Rapid technological development in our century has become one of the reasons that the way of life modern man seriously changed. Sitting at a computer, desk or school desk, we spend much more time than standing or on the move. Thus, musculoskeletal system practically inactive, which inevitably leads to poor posture, and then to spinal diseases. Unfortunately, this applies not only to adults, but also to children. Deformed posture in a child is a fairly common phenomenon; it occurs in more than 80% of schoolchildren.

The importance of posture for health

Posture is the body position that is natural for a person when standing, as well as while walking or sitting. If the head is held straight, the curves of the spine are uniform, the shoulders and shoulder blades form one line, it can be considered correct. Correct posture skills in a child should be developed with early childhood when the skeletal system is still very flexible.

Lordosis and kyphosis of the spine

A healthy spine is shaped like the letter S, which allows it to withstand vertical loads well.
There are 4 bends in the spinal column, which are clearly visible from the side:

• lordosis (bulge forward) in the cervical and lumbar regions;
• kyphosis (bulge backward) in the thoracic and sacral areas.

Good posture is not just beauty and aesthetics. This is also a guarantee of health. After all, due to the fact that a child has incorrect posture, oxidative processes, blood circulation, digestion, as well as the functioning of the nervous and respiratory systems can be disrupted. All this together reduces the body’s overall resistance to diseases and negative external influences. Children begin to experience pain in the lower back and limbs, and headaches. Chronic diseases may develop. Therefore, maintaining correct posture is difficult to overestimate.

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Possible causes of poor posture

In childhood, the musculoskeletal system is not yet fully formed. The flexible skeletal system can easily become deformed if the child sits or moves incorrectly long time. For example, while writing or reading. Children's posture develops rather slowly, but nevertheless the process of ossification gradually occurs, and the bones, deformed, harden in the wrong position. Thus, the child’s posture is impaired and the spine suffers. The most common symptoms are stooped and flat back, and sluggish posture.
The main causes of curvature of posture in a child are:

Poor posture sometimes begins as early as preschool institutions, although much attention is paid to physical education there. Once they start school, children abruptly switch to a less active lifestyle, which is unusual for the muscles responsible for stabilizing the spine. Today's school loads are so great that sometimes there is no time left for physical education and movement. The usual number of physical education lessons at school is 2 hours a week, and the child simply does not have time to run and play outside. Various sports sections, swimming pool, gymnastics help out. But not all children attend them, preferring to sit at the computer, so the student’s posture often rapidly deteriorates.

Diagnosis of posture disorders

Scoliotic posture

Parents themselves can check the correctness of children’s posture in advance. To do this, you need to carefully examine the child, assessing the position of the head, the symmetry of the shoulders, knees and feet, and the triangles of the waist. From the front you can clearly see how symmetrical the chest is, and looking from the side you can check the vertebral curves. With good posture, the column of the spine and the fold between the buttocks will be on the same line, the curve of the chest area is equal to the lumbar curve. A head tilted to the side, skewed shoulders, shoulder blades and a noticeable curvature of the spine call for a trip to an orthopedic doctor as soon as possible, who will prescribe treatment or give recommendations for home exercises. The sooner you start correcting posture in children, the greater the chances of successful correction.

There are two different types posture disorders:

1. Scoliotic posture. In this condition, the spine itself is not curved, only the asymmetry of the shoulders and shoulder blades is noticeable.
2. Scoliosis. This is a persistent disorder in which the spinal column is already curved.

Only a specialist can determine the exact degree of violation. After undergoing an x-ray examination, the doctor measures the angle of curvature and gives a conclusion whether the deformity can be considered a violation of posture, or whether it is already scoliosis. There are 4 degrees of scoliosis:

• I degree – up to 30% curvature.
• II degree – up to 60%.
• III degree – up to 90%.
• IV degree – more than 90% curvature.

Most often, scoliosis occurs in girls 12-14 years old. This is due to accelerated growth during puberty, which the bone structure cannot keep up with. Scoliosis occurs less frequently in boys, but there are cases when it occurs even in infants and preschoolers. Moreover, the younger the child’s age, the greater the danger scoliosis poses to him, since it is often accompanied by complications, sometimes quite serious.

Treatment at home

How to correct a child's posture at home? Experts offer the following recommendations, which are also appropriate as prevention.

Should be properly organized workplace so that the child sits straight, his legs are on the floor at an angle of 90 degrees, and his back is pressed against the back of the chair. The distance from the eyes to the table should be 35-40 cm. The computer monitor is slightly below eye level, the keyboard is approximately 70 cm from the floor. It is better to use a regular chair rather than a chair on wheels. Naturally, in parallel with the growth of the child, the height of the furniture must be adjusted.

Orthopedic sleeping mattress

For sleeping, you should choose a hard (preferably orthopedic) mattress and a low pillow.

A school backpack should be chosen with a rigid back, for two shoulders, weighing approximately 20% of the child’s weight.

It is necessary to include walks and sports in your daily routine. The best sport would be swimming 2-3 times a week for 45 minutes. It is optimal to start training at 5-6 years old, but it is possible later. It will be more useful if the child learns to swim in different styles.

Complexes of gymnastic exercises for the back muscles are also effective means to correct posture. Recommendations for their implementation can be obtained from a physical therapy doctor. Therapeutic exercises help strengthen muscles and stop spinal displacement. The course should be regular (at least 3 times a week) and quite long. Stretching, hanging on a horizontal bar or gymnastic wall, and exercise with a book on your head are useful. The latter helps to consolidate the correct posture on a subconscious level.

Twice a year it is useful to undergo a course of general massage for 7-10 sessions.
It is also important to organize a daily routine and a balanced diet. Treatment of curvature requires a systematic approach, discipline from the child and constant monitoring from the parents.

Medical events

If scoliotic posture has already turned into scoliosis, treatment is prescribed taking into account the degree of deformation of the spinal column. It can be conservative, rehabilitative-orthopedic or surgical. As a rule, each case is considered individually. For grade 1 scoliosis, treatment is practically no different from that recommended for normal postural disorders. If the degree of deformation exceeds 20 degrees, we can talk about the use of manual therapy and the appointment of an orthopedic corset made of plastic. It is made specifically to size and is worn constantly. If conservative treatment does not bring results, and the degree of deformation is more than 40 degrees, surgical intervention is required. It is carried out in cases where:

• the curvature interferes with the normal functioning of the heart and lungs;
• the nerve roots are pinched, which causes constant pain;
• scoliosis is rapidly progressing.

