Recent statistics show that over 80% of children entering the first grade have defective posture. Add to this the static load at school desks, carrying heavy school bags and sitting in front of a computer for long periods of time, and the problem may turn into a scoliotic curvature of the spine or even scoliosis. In fact, a scoliotic curve can deteriorate quite quickly in a short period of time. This is why, for example, a paediatrician may not recognize it in a child in time. Therefore, it is essential to monitor your child regularly at home and pay attention to their back. So, how do you recognize if your child has scoliosis?
The Adam's test to detect scoliosis
The Adam's test is used to detect scoliosis in both children and adults. It is a simple test that you can do at home. In this test, you watch your child's back while he or she is bending forward and note any unevenness. This way, you can easily find out at home if your child has scoliosis or scoliotic posture.
Stand behind the child so that you are looking at his or her back perpendicularly. The child is standing with his or her feet hip-width apart and arms relaxed. He or she should also have a naked back so that you can observe the curvature of the spine clearly. Now, the child begins to tilt down the head and chest slowly and then he or she bends the whole back down vertebra by vertebra until he or she reaches a deep forward bend.
What to watch for in the Adam's test:
- do you see any difference between the left and right sides of the back?
- is the spine skewed to one side or the other?
- are the shoulder blades at the same height?
- are the shoulder blades the same shape?
- are the shoulders at the same height?
- are both buttocks at the same height?
- are the buttocks the same shape?
- is one foot distinctly flat?
In the meantime, watch the reliefs of the back. Look out for any deviations that are uneven on the back. This can be, for example, the difference between the left and right half of the back, any sideways deviation of the spine, or direct rotation. The rotation is created in the ribs and the spine, causing backward deflection of one half of the chest and forward deflection of the other half. When the child is bending forward, you can see this as a change in the shape of the reliefs of the back. Most types of scoliosis have deflection in the left lumbar or right thoracic part, but it can occur anywhere.
Also, look to see if one shoulder blade is higher than the other and whether they are both the same shape, and if the shoulders are at the same height. Next, look at the shape of the gluteal muscles and check whether they are at the same height. See if the waist is not more pronounced on one side than on the other. The biggest difference between the right and left sides of the back is usually seen in a full forward bend. Even on the way up, check for any misalignment or unevenness in the torso. An indicator of scoliosis in children can also be a distinctly flat foot or an asymmetry in the ankles.
No differences should be seen in a non-scoliotic spine. If you see any significant differences, the child likely has at least a defective posture.
What to do next?
So, if you have found out that your child has a scoliotic curvature of the spine, there is still no cause for concern. Scoliosis can be treated with rehabilitation treatment, regular exercise and manual techniques. However, it is very important to recognize it early and start dealing with the problem as soon as possible.
It is not true that if a child has a scoliotic curvature or just a defective posture, there is no need to do anything about it because he or she will eventually grow out of it. As was mentioned in the beginning of this article, a scoliotic curve can deteriorate very quickly! Within a few months, severe spinal damage can occur, which is irreversible. This leads to the need to wear a corset or spinal surgery, which can be prevented with regular exercise. The sooner you start with compensation, rehabilitation treatment, and exercise, the quicker and easier it is to correct the curve. So what to do next?
- Find a specialist orthopaedic clinic
- Have a corset made
- Start rehabilitation treatment
The Spiral Stabilization Method directly specializes in scoliotic patients and is the only exercise and rehabilitation method that stretches the spine upward. Thus, regular exercise helps build a muscular corset and can stop a scoliotic curve from deteriorating or even improve it significantly.
1. Orthopaedics
The first step is to find a specialist orthopaedic clinic. An orthopaedic clinic will take an X-ray to determine the degree of the curve and the extent of the scoliosis. This scan is called a long format of the entire spine and must show the 1st cervical vertebra and both hip joints. A physiotherapist or medical doctor will be able to create a rehabilitation plan only after a long format of the entire spine has been taken.
2. Corset therapy
The second step is quality corset therapy. If an X-ray reveals that a child has a scoliotic curve greater than 20 degrees, a customized corset is made for him or her. At this point, it is important to make sure that the corset maker is experienced in creating scoliotic corsets and produces a high-quality corset.
3. Rehabilitation treatment
The third and perhaps the most important step is to find a suitable specialist rehabilitation facility that is specifically focused on scoliosis. But it doesn't stop here. At the rehabilitation centre, a physiotherapist or a doctor will draw up a rehabilitation plan for the child and show you how to exercise with him or her properly. In addition to rehabilitation treatment, massages, and manual techniques, you will also have to exercise with your child at home regularly. But we will talk more about this in the next article.
