Massage for grade 1 and 2 scoliosis of the spine: how to do it correctly

Scoliosis is one of the most common and serious forms of spinal curvature along the entire spinal axis. As is known, this form of curvature is based on displacements in the lateral projection. Thus, it turns out that when the disease is scoliosis, the spine is deformed with a displacement of one or several sections to one or the other of the lateral sides from the middle vertebral meridian.

This disease can most often be observed in childhood or during puberty in girls and boys equally. Treatment of such a disease must be comprehensive, which is a prerequisite.

One of the most important aspects of such an integrated approach in the treatment of this disease is considered to be massage for scoliosis, to which we decided to devote a separate article.

The effect of massage on the body

For scoliosis, massage can be performed with the hands of a neurologist

or using special devices. The essence of the effect is that certain areas of the patient’s body are specifically irritated, which will subsequently bring a positive effect. Massage has a great effect on the human body:

rejuvenates tissues and promotes their regeneration;
blood flow in the capillaries increases, the level of blood supply to the areas that the specialist massages increases;
improves mood, relieves insomnia;
relieves tension;
makes muscles more elastic.

In addition, massages for osteochondrosis and thoracic scoliosis improve the functioning of joints, strengthen the muscular corset of the back, and a person experiences the relaxing effect of such manipulations.

Why do you need a massage?

When the spine is curved, the back muscles are used unevenly, as a result of which some areas are pinched and weakened, while others are overloaded. Impaired muscle tone provokes back pain and contributes to further progression of the disease.

With scoliosis, muscle tone is lost

With the help of a competent massage, this imbalance is eliminated: tense muscles are relaxed, tense muscles, on the contrary, are activated. Additionally, massaging problem areas improves their blood flow, metabolism, and calms the nervous system.

Massage helps restore muscle tone

Of course, it is impossible to straighten the spinal column with massage alone; this requires regular work on the muscles and ligaments with the help of exercise therapy. But the systematic use of massage together with physical therapy brings great benefits to the body and speeds up recovery. The most important thing is to use the correct massage technique so that the effect on the body is safe.

Classification of scoliosis

Massage for spinal scoliosis may be needed regardless of the type of disease and the degree of curvature of the spinal column. In general, massage is indicated for:

C-shaped scoliosis, when there is only one arc of curvature.
S-shaped disease, when there are two arches and they “look” in different directions.
Z-shaped, when there are several arcs.

In addition, massage is useful for each degree of scoliosis, which is only four. On the first, the curvature is up to 10 degrees, on the second – 11-25, on the third – 26-50, and on the fourth – from 50.

Features of massage effects

Each type of massage is characterized by certain techniques and features that affect the success and efficiency of its implementation. For therapeutic treatment for scoliosis, the following set of requirements applies:

a certain body position is used, which helps correct spinal curvature;
application of a set of developed technical techniques;
The massage table is located below the standard level so that the specialist can use his own body weight to work on certain problem areas.

Contraindications

Sometimes, with scoliosis, a back massage can bring harm rather than benefit to adults and children. Therefore, you need to carefully read the contraindications for massage. These are:

blood diseases;
cases of hemorrhages and tendency to such;
acute inflammation, including lymph nodes;
diseases of the skin and nails, damage to the skin and soft tissues;
psychological disorders;
hypertensive crisis.

Also, massage cannot be done if there is a violation of the cardiovascular system, with kidney and liver failure, as well as allergies. The decision to prescribe this technique should be made by your neurologist
.

Kinds

Approaches to massage can be classified according to intensity and purpose.

By intensity we can distinguish:

general massage. The effect is applied to the whole body with special attention to problem areas. The session takes about 1 hour;
private massage. Intensive treatment of the problem area takes 15-30 minutes.

According to purpose, massage can be divided into the following groups:

warming up. Involves stroking the body in the problem area and adjacent areas to increase blood circulation and prepare tissues for further exposure;
medicinal. Carry out kneading, pressing, stretching movements;
relaxing. Includes stroking and light pressure.