During the operation, the spine is given the correct position and fixed with a special design. As the child's spine grows, the structure is made flexible, capable of moving apart as it grows. Before surgery, spinal traction is required. Such operations are quite complex, and after them the child needs long-term rehabilitation. The most appropriate age for surgical intervention is 10-14 years.

Prevention of curvature of posture

Prevention of curvature should begin in infancy. During infancy, pediatricians recommend the following measures:

When the child has grown a little, you need to:

• choose the right stroller model (soft seat, hard back);
• when walking together, it is better to lead the baby not by the hand, but by a wide ribbon passed through the armpits;
• from early childhood, teach to move a lot (outdoor games, walks, swimming);
• teach proper sitting on a chair from the age of 2-3;
• teach your child to sleep on a hard bed;
• encourage him to lie on his stomach more often or take a “Turkish” position.

When a child goes to school, it is important that all the parents’ efforts are not undone by sitting incorrectly at a desk or carrying a backpack on one shoulder. How to maintain a schoolchild's posture? This has already been discussed above, in the section on home treatment. All of the above applies to preventive measures. Let's just add that important also has right choice shoes for a child. It should have a thick sole or soft insole. Best option– high-quality sneakers. After all, a fairly common cause of curvature of children's posture is flat feet, since when walking the body weight is transferred to the spine, overloading it and disrupting shock-absorbing functions. Therefore, if you have flat feet, you should choose special orthopedic shoes.

Since complications of spinal curvature can develop very quickly, it is important to detect deviations in time. Doctors try to start therapy immediately, but the effectiveness of treatment will largely depend on the discipline and interest of the youngest patient. And, of course, parents, whose task is to ensure control over the regularity and correctness of the implementation of medical recommendations. Only in this case there is a serious chance of a positive solution to the problem.

The formation of correct posture in children largely depends on environment. It is the responsibility of parents, as well as employees of preschool and school institutions, to monitor the correct position of children when standing, sitting and walking, as well as to use exercises that mainly develop the muscles of the back, legs and abdomen. This is necessary for the child to develop a natural muscle corset.

About the spine and its changes

Spine (vertebral column) is the main part of the human axial skeleton and consists of 33-34 vertebrae, which are connected to each other by cartilage, ligaments and joints.

In the womb, the child's spine looks like a uniform arc. When a child is born, his spine straightens and takes on the appearance of an almost straight line. It is from the moment of birth that posture begins to form. If you have the skill of holding your head up, a forward bend gradually appears in the baby’s cervical spine, the so-called cervical lordosis. If the time has come when the child can already sit, a bend is also formed in the thoracic region of his spine, only facing backwards (kyphosis). And if the child begins to walk, over time a curve with a convexity that faces forward is formed in the lumbar region. This lumbar lordosis. That is why it is important to monitor the further correct formation of children's posture.

About posture and its violations

Posture refers to a person’s ability to hold his body in a variety of positions. It can be right and wrong.

Posture is considered correct if it is at ease standing man, being in his usual position, does not make unnecessary active tension and keeps his head and body straight. In addition, he has an easy gait, slightly lowered and laid back shoulders, a forward-directed chest, a tucked stomach and legs bent at the knees.

With incorrect posture, a person does not know how to hold his body correctly, therefore, as a rule, he slouches, stands and moves on half-bent legs, with his shoulders and head down, and his stomach thrust forward. With such a posture
normal functioning is affected internal organs.

Various postural disorders, be it stoop, lordosis, kyphosis or scoliosis (lateral curvature of the spine), are quite common in children of preschool and school age. Basically, these are children who are either physically weakened, or suffering from some chronic illness, or who have already suffered from serious illnesses in early childhood.

Prevention of postural disorders

Prevention of any disorders associated with posture should be comprehensive and based on the principles presented below.

1. Proper nutrition.

A child’s continuously developing body needs beneficial nutrients throughout its growth. Nutrition should be complete and varied, since this determines how correct the development of muscles and bones will be.

1. Physical activity.

Exercises are very important for the health of children's posture.
physical exercises, various types sports (especially skiing and swimming), gymnastics, as well as tourism, active games in the fresh air, etc. It should be borne in mind that during physical development the child should not be forced to perform sudden and rapid loads.

1. Correct daily routine.

To avoid problems with posture, it is necessary not only to organize the correct daily routine (time for walking, sleeping, waking, eating, etc.), but also to strictly observe it, without making any exceptions, for example, on weekends.

1. Comfortable children's room.

4.1. The room must have high-quality lighting. A children's desk should be equipped with an additional desk lamp.

4.2. The height of the table should correspond to the height of the child. There are also special desks that are designed to correct the student’s posture.

4.3. The chair should follow the curves of the body. True, instead of such an orthopedic chair, you can place a rag cushion behind your back at the level of the lumbar region in addition to the usual flat chair. The height of the chair should ideally be equal to the height of the shin. Use a footrest if your feet don't reach the floor.

4.4. The child should sit so that his back rests on the back of the chair, his head leans slightly forward, and his palm easily fits between his body and the table. When sitting down, you should not bend your legs under you, as this can lead to curvature of the spine and poor circulation.

4.5. A child's bed should have a flat and firm mattress. Thanks to this mattress, the child’s body weight is distributed evenly, and the muscles relax as much as possible after the vertical position of the body for the whole day. Do not allow your child to sleep on a soft surface. This provokes the formation of irregular curves of the spine during sleep. In addition, a soft mattress stimulates the warming of the intervertebral discs, due to which thermoregulation is disrupted. As for the baby pillow, it should be flat and placed exclusively under the head, and not under the shoulders.

1. Proper shoe correction.

Correct, accurate and timely selection of children's shoes allows parents to avoid and even eliminate many problems, such as functional shortening of the limb resulting from poor posture or compensation for foot defects ( clubfoot And flat feet).

