Lordosis of the cervical spine

Today, there is more and more talk about such a phenomenon as cervical lordosis. In order to understand what actions to take in this case, whether there are reasons to be afraid, whether there are health risks, you need to understand the essence of the concept itself. Here you cannot do without basic knowledge of human anatomy and physiology.

Cervical lordosis is normal

Normally, cervical lordosis exists in every person. We are talking about natural physiological curves of the spinal column. They maintain the optimal position of the spine when walking. The curves act as shock absorbers that cushion movements in a certain way, ease jolts and vibrations during walking. If there is no curve, spinal disorders and diseases occur. The spine experiences increased stress, movements infringe and wear out the vertebrae. However, cervical lordosis should not be excessive.

Excessive curvature of the spine also has a negative impact on the health of the spine. Following diseases of the spine, other diseases occur. For example, curvature of the spine entails a violation of the muscular frame, a violation of the normal state of the paravertebral muscles, oblique muscles. The entire figure is gradually distorted, in particular, the state of the latissimus dorsi, oblique muscles is disrupted. This entails deformation of the cervical and thoracic spine, chest, displacement of the sternum, ribs. Violation of the normal position and condition of the sternum and intercostal muscles affects the position and condition of the heart, other organs that they protect. Violations of the clavicular and sternal position entail a violation of the respiratory processes, incomplete filling of the chest with air. Accordingly, less oxygen enters the blood, less of it is transported to the internal organs, hypoxia or hypercapnia develops. It is worth noting that a violation of the cervical lordosis, for example, its complete straightening, or excessive bending, leads to the fact that the blood circulation of the brain is disrupted. Often there is a pinched nerve, intervertebral disc, spinal nerve root in the neck area, this further disrupts blood circulation. The risk of blood clots, the development of vascular disorders, hypertension, strokes increases sharply. [ 1 ]

Cervical and lumbar lordosis

The spinal column is represented by one bend going backwards (thoracic kyphosis) and two bends forward (cervical and lumbar lordosis). They act as shock absorbers, giving the spine a natural position, supporting upright walking. Normally, these are ordinary bends that only facilitate walking and do not cause any discomfort. In pathology, these are excessive bends, or, conversely, an excessively straight spine, devoid of natural bends. This condition not only disrupts the normal state of the spine, but also disrupts the basic physiological processes occurring in it, including metabolism. There is a risk for the spinal cord, which is located in the spinal canal. Pathological bends, or their absence, are a painful condition that often requires special treatment. [ 2 ]

Formation of cervical lordosis

The foundation is laid in the first months, as the child learns to hold up his neck. Strengthening the neck muscles helps to strengthen the cervical lordosis. The formation of cervical lordosis is facilitated by raising the head, chest, and torso. Initially, a child is born with a straight spine, without curves, since in the conditions of intrauterine development the spine does not experience any load. Gradually, as the child begins to develop physically, strengthen the muscles, the curves of the spine also develop. Thus, cervical lordosis is the first to form, as the child learns to raise his neck. The second to form is thoracic kyphosis, it develops as the child begins to sit, use the cervical and thoracic muscles. The third to form is lumbar lordosis. It is formed as the child stands on his feet, learns to walk.

Kyphotization of cervical lordosis

Some people may experience kyphotization of the cervical lordosis - a kind of reverse development in the opposite direction. Instead of lordosis, kyphosis is formed, which disrupts not only the normal functioning of the spine, but also other structures that are directly or indirectly associated with the formation of kyphosis. The load on the heart increases, the lungs experience increased pressure, do not fully open, and, accordingly, are not fully filled with air. This does not allow them to fully perform their function, in particular, does not allow them to supply organs with a sufficient amount of oxygen. Hence, hypoxia, disruption of the functional state of the body, decreased performance.

Incorrect position of the cervical spine also has a negative impact on the upper respiratory tract. In particular, pressure is placed on the thyroid gland, vocal cords, pharynx and trachea. This can disrupt the processes of voice formation, negatively affect the function of the thyroid gland, and through it - on the hormonal status as a whole. The processes of breathing, chewing, swallowing are disrupted, the normal functioning of the salivary glands is disrupted. In addition, it must be taken into account that the spinal cord and nerves that innervate the internal organs pass through the spine. The sensitivity of receptors decreases, the conductivity of nerve fibers is disrupted. Compression of blood vessels occurs, accordingly, the organs supplied with blood from these vessels do not receive adequate nutrients and oxygen, are not cleansed of waste metabolites. This leads to a violation of trophism, respiratory processes, hypoxia and hypercapnia develop, autointoxication with one's own waste products. The risk of developing atherosclerosis of blood vessels increases, as does the risk of developing strokes, high blood pressure and sudden changes in blood pressure. [ 3 ]

Symptoms cervical lordosis

This term can be used to define both normal lordosis and its violation (flattening, alignment, excessive bending, reverse development). Normally, lordosis performs a number of important functions and is necessary to maintain the normal functioning of the spine. Lordosis is necessary to ensure movement, maintaining the neck in an upright position.

In an abnormal case, the symptoms are as follows: the neck bends back strongly, not only the seventh cervical vertebra, but also other vertebrae are strongly protruding. In addition, quite often the entire spine is deformed, subject to curvature. In the neck area, a smooth arc may be formed, the spine resembles a smooth rod. This is also a symptom of pathology. Pain is not always a symptom of pathology, since in some cases pain occurs, while in others, on the contrary, a person does not feel any pain or discomfort. It is possible to feel pain when moving and turning the neck, stiffness, decreased sensitivity.

The first signs indicating the development of lordosis are the appearance of a bend. Normally, a slight bend of the spine appears in the occipital lobe. The 7th cervical vertebra is easily palpated on the back of the neck. If pathological lordosis appears, the bend becomes excessive, sometimes there is pain, discomfort when moving, and stiffness of movement. If the bend is smoothed out and the spine becomes straight, this is also a sign of pathology. In addition, there may be cases: the bend develops not back, but forward.

Cervical lordosis in children

In children, cervical lordosis is formed when they begin to raise their necks and hold them in a vertical position. Before this, the spine in children is straight, since it does not experience loads. However, it is necessary to ensure that the lordosis is formed correctly, and there are no pathologies in the physical development of the spine. It is for this reason that children in the first year are regularly examined by specialists, including an orthopedist and surgeon. When the first signs of pathology are detected, treatment should be started as early as possible. In the early stages, it is most effective, and often includes special passive gymnastics, massage, and infant swimming.

