Experts say: it should be shoulder-width apart, especially if you are a beginner. And then you can do it more or less - as you like. But remember: it is forbidden to perform the exercise with a too wide grip.
Pull up for a long time, trying to get the crossbar with your collarbones or a place located on your chest a little lower. Your success will depend on body weight, arm length and grip width.
You should have a slight arch in your back as you pull up. But do not overexert: if you suddenly feel that your elbows and shoulders hurt, stop the exercise.
Narrow grip help
This exercise strengthens the spinal muscles, mainly those in the lumbar region. You stand across the bar. Your palms should "look" forward. It is necessary that the hands are located close to each other. Now try to pull yourself up so that your collarbones press against the bar. Your chest should be arched forward. This is a prerequisite. And there should be a deflection in the back.
When surgery is needed
If surgery is performed on the spine, the scoliosis will recede. Surgery is required if you have:
- spinal stenosis;
- vertebrobasilar syndrome that prevents you from living (poor blood circulation in the brain);
- cauda equina syndrome due to compression of the nerve roots, which is accompanied by difficulty walking orinability to move independently;
- constant back pain.
You should consider surgery if you:
- often experience discomfort in the spine;
- no results from conservative therapy;
- there is instability of the spinal motion segment;
- disability, inability to do basic work.
Types of surgery for curvature of the spine
The first group. Surgical interventions on the posterior spine:
- surgeries for internal correction and support of the spine with special structures, immediately after that bone grafting;
- mobilizing interventions;
- one-stage intraoperative deformity correction;
- Correction of curvature in several stages.
Second type. Surgical interventions on the anterior spine:
- corrective bone grafting;
- interventions that stop the growth of the vertebrae in the protruding area of deformity;
- mobilizing operations;
- corrective interventions using special constructions.
Third kind. Complex operations on the posterior and anterior spine.
Remember: the sooner you see a doctor, the easier it will be to defeat the disease. If you have already developed scoliosis of the spine, the symptoms have made themselves felt, and you are still in no hurry to contact a specialist, then in the future you will have no one to blame butthemselves. Throw away laziness, stock up on patience. Keep your back straight, do swimming, gymnastics, and you will definitely feel better. It may take a long time, but it's worth it.