1. Uniform distribution of loads.

It is known that most often it is at school age, when children experience rapid growth of bone and muscle mass, they, unfortunately, acquire a curvature of the spine. This happens due to the fact that at this age the child’s spine is not adapted to heavy loads. Parents should try not to overload the child when carrying a satchel, backpack or briefcase. Remember that according to the standard, the weight that a child is allowed to lift is 10% of the total body weight.

The back of the school backpack should be flat and firm, its width should not be greater than the width of the shoulders. Also, the backpack should not hang below the waist, and the straps on it should be soft and wide, adjustable in length. It is unacceptable to carry heavy bags on one shoulder for a long time, which is especially important for girls. In this case, spinal curvature may become an inevitable problem for them.

As for the correct transfer of weights, it is known that bending down, taking a weight and lifting it is a huge load on the spine and this should not be done. The correct thing to do would be to first sit down with a straight back, then pick it up, press it to your chest, rise and carry it. And as a piece of advice to parents: even if you don’t follow this rule yourself, teach it to your child.

Formation of correct posture

You can safely begin to stimulate the growth and develop the muscles of a child from the moment of his birth. This way their growth and strength will quickly develop and multiply. For infants, massage (as prescribed by a doctor) is an excellent assistant in this regard.

A baby at the age of 2-3 months can begin to do exercises to train the muscle groups responsible for holding the body in the correct position. To do this, it will be enough to lift the child with the help of your palms, moving him from the “lying” position to the “up” position, and then hold him in weight for a short time. In this position, the baby's muscles and joints will move, while training all muscle groups.

After 1.5 years, you can start doing gymnastics with your child in a playful way. Together you can “chop wood,” arch your back “like a cat,” “pump water,” walk along a drawn line as if on a tightrope, roll on the floor, go through an obstacle course, etc. You can ask the child to pretend to be a bird: lie on his stomach, “spread his wings” (spread his arms to the sides) and hold on to the ankles of his raised legs.

A child’s posture is formed before puberty. All this time it is necessary to monitor its formation. If a child has already developed a certain disorder, it can be corrected before this period. In this case, the child must regularly visit an orthopedic doctor, while being registered with him at the dispensary, and undergo all available types of treatment. This can be physical therapy, swimming, massage, physiotherapy, manual therapy, as well as surgical treatment (according to indications).

Useful exercises

To form correct posture in children, as well as to prevent its violations during morning exercises, physical education and during physical education at home and, mainly, in preschool and school institutions, you can use various useful exercises. Below are examples of such exercises.

Conclusion

Dear parents, of course, it is necessary to remind and tell your child “Sit up straight” or “Don’t slouch,” but this is still not enough. Start worrying about the health of your babies from the cradle and be sure to find time to exercise with them. An important point In the formation of correct posture of a child is a personal example. Do the exercises with your child, keep your back straight and be healthy!

Poor posture in children is a common deviation caused by curvature of the spine in the frontal and/or sagittal planes. According to statistics, deformities occur in 2% of children at an early age (up to 3 years), and among older schoolchildren, more than 60% of students already suffer from it. The causes are both congenital abnormalities and birth injuries, but most often - an incorrect approach to raising a child, lack of physical activity, and poor social and hygienic conditions. Acquired postural disorders account for more than 90% of all cases.

Their danger lies in the abnormal formation of the skeleton, due to which the load on the body is distributed unevenly, which entails increased wear of joints, displacement of bones, and deviations in the development of internal organs. Diseases such as scoliosis, osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernia are all consequences of spinal deformities that are not identified and not eliminated in time.

At any age, poor posture should be given the closest attention, but it is especially important to do this in relation to children, since the child’s overall health depends on the correct formation of the child’s skeleton. Moreover, it is quite easy to correct deviations with minimal intervention from an osteopathic specialist. The manual techniques he uses allow him to provide a delicate, targeted effect on those points of the body that need it. This allows you to quickly achieve the desired result by restoring the equilibrium position of the child’s skeletal bones.

Parents themselves should take care of their child’s posture, especially since there are effective complexes preventive exercises to maintain and correct physical fitness child. Again, a specialist will help you choose the most suitable complex, who will also balance the child’s diet so that his body receives all the necessary vitamins and minerals.

Causes of poor posture in children

The cause of defects in the development of posture in children can be various unfavorable factors, both congenital and acquired. Depending on their nature, they can manifest themselves in different ways and at different ages. Some abnormalities are detected already in the first weeks and months after birth. Curvature of the spine can be observed due to the incorrect (most often breech) position of the child in the womb. There is also a high risk of injury during childbirth. After all, passing through the birth canal and “squeezing” between the mother’s thigh bones, the child rotates almost 360 degrees. The most common injury is the cervical spine. Usually, small deviations from the norm are corrected by the growing organism on its own, but only under the condition good health child. Otherwise, violations of children's posture remain and begin to progress with age, causing serious diseases - scoliosis, osteochondrosis and others.

Problems with posture are most acute in children during the period of active growth and the beginning of school - 6-8 years old, as well as at 11-12 years old, when the child’s bones and muscles sharply increase in length. The problem is that during this period the child has not yet fully developed the mechanisms for maintaining normal posture. According to statistics, more than 60% of all violations occur at primary school age of 7-8 years.

Causes of poor posture in children:

