Scoliosis of the spine 1 degree: how to treat at home, massage

Scoliosis is a lateral deformation of the spine. It can be localized in different parts of the spine or in several at once, and have several forms of curvature. According to the X-ray classification, there are 4 degrees of curvature, depending on its angle relative to the axis of the frontal plane. Scoliosis of the 1st degree means a deviation within 1º-10º.

[ 1 ], [ 2 ]

Epidemiology

Statistics show that scoliosis is very common throughout the world, especially in countries with a high level of urbanization, and somewhat less common among third world residents.

In our country, one in four children has a similar spinal defect, and girls, as in other countries, are more susceptible to the disease. This is probably due to their greater perseverance and less mobility than boys.

[ 3 ]

Causes 1st degree scoliosis

In the vast majority (80% of cases), the cause of scoliosis is unknown. The remaining deformations are due to:

• congenital, such as Klippel-Feil syndrome or short neck syndrome, which is inherited;
• neuromuscular pathologies (poliomyelitis);
• diseases caused by metabolic disorders of bones;
• spinal muscular dystrophy;
• consequences of injuries and amputations;
• heart surgery;
• difference in the length of the lower limbs.

Risk factors

It is believed that the following risk factors can trigger the development of scoliosis:

• unbalanced diet;
• bad posture;
• rapid body growth during adolescence;
• asymmetrical load on the spine, may be associated with carrying a heavy backpack on one shoulder or a type of sport.

[ 4 ]

Pathogenesis

Since the majority of scolioses have an unspecified nature, their pathogenesis is not entirely clear. Some scientists believe that the trigger mechanism of the disease is pathologies of the nervous system: uneven reflexes, vegetative-tragic disorders. Others see it in changes in the structure of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs (wedge-shaped), a decrease in collagen in their tissues. The search for elements of pathogenesis continues.

[ 5 ], [ 6 ]

Symptoms 1st degree scoliosis

Scoliosis of the 1st degree is visually almost invisible, except that upon closer observation one can detect a slight stoop or different heights of the shoulders.

The first signs are often rapid fatigue and back pain after a long walk.

• External signs of scoliosis of the 1st degree

Most often, scoliosis of the 1st degree in children and adolescents can only be determined by specialists. The following external signs indicate the disease: different shoulder levels, non-horizontal pelvic line, imperfect posture is guessed. The curvature is mainly directed to the right side of the thoracic region.

The same degree of scoliosis in adults, as a rule, is a consequence of the lack of treatment in children and is externally invisible, but is diagnosed using X-rays.

Stages

Scoliosis of the 1st degree is the initial stage of the disease, and there are 4 of them, depending on the value of the angle of deviation of the spine from the axis:

• 2nd - more pronounced bend (11º-25º), obvious asymmetry, pain is present;
• 3rd - the angle is 26º-50º, regular back pain, asymmetrical position of the shoulder blades and shoulders becomes noticeable;
• 4th - the curvature of the spine exceeds 50º, the body is deformed: on one side the ribs are raised, on the other there is a depression.

[ 7 ]

Forms

All scoliosis are divided into several types depending on the localization, form, factors that provoke their appearance, time of manifestation of symptoms, clinical course, etc. Among them are the following:

