How to treat 2nd degree scoliosis of the spine?

With the right approach, the position of the spinal column can often be corrected if we are talking about children and adolescents. Deformation in an adult is difficult to correct, since the musculoskeletal system is already formed.

Self-help attempts to get rid of scoliosis curvature are in most cases ineffective, and sometimes extremely harmful. To eliminate the problem, you should seek help from an orthopedist, vertebrologist, or chiropractor. [ 1 ]

Treatment of stage 2 scoliosis at home is possible only after a professional treatment course, but even in this case, the therapy should be monitored by the attending physician. As an addition, the following may be prescribed:

• general strengthening treatment, including nutritional correction, taking multivitamin and mineral complexes, drug therapy (antispasmodics, analgesics, etc.);
• therapeutic exercise, corrective massages, electrical myostimulation;
• backstroke;
• wearing orthopedic devices (correctors, orthoses).

When spinal curvature is detected, doctors not only prescribe methods such as manual therapy, physiotherapy, exercise therapy, but also adjust nutrition to provide the body with the necessary vitamins and minerals.

Experts recommend increasing the consumption of foods containing vitamin E. These include seafood, nuts, dried apricots and prunes, spinach, sea buckthorn, oatmeal and barley porridge. Brown rice, buckwheat, pearl barley, and durum wheat pasta are also useful, as these foods contain copper, iron, magnesium, and boron.

It is important to ensure sufficient intake of vitamin D, which is responsible for regulating calcium and phosphorus metabolism and has a positive effect on bone growth. This vitamin is present in some types of fish (salmon, mackerel, tuna), as well as in eggs, butter, and cream.

You should eat dairy products (in particular, cheese and cottage cheese), legumes, greens, sesame - the main sources of calcium. But the intake of vitamins A and C will help the body to absorb calcium and phosphorus normally. These vitamins can be obtained by eating carrots and sea buckthorn, apricots, pumpkin, eggs, currants and rose hips, bell peppers, citrus fruits, kiwi and cabbage.

The body of a patient with scoliosis also needs B vitamins, which ensure normal metabolic processes and strengthen the collagen bone framework. Sources of these vitamins are beans, spinach, buckwheat, liver, walnuts, vegetable oils, black bread, and meat products.

Physiotherapy treatment

In case of scoliosis curvature of the 2nd degree, auxiliary correction methods are often used – in particular, we are talking about physiotherapy, which helps to speed up metabolic processes, improve blood circulation, and stop the development of inflammatory processes. Properly selected physiotherapy procedures allow you to redistribute muscle tone and prevent atrophic changes. However, despite its effectiveness, physiotherapy is only an auxiliary method, since without special therapeutic exercises and getting rid of the original cause of scoliosis, the procedures will have only a temporary effect.

For patients with spinal curvature, the following treatments are indicated:

• therapeutic massage;
• phono and electrophoresis;
• magnetic therapy;
• Charcot shower;
• UHF therapy;
• laser therapy;
• electrical myostimulation;
• hydrotherapy, mud therapy, thermal therapy.

Massage for grade 2 scoliosis helps to normalize the tone of the back muscles, improve blood circulation, eliminate pain and muscle fatigue. The main point: massage should not cause pain to the patient, so the impact should not be too active. In between massage courses, the use of special massage chairs is recommended. [ 2 ]

Using a Charcot shower also provides a massage effect, thanks to the water jet, which is supplied under a certain pressure. The procedure should be fully controlled by a specialist, since excessive water pressure can increase pain and aggravate the problem.

The method of electrical stimulation copes well with muscle spasms, which often accompany spinal curvatures. With the help of electrical impulses, it is possible to reduce the pain syndrome caused by compression of the nerve ending of the spasmodic muscle.

Electrophoresis and phonophoresis provide the delivery of anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents directly to the affected tissues, through the skin, under the influence of galvanic current or ultrasound. In this case, the probability of developing side effects is minimal, and the effect becomes noticeable almost immediately.

