During the school medical examination, many parents can be "happy" with an unexpected diagnosis regarding their child - scoliosis. Unfortunately, in our time the problem takes on a global character and is found in every second student. However, do 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 occur.
Depending on the form of pathology, there are only three of them:
- C-shaped. This type is the simplest and easiest to treat, since there is only one curvature arch 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 exertion.
- Z-shaped. The most difficult case, in which the number of arcs is 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 carry out a full diagnosis. Only a specialist in forces can identify the fact of scoliosis in a child, as well as its form.
A set of exercises for scoliosis in children
The whole complex of recreational gymnastics is represented by a warm-up, directly by 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. Adults cure scoliosis is quite problematic - asymmetric exercises are needed, which are also selected only by a specialist.
In childhood, getting rid of such a problem is much easier. Moreover, the exercises can be performed at home. However, there are certain physical activities that are contraindicated in any form of scoliosis.
This determines the importance of selecting exercises for children by a doctor. This is especially true of the III or IV severity of the disease.
Set of rules
When performing a set of exercises for scoliosis in children, it is important to comply with certain requirements:
- Every child, and even an adult patient, needs a purely individual approach.
- A set of exercises should be selected depending on the stage of scoliosis.
- Gymnastics should begin with a minimum load, gradually increasing the intensity of the amplitude of movements.
- If the patient feels unpleasant sensations such as back pain, dizziness, palpitations, the session must be suspended or even delayed 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 with lumbar scoliosis, is not recommended.
- Before starting a set of exercises, it is necessary to perform a warm-up each time, which is a prerequisite.
- It is advisable 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 with individual or group exercises under the direct supervision of an instructor or physiotherapist. After learning all the techniques for performing health gymnastics, you can do it yourself.
Exercise Selection
With a mild form of scoliosis (I degree), you can perform basic exercises, which will be discussed in the next section. However, for other varieties of the disease, movements must be carefully selected.
For example: in the case of lumbar scoliosis, exercises allow you to develop and strengthen the muscle structure from the right side (based on which direction the curvature arc is directed). 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 loads are allowed to be performed independently, but only in the case of mild scoliosis.
The selection of asymmetric exercises is the prerogative of the attending physician only. In this case, the patient must be examined with mandatory radiography 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 carry out the correction of existing disorders.
As for more difficult situations (III or IV degree), here therapeutic gymnastics is no longer effective. Complex therapy is needed, which includes special corrective corsets, massage procedures and, possibly, surgical intervention.
Prohibited exercises for scoliosis of the spine in children:
- hovering on the horizontal bar;
- pull-up, lift-flip technique;
- almost any acrobatic movement;
- strength training, especially with the use of a barbell or weights;
- dances, as well as fast sports games;
- almost any kind of martial art;
- Long-distance running is also prohibited.
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 scoliosis of the first degree. Also, the complex can be performed for preventive purposes. Actually, the complex of exercises for scoliosis in children begins with a warm-up:
- Lean your back against an even vertical plane, which will allow you to bring your posture back to normal. After this, it is necessary to take several steps forward, while maintaining the correct position of the back. The breath is arbitrary, even.
- Take a standing position, arms at the seams, and legs apart at shoulder width. Do squats with stretching your arms forward, while keeping your back steady. Exercises should be performed slowly.
- Feet in the same position, hands free. At the expense of times - take a breath, raise your hands up; on the count of two - pull-up is performed; on the count of three - exhale is done, hands drop. The back should be even all the time.
- Again standing position. Bend the leg at the knee and raise as high as possible. In this position, hold for a few seconds, and then return to the original. The same goes for the other leg. Only five approaches per limb.
Moreover, each exercise in scoliosis in children at home should be performed no less than 5 times.
After warming up, you can move on to the main physical activities.
Basic exercises
The warm-up is done, the muscular structure is prepared and warmed up. Now you can proceed directly to the implementation of the main set of exercises:
- Take a lying 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 approaches.