• idiopathic scoliosis of the 1st degree is the most common form, which develops in the first years of a child’s life, with the causes of its occurrence still not identified;
• dysplastic scoliosis of the 1st degree is a pathology associated with disorders of the lumbosacral spine - usually the 5th and 1st, respectively. Most often, the deformation is detected in children aged 8-10 years, it tends to progress. Over time, in a more severe form, it threatens loss of sensitivity, curvature of the toes, urinary incontinence, noticeable deformation in the thoracic region, noticeable weakness of the muscular system;
• non-fixed or unstable scoliosis of the 1st degree - removing the load on the spine (in a horizontal position) smooths out the curvature, reduces the angle;
• fixed scoliosis of the 1st degree - the angle of deviation of the spine from the axis is the same both when standing and lying down;
• structural scoliosis of the 1st degree - lateral curvature with displacement around the axis. Often, there is a leveling of the thoracic lordosis. At this stage, the deformation is noticeable only to a specialist;
• thoracic scoliosis of the 1st degree - the defect is localized in the thoracic region, the peak of the curvature is at the 8-9 vertebrae. The causes of thoracic scoliosis of the 1st degree most often include improper sitting of children at a desk, computer, carrying heavy objects in one hand, sleeping on one side;
• lumbar scoliosis of the 1st degree - is expressed in the lumbar localization of the curvature of the vertebrae (at level 1-2). At this stage of development, it has weakly expressed external signs;
• thoracolumbar scoliosis of the 1st degree - has the peak of the curvature at the level of the 11-12 (lowest) thoracic vertebrae;
• cervical scoliosis of the 1st degree - affects the upper part of the spine. It is not visually determined, does not bother much, although with its progression dizziness, slow reactions, sleep disturbances appear, and the shoulder line becomes uneven;
• left-sided scoliosis of the 1st degree - the spinal arc is curved to the left, most often detected in schoolchildren;
• right-sided scoliosis of the 1st degree - the curvature is directed to the right, has a tendency to rapidly worsen;
• S-shaped scoliosis of the 1st degree - has 2 arcs of curvature, most often develops in the thoracic and upper lumbar regions;
• C-shaped scoliosis of the 1st degree is an arcuate scoliosis, the deformation is directed only in one direction - right or left;
• Z-shaped - with three bends, very rare.

Complications and consequences

The neglected further development of scoliosis of the 1st degree is fraught with a stable fixation of the pathological form, with the transition to more severe stages, the consequences of which are severe asymmetry of the spine, up to the appearance of a hump, increasing pain, rapid fatigue. In the future, there is a threat to other organs and systems. Complications associated with a decrease in the chest, affecting the lungs and heart occur. Severe deformations not only spoil the quality of life, but also shorten it.

Diagnostics 1st degree scoliosis

A doctor can diagnose the disease by external examination. To do this, the patient bends over, arms hanging freely. Scoliosis is "given away" by a protruding rib or a shoulder blade rising on one side, a pelvic tilt, and in the case of cervical scoliosis - a deformation of the cranium, the location of the ears on different lines.

To determine the magnitude of curvature, its classification by various features, instrumental diagnostics are necessary. In this sense, the most informative methods are X-ray, MRI, CT.

X-rays of scoliosis are taken standing and lying down in several projections. They are also necessary to determine the angle of curvature or the "Cobb angle" - the name of the orthopedist who developed this method.

[ 8 ], [ 9 ]

Differential diagnosis

Differentiation of scoliosis of the 1st degree is carried out with its more severe forms, as well as kyphosis and lordosis.

[ 10 ], [ 11 ]

Treatment 1st degree scoliosis

Scoliosis of the 1st degree is not dangerous to health, but requires treatment to stop further pathological changes. Is it possible to cure scoliosis of the 1st degree? Yes, it can be done in childhood. The sooner you start to influence the spine and muscles, the faster its correction will occur. How long it will take depends on the specific case and the systematic nature of the efforts.

The spine is formed up to 18, less often up to 25 years. Most often, scoliosis progresses during its growth, therefore, the 1st degree in an adult requires only supportive measures.

The main therapeutic measures for treating the pathology are therapeutic physical training (LFK) and other physical methods that can be carried out at home.

Physiotherapy treatment

The physiotherapeutic arsenal includes various methods for treating scoliosis, including: shock wave, laser, reflexology, etc.

But one of the most effective methods for childhood and adolescent scoliosis of the 1st degree is therapeutic physical training (LFK), which allows you to form correct posture, restore body symmetry, and strengthen the muscular frame.

Exercises for children with grade 1 scoliosis are divided into 3 main groups: standing, lying (on the stomach, back), on all fours.

The first includes:

• walking in circles;
• standing, inhale, raise your arms up, feet on toes, stretch, lower, exhale;
• the same, but the feet are firmly on the floor;
• one arm is lowered as far as possible along the body, the other is bent at the elbow and raised up (the arms alternate);
• bending to one side with the arm behind the back, the upper limb on the opposite side is stretched upward and vice versa.