All these types of massage are effective in treating all degrees of scoliosis.

Massage technique for scoliosis

When diagnosing scoliosis of the 1st degree, massage is performed in stages, the massage therapist takes turns massaging certain areas of the person’s body. The process begins from the back.

Back

The person is placed on his stomach, with his head turned in the direction opposite to the deformation. First, the massage therapist works on the person’s muscles, relaxing them, then begins massaging the muscles of the thoracic region, which are located on the opposite side of the convexity. These muscles are “weak” and need to be properly massaged and toned. This is followed by a massage of the convex part of the ribs. After this, massage of scoliosis of the thoracic or lumbar spine involves influencing the muscles that are located on the side of the convexity. They are shortened and tense, so the massage therapist needs to relax them. Then a relaxing massage of the lower back is performed on the concave side, and the back massage ends with light strokes.

Stomach

Massage when determining stage 2 scoliosis also includes impact on the abdomen. This is necessary to strengthen the abdominal muscles. The procedure is performed after the patient lies on his back and bends his knees. All effects on the stomach will have a stimulating effect.

Gluteal region

This type of influence is not always necessary. A therapeutic massage of the gluteal region is prescribed to determine scoliosis if the doctor determines that the tone of these muscles is reduced. All effects in this case will be stimulating and tonic. In addition, the massage therapist will perform deep kneading and stretching.

Causes and symptoms

The causes are varied. Congenital scoliosis is recorded in about a quarter of all those diagnosed. The remaining 75% were acquired for various reasons. Curvature may be caused by:

incorrect posture.
excessive physical activity.
inflammatory processes during puberty.
spinal injuries.
congenital anatomical structure.
kidney and gastrointestinal diseases.
the presence of radiculitis and intervertebral hernias.

Symptoms depend on the degree of angle deviation from the norm. These include:

back changes.
changes in the chest.
children's asymmetry of the folds of the legs.
rotational displacement of the vertebrae.
muscle roll in the lumbar region due to their constant tension.
dysfunctions of the abdominal organs.
dysfunction in the brain.
flat feet.
pelvic deformity.
frequent depression and depression.

Massage for scoliosis 1st degree

If you do not know whether it is possible to do therapeutic massage for scoliosis and what its specifics should be, you should understand that the effect will be different depending on what stage the disease is at. If grade 1 scoliosis is detected, the effect is:

The course is conducted once every six months;
aimed at strengthening the muscles of the chest and back;
has rather a preventive effect.

In such a situation, an integrated approach is needed, massages are supplemented with physical education, competent organization of places for sleep and rest, etc.

The relevance of therapeutic back massage

It is necessary to take care of your body, because your overall health, as well as your ability to easily complete the work planned for the day, directly depends on it. In this sense, a therapeutic massage of the back and neck is just what will help you regain strength after a hard day.

Muscles are dynamically involved during almost any life process. In order for them to work correctly, they need to be looked after. Even a self-medicated back massage at home has a positive effect on muscle tissue.

Therapeutic back massage is extremely important. Constant stress to which muscles are exposed throughout the day makes them tense and clogged. Therefore, in order for the intervertebral discs to recover overnight, the back must be relaxed. If you don’t push yourself and work your muscles competently, the health of your spine and back as a whole will last much longer.

Therefore, therapeutic massage is of great importance in maintaining the proper condition of the back muscles and spinal discs. It is worth noting that his course, performed by a competent professional, can restore blood pressure, activate oxygen-containing cells, open auxiliary capillaries, improve heart function and organize faster delivery of nutrients to the body’s tissues.

Definition and main types of back scoliosis

Scoliosis is a pathology of the spine in which its persistent curvature in the frontal plane is detected. Most often the thoracic region is affected, but there are also curvatures in the lumbar region.

Scoliosis can be congenital or acquired. Congenital occurs due to hereditary factors. The cause may be injuries, excessive stress on the back, incorrect body position at the desk, or rapid growth during adolescence. However, in 80% of cases the cause of the disease cannot be determined.