In older children, treatment requires more time and effort. Treatment of lordosis at any stage requires mandatory physical activity. It is necessary to conduct regular training aimed at training the spine, working out the muscles of the cervical spine. Exercises in combination with massage and swimming are especially effective. A child at any age, up to adulthood, has a very elastic and flexible spine. This makes it easy to correct pathologies. According to some data, the final formation of the skeletal system is fully completed only at 25 years. This suggests that the correction of disorders and deformations of the bones and spine is effective precisely during this period of time. After 25 years, the spine is difficult to correct.

In children, cervical lordosis is easily corrected by positional correction. For this purpose, special orthopedic pillows, sleeping mattresses, static stands are used. It is also possible to use a corset, bandage, and taping. However, such procedures are usually required only in extreme cases; it is better not to use them without necessity. This is due to the fact that such procedures significantly limit the child's mobility, as well as the possibility of full growth and development, and reduce motor activity, which is important for both the physical and mental development of the child.

Massage, therapeutic exercise, swimming, and breathing exercises are performed. During the massage, special children's massage techniques are used, which are mastered by a massage therapist specializing in children's massage. The duration of massage for children with lordosis is on average 15-20 minutes.

Stages

Cervical lordosis develops in several stages. In the first stage, a small curved arc is formed from a straight spine. Gradually, the curve increases in size, becomes more noticeable and visible. This is where the stage of curve formation under normal conditions ends. If we consider a pathological case, one or two more stages appear. In the second stage, the curve either continues to increase, despite the fact that it has already reached certain normal values. It becomes so curved that it protrudes far beyond the surface of the back of the head, looks like a hump on the back. Or, in the second stage, the curve can suddenly begin to straighten, up to the formation of a straight back. This is where the development either ends, or the third stage begins, in which the curve develops to the point that a curve similar to the norm is formed, only in the opposite direction.

Forms

There are several types of lordosis. Firstly, physiological and pathological. As is known, physiological is formed in each person and is the norm. It is assigned important functions in the body, it supports upright posture, relieves pain and discomfort during walking, and evenly distributes the load. Pathological lordosis is the one that complicates the walking process, an excessive protrusion is formed. Painful sensations are possible.

Lordoses are divided into cervical and lumbar lordoses, which are formed in the neck or lumbar region, respectively.

Depending on age, there are childhood, adult and elderly lordoses, which are formed respectively at different stages of a person’s life.

Physiological cervical lordosis

From birth, it is necessary to promote the formation of physiological cervical lordosis in the child. To do this, the baby is placed on his tummy. From about a few weeks of birth, the child can lie on his tummy for several minutes. Gradually, the time spent on the tummy increases: from 10-15 minutes to 1-1.5 hours after each feeding. The child tries to lift his head up, turns his neck. This is a kind of first gymnastics, necessary for full physical development and harmonization.

Gradually, from several months, the physical load on the child's body must be increased. A special baby massage is performed, which helps to strengthen the muscles and develop them. Development using position is used: the child is given a certain position, which forms the correct body structures. In this case, special mattresses, pillows with an orthopedic focus, adapted to the child, can be used. There is infant swimming, which is one of the most effective means of development. Special psychogymnastics, fitball gymnastics, based on the use of special exercises on a fitball, are used for infants. A separate direction is being developed - baby yoga, stretching, aimed at the comprehensive development of a newborn and a child of the first year of life.

Straightening of physiological cervical lordosis

If you have excessive curvature and require straightening of physiological cervical lordosis, you should first consult an orthopedic doctor. He will conduct an examination, prescribe appropriate functional tests that will show the condition of the spine. X-rays and other research methods may be required. After the appropriate diagnosis is made, further treatment is selected. Most often, special physical exercises are used in combination with massage. Additionally, various orthopedic means and physiotherapy procedures can be used.

First of all, it is necessary to define the goals and objectives that need to be achieved during the treatment process. Then, based on the goals set, a treatment program and scheme is developed. The basis is exercises that have an impact directly on the spine. [ 4 ]

The main method of treating lordosis, especially at home, is physical activity. Traditionally, therapeutic exercise (TE) is used.

But today there are a number of other means, for example, yoga therapy, yoga for the spine, health methods of qigong. Yoga therapy even includes a special section - yoga of the spine, aimed at treating various pathologies of the spine. Also, correct breathing is largely based on working with the spine (pranayama in the hatha yoga system). There are separate complexes - Element, Diamond Rod, which allow you to work with the spine. Many health Chinese practices, including qigong, Chinese gymnastics, are aimed at working out the spine. In Eastern traditions, much attention is paid to the spine, since it is considered the central element of the body that maintains the activity of the entire body, the main life force and energy are concentrated in it.

Violation of statics of cervical lordosis

A fairly common pathology is considered to be a violation of the statics of the cervical lordosis - a condition in which the cervical spine acquires excessive mobility. This can have a number of negative consequences, in particular, it can cause pinching of the intervertebral discs, spinal cord roots, nerves, which leads to the development of inflammatory and painful sensations, requiring mandatory treatment.

Today, many methods of correcting spinal disorders are used. However, the main method of treatment is still physical exercises. If disorders occur, it is necessary to consult with the appropriate specialists. Such specialists as an orthopedist, surgeon, doctor or instructor of therapeutic physical training, yoga therapist, master or instructor of qigong, health practices will help.

Today, exercise therapy has long ceased to be the only method of treating spinal diseases. Treatment is carried out using positioning, rhythmic and isometric gymnastics, static and dynamic, breathing, meditative exercises, specially developed dynamic complexes aimed at developing individual muscle groups and solving specific problems. Treatment can be carried out at various stages of a person's life. For newborns, infants and children of the first year of life, such methods as fitball gymnastics, baby yoga, children's stretching, psychogymnastics are widely used. All these elements are combined with massage and infant swimming, active-passive gymnastics. Mothers can work out together with their children, or only a specialist works with children. [ 5 ]

For children of preschool and primary school age, fitball gymnastics, children's yoga, special complexes of children's breathing and relaxation elements, and outdoor games are actively used.

For teenagers, classes in callanetics, shaping, aerobics, fitness, and bodyflex are recommended. Various types of yoga are becoming increasingly popular. For example, aerial yoga, which is a synthesis of classical hatha yoga and equilibristics.

