During the school medical examination, many parents may be "delighted" by an unexpected diagnosis for their child - scoliosis. Unfortunately, in our time the problem takes on a global character and occurs in every second student. However, you should not despair. The main thing is not to delay and take appropriate measures, since there is a whole range of exercises for scoliosis in children.
Varieties of pathology
Before proceeding to the analysis of exercises, it is worth considering what types of scoliosis are.
Depending on the form of pathology, there are only three of them:
- C-shaped. This type is the simplest and easy to treat, since there is only one arc.curvature located in the lumbar or thoracic spine.
- S-shaped. This is a more complex version with two arcs directed in different directions and located in different parts of the back. This leads to an increased tone of the spinal muscles, as well as excessive physical activity.
- Z-shaped. The most difficult case, in which the number of arcs is as many as three, and all are directed in different directions.
Based on the severity, scoliosis has 4 types, depending on the angle of curvature:
- I – up to 10°.
- II – 11-25°.
- III – 26-50°.
- IV - more than 50°.
It is not possible to independently determine the nature of scoliosis. Only a doctor can make a complete diagnosis. Only a strength specialist can identify the fact that a child has scoliosis, as well as its form.
Complex of exercises for scoliosis in children
The whole complex of he alth-improving gymnastics is represented by a warm-up, the exercises themselves and the final part. Please note that only a doctor should be involved in the selection of the complex, and no one else. It is rather problematic for adults to cure scoliosis - asymmetric exercises are needed, which are also selected only by a specialist.
It is much easier to get rid of such a problem in childhood. Moreover, the exercises can be performed at home. However, there are certain physical activities that are contraindicated in any form of scoliosis.
This is the reasonthe importance of choosing exercises for children by a doctor. This is especially true for III or IV severity of the disease.
Code of Rules
When performing a set of exercises for scoliosis in children, it is important to follow certain requirements:
- Each child, and even an adult patient, needs a highly individual approach.
- A set of exercises should be selected depending on the stage of scoliosis.
- Gymnastics should start with a minimum load, gradually increasing the intensity of the range of motion.
- If the patient experiences discomfort such as back pain, dizziness, palpitations, the activity should be suspended or even postponed until the next time.
- It is important to observe the regularity of classes - this is the key to success.
- Active stretching of the spine, as well as active rotational movements in case of lumbar scoliosis, is not recommended.
- Before starting a set of exercises, it is necessary to do a warm-up each time, which is a prerequisite.
- It is desirable to combine exercise therapy with other methods of treatment and prevention.
The best option is the selection of exercises for scoliosis of the 1st degree for children in the clinic during individual or group classes under the direct supervision of an instructor or physiotherapist. After learning all the techniques of performing he alth-improving gymnastics, you can do it yourself.
Selection of exercises
With a mild form of scoliosis (I degree), you can perform basic exercises that will be discussed innext section. However, for other varieties of the disease, it is necessary to carefully select movements.
For example: in the case of lumbar scoliosis, exercises allow you to develop and strengthen the muscle structure from the right side (based on the direction in which the curvature arc is directed). The muscle tissue on the opposite side should be as relaxed as possible. As a result, muscle tone is normalized, and the spinal column is straightened.
All exercises for children with scoliosis can be divided into two types:
- symmetric;
- asymmetric.
Symmetrical loads are allowed to be performed independently, but only in case of mild scoliosis.
Selection of asymmetric exercises is the prerogative of the attending physician only. In this case, the patient must be examined with a mandatory X-ray of the spine.
With scoliosis of the II degree, it is necessary to strengthen not only the muscular frame of the back, but also to correct existing disorders.
As for more difficult situations (III or IV degree), here therapeutic exercises are no longer effective. Complex therapy is needed, which includes special corrective corsets, massage procedures and, possibly, surgery.
Forbidden exercises for scoliosis of the spine in children:
- hang on the horizontal bar;
- pull-up, lift-flip technique;
- virtually any acrobatic moves;
- strength training, infeatures using a barbell or weights;
- dancing and fast sports games;
- virtually any kind of martial art;
- long distance running is also banned.
Now it's time to get acquainted with the basic set of exercises for scoliosis.
Warm-up
The following basic exercises are designed for patients with grade I scoliosis. Also, the complex can be performed for preventive purposes. Actually, the complex of exercises for scoliosis in children begins with a warm-up:
- Let your back against a flat vertical plane, which will allow you to normalize your posture. After that, you need to take a few steps forward, maintaining the correct position of the back. Breathing is arbitrary, even.
- Take a standing position, arms at your sides, and legs apart shoulder-width apart. Do squats with arms stretched forward, while keeping your back straight. Exercise should be done slowly.
- Legs in the same position, hands free. On the count of times - take a breath, raise your hands up; on the count of two - a pull-up is performed; on the count of three - exhale, arms lowered. The back should be straight at all times.
- Standing again. Bend the leg at the knee and raise it as high as possible. Hold this position for a few seconds, and then return to the starting position. The same for the other leg. A total of five sets per limb.
At the same time, each exercise for scoliosis children at home should be performed at least 5 times.
After warming up, you can move on to the main physical activity.
Basic exercises
Warm-up done, muscle structure prepared and warmed up. Now you can proceed directly to the implementation of the main set of exercises:
- Take a supine position (on your back), raise your legs at an angle of 40 °. Now make movements resembling the work of scissors. You need to do 4 sets.
