How to correct thoracic kyphosis?

Thoracic kyphosis is a fairly common pathology that progresses quickly if timely measures are not taken. What should you do if you suspect this problem? The first thing is to see a doctor. Diagnosis and treatment for thoracic kyphosis is the work of a number of specialists, such as a neurologist, vertebrologist, neurologist, neurosurgeon, orthopedist, and for certain indications, the help of a traumatologist, rheumatologist, or manual therapist may be required.

Not many people manage to cope with the problem of thoracic kyphosis on their own – theoretically, this is only possible at the initial stages of the pathology. But even in this case, treatment is recommended to be carried out under the supervision of a medical specialist: the spine is a very important and vulnerable structure, and any incorrect exercises and effects can cause harm.

The doctor will be able to recommend not only appropriate exercise therapy, but also prescribe massage and physiotherapy procedures.

Physiotherapy treatment

In addition to exercise therapy, massage procedures and corsets, physiotherapy is actively used for thoracic kyphosis. With the help of physiotherapy, it is possible to significantly improve metabolic processes and the quality of blood circulation, and redistribute muscle tone.

Let's take a closer look at the procedures we are talking about.

• Charcot's shower - provides a massage effect, as the water jet is supplied under a certain pressure. In case of thoracic kyphosis, it is directed to the back bend, clearly controlling the water flow, as excessive pressure can aggravate the pain.
• Electromyostimulation is a procedure that allows you to relieve muscle spasms and facilitate the functionality of the spinal nerves. Electromyostimulation is prescribed not only for curvatures, but also for osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernias.
• Electrophoresis – has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Medicines administered by electrophoresis do not cause toxic effects, so the procedure is effective and safe.
• Phonophoresis is the use of ultrasound waves similar to electrophoresis. This treatment quickly relieves pain and promotes faster recovery.
• Heat therapy – involves the use of artificial or natural heat sources. These can be warm baths, showers, therapeutic clay or mud, warming compresses, dry heat. Thanks to such procedures, blood circulation improves, metabolism improves, tissue regeneration accelerates.
• Magnetic therapy is a safe and effective method of accelerating the restoration of damaged tissues.
• UHF therapy is a procedure that involves exposure to an ultra-high frequency electric field. During the session, electrical energy is converted into heat. As a result, muscle groups in the affected area relax, and inflammatory phenomena affecting soft tissues are eliminated.

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Exercises for thoracic kyphosis

The position of the spine in thoracic kyphosis can be improved with the help of special exercises that strengthen the muscles of not only the back, but also the arms, neck, and abdominal muscles.

A set of exercises for thoracic kyphosis looks like this:

• Lie down on your stomach, raise your head and shoulder girdle (hands clasped in a “lock” at the back of your head, elbows spread out to the sides).
• Lie on your stomach, arms outstretched. Raise your straight legs, trying not to lift your pelvic area off the floor.
• Lie on your back, arms extended along your body. Raise straight legs (one at a time and together).
• Lie on your back, then sit up smoothly, trying to keep your back straight. Repeat several times.
• Lie on your right side. Stretch your right arm out in front of you, place your left arm along your body. Raise and lower your left leg. Repeat the same exercise on the opposite side.
• Lie on your right side, stretch your right arm out in front of you, and rest your left palm on the floor. Smoothly raise and lower your straight legs. Repeat the exercise on the opposite side.
• Stand with your back to the wall, leaning tightly against it. The back should be straight, with the shoulders slightly spread apart. Having fixed the correct position of the back, take a couple of steps forward, squat and stand up, controlling the posture. Repeat the exercise.
• Lie on your back, legs together, arms along your body. Raise your head and shoulder girdle, hold for a few seconds and smoothly return to the starting position.

Exercises for thoracic spine kyphosis are performed daily, at least once a day (or twice - in the morning and in the evening).

Additionally, you can do special morning exercises. Systematic exercises will help solve the problem faster and correct the disturbed position of the spine.

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Gymnastics for thoracic kyphosis

Special gymnastic exercises should be done in the morning - on the floor or right in bed.

