Kyphosis, lordosis and scoliosis - curvature of the spine, differentiation and treatment

Scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis - curvature of the spine

Spinal curvature is a very common phenomenon, it is problematic to meet a person with an ideal posture. Even a slight slouch can cause regular headaches, discomfort and back pain. The load on the back increases, and internal organs suffer. In medicine, three types of spinal curvature are distinguished: scoliosis, lordosis and kyphosis.

Scoliosis

Scoliosis is the curvature of the spine in the lateral projection. Most often, thoracic scoliosis is diagnosed, which can have different degrees of severity.

Degrees of scoliosis:

• 1 degree – deviation from the norm by 10 degrees is noted. The formation of a small asymmetry will be characteristic, in most cases this degree of scoliosis is not considered a disease, but belongs to the physiological features of the body.
• 2nd degree – deviation of the spine from the axis is already 25 degrees, pronounced asymmetry in the area of ​​the shoulders and pelvis. If no treatment is carried out for the second degree of scoliosis, then it progresses rapidly and moves to the next degree.
• 3rd degree – the curvature of the spine will be 26-50 degrees, the person's posture is disturbed, the skew of the shoulders and pelvis is clearly visible, the deformation of the chest begins, the rib hump grows.
• 4th degree is the most severe variant of the course of the disease, the deformation of the spine is 50 degrees, the asymmetry is visible to everyone around, the spine has 2-3 curved arches. The chest is very compressed, the internal organs suffer.

In addition to this differentiation, doctors distinguish between left-sided and right-sided scoliosis.

Treatment of scoliosis

Treatment of scoliosis in children is a guarantee that the health of the spine will be restored and doctors will not notice the serious consequences of the disease. Therapy for the disease is carried out comprehensively:

1. Exercise for scoliosis. Specific exercises will be selected individually, first the specialist will demonstrate their correct execution to the patient, then exercise therapy is performed at home, but necessarily in a regular manner. Exercises for scoliosis are simple, do not cause pain, but can save the child from curvature of the spine.
2. Scoliosis massage. It should be performed only by a specialist with the prescribed courses. A combination of physical therapy and massage gives an excellent result, especially if lumbar scoliosis has been diagnosed.

Medicines are rarely used in the treatment of this type of spinal curvature. Exceptions are the 3rd and 4th degree of disease progression, when the patient needs both analgesia and support of the muscular system. Surgery for scoliosis is a last resort when other methods of treatment have not given the desired result.

Kyphosis

This is what is called the curvature of the spine with a backward bulge. The most common kyphosis of the thoracic spine, originally this form was called stooping. At the beginning of development, kyphosis does not bother the patient at all, and it is quite possible to detect it even visually, without special examinations.

If there is a history of injuries to the cervical or lumbar spine, there is a high probability of developing kyphosis in these parts of the spine.

Treatment of kyphosis is selected strictly individually, taking into account the degree of curvature of the spine and the general condition of the patient. Most often, a simple correction is prescribed - gymnastics for kyphosis, massage can restore posture and prevent the development of complications.

Lordosis

This is the name given to the curvature of the spine, turned forward by the convexity. Normally, there should be a slight curvature of the spine in the area of ​​3-4 lumbar vertebrae - this condition is called physiological lordosis.

If a person's shoulders are lowered, the head is slightly tilted forward, the lower back is bent, the stomach is protruding and the pelvis is tilted back, then, most likely, he will be diagnosed with lumbar lordosis. A duck gait is characteristic for him, and the physiological curve in the lumbar region is flatter or exceeds the normal curve. With such a lordosis, it is quite possible to shift the vertebrae, which leads to impaired breathing and blood circulation, and the heart suffers.

Cervical lordosis is rarely diagnosed, the cause of its development can be the excess weight of the patient, injuries that lead to deformation of the vertebrae, prolonged sitting or standing in an uncomfortable position.

Correcting the lordosis is carried out by a complex method - the patient may be prescribed drug therapy, physical procedures and exercise therapy. It is necessary to know that it is not possible to independently select exercises within the framework of therapeutic physical education - this is the prerogative of a specialist.

Any curvature of the spine is a reason to seek qualified medical help. You can find out where you can undergo an examination and get competent appointments on our website Dobrobut.com.

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