Why?
First of all, because of the wrong way of life. People unbalanced eat, break the diet. Hence - obesity. Excess weight adversely affects the skeleton, worsens calcium metabolism in the body. People do not know how to plan their schedule wisely: they are overworked at work, do not rest very often, often stay in stressful situations. All this destroys the immune system, and the reduction of the body's defenses affects the metabolism in general and the exchange of calcium in particular. One of the most important reasons for the violation of posture in children is hypodynamia. Children of the 21st century move very little: they spend a lot of time at the school desk, at home - at the computer or in front of the TV. And they are sitting in very uncomfortable poses. This causes the appearance of back pain and curvature of the spine. In the 70 years of the last century, two interesting studies were carried out concerning hypodynamia in children. On the territory of the present CIS countries, the state of the back of schoolchildren was analyzed during the classes and on vacation. It turns out that during the summer holidays, when the children ran a lot, they jumped in the fresh air, their posture improved significantly. The second experiment was conducted in South Africa. At that time, the white guys were educated, and black kids, as a rule, did not attend school - they played whole days on the street. Scoliosis in white was more expressed in percentage than in their African peers. Lack of mobility also affects adults. Our body is so arranged that if something is not used in it, it gets rid of it. If a person is chained to a sofa, the body thinks that he does not need bones. Begins the relaxation of bone tissue and the first signs of osteoporosis. Constant physical activity, on the contrary, helps strengthen bones. There is one more reason for the prevalence of diseases of the musculoskeletal system - the improvement of diagnostic tools. Such diseases have become more common.
How does failure in the musculoskeletal system affect the condition of other internal organs?
The deformation of the spine and thorax in children affects the health of the heart and lungs. After all, such disorders lead to a decrease in the thoracic cavity and cause pulmonary-cardiac failure: dyspnea appears, immunity decreases. Such children are more likely to have colds than their peers with a healthy back. In adults, osteoporosis often leads to the fact that patients become recumbent. If some part of the spine is clamped, it reduces the tone of the organ, which is at the level where the misfire occurred. For example, if the spine is blocked in the heart, it will affect the heart, if - at the level of the stomach, liver, there are problems with the digestive system. Patients with deforming arthrosis can not fully move. This provokes weakening and even muscle atrophy. Also, the respiratory function worsens - and there may be stagnation in the lungs.
Mirror question: how does the malfunctioning of the internal organs affect our "main axis"?
The connection between nerve fibers and the spine was noticed long ago - in the eastern spiritual practices. According to yoga, shaken nerves affect the condition of the large intestine: a person suffers from constipation, flatulence, and the accumulation of harmful substances in the large intestine leads to the fact that they gradually accumulate in the joints, bones - and there is a disease. In women, problems with the back are often caused by disorders in the work of the pelvic organs. They arise when the lady is clamped, nervous about her personal life, does not recognize her sexuality. When a person disrupts the excretion of uric acid (for example, because of his addiction to beer, the inordinate use of protein foods, legumes), gout develops. With this disease, uric acid is deposited in the joints and even in the bones. There are pains. If the disease is not treated, it is possible to limit movement and destroy the bones.
Why does osteoporosis appear - and how to protect against this disease?
Bones are a biologically active substance. Normally it is constantly renewed, the old bone gradually dissolves and is eliminated. The main cause of osteoporosis in women is the hormonal restructuring of the organism, laid down by nature, during the menopause. At this time, the bone dissolves more than it forms. That is why osteoporosis in mature women is eight times more common than in men. But there are other reasons. This is work on the production of pesticides, the intake of hormone preparations of corticosteroids, diseases of the large and small intestines, the fascination with coffee and alcohol, a genetic predisposition to osteoporosis, and causes that are not fully understood by science. Prevention of this disease: use foods (and, if necessary, apply drugs!) Containing calcium, lead an active lifestyle, abandon bad habits. If osteoporosis has appeared, it should be treated with special medications. But the doctor should choose the method of treatment and prescribe the medicine.
What to feed the bones and joints?
First of all, hard cheese. He is the champion in the content of calcium. A lot of this element contains cottage cheese, other dairy products. To cover the daily requirement for this element (1000-1200 mg), it is enough to drink two glasses of milk. Plus you need to eat fish more often. In it there is phosphorus - a conductor of calcium to the bone. Do not get carried away with protein foods. According to Ayurveda, an excess of proteins increases acidity in the body. This is bad for work. You also need to be very careful about beer, culinary masterpieces on yeast, so as not to provoke the accumulation of toxins in the body.
