Beautiful posture, as you know, is not only a sign of a person’s confidence, but also an indicator of the correct lifestyle that he leads. Excess weight, improper posture, weakened back muscles and many other causes can lead to problems with posture. The result is stoop, back pain and self-doubt. Therefore, it is easier to do prevention in a timely manner than to look for information on how to correct spinal curvature later .
Why does curvature occur?
Violation of the correct form of the spinal column can be either congenital or acquired. And the reasons, respectively, will be different. In the first case, congenital diseases, heredity or genetic abnormalities can lead to curvature. In the second, the reason for the change in the shape of the spine is most often the incorrect position of the body during sedentary work. However, some diseases can also lead to curvature in adulthood.
Most often, a change in the shape of the spine caused by non-compliance with correct posture during sedentary work is manifested in schoolchildren. Curvature of the spine in a child can lead to serious consequences in adulthood. Therefore, it is important to control the position of the student’s body when doing homework, as well as in lessons. Unfortunately, teachers and parents do not always do this.
Types of curvature of the spine
Any disease requires an individual approach. Therefore, before figuring out how to correct the curvature of the spine, we will figure out what types it happens and what it can lead to.
In normal condition, the spinal column is not completely straight. It has physiological bends that allow you to properly distribute the load on the human muscles. Curvature is any deviation from the normal shape of the spine. The types and, accordingly, the consequences of such changes are different.
The most common spinal curvature is scoliosis. It is characterized by a deviation of the vertebrae to the side, most often in the chest area. The result is a change in gait and posture, as well as the lifting of one shoulder relative to the other. Another type of curvature is lordosis - this is the deviation of the axis of the spine forward, which, with the development of the disease, can lead to malfunctions of the internal organs (heart, lungs and kidneys). Most often, lordosis manifests itself as a cervical curvature of the spine and lumbar. The third type of disease is kyphosis. Its main difference is the stoop, as the vertebrae in the cervical region are shifted back.
Diagnostics
Only a doctor can determine precisely whether a person has this or that curvature of the spine - by eye or by means of radiography and computed tomography. Nevertheless, everyone can carry out simple diagnostics at home. Subjective signs of curvature are pain and heaviness in the back, chest and neck, numbness and weakening of the extremities, headaches, impaired coordination, etc.
To identify more serious signs of a change in the shape of the spine, you can perform several simple steps.
- Stand up straight. If one shoulder is higher than the second, then there is a curvature.
- In the same position, compare the distance from the arms to the waist. If it is different, an abnormal curvature is most likely present.
- For problems with the spine on the straight back, the shoulder blades will protrude in different ways.
Unfortunately, signs of spinal curvature in the early stages are not always noticeable. But the development of these deviations can lead to the most unpleasant consequences. Therefore, at the first signs of the disease, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible. He will conduct a full diagnosis and, if a problem is identified, will tell you how to correct spinal curvature without consequences for the body.
What is fraught with curvature of the spine
Any pathology associated with a change in the position of the vertebrae leads to unpleasant consequences. At the first stages of the development of the disease, these effects are minimal, but left unattended, they can bring a lot of problems.
The first thing that others will notice is an ugly skew of the body and stoop. In this case, the patient will get tired faster, feel pain in the back, neck and head. Muscle cramps are also consequences of spinal curvature . But this is not the worst. A more serious development of the disease will lead to a deterioration in the functioning of the cardiovascular system and the gastrointestinal tract, shortness of breath, bronchitis and pneumonia. Strong curvature of the spine in a woman can cause problems with conceiving and bearing a child.
As with any other disease, the sooner treatment begins, the less unpleasant the consequences will be. Therefore, an important step in creating proper posture is the prevention of spinal curvature. It’s easier to prevent than to treat.
How to avoid spinal curvature
You need to start taking care of your back from childhood. After all, it is at an early age that all bones are in the growth stage and therefore are most susceptible to changes. Training a child for sports will strengthen the back muscles and improve the whole body. The most suitable for the prevention of back diseases is swimming.
Curvature of the spine in a child often develops due to improper body position when working at the table. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the observance of correct posture by children. The back should always be straight. Over time, this will become a habit, and maintaining this position will not require additional effort. If the child has the correct posture, curvature of the spine in most cases does not threaten him.
Proper nutrition will provide the body with all the necessary substances and minerals for the development of the skeleton. In childhood, this is especially important.
Practical tips for curvature prevention
These recommendations are suitable for adults who want to maintain posture and avoid diseases associated with a change in the shape of the spine.
- When lifting weights, try to keep them as close to your body as possible. This will reduce the load on the intervertebral discs. Women are not recommended to lift objects heavier than 20 kg, and men - 50 kg.
- When doing work while standing, bend your knees slightly. It’s easier to keep your back straight.
- Try to clean vegetables while sitting at the table, and not standing in front of the work surface.
- If you need to raise something or put it on the lower shelf, sit down instead of bending over.
- Use the longest nozzle when working with a vacuum cleaner. This will save you from constantly having to stoop.
- When working with the iron, the ironing board should be at a height of 10-15 cm from the elbow.
- Do not sit long in one position. Take regular breaks of 5–7 minutes. Walk around this time, move your shoulders, do simple exercises.
Home treatment
If problems with the spine still occur, you should immediately consult a doctor. He will prescribe the necessary medication, massage, recommend choosing the right mattress for sleep and give general recommendations on how to correct spinal curvature. But the treatment does not end there. In order to quickly get rid of the consequences of the disease, it is necessary to regularly perform special exercises when curving the spine. In addition, do not forget about the tips listed above.
Losing weight will also help with curvature. Losing weight will reduce the burden on the body and in particular on the back. But it is important to remember that with any diet, the body must receive a sufficient amount of nutrients.
Scoliosis Exercise
Before starting classes, it is important to remember that there are various types of curvature of the spine and the degree of the disease. Therefore, it would be more correct to consult a doctor for advice and find out whether this or that exercise is suitable for a particular case.
With C-shaped scoliosis (if there is unidirectional curvature):
- Take a standing position, legs spread a little. Put your hands on your shoulders and rotate your elbows. Do 3 sets of 8 turns forward and 8 backward.
- The situation is the same. Lower your arms, pull your head up and try to lengthen your body as much as possible without lifting your heels. Hold the position for 5-7 seconds.
- Lie on the floor with your stomach down. Stretch your arms along the body. Raise your head up without lifting your chest and shoulder girdle from the floor.
- In the same position, raise your legs and arms extended forward.
Perform all exercises slowly, without rushing. If you feel pain, stop training.
S-shaped scoliosis exercises
These classes will be slightly different. They are aimed at correcting the lumbar region and chest, as well as strengthening the latissimus dorsi.
- Lie on your bench with your stomach so that its edge is in the area of ​​the lumbar region. Lower the body down at a right angle. Now try again to take a horizontal position without raising your legs.
- Standing position. Keep your side to the side of the curvature. Put your hands on the back of your head. When inhaling, spread your arms to the sides and bend.
- Get on all fours. First, inhale, and as you exhale, move the buttocks to the heels without moving your arms. On inspiration, return to the starting position. Do 5 sets.
- Standing on all fours, bend your back with the wheel and after a few seconds return to its original position. Do it 5 times.
The regular implementation of these exercises, strict adherence to the recommendations of the doctor and proper massage will help to permanently get rid of problems associated with curvature of the spine.