Scoliosis of the thoracic spine: causes, symptoms and treatment

The spine has two protuberances in front called lordosis, and two (kyphosis) - back. Scoliosis is called curvature directed to the side and is accompanied by vertebrae turn (around its own axis).

If this disorder affects one (several) thoracic vertebrae, from the first through the twelfth, the disease will be diagnosed as a scoliosis of the chest (CSG).

A simple form of scoliosis involves one-sided curvature, in a more complex case - bilateral, and the second bend is directed in the opposite direction (as compensation of the main pathological bending).

To determine the SGA in a patient, the doctor usually prescribes:

• primary medical examination;
• computed tomography;
• radiography (as confirmation).

Causes and symptoms of scoliosis of the chest

The thoracic region is not even in the normal state. For him, a characteristic physiological kyphosis (meaning bending behind, quite small). This curvature is necessary so that the vertebra is not subjected to strong dynamic as well as static loads. However, excessive kyphosis can lead to disturbances in the thoracic region. As a result, a hump may appear.

Scoliosis is considered a pathology that can develop in any of the departments of the spine, most often the disease affects the thoracic calving.

Symptoms indicating the presence of SGC:

• pain, appearing in the chest (then giving back to the back) due to strangulated nerve roots;
• obvious deformity of the thoracic (lumbar / cervical much less often) of the vertebral column;
• asymmetry of the face, as well as torticollis (indicate the upper GMS);
• curved pelvis, different in relation to each other, the length of the limbs (signs of lower chest scoliosis);
• torsion, indicating the displacement or torsion of longitudinal vertebrae in the thoracic region;
• the presence of a muscle cushion (due to the pathological tension of the dorsal muscles);
• disturbed work of such internal organs as lungs / heart, and as a result - respiratory / heart failure;
• deformity of the GC: widened intercostal spaces on the convex side, narrowed - on the concave side;
• ribs on the concave side, in severe form of the disease, touch the wing of the ilium.

Among the reasons for causing SGS include:

• incorrect posture;
• underdevelopment of the musculoskeletal system;
• neurogenic etiology;
• physical stress to a small extent;
• various injuries and changes associated with age.

Scoliosis of the chest: methods of treatment

Will scoliosis be cured, depends on how quickly it is diagnosed. A positive result can be achieved more quickly if the disease is detected before it goes into a more neglected form.

Surgery is resorted only when the pain has become saturated, and the angle of curvature has increased up to grade 4.

Treatment consists of three stages:

• influence on curvature;
• correction of curvature;
• fixation of position.

Fastening is one of the most difficult stages, which is often neglected. This is very bad, because after a while scoliosis may appear again.

To fix the result use:

• special exercises;
• massage and swimming (considered very effective);
• correction of posture.

The doctor appoints wearing a corset, made for each patient separately. At night, the body should rest from it, and in the daytime it plays the role of a support for the spine.

However, this method has its own drawback - the muscular system can atrophy, since its role is temporarily taken up by the corset itself.

To avoid such consequences, this method is used in conjunction with exercises that allow you to reproduce the correct posture.

The purpose of therapeutic gymnastics / massage, which are prescribed for the first and second degree of scoliosis (thoracic spine), is the toning of the muscles, pulling up the relaxed vertebral zones and easing the tense vertebrae. The massage is performed several times during one year (20 procedures each).

Contraindications

Patients with SGAs are in no case to be:

• Do sports that involve heavy workloads on the spine;
• perform jumps;
• run, lift heavy objects.

Therapeutic physical exercises: exercises in the СГК

Exercises should be performed under the supervision of a doctor. For this, various sports equipment can be used, for example, a gym bench or wall, an inclined plane, dumbbells, balls called medicalballs.

Exercise # 1

The starting position (PI) is recumbent (on the back), hands should be wound behind the back of the head. On inhalation, they need to be diluted, while reducing the elbows. Movements are repeated 3 to 4 times.

Exercise # 2

The IP is the same. The legs are bent slowly pulled to the stomach (with exhalation), lowering the legs on inhaling. The number of movements done is 3-5.

Exercise 3

Similar PI. The legs are bent at the knees, while the feet should be positioned as close as possible to the pelvis, lifting it above the floor and repeating this 4 times.

Exercise 4

Now you need to lie on your stomach, and the spine to bend in the thorax, lifting the torso above the floor. Make 4-5 such movements.

Exercise 5

Lying on his stomach put his hand to the bulge on the scoliotic arch (on the chest), while the other hand should be located on the back of the head. Then you need to perform the dorsal extension.

Exercise number 6

Staying in the same position, the hands are at the seams, the palms rest on the floor. Then you need to lift the trunk and legs 3 to 4 times.

There are many other exercises, but before you do any of them, you need a consultation with a specialist in this field.To combat breast scoliosis, namely on the right side are used:

• pharmacopuncture (the goal is to influence the reflexogen);
• manual therapy (the goal is to improve blood supply, relieve muscle spasms);
• reception of pharmacological agents (the goal is to relieve pain, to "calm" the inflammation).

How can scoliosis be avoided? Preventive measures

First, the sleeper should be rigid, and the position of the body - on the back or stomach, with the pillow - not very big, but soft. Ideally, the mattress and pillows are orthopedic.

Secondly, clothes and shoes should not be tight, and women should avoid prolonged use of high heels.

Thirdly, do not wear bags only in one of the hands. As for children, the knapsacks for them should be chosen according to the rule: a rigid back, two wide straps.

Fourthly, the workplace should not cause discomfort, and lighting, at best, should be natural (the table is located at the window).

As an additional recommendation - the back should be kept straight, and lifting the weights should not be from an inclined position.