For people of mature age, the best option is to start practicing classical hatha yoga, especially asanas, pranayama, dharana. These elements imply conscious work with the physical body, muscles, bones, tendons, building correct breathing, relaxation techniques and conscious concentration. There are many varieties and directions of hatha yoga. If you have problems with the spine, you can try Kundalini yoga, pranayama (breathing practices). You can also recommend Chinese health practices and qigong, which focus on working with the spine.

For elderly and senile people, classical hatha yoga, individual elements of qigong, relaxation and meditation practices, Nordic walking, swimming and hydrotherapy are recommended.

Deformation of the cervical lordosis

When correcting the deformation of the cervical spine, it is necessary to use physical exercises, a sufficient level of motor activity is required. Various physical exercises are combined with massage techniques, relaxation of the body, physiotherapy, and auxiliary means. Special corsets and bandages are prescribed. Kundalini yoga can be recommended - a direction that contains a set of exercises designed to target the spine, allows you to activate vital energy.

Some specialists practice elements of body-oriented therapy, the essence of which is not only in working with the physical body, but also in psychological counseling, correction of the psycho-emotional state. At the same time, specialists in body-oriented therapy proceed from the position that every problem, pathology in the human body is the result of the impact of some mental trauma, unlived emotion, stress. During the consultation, the specialist will help the person return to the origins of the problem, find it, relive it, feel the corresponding changes in the body, correlate them with the mental state. [ 6 ]

Qigong, Chinese health practices, numerous breathing exercises, which are also aimed primarily at the spine, have proven themselves well. Some Slavic practices and gymnastics are also used, for example, the complex method of recovery and purification of the body "Ladanie", the method "Dance of Fire", "Lazhenie", holistic and bioenergetic massage, gymnastic complexes such as "Zhiva", "Triglava Complex", the author's method of Ovcharenko S.V. "Spheres".

There are exercises for cleansing and comprehensive work on the spine, paravertebral muscles located along the spinal column and intervertebral discs, correction of lordosis, kyphosis, scoliosis, intervertebral hernias and inflammatory processes.

Among the methods of physiotherapeutic treatment, ultrasound, microcurrents, waves of various lengths, electrophoresis, cryotherapy, thermal procedures, and electrical procedures are widely used.

Swimming, aqua aerobics, hydrotherapy in the pool, jacuzzi, and therapeutic baths have a positive effect. These procedures allow you to relax your spine and reduce the load. They relax muscles, relieve spasms and pain. The Scottish shower, Charcot shower, fan shower, jacuzzi, and hydromassage baths are widely used in practice.

Lordosis of the cervical vertebrae

In order to eliminate lordosis of the cervical vertebrae, you need to be patient, since this is a rather lengthy procedure that requires strict adherence to the developed tactics of spinal correction. Treatment usually lasts from several months to six months, or even more. At the same time, the success of treatment largely depends on the activity of the patient himself. First of all, he must perform regular physical exercises, without which treatment is impossible.

It is recommended to exercise on a regular basis, do the exercises daily, and sometimes even several times a day – in the morning and in the evening.

Simpler exercises are performed in the morning (mostly relaxing, stretching). In the evening, toning, strength exercises, twists are performed. It is also recommended to work with a physical therapy instructor or yoga therapist approximately 1-2 times a week. [ 7 ]

The main principle is to use a comprehensive approach, that is, exercises should be selected in such a way that all muscle groups are involved in the process of their implementation, not just the spine.

To achieve maximum effect, you need to alternate relaxation and tension techniques, be sure to include relaxation, meditation, breathing exercises. It is also important to remember a simple rule: the load should be increased gradually.

Cervical lordosis straightened, straightening of cervical lordosis

If your cervical lordosis is straightened, it is a pathology. This is normal only for newborns. Therefore, when straightening the cervical lordosis, you should consult a doctor: an orthopedist, a surgeon. Before starting treatment, you need to make an accurate diagnosis and determine the cause of the pathology. Sometimes, to conduct a high-quality diagnosis, you need to contact a vertebrologist or osteopath. If such a need arises, an orthopedist or surgeon will write out a referral for a consultation.

It is important to exclude inflammatory processes in the neck and spine, as this can become a serious obstacle to the implementation of complex therapy. It is also necessary to take into account the patient's subjective sensations, for example, pain in the neck and spine can be a sign of an acute inflammatory process, or muscle pinching, or vertebral displacement. As a rule, all this can be felt quite well by palpation. [ 8 ]

Differential diagnostics is important, which will help differentiate the signs of various diseases that have similar manifestations. Instrumental methods, such as X-rays, may be required to clarify the diagnosis. The use of laboratory tests to diagnose lordosis is an extremely rare phenomenon. Currently, such methods as X-ray examination, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging are widely used. These methods allow you to visualize the picture of the pathology, assess the condition of the vertebrae, adjacent soft tissues, and sometimes even nearby vessels and nerves.

Smoothness of the cervical lordosis, cervical lordosis is flattened

If the cervical lordosis is flattened, special treatment is necessary, since the cervical lordosis is flattened only in newborns. In other cases, there is a pathology of the cervical spine.

Today, various correction methods are used. Both traditional and non-traditional methods of influencing the body are used. First of all, physical exercises are used as a basis. If previously only LFK (therapeutic physical training) methods were used, today there is an opportunity to choose a type of physical activity for every taste and disposition - from traditional general developmental physical exercises, classical sports, active games, and ending with Eastern, Chinese, Tibetan health practices. People of different ages, genders, and interests can choose activities to their liking. For example, children's fitness, fitball gymnastics using various colorful inventory, bright fitballs, and specific equipment are ideal for preschool children. Many classes for children are held in the form of entertaining game events, elements of a story game are introduced, and roles are distributed.

For adults, there are also various activities, ranging from table tennis and basketball, intensive aerobics to calm and balanced callanetics, hatha yoga. Many men enjoy martial arts, health and sports qigong, hand-to-hand combat, various martial techniques, Chinese gymnastics, which allow not only to maintain physical fitness, but also to adjust the spine, correct deformations.

Many elderly people choose running, Nordic walking, various types of dancing, swimming and aqua aerobics, or even individual complexes from various health systems, for example, breathing practices from the hatha yoga system, Taoist and Tibetan meditations, joint gymnastics and health complexes for the spine from qigong, hatha yoga, gymnastics.