• Congenital pathologies. As mentioned above, congenital abnormalities are usually caused by the incorrect position of the child during pregnancy. They can manifest themselves in different ways, so it is important to show the child to an osteopathic specialist in the first weeks and months who can diagnose and eliminate abnormalities;
• Birth injuries. Various dislocations and sprains during childbirth often cause abnormal development of the child’s skeletal bones and lead to incorrect posture. Thus, dislocations of the hip joints are quite common, which is why the child has an increased lumbar curve and curvature of the spine. Displacement of the vertebrae is another unpleasant injury that leads not only to poor posture, but also to neurological diseases, displacement of internal organs and their improper development;
• Unbalanced diet. If the child’s body does not receive enough vitamins and minerals, which are necessary for the proper and balanced development of bone, muscle and cartilage tissue, serious deviations in development, especially during the period of active growth and formation of posture - at the age of 8-11 years;
• Incorrect posture. Incorrect body posture when a child sits or stands leads to the fact that such postures are fixed in muscle memory, leading to improper formation of the skeleton. If a child sits incorrectly at the table, slouches, leans to one side or another, or leans on his elbow, pay his attention to this. Teach him to sit correctly, maintaining a straight back and a horizontal spine. Perhaps the child is simply uncomfortable - his desk may be too low and his chair too high. The habit of standing with one leg to the side or one hand on the belt also leads to asymmetry in the development of the musculoskeletal system. This can cause lateral curvature of the spine or aggravate existing deviations;
• Sedentary lifestyle. Often children from a very early age - 3-4 years old - are sent to various groups early development. When teaching, the emphasis is placed specifically on mental development, which is why the child spends a lot of time in sitting position. Spending a long time at the computer or in front of the TV is no less harmful;
• Incorrect development. The lack of adequate physical activity leads to the fact that the child does not develop a sufficiently developed muscular framework that would keep the spine in the desired condition. If loads are present, but not regular and balanced, there is a high probability of improper development of certain muscle groups. Due to overly developed muscles in the chest or poor development of the spinal muscles, the syndrome of “shoulders pulled forward” is observed. “Danging shoulders” is the result of insufficient development of the trapezius muscle;
• Injuries and illnesses. Diseases suffered in childhood can cause complications on the joints, which leads to improper distribution of the load, when the child instinctively tries to unload the sore arm or leg; flat feet are no less dangerous, which also causes poor posture and scoliosis. Spinal injuries - even if they seem minor - should not go untreated. An examination by an osteopath is a mandatory procedure in this case. Indeed, as a result of injuries, displacements of bones, joints, and muscle damage are often observed, which can cause complications in the future.

The causes of poor posture can affect the child’s body individually or in combination. In the latter case, the likelihood of serious illness and developmental abnormalities increases significantly.

What are postural disorders?

Depending on the causes of poor posture, deformities may manifest themselves in different ways. The most common disabilities affecting children are:

• Slouch. In this case, there is a flattening of the internal curve of the lower back and an increase in kyphosis of the thoracic region. The child seems to form a hump in the area of ​​the shoulders and shoulder blades;
• Flat back. It is characterized by minimization and, in later stages, almost complete elimination of spinal curvatures. In this position, a large load is placed on the spine, it ceases to absorb shock, which leads to intervertebral hernia and joint diseases;
• Round back. Changes in thoracic kyphosis that do not affect the lumbar region. A round back often precedes a stoop;
• Scoliosis. Most dangerous disease associated with incorrect formation of posture. With it, a lateral deformation of the spine is observed, as a result of which the child’s shoulders and shoulder blades are located on at different levels. If left untreated, scoliosis rapidly progresses and in later stages provokes spinal deviations in the frontal plane, as a result of which, in addition to scoliosis itself, a child can develop any of the above forms of spinal deformity.

How to recognize postural disorders in children in time

Since the effectiveness of treatment for spinal curvature in a child directly depends on how early the deviations were detected and restorative procedures began, close attention should be paid to posture. Although osteopathic methods of spinal correction show excellent results even in older adults - from 8 years of age and older - it is better if possible deviations from the norm are identified before school. Since increasing loads on the child’s skeleton and spine during school contribute to the rapid progress of postural deformation.

Make it a habit to regularly self-examine your child. This does not mean that you should refuse visits to a specialist - they should also be regular. When examining, first of all pay attention to the position of the child’s shoulder blades and shoulders. They should be located on the same level. If it is difficult to visually assess the situation, resort to the help of improvised means. When examining from the back, it is easy to notice violations of posture in children by the subgluteal folds - they should also be located at the same level. Another indicative aspect is the vertical position of the spine. When viewed from the front, poor posture can be seen by the position of the collarbones and nipples.

Examining the child from the side, you can notice such deviations from the norm as stooping and a round back. To facilitate diagnosis, use a simple test - the child should be placed with his back to the wall, so that he touches it simultaneously with the back of his head, shoulder blades, buttocks and legs. This is the correct position in which the child's spine should be. Ask him to take a step forward, and you will immediately see the existing deviations. By the way, such a test can be used as a preventive exercise to work on correct posture.

If an examination reveals a curvature, this is not yet a reason to sound the alarm. Most deformities, especially at an early age, can be easily corrected by a specialist. Perform an additional test by placing the child face down on a hard, horizontal surface with his arms extended parallel to his body. Check whether the curvature remains in this position. If not, then the deformation is reversible, and it can be corrected with physical exercises, gymnastics, constant monitoring and development of correct posture. In any case, you should contact an osteopathic specialist who will tell you how to do this by adjusting the child’s daily routine and diet.

It is useful to carry out a test from time to time to check the tone of the spinal muscles, which determines the position of the spine. The child should be placed face down on a bed or couch so that part of the body from the hips and above is suspended. Hold the child's legs yourself. The norm is to hold the body in this position:

• from 30 seconds - for children under 6 years of age;
• from 1 minute - under 10 years of age;
• from 1.5 minutes - under the age of 16 years.

If you have identified curvature of the spine or insufficient muscle tone, you need to consult a doctor who will take care of the child’s posture. Usually, to obtain more detailed information about the degree of postural disorders, additional examinations are prescribed - for example, topographic photometry. This method diagnostics is based on obtaining photographic images of the patient with marks applied to the body with a marker, allowing one to control the correct position of the body. Photometry is also convenient because it allows you to monitor progress in the treatment of children.

Formation of correct posture in young children (up to 3 years old)

Remember that the health of your baby is in your hands and the formation of correct posture also depends on proper careful care. It is necessary not only to independently monitor the baby’s spine, but also to undergo regular examination by an osteopathic specialist who will be able to detect and diagnose negative changes at an early stage, when they are quite easy to correct. It is at an early age, when the child has not yet reached 3 years of age, that it is necessary to closely monitor his developing posture:

• An infant should not be placed or seated on soft pillows or feather beds. The baby's crib should be quite hard. Teach your child to sleep on hard things from an early age;
• From the age of 3 weeks, the baby can already be placed on his stomach. Do this gradually, at first only under supervision. Alternate the position of the child - on the back and on the stomach. If you often carry your child in your arms, then do not do it constantly on one arm;
• Don't try to teach your child to walk at an early age. The baby's spine and muscles are not yet strong enough to withstand the load, so at an early age it is easy to injure the skeletal bones, which will subsequently lead to posture problems. The child will instinctively begin to stand up and try to walk when his physical condition allows him to do so;
• From an early age (2-3 years), teach your child to sit correctly in a chair. Try to instill in him the proper position so that he remembers it on a reflex level;
• When walking, do not lead your child by the hand, as big difference tall, he will have to bend down, stretch out his hand, for a long time be in an uncomfortable position, which ultimately negatively affects your posture. At an early age, use a special walking harness to control the child.