Most often, curvature is detected in the thoracic region, less often in the lumbar and cervical region, sometimes scoliosis is combined. Based on the number of bends, the disease is divided into the following forms:

C-shaped (one bend);
S-shaped (two bends);
Z-shaped (three bends).

Scoliosis is also classified according to the time of onset. Infantile develops in the first two years of life, juvenile at 4–6 years, teenage at 10–14 years. In adults, the disease most often occurs due to injury.

Spinal massage for children. Its main tasks

First of all, doctors pay attention to the position of the shoulders. The right one will be omitted. A left-sided defect is also indicated by different levels of the shoulder blades. In patients, the left is located higher than the right. The shoulder blades protrude unevenly.

The doctor will examine the patient's lower back. The presence of curvature to the left is indicated by different levels of the sacral dimples. The right one will be located lower. The position of the pelvic bones also changes. The left half rises noticeably. Because of this, the right leg visually looks longer.

For a visual examination, the doctor will ask the patient to undress. This is due to the fact that loose clothing hides first-degree defects.

How to do a therapeutic back massage yourself

Neck area massage

You can massage this area yourself. To do this, you need to do the following:

stroking, straight and grasping;

rubbing in a straight line and in a circle;

sawing;

tapping and patting;

kneading is a movement that needs to be given more attention.

If you successfully master self-massage, you can autonomously relieve fatigue in the neck muscles, which will serve as a warning against osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.

Thoracic spine

Performing a massage of this area on your own is quite problematic. You will need to ask someone close to you for help. For this procedure, the partner must be placed on his stomach on a hard surface.

Place your hands along your body, palms up. All actions are carried out along the spinal column along a trajectory from the line of the lower rib to the upper edge of the scapula. The technique consists of the techniques described above with a repetition frequency of 5–8 times. You need to massage both sides of the back, but one at a time. Therapeutic massage on each side lasts about 10–15 minutes.

Lumbar

Naturally, if possible, it is better for the lower back massage to be performed by someone else, but, as a last resort, it can be done alone. The main thing is not to forget that it is prohibited to carry out any manipulations directly on the spine, and try not to put pressure on the area where the kidneys are located.

It is recommended to perform a therapeutic back massage yourself while sitting, “riding” on a stool or chair, facing the back. It is necessary to begin the massage procedure with stroking along the spine, moving along a trajectory from the tailbone to the lower rib. Such movements are allowed to be performed on both sides three or four times at once. Next, you should stretch the sides of your back, and then you can begin to perform the techniques shown below:

rubbing and kneading;

sawing, chopping;

patting, tapping;

vibration.

You should end the session with the same thing you started with: stroking. Before starting self-massage, it is recommended that you become thoroughly familiar with the technique of therapeutic back massage. The video can be easily found on the Internet. The quality of a therapeutic back massage, the cost of the procedure and the effect depend on the professional who performs it.

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In what cases is the diagnosis made?

Childhood scoliosis is a fairly common disease. The type may depend on the age at which the pathology was detected:

idiopathic scoliosis: diagnosed at the age of 10 years and older;
juvenile: the diagnosis is made to the patient between the ages of 3 and 9 years;
childhood, congenital: diagnosed immediately after birth and up to three years.

In children and adolescents with scoliosis, the spine takes on an “S” or “C” shape. In most cases, the disease is discovered during a routine medical examination. If for some reason the child missed scheduled examinations, it is recommended to undergo a preventive examination at least once by a neurologist or vertebrologist. The doctor will review your medical history, examine your spine, and prescribe diagnostic tests if necessary.

Before ordering a massage for scoliosis for children, it is worth taking x-rays so that the specialist clearly understands the degree and angle of the curvature of the spine and develops an individual therapy program.

The earlier scoliosis is diagnosed, the greater the chances of getting rid of the problem before the formation of the spine is completed.