Heat therapy may include the use of moist heat (baths, compresses, therapeutic mud) or dry heat (hot sand, paraffin, ozokerite, wax, air or electric light baths, heating pads, etc.). Local heat improves lymph and blood circulation, accelerates tissue regeneration, and optimizes local metabolism.

Magnetic therapy and laser therapy have a positive effect on blood circulation in the area of impact and accelerate cellular restoration.

Ultra-high frequency therapy helps to straighten the scoliosis arc by relaxing certain muscle groups and eliminating local inflammation.

Corset for scoliosis 2 degrees

According to the indications, the doctor may prescribe a corset for a patient with grade 2 scoliosis - a special device that supports and corrects the position of the spinal column. It is important to understand that the use of a corset alone will not be able to get rid of the deformation. However, regular wearing of the orthosis helps to slow down the further progression of the pathology, provides a uniform muscle load - which is especially important with motor activity or the need to maintain one position of the body for a long time. Some types of compensatory-reclining corsets redistribute the load on the vertebrae, compensating for the work of weakened muscles.

More complex types of such devices - for example, a traction-immobilizing posture corrector for grade 2 scoliosis is not used. It is prescribed for severe curvature, in particular, for grade 3 pathology. The patient has to wear such orthoses not for several hours a day, but almost constantly. [ 3 ]

Gymnastics for scoliosis 2 degrees

Almost any doctor who undertakes treatment of stage 2 scoliosis will definitely advise the patient to practice breathing exercises. The most effective and generally recognized such exercises are the breathing system of Katharina Schroth, a German doctor who herself suffered from spinal curvature and subsequently developed a special set of exercises. The effectiveness of this treatment method is due to the correct distribution of the load on the respiratory muscles, prevention of muscle atrophy, improvement of respiratory function, pain relief, and inhibition of further development of deformation. [ 4 ]

The Schroth method is used in many orthopedic centers and clinics. Exercises are prescribed according to individual indications, using the most appropriate and effective practices. [ 5 ], [ 6 ]

Treatment of scoliosis of the 2nd degree according to Bubnovsky

Treatment of spinal curvatures in children is often performed using physical exercises included in a special complex developed by Dr. Bubnovsky. The type of exercises depends on the child's physical capabilities: it is much easier to apply such therapy than to force the child to wear a corset or apply various applicators. [ 7 ]

Dr. Bubnovsky suggests restoring the physiological position of the spine by conducting special kinesitherapy. The method not only corrects the disorder, but also promotes the overall physical development of children.

For grade 2 scoliosis, the training plan is drawn up individually.

Kinesitherapy involves training on exercise machines and floor gymnastics. These exercises have nothing in common with regular fitness or weightlifting. The training consists of eliminating compression loads on the spine, restoring muscle tone, and strengthening the muscles responsible for maintaining posture.

Treatment can be performed on patients of almost any age, not just children. The correctness of the exercises must be monitored by a medical specialist. [ 8 ]

A set of exercises for grade 2 scoliosis

The following exercises are recommended to help eliminate grade 2 scoliosis: [ 9 ]

1. The patient kneels, rests on his palms, and relaxes his back as much as possible.
2. With an exhale, smoothly bend the back upwards, with an inhale, bend the back downwards. Repeat 20 times in one approach, excluding sudden movements.
3. From the initial position, the patient lies down on the left leg, bent at the knee, simultaneously stretching the right leg back. The right and left arms are alternately stretched forward. Breathing is even, with an exhalation at the end of the movement. The number of movements is up to 20 per approach, excluding sudden movements.
4. From the starting position, with support on the palms and knees, the patient extends the torso forward as much as possible, maintaining support and eliminating the appearance of a deflection in the lower back.
5. From the same initial position, the patient bends his arms at the elbows, exhales, and lowers himself to the floor. Then, inhales, straightens his arms, trying to sit on his heels, feeling the stretching of the lumbar muscles. Repeats up to 6 times.
6. The patient changes the initial position: lies on his back, bends his legs at the knees, holds his hands behind his head. Bends the torso, trying to lift the shoulder blades off the floor and touch the elbows to the knees ("pumps the press"). The number of repetitions is not limited, until a burning sensation is felt in the abdominal muscles.
7. From a position lying on the back with bent knees and arms extended along the body, the patient lifts the pelvis off the floor with an exhalation, trying to raise it as high as possible. Lowers with an inhalation. Repeats 20-30 times, holding a second pause.