Osteopathic treatment for postural disorders in children

Osteopathic treatment of postural disorders (deformations) is very effective for patients of all ages. Unlike traditional medicine, which often defines a disease as a set of its symptoms and offers symptomatic treatment, osteopathy focuses on finding the root cause of the disease. And as practice shows, this approach is more logical and effective.

Forming correct posture is an important aspect in the health of every person. According to osteopathy, the human body is a complex self-regulating system in which bones and muscles, joints and internal organs are closely interconnected. The equilibrium position of the skeleton and muscular frame is the key to proper symmetrical development, the general health of the child, and the proper functioning of his organs and systems. Even minor injuries and changes in the position of the skeletal bones lead to disruption of blood circulation and metabolism in the damaged area and the body as a whole, and deterioration of neural connections. It is with these “subtle matters” that the osteopath works. You cannot simply “straighten” a curved spine - the impact must be more subtle and directed.

At the first stage of correcting violations of children's posture, the specialist determines its degree and looks for the root causes. Usually these are mechanical dysfunctions of the body, which cause external changes. If the child has pain, it must be relieved. Only in this case will the treatment be effective - the patient must be completely relaxed, and his body must be responsive to the specialist’s influence.

The osteopath acts on individual points of the body in order to restore blood circulation in them and relieve muscle spasms that interfere with this. Indeed, often the cause of “distortion” of the spine is increased muscle tension on one side of the body and/or hypotonicity on the other.

In parallel with working on posture, the specialist identifies other disorders caused by improper development and position of the skeleton. These may be dysfunctions of internal organs, neuralgic abnormalities. Thanks to this complex effect, the child’s body receives a powerful stimulus for self-regulation, which significantly speeds up the treatment process.

Children are very sensitive to osteopathic manual techniques, which allows for effective correction in the early stages. Usually changes and results become noticeable after the first session. Unlike exclusively massage and chiropractic treatments, the result of osteopathic treatment lasts for a long time.

A full course of correction of the child’s skeleton and muscular frame may take several months. Treatment is carried out in courses of 3-5 sessions with intervals between them of 2-4 weeks. This time is necessary for the child’s body to “learn” the changes made by the osteopath’s manual techniques and adapt to them. One session takes from 40 to 60 minutes, depending on the age of the child and the nature of the observed deviations. During the session, the osteopath uses the following techniques:

• Correction of dysfunction of the sacrum and bones in the iliac region. Microdisplacements of the pelvic bones are often one of the main causes of figure deformation. They are caused by both injuries and a sedentary lifestyle. Manual osteopathic techniques allow you to restore the correct position of bones and joints, normalize blood circulation in the pelvic area, which helps improve metabolism in the body;
• Restoring spinal mobility. Disturbances can be caused by injuries (including birth injuries), incorrect position and postures in infancy, and insufficient nutrition, which often causes damage to the intervertebral discs. Not having their own blood supply system, they receive nutrition from neighboring tissues. Therefore, blood stagnation and spasms in the back muscles are very dangerous, which prevent sufficient fluid and nutrients from reaching the muscles. Dehydration of the intervertebral discs leads to impaired mobility and spinal dysfunction. The influence of an osteopath can improve blood circulation and restore the structure of the intervertebral discs, thereby restoring mobility to the spine;
• Cranial impact. By influencing the areas of the skull and the cervical-occipital junction, the osteopath improves blood supply to the brain, which allows the micro-oscillations of the skull bones to be restored. Receiving enough oxygen and nutrients, the cerebral cortex actively works, restoring lost and creating new neural connections, including those responsible for the normal functioning of the spine, limbs, and joints;
• Muscle-energy techniques. By influencing the soft tissues of the body, including muscles, the osteopath increases their tone, relieves blocks and spasms. This allows you to get rid of blood stagnation in the muscles and normalize blood circulation in them. Unlike massage techniques, osteopathic ones are more gentle and targeted, since the specialist does not influence all muscles and tissues as a whole, but only their individual points - where the spasm or block is localized.

The effect of osteopathic treatment of scoliosis and other types of spinal deformity is also evident from the example of a child’s well-being. Usually, after just a few sessions, there is a noticeable improvement in the child’s health, mobility, and freedom of movement. If, at the same time, treatment is carried out with the help of exercise therapy, then you will not be able to help but notice with what ease the child performs the exercises that were given to him with such difficulty some time ago.

Even after passing full course complex osteopathic treatment, do not forget about regular visits to a specialist. It is possible to avoid repeated relapses only if balanced nutrition, a healthy lifestyle and moderate physical activity.

Physical exercises and gymnastics to correct posture in children

Therapeutic exercise and standardized physical activity are an integral part of complex osteopathic treatment for postural disorders in children. By strengthening the back muscles, children form a reliable frame that can hold the spine in the desired position. In addition, strong muscles can protect you from injury when falling, physical activity, sudden movements, etc.

In addition to the back muscles themselves, attention should be paid to the abdominal muscles. This muscle group is very important for keeping the spine in proper condition. A good abdominal exercise is considered to be moving from a lying position to a sitting position while holding your legs. Exercises should be performed at a slow pace at the rate of 4-5 seconds per exercise. Start with one set of 10 exercises and gradually increase the load, aim for 2-3 sets of 15-20 repetitions each with 1-1.5 minute rest intervals.