Cervical lordosis with kyphotic deformity, cervical lordosis

When diagnosing cervical lordosis with kyphotic deformation, as a rule, in addition to traditional physical exercises, various auxiliary means are prescribed. Comprehensive treatment is mandatory. This diagnosis implies that a person's cervical lordosis develops in the wrong direction, bending in the opposite direction.

To eliminate pathology, ultrasound treatment, microcurrents, and exposure to waves of different lengths are widely used. This allows stimulating the muscle, providing the necessary effect not only on the spine, but also on the surrounding tissues. Stimulation of paravertebral muscles leads to their strengthening, increased sensitivity and contractile activity. Muscles that are in tone have a positive effect on the spine, holding them in the correct position.

Electrophoresis is often prescribed. This method is mainly used to administer calcium, magnesium, magnelis, magnesia, and anti-inflammatory drugs. With the help of microcurrents, they reach tissues better and have a more intense effect.

Various thermal procedures, electrical procedures, and light procedures are indicated. Massage and active-passive gymnastics are included in the complex therapy. Along with classical massage, segmental-reflex massage, reflexology, acupuncture, and point massage (shiatsu) are prescribed.

Compresses and wraps will help to strengthen and consolidate the effect. Natural resources are widely used in the treatment of spinal diseases, for example, acupuncture, apitherapy (treatment with bee stings), hirudotherapy (treatment with leeches).

It is useful to combine physical exercises and massage with swimming, aqua aerobics, since these procedures allow you to tone your muscles. Hydrotherapy procedures are used (dousing, rubbing, Charcot's shower, hydromassage, jacuzzi).

Many patients are recommended aromatherapy, oiling, and treatment with medicinal oils. Various relaxation techniques and breathing exercises (pranayama complex from hatha yoga, qigong, taijiquan) are used. Relaxation, meditation, and autogenic training must be included in the complex therapy. Color therapy (chromotherapy), swimming in the pool, and aqua aerobics are used as additional relaxation methods. Hippotherapy (therapeutic horseback riding) and dolphin therapy (swimming with dolphins) are becoming increasingly popular today.

Straightened with the formation of kyphosis

If a person's cervical spine is straightened with the formation of kyphosis, it is necessary to select a set of exercises for daily performance. This will correct the deformation and improve the health of the spine.

Various systems of exercises for the spine are suitable. As an option, we can recommend doing the "Surya Namaskar" exercise complex daily. This is an Indian practice, one of the complexes widely used in classical hatha yoga. Translated from Sanskrit, the name means "Sun Salutation". Accordingly, you need to do this complex in the morning. The ideal time for this complex is dawn, when the sun is just beginning to rise above the horizon. You need to face the Sun, relax, do the sequence described below, trying to absorb the energy of the sun as much as possible.

The complex is represented by 12 asanas, which smoothly flow into each other. The entire complex is performed smoothly, without stopping, creating dynamics. Women begin the complex with the right leg, men - with the left.

The complex begins with Pranamasana, or prayer pose. To perform this asana, you need to stand straight. Your legs are straight, heels, shins, knees, thighs are connected. The toes should also be connected, the feet are completely pressed to each other. Hands along the hips. Take a stable position, close your eyes, relax. Try to distribute the weight evenly throughout the body, on both legs. You should stand straight, without leaning back or forward. You can keep your eyes open or close them. Slowly raise your arms up in front of you, bending them at the elbows. At chest level, connect your palms with each other, keep your elbows and forearms parallel to the floor.

The second asana is Ardha Chakrasana – the pose of half a wheel. Slowly raise your arms up, keeping your palms together. Raise your arms above your head, separate your palms, hold your hands with your palms forward, as if turning them towards the Sun. Your arms and palms should be approximately shoulder-width apart. After this, bend your lower back slightly, lean back. You don’t need to try to bend as much as possible. Your condition should be comfortable and relaxed.

From the backbend, smoothly straighten your back and immediately go into a bend (Padahastasana - stork pose, or bend towards your legs). The movements are performed slowly. You need to keep your hands above your head all the time. Returning from the backbend, your palms look forward. After the downward bend has begun, turn your palms inward and look at each other. Bend slowly, with a straight back. There should be no slouching or arching in your back. Your spine should be straight. Reach for your hands all the time. Your hands seem to stretch your spine forward and down. Bend as far as you can. If you can, touch the floor with your hands. It is even better to clasp your shins with your hands and press your forehead to your knees. You need to stay in this position for as long as it is comfortable. Your legs should still be straight, pressed against each other. When exiting the pose, slowly raise your head, look forward, in front of you. Gradually raise your hands. The head is as if clamped between the hands, the hands are pressed tightly to the ears. Together with the hands, which move upward, we raise the head and straighten the body. We return to the standing position, with the hands lowered along the hips.

Next, Ashva-Sanchalanasana is performed - the pose of the rider. Men move their left leg back, women - their right. The front leg bends at the knee, the main weight goes to it. Hands can be kept below, resting with the tips of the fingers on the ground, or raised up, joining the palms above the head, straightening the elbows. We stay in this position for some time, maintaining balance. We move on to the next pose.

Adho Mukha Svanasana - "downward facing dog". Place your hands on the ground in front of you. Move the leg that was in front back, put it on the same level with the other leg. Distribute the weight evenly between your arms and legs. Try to lower your legs as much as possible to the floor, pull your heels as much as possible to the floor. Pull your arms forward, and stretch your spine behind them. The buttocks, sacrum, and coccyx are pulled upward. The head is between your arms.

We come out into the Ashtanga Namaskar pose – support on 8 points, or zigzag. To do this, we come out into an intermediate position – “plank”, in which the main emphasis is on the toes and hands. The body is evenly distributed between the arms and legs. Then we slowly lower the chest, shoulders and pubic bone to the floor, pressing them as hard as possible to the floor. We also lower the chin to the floor. The arms bend at the elbows (as in push-ups), the legs partially bend at the knees (the knees fall to the floor). 8 points are pressed to the floor: the chin, the sternum, two shoulders, two hip bones, two knees. We stay in this position for some time, then come out into the next pose.

Urdhva Mukha Svanasana - "upward facing dog". Hands remain pressed to the floor, lift the chin and chest off the floor, slide up as much as possible. Head and shoulders rise up, pelvis, hips, legs remain pressed to the floor. Pull the head up as much as possible, aligning and connecting the shoulder blades. At the same time, do not throw the neck back.

We repeat the Adho Mukha Svanasana pose – “downward facing dog”, which was performed before the “Zigzag” exercise.