At the end of the session, it is recommended to perform a cool rubdown on the back to improve and stabilize muscle tone. [ 10 ]

Prohibited exercises for scoliosis grade 2

Medical specialists have identified a number of contraindications for patients with grade 2 scoliosis:

• intensive running and long-distance running are prohibited;
• Flexibility exercises are prohibited;
• you cannot perform sudden movements, somersaults, bends, stretching exercises, or exercises on horizontal bars;
• types of sports activities that put a high load on the spinal column or contribute to asymmetrical development of muscles (wrestling, parkour, kickboxing, basketball, badminton, fencing, hockey, etc.) are prohibited;
• Unsupervised visits to the gym are highly discouraged.

In addition, you cannot load only one side of the body - for example, carry a heavy object in only one hand. The load must be distributed strictly evenly. It is important to avoid traumatic situations, falls, jumps, not to overload the back, and not to twist the spine. [ 11 ]

Sports for scoliosis grade 2

Doctors strongly advise against completely giving up physical activity in case of scoliosis curvature, as this may worsen the situation. The following types of physical activity are recommended:

• leisurely walks;
• race walking;
• Nordic walking;
• backstroke;
• ballroom dancing;
• yoga, pilates.

Professional sports in any form are not welcomed.

The following should be especially avoided:

• asymmetrical sports (fencing, badminton, basketball, etc.);
• vertical loads on the back (cycling and equestrian sports, jumping);
• hazardous sports (wrestling, boxing, hockey);
• sharp turns and bends, lifting heavy objects (weightlifting).

Dancing with scoliosis 2 degrees

Dancing is allowed for scoliosis curvature, but not all types. Thus, sport and energetic dances, acrobatic elements, exercises with uneven and uncontrolled load, lifting heavy objects, active rotations and sharp twists, somersaults, pushes and jerks are prohibited. Ballet is also not recommended: you cannot practice exercises standing on one leg, do lunges to the side or forward, since this affects the lower part of the spine.

Ballroom classical and amateur dancing are suitable if the classes do not cause pain or discomfort in the back area. If any dance element causes pain, then you need to stop performing it or significantly reduce the load.

Periodically, diagnostics should be carried out, monitoring the condition of the spine. If the pathology worsens, then you will most likely have to give up the exercises.

Yoga for scoliosis 2 degrees

Yoga can be used as an auxiliary treatment method to prevent the worsening of scoliosis curvature. However, before you begin practicing, you must remember the following important rules:

• training should not be long and too intense: practice is introduced smoothly and gradually;
• Powerful bends, which increase the risk of muscle strain, are excluded;
• twisting, which can aggravate the pathology, is excluded;
• Inverted asanas are excluded, as they put excessive strain on the spinal column.

Work with the body should be conscious. It is important to control your breathing, deeply relax at the end of each workout. [ 12 ], [ 13 ]

To achieve a lasting effect, it is enough to do the exercises daily for several minutes for at least 3 months.

Horizontal bar for scoliosis 2 degrees

Regular exercises on the horizontal bar help to strengthen muscles, form correct posture, prevent the development of spinal curvatures and diseases caused by insufficient blood circulation. Thus, to prevent spinal column deformations, it is recommended to pull up using a "wide grip" or change the width of the "grip" from narrow to wide. It is also allowed to use loads, but not more than 10-12 kg. When performing the exercise, it is important to ensure that the elbows are at the same level in front, parallel to each other. This condition ensures equal work of the biceps brachii, infraspinatus, round and rhomboid muscles. It is equally important to control the respiratory function, avoid sudden movements and jerks, and gradually increase the intensity.

