Scoliosis of the back: symptoms, degrees, treatment, exercises

Scoliosis in the back is a dangerous and quite common disease that is diagnosed in both adults and children. It happens to varying degrees and in all parts of the spine. If this pathology is not eliminated, then this can lead to certain complications in systems and organs. This condition of the back is characterized by a curvature of the spine to the right, left, forward and backward, but there are times when and around all its axes. Most often, scoliosis is diagnosed in patients of a younger age category, in children from 5 to 7 years old, and is especially dangerous for a young developing organism.

In modern medicine, there is also a scoliotic disease, in which there is no change in the spine, but disharmony of muscle tissue is noted. As a result, lateral curvature of the back develops. How to strengthen the back with scoliosis? It is necessary to resort to physical education, massage. Strengthening the muscles, you can avoid many problems, as well as diseases. At the first signs of problems with the back and spine, it is better to consult a neurologist, and with flat feet, you will also need an orthopedic consultation.

Causes of occurrence and development

Scoliosis in the back is considered a multifactorial process. In recent years, a considerable number of studies have been carried out in medicine that have helped to identify certain associations that increase the risk of developing this dangerous pathology. These include:

1. Osteopenia and osteoporosis. In adolescents who had severe back curvature, a level of mineral density of bone tissue was diagnosed below normal.
2. Teenage idiopathic scoliosis. This violation occurs due to the small mineralization of the bones during the intensive growth of the body and, as a result, the back.
3. Progressively increasing scoliosis. This condition negatively affects platelet calmodulin, which gradually decreases.
4. CHD7 is a gene associated with the development of an idiopathic form of spinal curvature.

Experts identify three areas in the etiology of the disease. In this regard, there are idiopathic, degenerative and neuromuscular types of scoliosis, while the causes of the pathology will be varied. Possible triggering factors include:

• If it was not possible to establish the cause of the curvature of the back, the patient is diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis (95% of cases);
• Congenital Disorder
• Neuromuscular diseases, which are accompanied by an asymmetry of muscle tone.
• Back with scoliosis occurs in patients with unequal lengths of the lower extremities.
• Inflammatory processes in the spine.
• Degenerative diseases of the chronic type of disk with changes in shape.
• Ehlers-Danlos or Prader-Villa Syndrome.
• A complex of chronic non-progressive diseases associated with the brain and spinal cord obtained during fetal development.
• Back pain with scoliosis due to damage to the intervertebral disc.
• Atrophy and dystrophy of muscle tissue of the back.
• Proteus or Marfan syndrome.
• Hereditary pathology, which is characterized by an abnormal process of growth of nerve cells, as a result, a neoplasm is obtained in this tissue.
• Systemic connective tissue disorders.

To determine the provoking factor of this condition can only be a specialist in a clinic after a thorough examination. Based on the results obtained, therapy is prescribed, which in most cases has a positive outcome. Do not engage in self-treatment, as this can lead to a worsening of the condition and other negative consequences.

Groups and severity of scoliosis

Specialists distinguish five main groups of this disease of the back. With the correct diagnosis, the treatment process is simplified.

Scoliosis groups in the back:

1. Curvature of muscle origin. In this situation, the patient has poorly developed muscle tissue and ligaments, as a result, they are not able to provide high-quality development of the spine (rickets scoliosis).
2. Curvature of neurogenic origin. It is diagnosed in patients with diseases such as poliomyelitis, spastic paralysis, sciatica. This group also includes back pathologies that are caused by degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs of the spine.
3. Congenital curvature. It is diagnosed in children due to impaired bone development even in the womb.
4. The curvature provoked by diseases of the thoracic region: pleural empyema, burns in large areas, surgery.
5. Scoliosis on the back, the provoking factor of which has not yet been studied.

The classification of this pathology also depends on the section of the curved spine. Scoliosis variants are distinguished as:

1. Slouch. The pectoral bend is significantly increased at the top, and the lumbar region is straight.
2. The back is rounded. Thoracic curvature is localized throughout this spine.
3. The back is concave. Violation is observed in the lumbar region.
4. The back is round-concave. Diagnosed with a simultaneous increase in the bend in the chest and lumbar.
5. The back is flat concave. Curvature in the chest area decreases as a result of normal or slightly increased lumbar flexure.