From the downward facing dog, slowly move your leg forward, bending it at the knee. Use the leg you started the circle with: men – the left, women – the right. Transfer the main weight to the leg in front, straightening and releasing the back leg. Lower your arms down, touching the floor in line with your legs (with your toes). This is the Ashva asana – Sanchalanasana – the rider pose.

From the previous pose, slowly move the back leg to the front one. Connect them, place them next to each other. Hands remain on the floor, in line with the toes. Straighten the legs, move the hands to the shins, clasping them (or remain in the same position). The head is lowered down, tending to the knees. The back is straight. It turns out Padahastasana - the stork pose, or bending towards the legs. Which we have already performed.

Then we straighten up, perform the Ardha-Chakrasana pose - the pose of half a wheel. Slowly straighten the back, starting from the waist. ending with the cervical region. Slowly raise your hands up, above your head. Connect your palms, lean back, creating a deflection in the lower back. Mentally, you can imagine the Sun above your head, collect the Sun's rays in your hands, distribute them over your body, smile.

We return to the starting position. Pranamasana is performed - a prayer pose. We distribute the energy of the Sun throughout the body.

Thus, one circle of the "Sun Salutation" complex is completed. The full complex contains 2 circles. After that, we repeat all the same exercises, only we start doing the complex with the other leg (men - with the right, women with the left). If the spine is straightened strongly, with the formation of kyphosis, for correction it will be necessary to do 3 circles in a row. The number of circles of this complex can vary from 1 to 27 circles.

Cervical lordosis is increased

If the cervical lordosis is increased, its correction is required. The sooner it is started, the easier and faster the pathology will be eliminated. The main means of correcting spinal deformities are physical exercises. Various exercises and their complexes can be used. As an example, one of the qigong complexes can be given.

Stand straight, arms down along the body, legs shoulder-width apart. Feet stand parallel to each other. With an inhale, slowly move your arms to the side, bending your elbows. Imagine that you are a large ball that is filled with clean air, inflating. At the same time as your arms are moved to the sides, slowly squat, slightly bending your legs at the knees.

As you exhale, bring your hands forward, hold them in front of you at chest level, or a little lower. Hold them as if you were trying to hug a big ball with your hands. Palms turned inward. Take a few breaths in and out.

As you exhale, slowly press your hands to your chest, as if pressing and deflating the balloon that was in front of you. As you inhale, bring your hands forward, pushing the inside of your hand forward. The back follows your hands, and you bend over behind your hands. Bend over to a position where your buttocks, back, and arms are at the same level. Your back should be straight. Extend your spine forward as much as possible, and stretch your arms forward. The back follows your hands, and your legs straighten out at the knees as much as possible, and move back. The buttocks and tailbone stretch upward as much as possible. When you have reached maximum stretch, clap your hands and bend down.

As you exhale, lower your arms down, touching the floor. Your torso also goes down, without forming any slouching or bending. Your back is straight, hanging down relaxed, your stomach is pressed to your legs. Squat down, mentally gather a small ball with your hands, and slowly begin to lift it up, rising with your whole body. Your arms also rise. Imagine that you are rising from the waist. Stand straight, your arms continue to move up. Bring your arms together in front of you, forming a kind of “fan” in front of you. Look forward through your fingers spread apart. Your palms are facing inward, towards you.

Then we turn to the side, together with our arms. The legs and hips remain at the same level, the turn is done in the waist area. Without lifting the legs from the previous position, we bend downwards (to the side), trying to stretch the opposite side as much as possible. Then we turn our palms outward, away from ourselves, and slowly rise up. We try to raise our palms up, and the rest of the body slowly rises behind them. We return to the central position. We repeat a similar bend to the opposite side.

We return to the central position. We hold our hands in front of us. We slowly lower them down, as if pressing them to the floor. We imagine that there is a piston in front of us, which needs to be pressed into the ground. At the same time, we squat slowly. We press the “piston”, going down as far as possible. We imagine that together with this piston, all the dirt, pain, failures, illnesses, negative energy are squeezed out of us and go into the ground. Then we slowly straighten up, imagining that we are raising the force, the energy that nourishes us from the ground. We straighten up completely. We raise our hands above our head, then slowly lower them to the level of the chest, mentally distributing the energy throughout the body. We freely lower our hands down, take a few free breaths in and out, and relax. This was one circle of the complex.

For those with increased cervical lordosis, it is necessary to perform 3 sets in a row. These sets can be performed at any time of the day, the number of approaches is not limited.

Straight cervical lordosis

To eliminate direct cervical lordosis, we can recommend a set of exercises presented below. The set is taken from the hatha yoga system, somewhat adapted in the author's version. The set is called "Trikonasan Set".

First, perform the classic asana - Trikonasana, or triangle pose. To do this, stand straight, arms along the body, lowered, legs straight. Then spread your legs as wide as possible to the sides, turn one leg perpendicular to the other. Raise your arms to the sides, hold them straight (parallel to the floor). Slowly move your arm to the side, pull your body behind your arm, leaning to the side. The arm goes in the direction of the turned leg. We reach a certain limit when the body becomes parallel to the floor. The hand goes down to the leg that is perpendicular. The other hand rises up. Thus, the arms should be on one straight line, together with the legs they form a large triangle. Turn your head, look up, at the upper hand. Stand in this pose for a certain time, remaining motionless. It is recommended to start with one minute, gradually increasing the time spent in this pose to 10-15 minutes.

Then smoothly turn your head, lower both hands down, next to the leg that was at a perpendicular angle. Line up: your back should be straight, your arms should be lowered down at a right angle, your legs should be spread apart, forming a triangle. Then slowly hug the leg that is in front with your hand. Try to lie on your leg with your whole body, pressing against it as much as possible. Press your stomach, chest, forehead to your leg, hug your shins with your hands, stretch your legs and hip joint as much as possible. Stay in this position for 1 to 15 minutes.

We are in the position described above. With the second leg, which is behind, we try to squat down as much as possible. This will allow us to stretch the surface of the front leg as much as possible. After that, we relax and go to the next position.

Then we lower one hand behind the leg, which is perpendicular. We raise the other hand up, turn the body so that the arms are on one line, the legs form a triangle. The exercise is similar to the classic Trikonasana, with the difference that the turn is done in the other direction. We are doing a twisting, so to speak.

Slowly turn back to the previous position.

