Kyphosis Prevention And Correction Essays - Dance Science

Kyphosis: Prevention And Correction Kyphosis: Prevention and Correction The natural physiological curves of the spinal column are formed in the first months and years of childs development. With the raising of childs head the first curve is made. That is a cervical curve curve of a neck, and it is convex forward. With the first attempts to stand or with sitting the thoracic curve, the curve of the upper back, is made and it is convex backwards. When the child is old enough to stand, the lumbar curve, pointed forward, is made. In the first years of childs life, if there are not any pre birth deficiencies, the spinal cord has its regular (normal) physiological position (Dunn 541). The future growth and development of individual vertebra is a long lasting process and in all periods of our life the vertebral column is adopting, getting stronger and adjusting with the other systems of our body and getting its definite shape. One of important factors for the development of spine is the individual behavior and lifestyle. There are many more inner and outer fac tors but the individual influence of them is very small. There are many postural deviations that are influencing and affecting human body. I decided to write about the spinal deviation called Kyphosis, or Rounded Upper Back. The thoracic curve is, in this case, more distinct and the back is getting rounded look. The gravity is always acting on thoracic curve, trying to get it bigger. Active and passive forces of our body like muscles, ligaments, bones etc. are fighting against it and trying to keep our spine in the physiological limits. Those physiological limits when measured by Cub method on the profile x-ray of human body, are twenty to thirty five degrees (Radisavljevic 289). With the weakening of active and passive forces or by some other causes, the kyphotic curve will get bigger and lead to Kyphosis. The Scoliosis Research Society defines Kyphosis as a curvature of a spine measuring forty-five degrees or greater on a x-ray (Lucile Packard Childrens Hospital, n.pag.). Sometimes Kyphosis is followed by the curve with the different ori entation in the lumbar part of the back. This is called Compensatory Lordosis because the extensive lordotic curve is made because of the unbalance in the spinal column caused by Kyphosis. Kyphosis can be present at birth Congenital or caused by the various conditions that may happened (Lucile Packard Childrens Hospital, n.pag.) Congenital Kyphosis usually appears due to the changes in the bone structure when the wedge-shaped vertebrae are made, or with joining of two or more vertebrae. The other non-congenital conditions appear during the life span mainly caused by metabolic problems, neuromuscular conditions, rheumatic changes, osteogenesis imperfecta, spinal bifida, Sheuermanns disease, shortsightedness, use of the anti pain positions and poor posture (Lucile Packard Childrens Hospital, n.pag.). Poor posture is one of the causes of Kyphosis that should be treated more serious. More people should get involved including physical education teacher, parents and other teachers. There are three delicate periods in which the body is more likely to suffer from these changes: - the period when the child is rising, - the beginning of childs formal education, - the puberty. Kyphosis can appear in with the old age, when it is called senile Kyphosis. There are two main groups of Kyphosis: - Functional or reducible they can be annulled by taking particular positions like laying on the back or hanging on the pole, or just by the contraction of the back muscles. - Structural or irreducible advanced stage. Now, besides the muscles, bones and ligaments are changing causing insufficiency of the spinal movements (Radisavljevic 292). We have to know that Kyphosis doesnt only ruins our esthetical look but it causes a lot of other changes and problems like deficiency in movement ability of spinal joints, deficiency in rib movements which lead to the insufficiency of respiratory system, and changes in the bone structure. There are many ways to diagnose Kyphosis and it is usually done by a physician. Some of diagnostic procedures are x-rays, bone scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerized tomogtaphy scan (CAT scan), blood tests etc. (Lucile Packard Childrens Hospital, n.pag.). Prevention and early detection are of most importance in dealing with