In modern medicine, several degrees of pathology are distinguished. Each of them has its own characteristics, which are taken into account when making a diagnosis. Scoliosis of the back of 1 degree differs in lateral deviation of the spine within ten degrees, its slight twisting can also be noted. You can determine the violation using an x-ray.

If the angle of curvature of the back is within 11-24 degrees and there is a pronounced twisting of the spine, then we can safely say that the patient has scoliosis of the back of 2 degrees. Also, the specialist during the examination of the patient will note compensating bends. As for the x-ray, then on it you can consider the deformation of the vertebrae.

Scoliosis 3 degrees. With this violation, a curvature angle of 24-41 degrees is diagnosed. As for the deformation of the vertebrae, it is very pronounced, in strong areas of the violation they become wedge-shaped, there is a hump.

The 4th degree of back scoliosis (a photo of the pathology will help to carefully study each stage separately) is represented by an angle of curvature within 41-92 degrees, the figure will be disfigured. With this deviation, the patient has posterior and anterior costal humps, and deformation of the pelvic area and the thoracic region are also clearly visible. The patient is diagnosed with kyphoscoliosis of the chest.

Risk groups include patients such as:

• a child with heredity;
• children or adolescents who are growing rapidly, while their body weight does not correspond to the age category;
• a child who spends a long time playing a musical instrument such as a violin or accordion.

Also at risk can be attributed to this category of children aged 3 to 17 years, who have increased physical activity.

Childhood scoliosis

The most common form of curvature in children is considered idiopathic. The Cobb angle in this situation will be more than 10 degrees, there are also no deviations in the sagittal plane. But the diagnosis may change after 18 years, when the body will already be more formed. In this situation, it is recommended to constantly be under the supervision of specialists, undergo regular examinations.

You can determine the angle of curvature of the spine using an x-ray in the anteroposterior projection. If a child's back scoliosis (photos are presented in this article) began to develop from an early age, then, as a result, he will experience more severe spinal curvatures. The older the patient becomes, the more the situation worsens (provided that proper treatment is not provided). In this case, experts recommend surgery to correct the spine.

The category of idiopathic scoliosis depends on age:

• infantile (children under three years old);
• juvenile (from four to nine years old);
• teenage (puberty).

Each of the presented categories has its own characteristics, periods of development, complications, as well as stages of treatment. Strengthening the back muscles for scoliosis is recommended in any situation, exercises are selected for each patient individually, depending on the situation, general condition, age category and progression of curvature.

Due to the formation of scoliosis in a child under the age of five, there is a high risk of developing problems with the cardiac and vascular systems, as it is diagnosed with restrictive damage to the respiratory system, arterial hypertension and pulmonary heart.

Scoliosis in older patients

Strengthening the muscles of the back with scoliosis should be carried out at any age. Exercises are selected individually for each patient, depending on the condition and neglect of the disease. This pathology is most often diagnosed in women than in men. Neuromuscular scoliosis develops with severe defects in muscle tissue or nerve structures. As for the degenerative type, it occurs in patients under the age of 45 years. Idiopathic adolescent scoliosis, if corrective therapy has not been carried out, remains until the end of life.

Patients of the older age category may develop a degenerative form of curvature of the spine, even without predecessors. In this situation, the Cobb angle will be within 12 degrees, sagittal deformation and axial rotation are simultaneously diagnosed. Degenerative scoliosis begins to develop with the destruction of the intervertebral discs. If a patient is diagnosed with diseases such as osteochondrosis or osteoporosis, then the disorder will progress much faster, leading to a significant deterioration in the condition and severe pain.

What affects posture? How to lift heavy objects?

If your back hurts with scoliosis, you need to pay attention not only to strengthening exercises, but also to such important facts as a berth, clothes, shoes and more.

What affects posture?