We turn the body forward, legs are spread apart as much as possible. We bend forward, trying to lower our hands to the floor in front of us. We bend forward as much as possible, stretching the back of our legs. We bend from the hips, from the lower back, as if folding at the hip joint. At the same time, we try to bend as low as possible, if possible, it is better to place our hands on the forearms.

In the previous position, try to bend as much as possible, hiding your head between your legs. With your hands, stretch back, behind your legs, to your heels. If possible, you can put your head on the crown, transferring the main weight to your head.

Then we move to a level position, with the legs spread as wide as possible, the back is bent horizontally, parallel to the floor, the hands are on the ground at a right angle. The body weight is evenly distributed between all parts of the body. Gradually transfer the main weight back, to the legs. We stretch the arms forward, as much as possible, as far as possible. We pull the legs back, the tailbone up, and the arms forward. The back and spine should stretch as much as possible, stretching after the spine. We return to the previous level position, evenly distribute the weight throughout the body, relax.

We bring our legs together, connect them. The hips, knees, shins, feet should be connected, we bend forward, trying to lie with our chest, stomach, forehead on our legs as much as possible. We wrap our shins with our arms (Stork pose, Padahastasana). Then we slowly rise up, straightening our back vertebra by vertebra, starting from the lower back and ending with the cervical spine.

We stand straight, take several deep breaths in and out, and then repeat the same sequence in the other direction.

Additionally, individual auxiliary exercises can be added to this complex.

1. Squat on one leg, move the other to the side. Then gradually transfer the weight from one side to the other, without straightening up. The transition is done in a squat. Repeat the exercise at least 10 times, the maximum is unlimited.
2. We approach the gymnastic wall (can be replaced with a chair or a regular bed). We put one leg on it, the other one remains straight. Both legs are straight, stretched at the knee. We bend towards the straight leg, as low as possible. If possible, we lower our arms, and even forearms to the floor. We try to stretch the leg that is on top as much as possible. If necessary, to enhance the effect, we squat down with the straight leg. We try to freely lower the neck down, relaxing it as much as possible. The spine is pulled down, as if stretching in different directions between the coccyx and the head.
3. Place your legs as wide as possible. Spread your arms to the sides. Lower one arm down, touch the ground. Raise the other arm up so that it forms a straight line with the other leg. Raise the leg opposite the lowered arm so that it is parallel to the floor. There should be a 90-degree angle between the legs. Stay in this position for 1-10 minutes, slowly exit.

If you have a straight cervical lordosis, you need to perform 1-3 circles in one approach, relaxing your neck as much as possible and stretching your spine.

Complications and consequences

Incorrectly formed cervical lordosis can have adverse effects and complications. For example, a flat lordosis significantly increases the load on the spine. In this form, it cannot act as a shock-absorbing factor, resulting in the development of various diseases of the spine, the function of the spinal cord, spinal roots, and all peripheral nervous system is impaired, the sensitivity of nerve receptors decreases. Disorders in the cervical region can lead to impaired blood circulation, innervation of the sections located behind the neck. First of all, the brain suffers: it does not receive the proper level of oxygen, metabolites are not excreted. As a result, hypoxia, hypercapnia, trophic processes develop, the tendency to thrombosis increases, which increases the risk of thrombosis, atherosclerosis, stroke, hypertension.

It is also necessary to take into account that kyphotization of lordosis can lead to the creation of pressure, mechanical impact on the organs of the chest, nasopharynx, pharynx. The function of the thyroid gland, vocal cords, salivary glands is disrupted. Since the thyroid gland is an endocrine gland, the disruption of its structural and functional characteristics entails a disruption of the hormonal background as a whole, the development of a number of endocrine pathologies.

Endurance and human performance are impaired, immunity is reduced. Numerous accompanying disorders of the musculoskeletal system often develop.

Diagnostics cervical lordosis

In order to diagnose cervical lordosis, you need to see an orthopedist or surgeon. They will conduct a general examination, palpation of the back and cervical region, feel the spine for deformations, painful sensations. If the picture is not clear, the person can do some exercises (functional tests). They judge the state of lordosis, the spine as a whole. If there is insufficient information, additional diagnostics may be required using special equipment, such as X-rays, tomography. If you need to consult a vertebrologist or osteopath, the doctor will give a referral. Additionally, the doctor can check reflexes, conduct segmental-reflex diagnostics (by pressing on individual segments of the spine).

Instrumental diagnostics

The main method of diagnosis in diagnosing cervical lordosis is instrumental diagnostics. Most often, such methods as X-ray examination, computer, magnetic resonance imaging are used. These methods allow you to visualize the picture of the pathology, examine both the spine as a whole and its individual sections. These methods also allow you to assess the condition of bones, vertebrae, soft tissues, and sometimes even nearby vessels and nerves.

X-ray

X-ray is the main method of diagnosing cervical lordosis. The doctor can palpate the area of pathology, assess the localization of lordosis, assess the approximate condition of organs and tissues, the spinal column. But in order to obtain detailed information, have accurate characteristics of the cervical region, the lordosis itself, it is necessary to conduct an X-ray examination, with the help of which an image of either the spine as a whole or only a separate fragment can be obtained. The X-ray is used to assess the angle of deviation, the size of the lordosis, determine its exact location, and view which vertebrae are involved in the pathological process. It is also possible to assess whether there is damage to surrounding tissues, whether there is an inflammatory process, whether there is a pinched nerve, blood vessels, or spinal cord. Based on a comprehensive analysis of the X-ray results, it is possible to select the appropriate treatment, which will be aimed directly at eliminating the identified disorders and preventing possible complications.

Differential diagnosis

One of the main stages of diagnosis is differential diagnostics. This is a very important stage, which should not be ignored under any circumstances. The course of further treatment and its effectiveness depend on how accurately the diagnosis is made, how it is differentiated from other similar diseases. Differential diagnostics is a sequence of actions aimed at differentiating various types of pathology. Often, diseases are different, but they manifest themselves in the same way, so it is important to clearly distinguish between them.

In the course of differential diagnosis of cervical lordosis, instrumental research methods are mainly used, the main one of which is X-ray.