Exercises lying face down:

• lift and pull up the head, upper body and arms, then lower;
• the same, but raise the opposite leg along with the hand.

On the back:

• hands behind head, legs imitating riding a bicycle;
• Do the "scissors" exercise with your legs.

While on all fours, you need to:

• raise your left arm and right leg at the same time, then change to the other;
• on your knees, bend over and stretch your torso and arms as far as possible;
• arch your back, return to the starting position with it sagging.

There are also other complexes specially designed to get rid of scoliosis, based on basic exercises. For teenagers and adults, there are more complex ones, you can watch them on video. When doing sedentary work, warm up while sitting, if there is no opportunity to break for gymnastics: raise your shoulders to your head, tilt it to your shoulders, forward, backward, make circular movements around your neck.

[ 12 ]

Massage for scoliosis 1st degree

A massage course consisting of 10-15 sessions can relieve muscle tension, tone up those that are too relaxed, and reduce the curvature arc. It is recommended for both adults and children. Massage for grade 1 scoliosis will have a reflex effect on muscle tissue by rubbing, kneading, stroking, and vibration.

Manual therapy for scoliosis of the 1st degree

It is used in combination with other orthopedic procedures to align the spine. Manual therapy for grade 1 scoliosis will help to put the displaced vertebrae in the correct position. After a light massage, stretching and twisting techniques are used on the vertebrae, and the procedure ends with a toning massage. It is important to trust a good professional so as not to cause harm.

Corrective therapy

An effective means of combating scoliosis and preventing its further development is corrective therapy. For this, special spinal corsets are used. They are supportive and corrective.

What corrector is needed at an early stage of the disease? The first ones are effective for scoliosis of the 1st degree to align the posture and prevent further deformation. Their design provides convenience and ease of wearing, invisibility under clothing.

There are several types of supporting corsets. Among them are recliners, consisting of thick elastic belts, thoracic and thoracolumbar corsets, made of more rigid materials.

One of the means that helps with scoliosis of the 1st degree should be a mattress for sleeping: not soft and not too hard, but semi-hard. It should provide maximum comfort, relieve muscle tension, and prevent the spine from bending.

[ 13 ]

Sports for scoliosis 1 degree

Lack of movement contributes to the development of poor posture. It would seem that any sport will help with stage 1 scoliosis, but this is not entirely true. Children with such a diagnosis are not recommended to engage in rhythmic gymnastics, figure skating, weightlifting, running, but only general strengthening sports.

Swimming, horizontal bar exercises, yoga, especially hatha yoga, which allows you to relax your body, restore your mental balance, and put your thoughts in order, are very useful.

Is it possible to do physical exercise with scoliosis of the 1st degree? Yes, this is not a reason not to go to physical education classes and to do the basic program, the so-called preparatory health group, but you cannot participate in competitions "for the result", marathons.

Surgical treatment

Scoliosis of the 1st degree does not require surgical intervention.

Diet for stage 1 scoliosis

For scoliosis treatment to be more effective, it is necessary that the diet include a variety of foods that provide the body with the necessary nutrients. This is not a special diet, but the food should consist of the following food groups:

• meat, fish and other foods rich in proteins, because during metabolism they break down into amino acids, which are the "building material" for muscles;
• fruits, vegetables - a source of vitamins and minerals;
• milk, cottage cheese, cheese are suppliers of calcium;
• potatoes, grains - contain various microelements, provide energy.

Prevention

Preventive measures aimed at preventing the development of scoliosis include constant monitoring of posture, a healthy lifestyle, alternating physical activity with rest, and the correct selection of a mattress and pillow for sleeping.

It is strictly contraindicated to carry heavy loads, “hang” in one static position, or get involved in asymmetrical sports.

Forecast

In the vast majority of cases, the prognosis for grade 1 scoliosis is favorable. The main thing is to detect it in time and not ignore it at the stage of skeletal formation in childhood and adolescence.

There are several levels of fitness for its passage: "A" - perfectly healthy conscripts, "B" - those with grade 1 scoliosis, etc. Category "B" is not a basis for exemption from military service.

Young people can also undergo it under contract; people with this diagnosis are also accepted into the police.

[ 14 ]