You cannot jump off the horizontal bar, as this leads to a sharp load on the spine and limbs, which is highly undesirable.

If scoliosis is already present, even at stage 2, it is not recommended to use a horizontal bar to perform exercises.

Swimming with scoliosis 2 degrees

Breaststroke swimming is excellent for patients with grade 2 scoliosis. This style allows the muscles to tense up qualitatively against the background of maximum stretching of the spinal column. It is not recommended to swim dolphin, crawl or butterfly, although in some cases doctors allow these styles, but with caution. Under the supervision of an instructor, you can practice symmetrical and asymmetrical exercises in the pool, swimming on your back, somersaults in the water, gliding on the water.

Many people note the positive effect of swimming with fins on the spine. The water should be warm enough - about 23-26°C. Before the lesson, it is necessary to do a warm-up to warm up the muscles.

It is recommended to add aqua aerobics or aqua fitness to regular swimming. [ 14 ], [ 15 ]

Water aerobics for scoliosis 2 degrees

Aqua aerobics involves performing physical exercises directly in the water of the pool, using dance elements. Such training significantly improves the functioning of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

In water, the muscles are trained more actively due to the resistance provided by water. Even familiar exercises are perceived in an unusual way, which has a positive effect on the vestibular apparatus and improves motor coordination. The exercises are accompanied by the action of a pushing force, which ensures optimal muscle tone.

For patients with stage 2 scoliosis, aqua aerobics gives additional chances for recovery. However, you cannot choose your own treatment and plan your training: first, the doctor must provide his recommendations. Before starting classes, you should exclude the presence of inflammatory processes in the spine, since they are a contraindication to aqua aerobics.

Running with scoliosis 2 degrees

Running is not a priority sport for patients with scoliosis. However, such activity is not contraindicated for patients with 1-2 degrees of pathology, although there are still restrictions:

• When running, it is important to maintain a stable body position; only the lower limbs can move;
• it is important to distribute the load equally between muscle groups;
• running should not be too intense, sudden accelerations and high-interval loads are not allowed;
• preference should be given to low-intensity running activity over short distances;
• Jumping, including bouncing, and running with acceleration are prohibited.

Before a running workout, it is very important to do a quality warm-up to prepare your muscles for the upcoming activity.

Stretching for scoliosis 2 degrees

Stretching includes a number of different exercises that help improve flexibility and stretch muscles. Such exercises can alternate or complement any training complex. In general, stretching involves the muscles of the upper and lower extremities, back and neck.

Stretching helps improve joint mobility and prevents dysfunction of internal organs. Scoliosis is eliminated by alternately tensing and relaxing certain muscle groups.

The main positive effects of such activities are:

• muscle tension disappears, nerve blocks are removed;
• pain relief;
• all muscle groups are stimulated;
• posture straightens;
• the work of the cardiovascular system is stimulated.

Classes are held under the supervision of an experienced specialist. The first stretching workouts last no more than 10 seconds.

Stretching is contraindicated if the patient has injuries or muscular-articular pathologies, malignant tumors, osteoporosis, vascular diseases (including thrombosis), hypertension, hernias, infectious pathologies, as well as at elevated body temperature. Women should refrain from exercising during pregnancy and at the beginning of the menstrual cycle.

Push-ups for scoliosis grade 2

Push-ups are probably the most popular exercise among both teenagers and adults who lead a sporty lifestyle. However, is it possible to regularly practice push-ups with scoliosis of the 2nd degree?

In case of spinal curvature, vertical axial loads are contraindicated. Push-ups do not belong to such loads, so they can be included in daily training. However, it is better to consult a specialist in advance - in particular, an orthopedist or vertebrologist. Doctors will help to correctly select the whole set of exercises, since push-ups alone will not help to correct spinal curvature.

Sports activities should have the following target orientation:

• correction of scoliosis deformity;
• formation and strengthening of the muscular frame of the back;
• stabilization of the functioning of internal organs;
• normalization of muscle tone;
• posture correction.

