How to perform functional exercises for scoliosis

  The most common form of scoliosis is idiopathic scoliosis. The reason it is called “idiopathic” is that no cause can be found. The progression of scoliosis in these children is generally slow, although there are exceptions. If the scoliosis is less than 20°, observation is preferred. If the scoliosis progresses rapidly within six months, brace intervention is required. If the scoliosis is 25-40°, bracing is required. If the scoliosis is >40°, or >30° but progresses rapidly at follow-up, surgical intervention is required. In addition, congenital spinal deformities are more common. This type of scoliosis is primarily the result of developmental abnormalities of the vertebral bodies. These include vertebral hypoplasia and subsegmental dysplasia. Dysplasia means that the vertebrae have not completed development, resulting in hemivertebrae or cuneiform vertebrae, etc.; vertebral subsegmentation dysplasia means that several vertebrae are connected to each other. If these deformities are symmetrical left and right, they generally do not lead to deformity. If these deformities are asymmetrical, the growth will cause one side of the spine to grow faster than the other, leading to scoliosis.  Some children have scoliosis due to hypoplasia of the sacral 1 vertebrae. These children, who have deformities due to hemivertebral or unilateral subsegmental dysplasia, often have a poor prognosis and need to be seen promptly because there is often rapid progression of the deformity. In addition, scoliosis also includes neurofibromatosis; neuromuscular; degenerative, etc. In some children, the scoliosis is close to 20° and a coffee spot can be seen on the back, so neurofibromatosis should still be considered. Because of the simple lumbar curvature, idiopathic spinal deformity is relatively rare and can be called “atypical idiopathic scoliosis. Therefore, she should be advised to have an MRI of the spine to see if there are any other co-morbid spinal cord lesions. She is recommended to have a full spinal frontal and lateral X-ray review at 3-6 months.  Functional exercises: There has been a lot of controversy about whether functional exercises for scoliosis are effective. Therefore, most books specializing in spine surgery pass over it. It is better to exercise than not to exercise at all. Even if you can’t improve scoliosis, you can still strengthen your body, or at least be able to build up your body in case of surgery.  1, “small swallow fly”: the main point is to lie prone on the bed, head and chest up, legs up. After lifting up and hold on for 5 seconds, then relax, lying on the bed for 5 seconds, counting a cycle of action. 2-3 times a day, each time 30 cycles of action.  2, “five-point pose”: if the back strength is weak children, can use this method. Lie flat on the bed, have the head, shoulders and feet support, lift the buttocks away from the trauma. Lift and hold for 5 seconds, then relax and lie down on the bed for 5 seconds, counting one cycle of movement. 2-3 times a day, 30 circular movements each time.  3.Swimming: backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle, no limit.  4.Suspension or pull-up: this method does not correct the deformity, but helps trunk balance maintenance.  5.Self-balance correction: I think this method is very important. The specific method can be called “love beauty”. Look in the mirror and adjust the balance of your shoulders and pelvis in front of the mirror, and experience to keep the balance of your shoulders and pelvis. In fact, most children with scoliosis have a slightly larger back deformity, and when they wear loose clothing, it does not affect their appearance much. Instead, it is the balance of the shoulders and pelvis that has a greater impact on appearance, especially the shoulders, which have a greater impact on aesthetics. Therefore, looking in the mirror to adjust the posture should be a daily ritual for children.