How to improve the absorption of calcium by the body?
It is more to move - to engage in physical education or even just walk! Calcium ions are positive. To get them into the bone, there must be a negative potential, and it appears when a person is in motion. Another stone in the garden of hypodynamia: when a person leads a sedentary lifestyle, calcium does not reach the bone. He can get into the vessel and form an atherosclerotic plaque. This leads to the development of atherosclerosis. Or get into the kidney and promote the formation of stones. Another way to increase the absorption of calcium - to drink special medications, conductors, which deliver this important element to the bone. Of course, such medicines should be prescribed by a doctor. It's also important to be outdoors, especially when it's light outside. The sun contributes to the production of vitamin D, this element is also a conductor of calcium to the bones. It is necessary and monitor the health in general. In an organism where all systems work together, the right amount of calcium is absorbed, and its excess is output. In yoga there is a recipe that promotes the absorption of nutrients. In the morning on an empty stomach to eat one tablespoon of olive or sesame oil. It strengthens bones, teeth, well envelops the intestines - allows the body to better perceive useful trace elements.
How do emotions affect the back?
From the point of view of Eastern psychology, our experiences control the physiological processes. Negative emotions in children lead to stoop. For example, out of fear of doing something wrong, to get the disapproval of parents, the children's shoulders are clamped on the shoulder belt or there is a gait "half-bent". An adult who feels lonely does not feel emotional support, pains occur in the upper part of the spine. Problems with the middle part of the back are due to the fact that the individual is mired in old experiences and feelings of guilt. If you do not perceive life with joy and there is suppressed anger - shoulder joints become inflamed and a feeling of fatigue appears in the shoulders. The problems in the lower part of the spine suggest that the person does not feel financial support. Not only emotions affect us, but also thoughts. Thought is a complex biochemical process that affects the biochemistry of the whole body. Bad thoughts, a desire for someone to evil shake the body. And, on the contrary, if you think and talk about others well - it will be excellent and well-being.
What effect does the spine have on pregnancy?
Women who are expecting a child are displaced by their center of mass. Exacerbated problems with the back (if they were!) - and, alas, can arise, even if they were not. Pregnant women often have low back pain. In this case radical methods of treatment can not be applied, so as not to harm the future baby. We recommend yoga for pregnant women - there are special exercises in it that strengthen the muscles, relieve the load from the spine.
What are the causes of osteochondrosis - and how to prevent the onset of this disease?
Initially, osteochondrosis is not quite the right term. It is used only in domestic medicine. In the West, this disease is not spoken, because it includes many other diseases: the problem can be in the discs, in the joints, in the vessels. The most common parallel is pain in the lower back or in the cervical spine. A synonym for osteochondrosis is cervical or lumbar radiculitis. Be that as it may, osteochondrosis is a person's disease associated with his upright walking. All the same, our spine in the process of evolution has not yet adapted to the fact that people would go straight. Another reason is genetic. If the genus of someone has a lower back, the likelihood of finding such a problem is increasing. Defend against osteochondrosis can be correct physical activity. Any actions in the home, if performed incorrectly, can cause us microtraumas. For example, in order to raise something from the floor, you need to sit down. This is the correct load on the spine. But more often people completely bend down. This is an erroneous action that can provoke pain in the lower back. Also, heavy physical work should be avoided.
Does medical massage or manual therapy (disc drive) always help? How to find a good specialist in this field?
Often people confuse massage with manual therapy. Massage is an effect on the muscles. Manual therapy - the direction of the discs (in the people of such specialists are called bone caries). In any case, you need to go to the masseur or manual therapist only through the orthopedist's office! There are diseases in which massage can harm. These are various inflammatory diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The choice of therapy is very individual. One person is shown a medical massage, another will help manual therapy. How to find a specialist? Again in the orthopedic office. Doctors usually recommend masseurs or manual therapists who are trusted. Go to such a specialist only on the grounds that he presented a diploma, I would not advise. Now it's not a problem to get a "crust" - there are a lot of courses, everyone is entitled to finish them. Therefore, the diploma does not guarantee that a person is really a professional in this field. I will add that a massage therapist or manual therapist should have a medical education - if not higher, then at least average. He must understand the anatomy and physiology of man.
Why are younger joint diseases, for example deforming arthrosis?
