It's not the pressure that breaks the spine, it's the child's posture

Author: Li Qingbin: The First People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine

Reviewer: Yu Bo, Chief Physician, First People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine

According to epidemiological survey data from the Spine Disease Prevention and Control Committee of the Chinese Preventive Medicine Association, more than 5 million primary and secondary school students in my country suffer from scoliosis. According to CCTV reports, scoliosis has become the third most common disease among children and adolescents in my country after obesity and myopia, and is increasing at a rate of about 300,000 per year [1].

If a child has scoliosis, it will not only cause an unsightly appearance, but it will also easily cause musculoskeletal pain and even affect their growth and development, cardiopulmonary function, etc.

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How should scoliosis be treated?

The treatment methods for scoliosis are also different. If scoliosis has been confirmed, the appropriate treatment method should be selected according to the severity of the scoliosis, including follow-up observation, specific exercise training, orthopedic brace treatment and surgical treatment.

(1) 0 to 10 degrees is considered mild scoliosis: correction can be achieved through follow-up observation or posture adjustment, and usually no medical intervention is required.

(2) 10 to 25 degrees is considered moderate scoliosis, which can be corrected through specific exercise training.

(3) 25 to 40 degrees is considered severe scoliosis: specific exercise training alone cannot achieve the ideal correction effect, and it is necessary to wear an orthotic brace and cooperate with specific exercise training for treatment (the brace needs to be strictly worn at all times except for bathing and exercise, including sleeping).

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(4) >40 degrees is considered severe scoliosis: it is difficult to achieve the desired effect through training, and surgical treatment is generally required.

How to effectively prevent scoliosis?

In order to effectively prevent adolescent scoliosis and promote their healthy growth, parents should pay special attention to the following situations [2].

(1) Pay attention to your daily posture

Sitting posture: Sit upright at ordinary times, do not lean your body, sleep in a slanted position, or cross your legs.

Standing posture: Stand with both feet together, head up and chest out.

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(2) Reasonable backpacking habits

Teenagers should try to reduce the weight of their backpacks. They can use trolley bags or backpacks, and adjust the length of the straps to keep them close to the back. Try not to carry a single shoulder bag.

(3) Balanced physical exercise

Adolescents should actively participate in sports activities that help strengthen their back muscles, such as swimming and dancing. They can also do strength training for the back and abdominal muscles to maintain spinal stability [3].

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(4) Reduce the use of electronic products

Teenagers should avoid static activities such as playing electronic products or watching TV for long periods of time, and participate in more outdoor activities.

(5) Waist core muscle training

For adolescents with mild scoliosis or at risk of scoliosis, the strength of the back muscles and core muscles can be moderately strengthened.

(6) Early detection and early treatment, and appropriate vitamin D supplementation

Because scoliosis is hidden and develops slowly before the rapid development of puberty, but abnormal posture is not uncommon in adolescents, families and schools should pay attention to the spinal health of adolescents and conduct regular spinal health screenings to ensure early detection and early treatment.

At the same time, parents should also promptly realize the importance of abnormal postures for adolescents’ spinal health and physical development, and actively guide their children to maintain good posture habits and do appropriate outdoor exercise. If mild symptoms or related hidden dangers are found in daily life, they can go to the rehabilitation department of a professional institution for consultation.

References:

[1] Hou Dong, Wen Jiantao, Zhang Chen, et al. Research progress on the current status of early screening for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis[J]. Health Care Medicine Research and Practice, 2024, 21(4): 150-156.

[2] Yao Qianyu, Wang Hongkun, Wei Yaru, et al. Prevention and rehabilitation of mild idiopathic scoliosis in adolescents[J]. Heilongjiang Science, 2022, 13(12): 76-79.

[3] Dong Mengting, Wang Yating, Lin Jiayin. Study on the effect of physical exercise on adolescent idiopathic scoliosis[J]. Sports and Health, 2024, 3(2): 5-8.