- The starting position is already different - all fours. Now sit on your heels with your buttocks, after which, without unbending, rest your hands on the floor. In this position, you need to move the body to the left and right, helping with your hands. Movements should be made slowly, lingering in each position for 5 seconds.
- The starting position is the same - all fours, arms and legs shoulder-width apart. Only now you need to work with your back: arch and bend. The pace is slow as usual.
- For this exercise for scoliosis in children, you will need a pillow, preferably not too soft, which you put on the floor and lie on your stomach. Clasp your hands behind your back. Now you need to lift the body up as far as possible, while not overloading the spine.
- Pose again - standing on all fours. Stretch your left arm forward and your right leg back and stay in this position for a few seconds. After that, do the same for the other leg and arm.
- Take a lying position on the side on which the curvature occurs. It is better to put a pillow or cushion under the waist. In this case, the upper leg must be bent at the knee, while the lower one remains in the same position. NowRaise your upper arm above your head, and grab your lower neck. Stay in this position for at least 10 seconds. Then lie on your back and relax.
As for the number of repetitions - as in the case of a warm-up, at least 5 times. At the end of the main complex, you can proceed to the final phase.
Final stage
In the treatment of scoliosis in children with exercise, a hitch, or completion of exercise, plays an important role. The fact is that any complex is associated with physical activity, which should not be stopped abruptly. The main purpose of the hitch is to gradually return the body to its original state. It is for this reason that the importance of both the warm-up and the last phase of the exercise should not be overlooked.
Final stage:
- Take a sitting position, bending your knees and wrapping your arms around them. Without changing position, lie on your back and roll from the neck to the sacrum. The number of repetitions is 7 times. This will have a positive effect on the condition of the spinal muscles.
- Take a standing position, lock your hands behind your back and walk on your heels for 30 seconds.
- Now raise your hands up and walk on your toes for the same 30 seconds.
- Walking in place with a high hip lift - half a minute.
After completing the entire set of exercise therapy exercises for children with scoliosis, rest for 20 minutes is necessary. Performing a wellness complex every day, you won’t have to wait long for the result. Of course, subject to proper exercise and regularityclasses.
Cervical region
Performing exercises in this case allows you not to lose joint mobility, as well as relieve spasm of the muscle structure. The movements here are:
- Slow head tilts and rotations.
- Rotations and shoulder movements.
- Lying on your stomach, raise your head and arch your neck.
- In the same lying position, bring your elbows together, inhaling, spread them apart as you exhale. At the same time, the palms are locked in a lock on the back of the head.
Classes should be done 2 or 3 times a day, keeping a slow pace. The number of repetitions of such exercises varies from 10 to 15 times.
S-shaped scoliosis
With this form of pathology, the thoracic and lumbar spine are simultaneously affected. Exercises in this case allow you to strengthen the broad back muscle. At the same time, treatment for scoliosis in children with exercise therapy exercises is carried out in two directions:
- Static - the main emphasis is on the development of the muscular system.
- Dynamic - in this case, they strengthen the musculoskeletal system.
With such a pathology in children, you can perform the following exercises:
- Lying on your back, raise your right arm at the same time as your left leg. Hold this position for 10 to 20 seconds. After that, do the same with the opposite arm and leg.
- In the same starting position, only now you should raise both legs and arms, fixing them for 5-10 seconds.
- Slow push-ups - you can bend your knees to reduce the load.
Exercises can be performed not only on the floor, but also on inclined simulators, wall bars. According to statistics, about 85% of schoolchildren have postural disorders.
How effective is exercise for scoliosis?
It has already been proven that the full formation of the body, and in particular the spine, ends at about 20 years of age. In this regard, scoliosis is best treated with exercise in childhood or adolescence.
The main goals of exercises for scoliosis in children are as follows:
- Unload the spine.
- Correct your posture to a normal position.
- Strengthen the muscular corset.
- Improve the general condition of the whole organism as a whole, and not just in relation to the spinal column.
In addition, a set of exercises for the treatment of scoliosis also includes manual therapy, swimming.
Contraindications
Despite all the benefits of exercise therapy in the fight against scoliosis, there are certain contraindications that should not be neglected. Usually such situations are associated with the general condition of the body:
- Presence of diseases of the heart, respiratory system and blood vessels.
- Increased body temperature.
- Severe pain.
- Sudden jumps in blood pressure.
This is another reason why the selection of a set of exercises should be trusted directly to the doctor. Only a specialist will be able to prescribe the necessary exercises based on theresearch.
Prevention measures
In order to avoid the development of scoliosis, do not ignore prevention. To do this, it is necessary to regularly carry out specially designed complexes, including exercises for the back with scoliosis in children. All of them, as a rule, are relevant not only during the period of treatment.
In addition, parents should keep a close eye on their child:
- He should keep proper posture while sitting at the table.
- Children's furniture should be selected based on their age.
- The workplace must be properly lit.
- Must choose orthopedic school backpacks.
- Be outdoors more often. However, this also applies to adults.
If parents are faced with a diagnosis of scoliosis in relation to their child, it is necessary to strictly follow all the doctor's recommendations.
Timely selected exercises to solve such a problem will improve the condition of the spinal column. Thanks to this, the further development of the disease will be stopped.
