What is the physiological curves of the spine

The human body is especially so, that by exercising and stretching muscles, it can perform unthinkable things. Proper nutrition contributes to the strengthening of bone tissue and the formation of correct physiological curves of the spine.

What are the physiological curves of the spine?

To walk on two legs, the skeleton must have a center of gravity displaced forward. To do this, the column of the spine moves with age in the direction that is most convenient.

But not always the displacement is correct and painless. If there is any discomfort, pain or heaviness, poor mobility - there is a pathological deviation from the norm. Such changes can occur already in the womb, and then poor nutrition, lack of physical exercise on the muscles lead to the curvature of the vertebrae in a position that is most convenient for the owner.

The spine has four physiological curves - two lordosis and two kyphosis. Formed by the right natural way bends a little protrude in the neck, chest, lumbar and sacral areas. All bends greater than one centimeter - can be considered pathological.

How are the bends formed?

The beginning of the formation of physiological curves of the spine occurs during development in the mother's abdomen and continues throughout life.

The first physiological curve of the spine is called kyphosis, it is genetically laid and is the bend of the sacral vertebrae. The first change is the cervical flexure. Physiological bending of the spine anteriorly is called lordosis. It is formed in the first six to eight weeks from birth.

The more the baby adapts to life (moving, turning over, lying on his stomach, learning to walk), the faster there are the other two bends. Formation of physiological bends of the spine occurs gradually.

What is kyphosis?

The first natural bending of the body, which is obtained in the womb of the mother, is called the kyphosis. He is in the sacral department. With the age and development of various functions of the body, a second physiological curve of the spine also arises, convex upward.

Kyphosis is often called a hump, a round back. Anyone can diagnose this anomaly, after all, a strong roundness of the back can be seen with the naked eye.

The cause of the appearance of kyphosis in the first place can be considered a genetic predisposition. The existence of such a "feature" of development in several generations of members of the same family. This kind of kyphosis is not treated.

In addition, often the causes of various abnormalities in development are poor nutrition, lack of calcium, minerals and vitamin D3. Rickets, which appear against the background of avitaminosis, weaken not only immunity, but also the muscular apparatus, which leads to a decrease in muscle tone, softening of intervertebral discs.

A major role in the curvature of the spine is played by the load, which is daily received by vertebrae and intervertebral discs.

The injuries of the spine, fractures of the vertebral bodies and their displacement can cause deformation of the spine. It can be not only arcuate, but also angular. From the resulting injury, the vertebra is bent at the front. Most often there is a protrusion of the apex posterior in the form of an angle.

What is lordosis?

Physiological bending of the spine anteriorly is called lordosis. It is the second physiological curve that forms in a baby after birth.

The lordosis is divided into:

• Physiological (the norm of development).
• Pathological (a deviation associated with the hip joint trauma received during labor, an inflammatory disease, or a fusion of the cartilaginous tissue of the joint).

The resulting injuries of the joints, spine diseases, which disrupt the normal operation of the skeleton, cause the spine to flex to a more comfortable position. Excess weight is the second cause of the appearance of lordosis. A large amount of fat deposits in the abdomen give a strong load, causing the lower back to bend into a more comfortable position.

Formation

As previously mentioned, the physiological curves of the spine are formed in the womb of the mother. After birth, the infant gradually studies the world, receiving new information and using the instincts inherent in nature. New skills that the child receives help to form not only reflexes, but also posture.

The first few weeks the kid spends on his back, shaking hands, pulling up the bent legs. This is assisted by the kyphosis of the sacral region, which forms in the fetus even in the bud. Its presence helps adults to carefully care for the baby, supporting under the ass with motion sickness.

The second forms cervical lordosis at the age of four to six weeks. This is facilitated by rolling the child on his tummy and trying to raise his head. Such an exercise strengthens the neck muscles, accustoms intervertebral disks to be mobile and elastic.

The kyphosis of the thoracic region appears at the age of six to seven months, when the baby learns to sit. Neuropathologists and pediatricians knowingly warn parents of the consequences of early planting babies in "pillows". The mild muscle frame does not cope with such loads well. Such children often develop pathological distortions associated with such actions. The child will be able to sit on his own when his body is sufficiently "trained" for such actions.

The latter is lumbar lordosis. Its formation is connected with the ability to stand and walk. It is formed at the age of 1-2 years.

Physiological bends of the spine of children are formed within two to three years.

How to identify pathological changes?

Changes in the skeleton begin in childhood. The first who can see and prevent deviations are parents and close people. Emerging doubts should encourage mom and dad to show the baby to a specialist.

Or you can do a small test at home. It is enough to ask the child to lean back against the wall, so that the back of the head, shoulder blades, shoulders and buttocks touch the flat surface. If there are no pathologies, the palm can not move freely between the wall and the waist. Free movement already indicates that the child has a lordosis of the spine.

A full orthopedic surgeon will be able to diagnose after X-rays and a complete examination. The physiological curves of the spine and the developed abnormalities are clearly visible in the photographs.

Scoliosis

In the twentieth century, the problem was a new pathology - scoliosis. This disease has three types:

• Post-traumatic.
• Acquired.
• Congenital.

Although most people perceive any curvature as a scoliotic disease. It occurs only in children from 6 and in adolescents under 16 years.

The spine bends to the side with scoliosis. With age, vertebrae are deformed and even more curved. Each curvature has its own name, depending on the number of arcs:

C - one, S - two, Z - three. Be sure to note the angle of bends and changes with age. Abroad mark the age when scoliosis manifested itself.

The causes of scoliosis are still not clear. But, it is assumed that the pathological formation of the spine is affected by:

• Wearing heavy bags on one shoulder.
• Wrong posture at the desk or desk.
• Diseases of connective and muscle tissue.
• Sharp growth of bone tissue.
• Congenital deformity.

Pathology and Pregnancy

Physiological curves of the spine, having pathological changes, may suffer during pregnancy. This is associated with an increase in the weight of a woman, which affects not only the joints of the legs, but also the lumbar spine.

The increased load can lead to an even greater curvature of the lumbar lordosis.

But the presence of scoliosis can badly affect future mothers under the age of 30 years. In this period, there is still a growth of bone tissue, which affects the increase in the angle of the axes.

Prevention and treatment

Physiological curves of the spine do not respond well to treatment. Affect the further development is possible only in the initial stages.

To prevent kyphosis and scoliosis use specialized bandages that fix the upper body in the correct position. This device prevents the deflection of the back in the thoracic region and the stoop of the shoulders.

Therapeutic gymnastics by the method of Katharina Schroth helps maintain intercostal muscles in tonus. This method is based on physical and breathing exercises.

Treatment of pathologies does not guarantee 100% recovery. Everything depends on the "neglect" of the patient. For patients with scoliosis with several axes, use a special corset that can at least slightly, but reduce the angle of the bend.

In the most difficult cases, when physical training and corset are useless, resort to surgical intervention. Patients are "leveled" by installing metal rods that immobilize that part of the spine into which they were placed.

Such a barbaric method can guarantee a small, but reduced bending. And also stop the deformation of the vertebrae. The only nuance is age: such operations are optimal for adolescents 13-15 years.