Prevention of poor posture in children

Correcting poor posture is often very difficult - it requires a lot of time and effort from a specialist. It is much easier to prevent these violations by monitoring the child’s posture from early childhood. Following simple rules, coupled with advice and help from an osteopathic specialist, will help keep your child’s spine healthy:

• Active lifestyle. Staying in a sitting position for a long time provokes spinal deformation, leading to the development of scoliosis, round back, and other dangerous changes. It is necessary to strictly control the time that the child spends in front of the computer and TV. When studying or doing homework, teach your child to take breaks and a short warm-up, which will help relax the muscles and give the spine a rest;
• Physical education and sports classes. Gymnastics, running, exercises on the horizontal bar, skiing and swimming - these sports contribute to the formation of correct posture and general strengthening body. The muscle corset allows you to keep the spine in the correct position even when you are in an uncomfortable position for a long time, during sleep, developing reflex memory and correct posture in children;
• Comfortable furniture. A chair and table for a child must be chosen based on his height and taking into account anatomical features. It would be good if the furniture could be adjusted to suit your height. A good computer chair with back and neck support and armrests will help you develop correct posture. The characteristics of the bed in which the child sleeps are important. It should be elastic enough to support the spine. It is recommended to purchase an anatomical mattress with varying degrees of hardness to provide the required level of support for each part of the spine;
• Weight. Monitor your child's nutrition. His diet must be balanced so that the growing body receives all the necessary substances and microelements. But minimize the amount of unhealthy fatty foods, sweets, and starchy foods. These products lead to rapid weight gain, which in turn leads to improper distribution of the load on the skeleton. Violations of posture that may seem minor at first glance quickly progress with age and weight gain;
• Loads. Make sure that during the process physical activity the load on the child's body was distributed evenly. That is, when exercising with dumbbells, there should be two of them. Buy your child a backpack that will distribute weight evenly on his back, rather than a bag that hangs over one shoulder. Also wean your child from the bad habit of crossing his legs - this also leads to poor posture;
• Shoes. Properly selected shoes will help avoid flat feet and make the child's gait comfortable and easy. It is precisely because of problems with the legs - the same as flat feet - that postural disorders often develop in children, due to improper distribution of the load on the body.

Today, even children lead a sedentary lifestyle. This contributes to the occurrence of diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Poor posture in children up to school age also not uncommon. The reasons lie not only in congenital anomalies. Most parents do not pay attention to how their child holds his back.

Curvature of the spine leads to children becoming stooped, experiencing back pain, migraines, and developing asthenovegetative syndrome. Spinal curvature occurs in 15-17% of preschool children. Therefore, parents should know how to prevent back deformation in a child and how to treat pathology if it has already formed.

Why does my posture deteriorate?

A change in posture in a child is a displacement of the vertebrae caused by structural and functional malfunctions in the musculoskeletal system.

The causes of such pathologies in children are divided into congenital and acquired.

Congenital causes are caused by intrauterine disruptions in the development of the spine (the appearance of extra vertebrae, their wedge-shaped deformation), myotonic syndrome, and systemic pathologies of connective tissue. Back problems can appear during childbirth, when injuries lead to torticollis or subluxation of the cervical vertebrae.

In 90% of cases due to acquired disorders. Factors that provoke changes in posture:

Acquired curvature of the spine in preschool children can occur against the background of flat feet, rickets, poliomyelitis, hallux valgus, osteomyelitis, spinal column injuries or tuberculosis. Often, children who suffer from diseases of the visual system and hearing system take the wrong position of the body. Changes in the natural position of the body are facilitated by excess weight, nutritional deficiency, lack of routine, somatic ailment, insufficiency physical development.

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Exercises for correct posture

How to recognize posture problems - the main symptoms

The first sign of a change in posture is the child’s appearance. This is manifested by protrusion of some parts of the body, including the stomach, stooping, drooping of the shoulders, flattening of the buttocks, and roundness of the shoulder blades.

Characterized by body asymmetry. At the same time, the baby constantly tilts his head to the side, and his shoulders and nipples are at unequal heights. Problems with the spine are indicated by underdevelopment of the skeletal muscles and muscle weakness.

Kyphosis and lordosis are manifested by bulging of the abdomen, tilting of the shoulders and head forward, and strong extension of the legs at the knees. With a flat back they sag abdominal muscles, the chest protrudes forward, the shoulder blades become wing-shaped, and the pelvic tilt decreases. When the spine is flat-concave, the chest narrows, and the buttocks and stomach move forward.

Poor posture in children contributes to the appearance of indirect signs caused by malfunctions of organs and systems:

Diagnosis of posture disorders

A child with degenerative-dystrophic pathologies of the back should be examined by an orthopedist or vertebrologist. Full Study the child’s body involves the use of instrumental and clinical techniques.

Initially, poor posture in children of preschool and school age is determined through a visual examination. The doctor examines the position of the body from the side, back, front. The following symptoms indicate curvature of the spinal column:

To verify the presence of violations, the doctor measures the distance between the main parameters: cervical vertebrae– lower angle of the shoulder blades, length of the limbs. If necessary, the doctor calculates the brachial index.

An informative diagnostic measure for curvature of posture in preschoolers is the Adams test, in which the child tilts his torso forward. The study allows you to determine the presence of a rotational component, indicating scoliotic syndrome, and check the condition of the vertebral curves.

An accurate way to detect dystrophic and destructive processes in the back in children is considered to be instrumental diagnostics - MRI, CT or X-ray of the spine.

How to correct a child's posture?

Treatment of postural disorders in schoolchildren and preschool age must be comprehensive. Medical measures include the use of manual therapy, exercise therapy, wearing a corrective corset, massage, and swimming.

At home, the formation of beautiful and correct posture in preschool children is carried out by parents.

They need to constantly monitor the child while sitting, walking and exercise with him daily.

Corrective corset

An effective method for correcting or correcting posture in young children is wearing a special device. A therapeutic corset is an orthopedic device that aligns the spine, used for the treatment and prevention of back diseases.

Wearing the device is prescribed at the age of 6-13 years. Using a corrector, you can eliminate visible pathological curvatures of the vertebrae and prevent relapse of the disease.

The corset is selected according to medical indications individually for each child. A correction device is indicated when:

• kyphoscoliosis;
• mild vertebral disorders;
• scoliosis;
• radiculopathy;
• lordosis;
• stooping.

In order for correction of posture in children with the help of a corrective corset to bring a quick therapeutic effect, wearing the device must be combined with swimming, massage, and sports.

Physiotherapy

Poor posture in children requires the implementation of special exercises. Therapeutic exercise strengthens the back muscles, prevents further progression of degenerative processes, and promotes the proper formation of the skeleton.