• Take turns pulling your knees toward your chest (your toes should be pulled toward you).
• They spin the “bicycle” with both legs, one at a time (with the toe pointing toward them).
• Lying on your back, lift your body, trying to reach the tips of your toes with your fingers.
• Lying on your back, bend your knees. Raise your pelvis, resting on your elbows and the back of your head. Hold the raised position for a few seconds.
• Do the exercise as described above, but at the moment of lifting the pelvis, additionally and maximally spread the legs at the knees. Then bring the knees together and lower the pelvis.
• They get down on all fours, stretching their backs like cats, arching their lower backs.
• Get on all fours. Straighten and lift the right leg at the same time as the left arm. Repeat several times, then do the same with the left leg and right arm.

A person suffering from thoracic kyphosis should constantly monitor their gait and posture, their sitting position. Periodically, you can approach the wall and check the straightness of your back. All recommended exercises should be performed symmetrically, with the load distributed between the two halves of the body.

Yoga for thoracic kyphosis

Many experts recommend practicing yoga for thoracic kyphosis: special asanas will help the muscles relax and the spine recover. It should be noted right away that there are some contraindications to this type of practice:

• period of acute back pain;
• pain in the neck;
• pregnancy period (there is a separate list of recommended asanas for pregnant women).

Yoga should be done effortlessly: you should move smoothly, with gradual muscle stretching. There should be no pain during the exercises.

The load should be increased gradually, never abruptly. It is better to do several exercises to stretch and warm up the muscles beforehand.

It is better to do the exercises in the afternoon, as they have a relaxing effect. The following poses are recommended:

• Lie down on your stomach, clasp your hands behind your back, lift your body up and hold it there as long as possible. Then you can try lifting your legs instead of your body (hold your arms along your body).
• In a standing position, keep your back straight, tense your knee muscles, pulling the muscles up. Slowly raise your arms through the sides up, join your palms. Slowly lower your arms in Namaste.
• Stand upright, raise your arms and join your palms, lift one leg and place it on the thigh of the other leg. Close your eyes.
• They do a "lunge": one leg is bent at the knee at a right angle, and the other is straight. They raise their arms through the sides upward, connect their palms, and hold.

There are many other asanas that are recommended for eliminating thoracic kyphosis, but you should start practicing them with an experienced trainer so as not to harm your health. We must not forget that yoga only complements, but does not replace, traditional treatment. Therefore, you cannot ignore the doctor's instructions.

Exercise therapy for thoracic kyphosis

In case of thoracic kyphosis, it is very important that the exercises of therapeutic physical training are chosen correctly. Sometimes this is enough to stop the development of pathology at an early stage - for example, if the treatment is prescribed to a child whose spinal column is still forming and growing.

However, adults can also significantly improve their well-being with the help of exercise therapy. The main thing is persistence and regularity in training. As a result, after just a few courses of such therapy, not only will the back muscles be strengthened, but blood circulation will also be stabilized, and the functional capacity of internal organs will improve.

We have already mentioned some important gymnastic exercises. Additional exercises can be prescribed by the doctor individually, depending on the degree of pathology, the patient's age, and the general health condition. In addition, it is desirable to neutralize the cause that caused the development of thoracic kyphosis, as far as possible.

Massage for thoracic kyphosis

Massage is another important therapeutic measure that can significantly alleviate the condition of a patient with thoracic kyphosis. But it should be understood that massage will not replace a complex of therapeutic physical training, but only effectively complement it.

It is better if massage procedures are performed by a specialist. When this is not possible, sessions can be performed by close people at home. The main thing is that the massage technique is strictly observed, since it is very easy to cause harm with incorrect movements and manipulations.

Listen to the following important rules for performing massage for thoracic kyphosis:

• you should not make any sudden or rough movements – they should be soft and consistent;
• it is necessary to provide the patient with a comfortable position, since in an uncomfortable position it is impossible to effectively relax the back muscles;
• you must not press or try to straighten the curved area;
• massage should not be performed if there is visible damage to the skin (scratches, blisters, skin diseases);
• Caution when performing the procedure is the main rule that must not be forgotten.

If you have the slightest doubt about the correctness of the massage, it is better to contact a specialist directly.

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Corset for thoracic kyphosis

Special corsets can be used to prevent further progression of thoracic kyphosis – for example, in children and adolescents. With an already formed spine, the use of corsets is most often inappropriate.

The fact is that in childhood the spinal axis is still subject to change under external load, which a specially selected corset can provide.

In what cases is it appropriate to use such a device:

• with steady progression of the disorder;
• when the kyphosis curve deviates to a level of 70´ or more;
• when severe pain occurs that cannot be relieved with medication;
• in Scheuermann-Mau disease.

