What is scoliosis and how to fix it

What is scoliosis

ScoliosisScoliosis (From the Greek root meaning "curve") - a curvature of the spine.

In a normal spine, when viewed from the back, vertical and perfectly straight. Scoliosis, he bent in one direction or another.

Most often spinal curvature is shown for the first time at the age of 10-15 yearsScoliosis - Symptoms, Diagnosis and TreatmentIn the period of active growth and sexual maturation. But may also suffer both adults and small children.

Depending on how strong bending, domestic orthopedics allocates different degreesdegenerative scoliosis disease. If the deviation of the spinal column from vertical is:

• less than 10 degrees - a scoliosis I degree;
• 11-30 degrees - scoliosis II degree;
• 31-60 degrees - scoliosis of III degree;
• from 61 degrees or more - IV scoliosis degree.

However, the division into extent arbitrary in many respects. For example, the American Orthopedic when choosing a method of treatment areTreatment For Scoliosis other arbitrary scale where a curvature up to 20 degrees are considered lungs, from 20 to 40 - average over 40 - heavy.

How dangerous is scoliosis

Most of it takes place in the form of light, and at a certain stage the curvature or stops, or the spine and restores all vertical itself. But some spine continues to be deformed. And this process can cause a number of complications, including very serious. Here they areScoliosis:

• Back pain. People who in childhood was a scoliosis or curvature of the spine that are preserved, complain of pain in the back more often than the average healthy person.
• low self-esteem and other emotional problems. A marked curvature of the back more than any other effort on teenagers as they react sharply to any imperfections in their appearance.
• Nerve compression. When bending of the spine sometimes squeezed surrounding nerve fibers. And it can lead to a variety of problems: weakness in the legs to the loss of control over bladder or erectile dysfunction (this applies only to men, of course).
• Problems with the lungs and heart. In severe cases, Curved spine pushes the internal organs in the chest. This causes them to squeeze. As a result, there are problems with breathing and heart activity, as well as increases the risk of lung infections - the same pneumonia become permanent.

Especially endangered are the girls: their scoliosis 8 times more oftenScoliosis - Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment It progresses to a state of medium and high severities.

How to recognize scoliosis

Discord with the spine can be easily seen by their appearanceScoliosis - Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment:

• the shoulders are located at different heights;
• head is not centered directly above the pelvis, though slightly offset to one side;
• one blade protrudes more than the other;
• ribs stick out more on one side, waist line is horizontal;
• sometimes changing the appearance or texture of the skin over the spine: her dimples appear, colored spots, excessive body hair.

Here is a classic example of a curved spine.

When to see a doctor

If you notice the slightest symptoms of scoliosis in yourself or your child - immediately consult a podiatrist.

In children, the weak scoliosis may eventually go on their own, but it is better not to risk it and consult a doctor.

How to diagnose and treat scoliosis

To understand what the patient has curvature of the spine, orthopedic competent enough to carry out a physical inspection. And find out how running the state, you can use the X-ray.

If the curvature is small, up to 20 degrees, no treatment may not be necessaryTreatment For Scoliosis. Teenagers enough time to go for a visit in 4-6 monthsEverything you need to know about scoliosis a doctor to immediately take action if scoliosis progresses. Adults and is not observed, since after the phase of active growth of curvature generally not compounded.

With a slight bend of the development of scoliosis can be suspended with the help of massage and physical therapy. These procedures are prescribed by the doctor. In more severe cases, use braces and spinal traction with the elimination of paravertebral muscle spasms.

Yuri Koryukalov, neuroscientist and Rehabilitation

At a curvature of 20 to 40 degrees teenager may require corset. This device does not cure his problem - not to warp the spine even more. Corset again appoint a doctor. Perhaps the child will have to wear it 16 to 23 hours a day for several years, until the end of the active phase of growth. It is believedScoliosis: Diagnosis and TreatmentThat girls this step comes two years after the first period, and the boys - at the time when they begin to actively grow a mustache and hair on his chin.

Scoliosis is more severe degree of treated surgically, sraschivaya vertebrae or setting up the spine rod that does not allow to be bent.

As for the exercise and massage, their effectiveness in direct treatment of scoliosis has not been proved. Instead, they strengthen the back muscles that support the spine, and thus do not allow the disease to progress.

Where does the scoliosis and how it is

Most often, doctors honestly admit that they do not know. In 80% of casesWhat Is Scoliosis and What Causes It? scoliosis is called idiopathic - that is so, the reasons for which it is not. Doctors suggest cautionScoliosisThat the curvature of the spine may be a genetic feature, because often the disease spreads in families. But this is not proven.

However, in some cases, the cause of scoliosis is still crystal clear. And this is not the habit of sitting hunched over.

Here are types of scoliosis, the origin of which the doctors figured out.

• Nonstructural. In this case, the spine is healthy: it just looks crooked. The reason for that, or muscle spasms or some internal inflammation (eg, appendicitis), or asymmetry of the body (for example, when a person has one leg longer than the other). This type of scoliosis runs by itself, if eliminate the condition that caused it.
• Structural. This type of scoliosis is incorrigible. Its provoke serious diseases: cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, tumor, and genetically determined condition - e.g., Down syndrome or Marfan syndrome.
• Congenital. Developed before the advent of the child born due to improper formation of the vertebrae.
• Degenerative. With age, joints and spinal discs due to the constant load wear - particularly strong in the lower back. Therefore, over time in this area of ​​the spine can be formed curvature. It is logical that this type of scoliosis occurs only in adults.

How to prevent scoliosis

Some types of scoliosis, as is clear from the text above, can not be prevented. But if we are talking about the idiopathic form, that is, curvature of the spine, which for unknown reasons is developing in adolescence, then it is possible to fight. And simple enough methods.

To reduce the risk of scoliosis, try to give the children of 4-5 years in sports clubs or to provide them with lessons with a coach for at least an hour three times a week.

Yuri Koryukalov, neuroscientist and Rehabilitation

It is also important to monitor the bearingTo be accustomed to the spine anatomically faithful - strictly vertical - position.