- 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 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 your back: to bend and bend. The pace is slow, as usual.
- For this exercise, in children with scoliosis, you will need a pillow, preferably not too soft, which should be laid on the floor and lie on your stomach. Hands behind the back to lock. Now you need to lift the body up as far as possible, while not overloading the spine.
- Again the pose - standing on all fours. Extend the left hand forward and the right foot back and hold in this position for several seconds. After that, do the same for the other leg and arm.
- Take a lying position on that side, on the side of which there is a curvature. Under the waist it is better to put a pillow or roller. In this case, the upper leg must be bent at the knee, while the lower leg remains in the same position. Now raise your hand from above to raise your head, and lower to grasp the neck. In this position, stay for 10 seconds, at least. After that, lie on your back and relax.
As for the number of executions - 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 the help of exercises, the hitch, or the completion of exercises, plays an important role. The fact is that any complex is associated with physical activity, which should not be stopped abruptly. The main goal of the hitch is to gradually return the body to its original state. It is for this reason that the importance of both warming up and the last stage of exercises should not be ignored.
The final stage:
- Take a sitting position, bending your knees and clasping their hands. Without changing your position, lie on your back and make rolls from the neck to the sacral region. The number of repetitions is 7 times. This will favorably affect the condition of the spinal muscles.
- Take a standing position, bring your hands to the castle behind your back and walk on your heels for 30 seconds.
- Now raise your hands up and the same 30 seconds to walk on toes.
- Walking in place with high hips - half a minute.
At the end of the whole complex of exercise therapy exercises for children with scoliosis, rest for 20 minutes is necessary. Performing a health complex every day, you won’t have to wait long for the result. Of course, subject to proper exercise and regularity of classes.
Cervical
Performing exercises in this case allows you not to lose joint mobility, as well as relieve muscle spasm. The motions here are as follows:
- Slow tilts of the head and its rotation.
- Rotation and movement of the shoulders.
- Lying on his stomach to raise his head, as well as arch his neck.
- In the same lying position, bring the elbows together, taking a breath, on the exhale, part them. The palms are locked in the back of the head.
Classes should be held 2 or 3 times during the day, maintaining 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. Exercise in this case allows you to strengthen the broad muscle of the back. In this case, 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, strengthen the bone-joint system.
With this pathology in children, you can perform the following exercises:
- Lying on your back, raise your right arm at the same time as your left foot. Hold out in 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 - it is possible with a bend of the knees, which will reduce the load.
Exercises can be performed not only on the floor, but also on inclined simulators, the Swedish wall. According to statistics, about 85% of schoolchildren have impaired posture.
How effective are exercises for scoliosis?
It has already been proven that the complete formation of the body, and in particular the spine, ends by about 20 years of life. In this regard, scoliosis is best served by treatment exercises in childhood or adolescence.
The main goals that pursue exercises for scoliosis in children are as follows:
- Unload the spine.
- Correct posture by bringing it to a normal position.
- Strengthen the muscle corset.
- To improve the general condition of the whole organism as a whole, and not just in relation to the spinal column.
In addition, the range 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. Typically, such situations are associated with the general condition of the body:
- The presence of diseases of the heart, respiratory system and blood vessels.
- Elevated 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 the studies.
Preventive measures
In order to avoid the development of scoliosis, do not ignore prevention. For 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 treatment period.
In addition, parents should closely monitor their child:
- He should keep correct posture while sitting at the table.
- Furniture should be selected for the child based on his age.
- The workplace must be properly lit.
- It is necessary to choose orthopedic school backpacks.
- More often to be in the fresh air. However, this also applies to adults.
If parents are faced with a diagnosis of scoliosis in relation to their child, all doctor's recommendations must be strictly followed.
Timely selected exercises to solve a similar problem will improve the condition of the spinal column. Thanks to this, the further development of the disease will be stopped.