To straighten a child’s posture, therapeutic exercises should be carried out systematically. Preference is given to exercises that develop the chest, abdominal muscles, bring the shoulder blades together, and strengthen the longitudinal muscles of the back. Therefore, the positions during exercise therapy can be different: lying on your stomach, back, standing, sitting.

In case of deformation and curvature of posture in children prone to stooping and rounding of the back, intensive bending of the body with an emphasis on the chest is especially useful. If you have pterygoid scapula syndrome and your shoulders are shifted forward, you need to do circular rotations of your arms backwards every day. It is equally useful to bend the limbs towards the shoulders, move them back and press them to the back of the head.

Physical therapy and gymnastics for sagging shoulders is based on the following exercises:

When lordosis is developing, it is useful to lie on your back, alternately raise your straight legs upward, do the “bicycle” exercise, and roll on your back. To strengthen the muscles of the buttocks, you should bend your legs at the hip joint.

To increase the therapeutic effectiveness of physical education, it is recommended to use gymnastic equipment during classes - a stick, light dumbbells, a ball. Balance exercises are equally useful.

Manual therapy and massage

Manual therapy is prescribed if there is vertebral displacement and back pain. When posture is distorted, the therapist combines a light technique with exercise therapy.

During treatment, power and striking techniques are not performed. During the session, the specialist uses no more than two vertebrae. The procedure is carried out 1-2 times a week.

To strengthen the muscles that support posture, after completing a course of manual treatment, electrical muscle stimulation, gymnastics and massage are recommended.

The latter effectively eliminates stoop in children.

If a specialist performs a massage for a child, then after several procedures a positive result will be noticeable:

• elimination of stagnation;
• no back pain;
• relaxing tight muscles.

Sport

Acquired curvature of posture in a child can be eliminated if he has daily physical activity. Therapeutic set of exercises and sports are the most in effective ways posture correction.

Best views physical activity and its benefits for children are described in the table below:

Kind of sport	Therapeutic effect
Gymnastics	Activation of blood circulation, development and strengthening of spinal structures, correction of deformed areas of the back
Swimming	Relieving the spine, strengthening and toning the muscle corset, improving motor coordination, creating suitable conditions for the development of the spine
Horseback Riding	Balance training, elimination of muscle spasms, strengthening of all back muscles, normalization metabolic processes in intervertebral discs, stimulation of blood circulation
Dancing	Development of coordination of movements, correction of posture, formation of correct gait, support of muscles in tone
Yoga	Alignment of the spine, strengthening and stretching the skeletal muscle corset, eliminating congestion

Consequences of poor posture

Slouching in a child, which entails a curvature of posture, leads to the development of a number of complications. Diseases of the spinal column cause compression, prolapse of organs and disruption of the vital systems of the body.

A change in posture leads to a decrease in lung volume, disruption of blood circulation, and oxygen starvation. Therefore, the baby constantly feels tired, his memory deteriorates, shortness of breath appears, and frequent headaches.

The progression of pathologies of the locomotor system in preschool children leads to a stop or slowdown in physical development. Also, not treating childhood scoliosis, kyphosis or lordosis can result in disability.

Prevention

In order to prevent changes in posture in preschoolers, parents should learn a few important rules. Infants should not be constantly placed or placed on soft feather beds or pillows. It is better to teach from an early age little man sleep on a hard orthopedic mattress.

You should not persistently teach your baby to sit or walk if his body is not yet prepared for this. Newborn babies should be periodically placed on their stomach while awake. Also, you should not drive or hold your baby with only one hand.

Prevention of poor posture in children involves following a number of other rules:

To develop beautiful posture, preschoolers should exercise regularly.

It is especially useful to hang on a hanging ladder or wall bars.

Poor posture in children is noticeable to the naked eye not only to a qualified orthopedic traumatologist, but also to parents. A hunched back, asymmetrical shoulder girdle, and protruding abdomen are classic manifestations of pathology. In approximately 30% of cases, the displacement of the vertical axis of the body is due to the presence of scoliosis (lateral deviation of the spinal column).

Posture in children is formed before the age of 24 due to the constant growth of the body. Against this background, any impact can provoke curvature of the spinal column in the horizontal and frontal planes, so it is important to annually check for curvature of the vertical axis.

Signs of correct posture:

• Verticality of the body;
• Expanded chest;
• Abducted shoulders;
• Close location of the shoulder blades;
• Tight belly.

Any deviation from the above signs indicates the presence of pathology.

Types of postural disorders in the sagittal plane:

• Stooping – flattening of the lordosis of the lower back and increased kyphosis of the chest;
• Flat back – smoothing out all the curves of the spinal column;
• Plano-concave back – flattening of thoracic kyphosis with normal lumbar lordosis;
• Round back – increased thoracic kyphosis throughout the thoracic region;
• Round-concave back – increased lordosis in the lower back and kyphosis in the chest.

A scoliotic arch appears in the frontal plane. It is not a disease, unlike scoliosis (lateral curvature of the spinal axis), but only a consequence of increased tone of the skeletal muscles in one half of the body.

There are 3 degrees of spinal curvature in children:

1st degree – the child can, if desired, take a normal position, but in a free position, a curvature of the vertebral axis can be seen;

2nd degree - the deformation is eliminated by hanging on a horizontal bar or wall bars and straightening the body;

3rd degree - the curvature remains when the child straightens and hangs on a gymnastic barbell.

Posture in children when the spinal axis is shifted to the lateral plane is called a scoliotic arch. Without performing x-rays of the spinal column in frontal and lateral projections, it is difficult to distinguish it from true scoliosis. However, curvature of the spine in the frontal plane in degrees 3 and 4 leads to disability in children.

Types of scoliosis and postural disorders in children

Scoliosis degrees:

1. At the initial stage of external curvature of the back to the side, it is difficult to differentiate between scoliosis and a scoliotic curve. The only sign on the x-ray that allows this to be done is the rotation of the vertebrae around their axis (torsion) in true scoliosis. The amount of curvature does not exceed 30%.
2. A curvature of 31-60% is clearly visible during a visual examination of the child’s back and appears at stage 2 of scoliosis;
3. Deformation of the spinal column up to 90% is characterized by a change in the shape of the vertebrae (they become wedge-shaped) and indicates stage 3 of pathology;
4. When there is a curvature of more than 90% of the spinal column (grade 4), a pronounced curvature of the vertical axis of the body appears in the lateral plane with a disproportionate displacement of anatomical structures and internal organs.