1. The place where we sleep. Experts recommend choosing a hard surface for sleep, special orthopedic mattresses. Sleeping best on your stomach or back. As for the pillow, it should not be voluminous and soft.
2. Appearance. Close clothing, especially in adolescence, which will interfere with the growth and development of the thoracic region, can contribute to the development of curvature of the spine. As for shoes, it should be in size. If it is incorrectly selected, then the likelihood of developing flat feet and, as a consequence, scoliosis increases. When diagnosing clubfoot, it is recommended to immediately consult a podiatrist, start exercises, massages, exercise therapy. Patients of an older age category with a diagnosis of scoliosis should preferably wear high-heeled shoes.
3. Carrying a bag in only one hand. This is considered the right way to develop spinal curvature. Both adults and children are recommended to wear backpacks in size, with wide straps and hard backs.
4. Workplace equipment. It should be well lit and comfortable. The hip and knee joints must be bent at right angles while sitting. Poor lighting negatively affects not only the quality of vision, but also bends the back, because due to lack of light you have to hunch and bend low. It must be remembered that sedentary work puts a lot of stress on the spine and spinal muscles. During your activity, you need to rely on both elbows, legs and back should touch the back of the chair, while the lumbar bend is fully preserved. A fist is placed between the thoracic region and the table.
5. Correctly formed operating mode. If the employee is in a sitting position for a very long time, then a 15-minute charge must be performed every hour. Gymnastics helps to stretch and strengthen the muscles of the back and the whole body. Experts recommend that if your back hurts with scoliosis, sign up for the sports section, take more walks and set aside time for swimming.

In order not to harm the spine, you need to not only choose the right mattress and pillow or equip the workplace, still lift heavy objects without harm to health. It is recommended to use the principle of a jack. Do not lift weights from an inclined position.

First of all, it is better to sit down, then lift the load. The back should be completely straight, preferably with the lumbar curve preserved. It is recommended to concentrate on the work of the muscles of the lower limbs, and not the spine. If possible, the severity is pressed against the chest, in which case there will be an even distribution of the load.

The same sequence is recommended to adhere to when lowering the weight. If you are very tired, then this condition increases the risk of stress on the spine and can harm. With hard work, you can use special corsets for the back from scoliosis.

Right and left back curvature

This type of pathology is diagnosed in the thoracic spine, a rib hump is noted in parallel, since the skeleton is deformed. If the patient has a right-sided curvature of the neck, a feeling of motion sickness and cephalgia can torment. Right-sided scoliosis of the lumbar spine is accompanied by pain symptoms in patients aged 20 to 35 years. These two disorders are rarely diagnosed.

Left-sided scoliosis is most often observed in patients of an older age category. If 1 or 2 severity was diagnosed, then there is practically no symptomatology. As a result of the examination, deformation of the muscles of the lumbar region is revealed. At the initial stage of the violation, the patient complains of severe pain, a protruding iliac crest is noted. Left-sided breast scoliosis is formed with violations of T1-T12. This type of pathology is not very common. At the third stage of scoliosis, experts note the symmetry of the upper body and face, the thoracic region is limited in movement, the breathing process is disturbed. If the situation is not running, then in 80% of cases the outcome of therapy will be positive.

Curvature of the spine of different parts of the back

Scoliosis is of different localization. Depending on this, therapy is adjusted, it is recommended to perform exercises. Only a specialist can determine the type of pathology after a thorough examination of the patient.

In modern medicine, there are such categories of curvature of the back, such as:

1. Thoracic. Most often diagnosed in patients of a younger age category. Most common among girls. It is almost impossible to identify at the initial stage, since there is no visualization of the curvature. In this case, the patient may complain of increased fatigue, pain in the back, as well as short walking. Provoking factors: sedentary lifestyle, poor posture, large back loads, problems with muscles and ligaments, hereditary factor, lower limbs of different lengths, injuries. It is difficult to identify chest scoliosis in the initial stage. As for the second degree, then with it there is an asymmetry of the cervical spine and waist, which remains in any position. The third stage is characterized by the protrusion of the costal arches, weakened by muscle tissue in the abdomen. Exercises for the back with scoliosis of 1 or another degree are selected exclusively by a specialist. The fourth degree of pathology is characterized by a pronounced rib hump, as well as concomitant diseases of the cardiovascular system.
2. Lumbar. In this situation, the back will be curved more to the left. Such a disorder can be provoked by such factors as developmental abnormalities in the perinatal period, trauma, intense growth, spinal overload. This category of scoliosis can be determined visually or using an x-ray. Necessarily there is no rib hump, since the bend in most cases does not affect the thoracic region.
3. Thoracolumbal. There is a simultaneous curvature of the spine between T1 and L5. . , .
4. Combined. . . .