Cervical osteochondrosis

Cervical osteochondrosis and lordosis are often confused. These diseases may be very similar in appearance, but a fundamental difference is revealed upon in-depth diagnostics. As a rule, in order to make an accurate diagnosis, an X-ray examination or other visualization methods are required to assess the condition of the spine, especially its cervical region. During palpation and visual examination, the doctor discovers a roughly similar clinical picture - an excessive, pathological curvature of the spine in the cervical region is observed. At the same time, a detailed analysis of the causes of the pathology shows that osteochondrosis occurs as a result of salt and mineral deposits in the spine. That is, in fact, osteochondrosis is a growth on the spine. Whereas lordosis is an abnormal curvature, a deformation of the spinal column itself. The difference between these diseases is clearly visible on the X-ray. Accordingly, the treatment methods will be different.

Disc protrusions

One of the most serious diseases of the spine is disc protrusion. They can develop as a complication of cervical lordosis. If there are no physiological curves, or they are formed incorrectly, there is no compensation for movements, their amortization. Accordingly, the discs wear out, experiencing increased load. An inflammatory process, a pinched disc can develop. The disease is accompanied by pain, discomfort, and the inability to make some movements. Careful diagnostics and selection of treatment are required. As a rule, osteopathy is used for disc protrusion, less often - massage, dosed physical activity. In case of severe pain, medication, painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs are required. Sometimes, in the most severe cases, surgical intervention is required.

Treatment cervical lordosis

The treatment of cervical lordosis is based on two principles: correct diagnostics and timely detection of pathology, and adequate development of a treatment program. The treatment program must necessarily include physical exercises in the daily routine. No treatment will be effective if it is not supported by physical activity. Therapeutic physical training, adaptive sports, special exercises for the spine, traditional and non-traditional health systems are used, focused both on the comprehensive restoration of the body and on the impact directly on the spine. It is necessary to carry out massage. It is important to provide the correct and dosed effect on the desired areas. This will allow you to control the condition, provide a therapeutic effect. Massage, special hydroprocedures, and auxiliary means are also prescribed.

Lordosis is often accompanied by complications and concomitant pathology, so it is recommended to use complex treatment. As for complex therapy, it is recommended to include etiological treatment, that is, treatment aimed directly at eliminating the cause of the pathology. For example, anti-inflammatory drugs are used to eliminate inflammation, painkillers aimed at relieving pain. Physiotherapeutic methods and manual therapy are also used. [ 9 ]

What doctor treats cervical lordosis?

Often, when faced with lordosis, the patient has a question: "Which doctor treats cervical lordosis?" Let's figure it out. Firstly, you can always, in any situation, contact your local therapist or pediatrician, who will conduct an initial examination and, if necessary, refer you for a consultation with the appropriate specialist. Secondly, there are separate specialists who deal with problems related to the musculoskeletal system - an orthopedist, a surgeon. They can consult, make a diagnosis, and select the appropriate treatment. Sometimes, in more severe cases, a consultation with more narrowly qualified specialists may be required. An orthopedist or surgeon usually refers you to them, if such a need really exists. This is, for example, a vertebrologist who specializes in diseases of the spine, or an osteopath who specializes in diseases of the bones.

Physiotherapy treatment

Sometimes, in addition to the main treatment methods, physiotherapy is prescribed for cervical lordosis. It is justified as part of a comprehensive treatment, but is not rational as monotherapy. Most often, ultrasound treatment, exposure to microcurrents and waves of various lengths are used to eliminate lordosis. One of the treatment methods is electrophoresis (mainly with the help of this method, calcium and magnesium preparations are administered, which may be lacking in lordosis). Some anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving drugs are also administered with the help of electrophoresis. Thermal procedures, electrical procedures, and light procedures have a positive effect. They are often prescribed in combination. [ 10 ]

Exercises for cervical lordosis

Physical exercises for cervical lordosis are one of the main methods of treatment. No therapy will be effective without physical activity. Exercises should be performed regularly, once or several times a day. Preferably at the same time. It is better to consult a physical therapy doctor who will select exercises suitable for each specific case and teach the technique for performing them. If such a consultation is not possible, you can select exercises yourself. Below are 5 basic exercises that are most often prescribed for lordosis.

• Exercise No. 1.

Sit up straight. Try to straighten your spine as straight as possible, so that your lower back, shoulder blades, and neck are in one line. At the back, try to bring your shoulder blades together as much as possible, and then lower them down. To check the straightness of your back, lean against the wall. Try to relax as much as possible, sit in this position for at least 5-10 minutes. It is better to close your eyes. Also try to distance yourself from the outside world as much as possible, do not think about anything.

• Exercise No. 2.

Performed in a supine position. First, you need to lie down and relax as much as possible. Take a few deep breaths in and out. Bend your knees. Put your arms apart, to the sides. Press your shoulder blades to the floor as much as possible. Then lower both legs first to the left, then to the right. In doing so, you need to carefully ensure that neither your arms nor your shoulder blades come off the floor. Repeat the exercises 15 times on each side.

• Exercise No. 3.

Stand straight, press your legs together, and keep your feet tightly pressed. Slowly raise your arms up. Clasp them together above your head. Stay in this position for 1 to 10 minutes (the exercise time should be increased gradually).

• Exercise No. 4.

From the position described above, spread your arms to the sides. Keep your back straight, try to stretch your spine to the sides as much as possible. Keep your arms parallel to the floor, legs tightly pressed to each other. You need to start doing this exercise for 1 minute, gradually increasing its duration to 10-15 minutes.

• Exercise No. 5.

Slowly raise your arms up, keeping your palms together. Raise your arms above your head, separate your palms, and hold your hands with your palms facing forward, as if turning them toward the Sun. Your arms and palms should be about shoulder-width apart. After that, bend your lower back slightly, then lean back. You don't need to try to bend as much as possible. Your condition should be comfortable and relaxed.

Gymnastics

Today, various types of gymnastics are widely used in the treatment of various diseases. Thus, fitball gymnastics, stretching gymnastics, body gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, and psychogymnastics are widely used.

One of the modern, recently emerged directions is psychogymnastics. This is one of the elements of body-oriented therapy. Gymnastics is based on the assumption that any problem at the physical level arises as a consequence of unresolved mental and emotional problems, stress, mental trauma. Therefore, until we find and work on the original cause (emotional trauma, clamp), the problem will not be solved. From the point of view of psychogymnastics, any types of physical exercises fight the consequence, but do not eliminate the causes of the pathology, therefore they are often ineffective.

Let's look at the step-by-step algorithm for conducting psychogymnastics.