Scoliosis is more common in girls aged 12-14 years with rapid growth and puberty. In this case, the changes are due to the fact that the muscular-ligamentous apparatus does not have time to adapt to the rapid growth of the bone structure.

Poor posture in children can be combined with a vertebral hump. When examining the back of a child with this pathology, a large protrusion in the thoracic region is clearly visible. Children with a vertebral hump cannot lean on the back of a chair when sitting and always complain of pain in the thoracic spine.

Correct posture in children should be developed from the very beginning. young age. How to prevent spinal curvature in infants:

• The baby should not be placed on a soft feather bed or placed on pillows;
• When the baby turns 3 years old, he should be placed on his stomach;
• You should not try to teach your baby to walk prematurely;
• You can't carry children in one arm all the time;
• When walking with a child, it is better to lead him not by the hand, but by a wide ribbon passed through the armpit area;
• From 2-3 years old, teach children to sit correctly on a chair;
• Try to teach them to sleep on a hard bed from an early age.

Parents should remember that all their previous efforts to develop correct posture in children can be undone by sitting incorrectly at a school desk or carrying a heavy backpack on one shoulder.

Medical principles for correcting a child’s spine

Incorrect posture in children requires mandatory registration at a dispensary. In this case, the orthopedic traumatologist will determine the optimal correction methods:

• With progressive scoliosis of 3-4 degrees, which is detected in 0.6-0.7% of children, hospital treatment is required: traction, underwater massage, special exercises;
• Non-progressive scoliosis is treated on an outpatient basis until the end of the child’s growth process;
• When correcting pathology, it is carried out with corrective gymnastics in a physical therapy group;
• 2-3 degree displacement of the spinal axis in the lateral plane requires a careful approach to treatment. Such children are prescribed physical therapy classes in a medical institution or medical physical education clinic.

With a stooped, flat and round back, it is necessary to guide children to exercise regularly (at least 3 times a week).

Before performing therapeutic exercises, it is necessary to work out the correct posture. Place your child near a wall and place a book on his head. It is necessary to hold it for as long as possible. With the help of this training, the correct posture is subconsciously reinforced.

To prevent back curvature, you should pay attention to the following features:

• Helps prevent functional shortening of the limb correct selection shoes If you have congenital flat feet, you must wear special shoes;
• To sleep, your child needs to purchase a hard mattress;
• Strict adherence to the daily routine;
• Refuse some bad habits: wearing a backpack, incorrect position of the body at a school desk, throwing one leg over the other.

We draw the attention of parents to the fact that a common cause of poor posture in children is flat feet. Unfortunately, the incorrect formation of the arch of the baby’s foot does not alarm parents. However, when a child with flat feet walks, the body weight falls on the joints and spine, and the shock-absorbing function of the latter is impaired.

Since flat feet in children do not initially hurt, the problem does not cause discomfort. Pain syndrome will occur only when calcium salts are deposited in the bones, and the human body does not have enough strength to ensure the function of movement.

Over time, after flat feet, varicose veins of the lower extremities will appear due to the load on circulatory system legs

Due to the rapid development of complications, doctors try to treat postural disorders as soon as they are detected. The effectiveness of therapy directly depends on the patient’s interest in the correctness, regularity and duration of following the doctor’s recommendations.

Strengthening the muscle corset

Exercises for poor posture can strengthen the muscular corset of the back, improve the dynamic properties of skeletal muscles and prevent further displacement of the spine.

A course of therapeutic exercises must be carried out regularly and for a long time. The systematicity of performing exercises should not be less than 3 times a week.

Gymnastic exercises for straightening the back, depending on the mechanism of action, are classified into 2 types:

• Static;
• Dynamic.

Static exercises are designed to strengthen “slow” muscle groups. These fibers are often in a tonic state and relax very slowly. When the spinal axis is bent, the “slow” muscles on one side of the body are in spasm. To prevent it, static exercises are prescribed.

Dynamic skeletal muscle training is aimed at increasing its elasticity. In this case, the “fast” muscle fibers are strengthened. They are able to quickly contract and relax. Activated by active physical movements.

Gymnastic exercises can be divided into 3 types based on the characteristics of their impact on muscles:

• Symmetrical;
• Asymmetrical;
• Mixed.

Symmetrical exercises work symmetrical muscle groups on both sides of the body. Asymmetrical - aimed at strengthening individual muscle fibers. Combined options include both of the above groups.

Gymnastic exercises

Here is an approximate list of exercises that are used to correct spinal deformities in children:

• Perform straight leg raises in a standing position. At the same time, on each count, try to reach the toe of your foot with the palm of your hand;
• If you do the “bicycle” exercise every day, you can quickly strengthen your abdominal muscles. It involves simulating riding a bicycle while sitting on a chair;
• Raise your legs to a height of 40 cm above the floor and constantly change the height of your lower limbs. In this case, one leg should move up and the other down;
• Stretch your legs straight and place your arms along your body. In this position, raise your legs and fix them for 30 seconds at an angle of 30 degrees;
• If the previous exercise is easy to perform, you can use a more complicated version: raise your legs at an angle of 45 degrees;
• Lie on your back and perform scissoring exercises about 30 times (alternately placing one leg behind the other in an elevated position);
• While lying down, raise and lower your legs behind your head 10-15 times;
• Sitting on a chair, secure your legs under a support (it can be a chair). Place your hands behind your head. Unbend and lower yourself slowly;
• Perform hanging from a bar. Raise your legs straight to a right angle. The number of repetitions is 10-15 within 10 seconds;
• Pull your knees towards your stomach while lying down. The number of repetitions is based on how you feel.

Parents can also perform the above exercises for children. They are convenient because they do not require long repetitions and strengthen the back muscle corset.

In conclusion, I would like to remind you that there are no medications that would make the muscles strong and the ligaments elastic. Only therapeutic exercises can lead to royal posture.