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Diagnostics

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2. Roentgenography.This technique makes an assessment of the degree of scoliosis. The picture is taken in a sitting or standing position. Such a diagnosis is considered the most common and affordable, it is highly informative. The study helps the specialist to differentiate idiopathic scoliosis from a congenital disorder. X-ray diffraction determines the angle of curvature, rotation and torsion. Since this method is characterized by increased radioactive radiation, it is advisable to use low dose images. They reduce the patient's exposure period, but help determine only the angle of curvature of the back.
3. Highly effective in the diagnosis of this pathology is magnetic resonance and computed tomography. The only negative of the examinations is the high cost.
4. Assessment of violation using photographs. The technique has a low cost, availability, lack of radioactive radiation. Minus - insignificant accuracy, but contraindications are completely absent. To obtain accurate research data, it is recommended to adhere to generally accepted rules: the photo is taken against the background of the surface with a cell (10 * 10 cm), a tripod is used, constant side lighting, the picture should consist of several full-length photos and from different sides. This technique allows you to evaluate the disease in dynamics, to establish whether the curvature is progressing or not.

Early diagnosis (preclinical, subclinical and clinical stages of pathology) involves visual inspection, computed optical tomography, EMG, OSP, and the determination of neuropeptides. Attention is paid to the spinal column, spinal cord and brain, muscle corset.

How to treat back scoliosis?

Therapeutic measures are divided into several groups. The first can include such directions as correction of hormonal status, the functionality of the brain and spinal cord and the ANS, growth zones of the vertebrae, and tonus of the back muscles. The second group of events provides a favorable background for the success of the first methods. It includes exercise therapy for the back with scoliosis, various types of massage, swimming, wearing a corset. If the patient was diagnosed with the last stage of the disease, then you should not count on the instant effect, the recovery process can take about six years.

Treating curvature in adults is a laborious process. The patient is recommended to wear a belt, put special insoles in shoes. Corsets for back from scoliosis help fix the body, have an effect on various curvatures. To maintain the body, bandages are also used that hold the intervertebral discs and the axis of the spine. In such a situation, muscle tension is not able to have any negative effect on the back. But it is worth considering that they have not only negative aspects, but also contraindications. They need to be worn for a long time - several years. They are able to provoke tissue atrophy, disrupt blood flow in the lumbar region, and provoke the development of osteoporosis. Also, this type of bandage is forbidden to wear during the period of bearing a child.

If the patient has severe back pain with scoliosis, then drug therapy is prescribed. It is recommended to take vitamin complexes, various restorative medicines. Analgesics help eliminate discomfort and discomfort. In rare cases, if necessary, hormone therapy is prescribed.

With this pathology, it is desirable to pay attention to your lifestyle. Refuse a sedentary lifestyle, properly arrange your workplace. It is better to go in for sports, swimming. Every day, it is recommended to do exercises for the back with scoliosis, which is selected individually by a specialist for each patient, so that the load is uniform and exclude muscle strain.

If a curvature has been diagnosed, then do not forget about proper nutrition. Diet should be balanced. It is worth giving up spicy, fatty dishes, smoked meats, pickles, alcoholic beverages. It is recommended to focus on plant foods, dairy products, cereals, low-fat varieties of meat and eggs are allowed. The diet will help make a nutritionist. The key points of such a diet are potassium and magnesium salt, a sufficient amount of vitamin D.

Surgical intervention

What to do if scoliosis of the back is the last stage? To get rid of curvature of the 4th degree, surgery is performed. If the disease was diagnosed in a teenager or child, then such treatment will allow to maintain the growth of the spinal column, align the back, maintain and restore the physiological bending of the frontal and sagittal profile and the balance of the body. Surgery prevents the subsequent development of the deformation process.

The operation is prescribed to patients with a Cobb angle of more than 50 degrees and an age of 13 years. The recovery period can be several months. It includes strengthening the back with scoliosis exercises, proper nutrition and reflexology. Absolute contraindications for the operation include the patient’s serious condition, chronic pathologies progressing in the body, formed lung capacity below the established age norm, insufficient blood flow, and diseases of the cardiovascular system.

Surgical intervention may be delayed for a certain period of time due to disorders and pathologies in the body, such as hormonal imbalances, diseases of the kidneys and liver, blood, benign and malignant neoplasms, exacerbations of chronic processes, and more.