• Step 1. First, sit comfortably, relax, close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths in and out, balance your breathing. After that, press two fingers of your left hand on the first eye point on the left. Track the charges that emerge (in the form of thoughts, sensations, emotions). Try to work through each charge by taking a deep breath in and out. Choose the case that causes the most unpleasant sensations and begin to work through it.
• Step 2. Listen carefully to all the moments that come up, choose the most vivid and significant (with a negative connotation). Fix this moment in memory (as if pausing a video recording). Stop paying attention to this moment, and continue working only with this episode. You also need to fix in memory the moment in time when this unpleasant moment occurs, and stop at this time.
• Step 3. We restore the picture in our memory as fully as possible, acting as if from a third person (as if we were watching what was happening from the outside at that moment). We try to remember as accurately and in detail as possible all the sensations that arose in connection with this state. We keep our fingers on the point, continuing to activate it.
• Step 4. We try to feel in as much detail as possible the emotions that we had at that moment. We also try to feel in which part of the body these emotions remained.
• Step 5. We are directly at the moment when the problem arose. We realize what bodily sensations accompanied this moment.
• Step 6. Now we are as clearly aware of the thoughts that arose in connection with this situation. After we have become aware of the emotions, thoughts and bodily sensations, we lower our hand. We place the other hand on the same point, only on the right. During the switch, we take several deep breaths in and out.
• Step 7. Massage the first right eye point with two fingers of the right hand. Close your eyes. Choose a positive situation from the past, similar to the previous case. If nothing comes from the past, become aware of yourself here and now.
• Step 8. We look through the situation and choose the brightest and most positive moment from it, which is firmly fixed in memory, evokes positive emotions. We press "pause" on the brightest moment, fix our attention. If we are working with the current situation, this step is skipped.
• Step 9. As with the previous situation, we determine what emotions, thoughts, and sensations accompanied this situation. We record the moment.
• Step 10. Again, switch your attention to the left point.
• Step 11. Look at the negative situation of the past, realize whether any changes have occurred, is it perceived differently? The main thing is not to make efforts to change the picture. Just track and realize the situation as it is. Observe passively, as if from the side.
• Step 12: Focus your attention on the emotions that accompany this negative situation and see if any changes have occurred.
• Step 13. We turn our attention to bodily sensations and observe whether any changes have occurred in them?
• Step 14. Pay attention to your thoughts and see if they have changed.
• Step 15. Switch again to the right point, where there was a positive situation. Take a deep breath in and out. Become aware of the positive situation, track the picture.
• Step 16. We direct our attention to the whole situation, we track whether any changes have occurred. We look at how our emotions, bodily sensations, thoughts have changed.
• Step 17. Switch to the left point, to the negative situation. Track whether any changes have occurred (usually after each switch the picture of the negative situation becomes increasingly dimmer, and subsequently disappears completely).
• Step 18. Return to the right side, we realize the positive situation.
• Step 19. Continue switching from the right side to the left until both pictures disappear completely. Thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations associated with these situations should fade and then disappear completely. The practice is considered complete when both pictures have disappeared and there is no difference in perception at the two points. With each switch, take the deepest possible breath in and the deepest possible breath out.
• Step 20. We return to the negative situation and evaluate whether there are any emotions left in relation to this situation. For example, if we felt anger, we check whether there is aggression, anger at the ill-wisher. If we worked with resentment, we check whether there is resentment.

Only after working through emotional trauma can you move on to doing any physical exercises.

Massage for cervical lordosis

Massage is used for cervical lordosis. Traditionally, classical massage is used. However, as practice shows, great success can be achieved thanks to segmental-reflex massage, reflexology, acupuncture, point massage (shiatsu), vertebral impact.

Mainly the massage of the neck and collar zone is performed. Also, attention is paid to the massage of the paravertebral muscles located along the spine, the intervertebral discs are worked on. In the treatment of lordosis, various types of massage are used: psychosomatic, holistic, bioenergetic, aromatherapy, relaxing, sports. Various author's restorative methods are widely used, for example, Ladanie, Lazhenie, Fire Dance, Dance of the Black Lynx. Honey massage is used. In addition to mechanical effects, the effect is enhanced by the healing properties of honey. Thermal or contrast massage, wraps, massage in a bathhouse are also used. Bath massage is especially useful, as it allows you to work out the steamed muscles as deeply as possible.

Surgical treatment

As a rule, surgical methods are not used to treat lordosis. The treatment is mainly traditional and complex (includes medications, physiotherapy, exercise therapy, massage, and swimming). Surgical treatment is used as a last resort, if there are no other options. It is also necessary to first make sure that other treatment methods are ineffective. Surgical methods can be used if a nerve or spinal cord is pinched, a disc protrusion is diagnosed, a purulent-septic process, or progressive inflammation develops. Emergency intervention is required in the case of tissue decomposition and necrosis (tissue death).

Planned operations are performed in cases of myositis, nerve compression, tumors, hematomas (especially if they reach large sizes), herniated discs. Planned operations can also be performed if there is a displacement of the vertebrae, and they put pressure on the internal organs, in case of damage to the intervertebral discs, accumulation of pus, fluid, exudate, in case of development of lipomas (fatty tumors).

Prevention

Prevention is based on a rational motor regime, high physical activity, and maintaining the correct posture while sitting, standing, and sleeping. If necessary, special orthopedic mattresses and pillows should be used. It is necessary to regularly do physical exercises and walk in the fresh air.

Equally important is proper nutrition, consumption of food rich in vitamins and minerals. If you have lordosis or other spinal pathologies in your medical history, you should periodically undergo preventive treatment courses, including massage courses, hydrotherapy, and physiotherapy.

Forecast

In most cases, cervical lordosis can be treated. But recovery is only possible if you follow all the doctor's recommendations. The patient's lifestyle is also important. It is necessary to regularly engage in physical exercise, breathing practices, and learn how to relax properly. But, you need to understand that sometimes lordosis is a sign of the musculoskeletal system. Therefore, timely diagnosis is important, since not all diseases have a favorable prognosis. Many can end in disability, paralysis.

The cervical lordosis is straightened and the army

One of the main questions is: if the cervical lordosis is straightened, is the army a contraindication? It is impossible to answer this question unequivocally, since in any case the decision is made by the medical commission accepting the conscript. The decision is made based on many factors. The results of the examination, functional tests, and additional studies are taken into account. An X-ray is almost always taken. The conscript's physical limitations are also taken into account. There are cases in which people with such a diagnosis are taken into the army. However, in severe cases that limit opportunities, this diagnosis may be the reason for recognizing the conscript as unfit for military service.