This may be due to underdevelopment of the articular cartilage. It occurs due to a violation of diet, sedentary lifestyle or for reasons that, alas, are not yet known to science. There are failures in the development of its components - one of the five types of collagen. The absence of any type of collagen leads to the fact that the cartilage is destroyed not in 80-90 years (due to old age), but already from 25-30 years. Often people do not even know why joints hurt - not all laboratories can diagnose this condition and find the cause of deforming arthrosis. The best prevention is the same physical activity. Treat deforming arthrosis with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Of course, the method is chosen by the doctor. Also, malfunctions can be a consequence of an injury. In this case, replacements of joint fluid or drugs that restore articular cartilage are used. Perhaps it will not have the same structure as before the damage. However, it will perform its basic function to protect bones.
A healthy back and a computer can not be a couple?
The computer does not affect the musculoskeletal system, but the long sitting in front of the monitor affects negatively. Office workers, for example, complain of pain in the thoracic spine, which bother after two hours of continuous work for the PC. We can not cross out computers from our life, but it's in our hands to handle it correctly. It is necessary to take breaks once in 1 -2 hours: get up from the table, warm up a little, just walk around the room. Every day it is desirable to perform charging. And do some kind of sport, fitness, yoga. From knocking on the keyboard, using a computer mouse, there is a disease of the wrist joints. It is called - the brush of the computer technician, or the syndrome of the carpal canal. Due to the fact that the brush is in an unnatural position for her, the joints become inflamed. To avoid this, you need to do exercises every half hour. First drop your hands - so that the blood flow to the brush. Then tighten-unclench the cams, move your fingers. This charge should be dedicated to 5-7 minutes. After - start working again.
What are the rules for choosing orthopedic mattresses and pillows?
The most physiological mattress is water. He exactly repeats the outlines of our body. And with it, the load on the spine is optimally distributed. Inflatable mattresses are not bad for the spine. But they are worse than water. In this case, there are tricks of application, so that the mattress performs its orthopedic function, it needs to be lowered slightly. Therefore, the best option for price and quality - silicone mattresses, as well as mattresses made of silicone-like materials. There are also mattresses with a combination of special springs, coconut shavings. Producers position their mall, the springs imitate the outlines of our body, and the natural stuffing does not soar. But from the point of view of orthopedists these products are not the best option. The orthopedic pillow should repeat the bend of the person's neck when he lies on his back. When positioned on the side between the neck and this "accessory for sleep" there must be a straight line. The pillow in this case is made of materials of moderate stiffness - it should not be under any pressure.
How does our "axis of movement" are affected by high heels and other fashion whims?
There is an optimal difference between the forefoot and heel - 3-4 cm. With this heel, the normal load on the knees and hip joint is normal. Heel 5-7 cm, this load increases several times. With 12-centimeter hairpins, the "load" increases even more - by 50-60 times compared with a 3-4-centimeter heel! Hairpins adversely affect the ligaments and can aggravate flat feet. In addition, a woman can not stand exactly in such shoes - her knees are bent, the hip joint is set in the flexion position, the lordosis (bend) of the spine increases. Therefore high heels - for solemn occasions. In everyday life it is better to wear comfortable shoes. I believe that children can wear high heels when they have formed a skeleton and strengthened bone tissue - no earlier than 16-17 years. Before it is better to wear heels 2-4 cm, not higher. There is also a fashion trend - bags that schoolchildren throw over their shoulders - in the manner of postmen. They are stuffed with notebooks and textbooks, moreover they are incorrectly located - this twists the spines of children and adolescents. Therefore, the healthiest accessories for schoolchildren are backpacks, backpacks that are worn on both shoulders.
What should I do if my child slouches?