And we should not forget that vertical and compression loads on the spine in case of scoliosis are prohibited.

Orthopedic mattress for scoliosis 2 degrees

When equipping a sleeping place for an adult suffering from grade 2 scoliosis, it is necessary to pay attention to the rigidity and design of the mattress, and its filling.

As for the hardness, it is preferable to choose a medium-hard option. Excessive hardness is not suitable, since it is undesirable to create a lot of pressure on the deformed vertebrae, because this can aggravate the pain syndrome.

In terms of design, preference should be given to spring models that can more accurately follow the curves of the body. There should be many springs and they should be located independently of each other.

The mattress filling should be both soft and elastic. Coconut coir is a big loser in this regard. Experts recommend paying attention to products made from the following materials:

• natural latex (elastic, soft, perforated material that does not compress tissue, allows air to pass through well and is not capable of accumulating dust);
• memory (a soft and pliable material that easily takes the shape of the body);
• polyurethane foam (a less expensive material that still performs its function conscientiously and does not harm the spine).

With scoliosis of the 2nd degree, you should not sleep on folding mattresses, non-orthopedic surfaces, old sagging products. The sleeping place should be as comfortable as possible so as not to provoke the progression of the disease.

If the mattress is selected for a child with scoliosis, then the parameters are radically different:

• the mattress should be firm enough;
• It is preferable to choose coconut coir as a filler (this option is not suitable for adults), or a spring block in combination with coconut coir.

Coir can be used up to 18 years of age. As the patient gets older, the mattress should be replaced with an adult version.

Manual therapy for scoliosis grade 2

Spinal deformity tends to progress, causing pain syndrome. And in advanced cases, serious failures in the functioning of internal organs often occur. Manual therapy in such a situation can become an effective auxiliary method of treatment.

Therapeutic manual therapy involves the use of various characteristic techniques, deep working of muscles, vertebrae, intervertebral discs, ligaments. The main direction of action is strengthening the muscular corset, stabilizing muscle tone, increasing the motor capacity of the ligamentous apparatus. When performed correctly, the procedure does not cause discomfort, activates blood circulation and trophic processes, and has a general health effect.

To enhance the effectiveness, the doctor can consistently use manual massage, superficial reflexology, acupressure and other methods.

Osteopathy for scoliosis 2 degrees

A full course of osteopathy for stage 2 scoliosis can last from 8 to 16 months. It usually includes up to eight procedures lasting about 35 minutes, with large time intervals between them, which is necessary for the restoration of muscles, ligaments and joints. By following this therapy regimen, it is often possible to achieve noticeable results, improve posture and get rid of discomfort within a year.

Osteopathic effects should be targeted and painless. A qualified specialist competently distributes the load during the procedure, determines the degree of force applied. With an adequate therapeutic regimen, sessions are quite comfortable, so they can be shown even to children. The mechanisms of action are selected individually.

Surgical treatment

Different degrees of spinal curvature require different treatment methods, including possible surgical intervention. [ 16 ]

Surgery for stage 2 scoliosis is not prescribed: the help of a surgeon is required only in advanced, stage 4 cases of the disease, when the general condition of the patient suffers, and the functioning of the joints and internal organs is disrupted.

Surgical correction of the deformity helps to reduce the degree of curvature, slow down further progression of the pathology, and eliminate pain. [ 17 ]

Usually, two types of surgical intervention are practiced:

• corrective surgery on the spine using a mechanical stabilization system;
• operation without the use of a mechanical stabilization system.

In the first option, special cobalt-chromium or titanium implants are inserted into the vertebrae, allowing the spinal column to be given a physiologically correct axis and bend. The implants are made of special hypoallergenic materials, which helps prevent the development of postoperative complications.

In the second type of surgical intervention, the surgeon performs plastic correction of the curved parts of the spine and bones of the chest. [ 18 ]

The need for a particular operation is assessed individually in each case of the disease, since much depends on the degree of deformation, the general health of the person and his age, the presence of concomitant pathological processes, as well as many other factors.