In these situations, it is essential to wear a corset, otherwise any other treatment will not have the necessary positive effect.

What types of corsets are most often used for pathology:

• A corset with strong fixation, equipped with metal strips and stiffening ribs.
• A corset that fixes movements and prevents lateral movements of the spinal column.
• Corset with reinforced fasteners and 4 stiffening ribs.
• A shoulder girdle corset that limits the mobility of the shoulders and thoracic spine.
• Clavicle brace.
• Shoulder blade brace (the so-called soft bandage).
• Adjustable medical and preventive corset.

Any of the proposed devices exerts some pressure on the back area, so at first it is quite uncomfortable to wear. However, sometimes you can’t do without such a corset, and after several weeks of systematic wearing, the discomfort disappears.

Taping for thoracic spine kyphosis

Taping, a method of applying special adhesive tape to the affected area of the back, can be used to relieve the condition of thoracic kyphosis.

The standard application is an X-shaped application using kinesio tape cotton 5 cm/5 m.

Taping is performed in stages:

• the skin on the back is wiped with an alcohol solution;
• measure and cut the required length of tape (about 40 cm);
• fold the ribbon in half with the paper facing up, cut it in the middle from the ends, leaving 2.5 cm to the end, straighten it out (it should form an X-shape);
• the patient brings the shoulder blades to approximately the middle position;
• glue the central part of the tape in the center of the thoracic spine, press well;
• the patient brings his shoulder blades together;
• First glue the right side of the tape, then the left side, maintaining a tension of approximately 50%;
• rub the tape to improve the quality of the adhesive layer.

If a mistake was made during the gluing process, the tape must not be peeled off in order to re-glue it: the tape must be replaced with a new one.

How to sleep with thoracic kyphosis?

With pronounced thoracic kyphosis, it is better to sleep on your side, with your neck parallel to the bed line. To do this, it is important to choose the right pillow. It should not be high, but sleeping without a pillow is also not welcomed, otherwise pain in the neck will be added to pain in the thoracic region.

It is best to purchase a special orthopedic pillow with a special anatomical surface. However, a regular one will also do if it is of medium size and not too hard or soft.

With thoracic kyphosis, it is not recommended to rest on your stomach, because the head is always turned to the side, which worsens blood circulation in the spinal vessels.

With a small degree of curvature, you can try sleeping on your back, using a small pillow (you should not do without it at all, this can lead to pain). Significant, strongly expressed thoracic kyphosis in the vast majority of cases does not allow you to rest on your back: the patient will be extremely uncomfortable, and he will hardly be able to fall asleep.

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Surgical treatment for thoracic kyphosis

The help of a surgeon is an extreme measure, which is resorted to if drug treatment does not lead to the desired result. In general, the following situations are considered indications for surgical intervention for kyphosis curvature:

• pronounced progression of pathology;
• significant curvature (third degree);
• severe pain caused by pinched nerve endings and not relieved by medication;
• increased risk of spinal cord compression;
• spinal instability, limited movement;
• the emergence of complications;
• atrophic processes in muscles.

If there are indications, then there are also contraindications to the operation:

• old age;
• severe concomitant diseases (for example, severe diabetes, hypertension, decompensated conditions, severe cardiac arrhythmias);
• malignant processes.

Before referring a patient with thoracic kyphosis for surgery, the doctor must weigh all the pros and cons, as surgical intervention carries a number of risks for the patient. Infection, nerve damage, bleeding, and blood clots may occur.

Surgery for thoracic kyphosis can be performed in several ways. Two types of intervention are most often practiced:

• Osteotomy surgery (dissection and bone grafting to correct the shape of the spine) is performed with anterior, posterior or combined access: the necessary vertebrae are cut, corrected and fixed, and the resulting damage is filled with donor or artificial tissue, biomass. Additionally, the stability of the spinal column is normalized using special screws, plates, etc. This type of intervention is especially recommended for patients with advanced thoracic kyphosis.
• Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure performed using small incisions and special endoscopic equipment. A capsule capable of increasing in size and repeating the shape of the defect is injected into the damaged vertebra. The capsule cavity is then filled with a special hardening substance. This method allows you to restore the shape of the vertebra and prevent its further destruction. Kyphoplasty is recommended for eliminating small defects or for correcting the spine after recent injuries.

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