You need to teach him how to sit properly. First of all, buy a comfortable chair in size. The legs of the child should never be hanging so that the baby does not get clogged. It is best to buy a chair with a height adjuster. Or substitute under the legs of the child a bench. The angle between the shin and thigh should be 90 °. Take care that the baby does not put his feet under him - this leads to a curvature of the spine. The chair should have a back so that the child can lean. When he does his homework or reads a book, both elbows are on the table. The distance between the table and the eyes is 30-35 cm. After 30-45 minutes of training the child should move for 10 minutes. And, of course, it is necessary that the baby does special exercises that relax the muscles of the chest and stimulate the muscles of the back. We say the right words, but they do not always reach children. Because the correct bearing of the child is the hard work of the parents. Mom and Dad should keep an eye on the baby, remind him to keep his back. You can do light pats, tingle on the back - these little stimuli will develop in the child's habit of sitting, standing and walking exactly. It is worthwhile to motivate. For example, "if you keep your back straight, you'll grow up faster" or "people with the right posture are very beautiful." Is it possible to correct posture in adulthood? If there are no structural changes in the spine (scoliosis, kyphosis), the posture is corrected by strengthening the muscles. It is enough to accustom yourself to stand exactly, to do physical exercises. But when there was deformation of the skeleton, the development of muscles can not be corrected. But all the same control over the back, gymnastics can improve the situation. In some cases, an operation to straighten the spine is indicated. If the problem is in weak muscles, physical exercises will help. In my practice there was a case when a 35-year-old man with a stoop and taut mobility of the pectoral muscles made significant progress when he began to practice yoga. By the way, orthopedists jokingly divide people into penguins and ducks. The first - these are those in which the loin loses its natural deflection. The second - those who have a loin too strong (in comparison with the normal) deflection. Proper physical exercises will help restore the natural bending of the spine. The first will be the exercises for stretching the front femoral muscles and strengthening the press, and the second is stretching the hamstrings and strengthening the loin. Similar exercises are in yoga. By the way, performing asanas from yoga helps to get rid of flat feet. I know a woman aged somewhere 40+, who after two months of practicing yoga began to correct the stop. This woman made an X-ray. The picture showed that the flat feet of her did not completely disappear, but the situation improved significantly.
Is it possible to level the legs?
With the help of the operation - yes. Than at an earlier age to conduct surgery, the better. Children can do so-called hypercorrection - to calculate how a person will develop and operate the limbs so that then, as the child grows, they align themselves. Orthopedists can perform an operation to level the limbs and adults. But we must remember that, like any operation, this entails risks - infection, inflammation. There are many girls who do not need surgical intervention, nevertheless they come to see an orthopedist with a request to level their feet. I had clients who even calculated their degrees: they say, one leg looks inward one degree more than the other - the doctor, correct it. How they calculated these degrees, I do not understand. I believe that if a person sees in himself the defects of appearance that are not visible to others - it is rather a psychological situation, rather than medical or cosmetic. Orthopedists need medical indications for such an operation. If they do not exist, we can refuse surgical intervention, because the responsibility for the patient lies with us. Motivation: "I do not like my appearance" is suitable for plastic surgeons, it does not work for orthopedists. The shape of the legs and feet in children can be affected by corrective exercises. Fixes a small X or O-shaped curvature of the legs, flat foot disappears. The main thing is to do such gymnastics in time.
What are the ways to increase growth?
If a child has hormonal disorders, hormonal therapy is prescribed to help him grow. Hormones stretch and a healthy person. But this is a very risky way. You can get serious health problems: disruptions in the work of the digestive system, breathing. An adult will be able to lengthen the bones and increase the growth to 12-15 cm by surgery. However, there is a great danger that there will be abnormalities in the muscles, the work of nerve fibers. There may be pareses, disturbances of nervous sensitivity. If you lose muscle, you can not stand on your feet. Therefore, before deciding on such an operation, you need to think very carefully, weigh all the risks. Growth can be increased by improving posture and aligning the bends of the spine, stretching the muscles - exercises, of which I spoke above. But, to be honest, if a man comes to me and says that his vital need is to become taller, lengthen his legs, I'll work with him as a psychologist. Because the origins of such desires are self-rejection.
What kinds of sports strengthen the range, and which ones are not very useful to him?
All kinds of sports I divide into useful, useless and harmful for the back. The most useful is swimming. Harmful - it's weightlifting, lifting the bar (everything that is connected with serious power loads on the spine). Other sports, if you do not allow injuries, do not bring back any harm or benefit. I am convinced that any non-stressful (not athletic and not traumatic) load on the spine is useful, for example, elementary physical exercises. It improves blood circulation, improves muscle tone, helps feed bones and related tissues. Some types of dance contribute to the improvement of the spine. Belly dance also applies to them. Its members (movements of hips, abdomen, back - the so-called "waves") specialists of our center have been included in medical gymnastics for children.
How long to keep the royal posture?
Feel healthy and happy. Yoga considers a person in a complex. And the beautiful position of the back is one of the components of his health. Those who are sad and heavy on the soul, as well as those who feel unwell, will clamp back, stoop, clumsily move. A person with excellent state of health always has a gorgeous gait and posture. Correct posture can have everyone who has a relatively healthy back. We must constantly monitor ourselves, engage in autosuggestion: "I should have the most charming and attractive back" - and if you sit or stand wrong, straighten up. At first it is difficult, and then you get used to it. And a beautiful posture appears on its own.