Hawes Martha C
Department of Plant Pathology, University of Arizona, Tucson 85721, USA.
Pediatr Rehabil. 2003 Jul-Dec;6(3-4):171-82. doi: 10.1080/0963828032000159202.
The loss of flexibility in a spinal curvature defines it as a structural spinal deformity; a curvature sufficiently mobile to resolve with a change in posture is a non-structural or 'functional' scoliosis which is within the normal limits of movement for a human spine. It, therefore, seems logical that exercise-based therapies designed to improve and/or maintain flexibility and range of motion of the spine and thorax would be useful in the treatment of scoliosis. Recognition of the importance of maintaining flexibility of the thoracic spinal column to avoid scoliosis-associated pulmonary dysfunction made the use of exercise-based therapies a topic of clinical interest in ancient Greece. In recent years, successful prevention of polio epidemics has resulted in a stable change in patient populations such that most individuals diagnosed with scoliosis do not suffer from irreversible central nervous system compromise. As a result, realistic opportunities to examine the role of exercise in treatment of scoliosis are available for the first time in history. A growing body of evidence from independent sources is consistent with the hypothesis that exercise-based approaches can be used effectively to reverse the signs and symptoms of spinal deformity and to prevent progression in children and adults.
脊柱弯曲灵活性的丧失将其定义为结构性脊柱畸形；一种在姿势改变时能够充分活动以恢复正常的弯曲则是一种非结构性或“功能性”脊柱侧弯，它处于人类脊柱正常运动范围内。因此，旨在改善和/或维持脊柱及胸廓灵活性和活动范围的运动疗法似乎对脊柱侧弯的治疗有用，这是合乎逻辑的。认识到保持胸椎灵活性对避免脊柱侧弯相关肺功能障碍的重要性，使得运动疗法在古希腊就成为临床关注的话题。近年来，成功预防小儿麻痹症流行导致患者群体发生了稳定变化，以至于大多数被诊断为脊柱侧弯的个体并未遭受不可逆的中枢神经系统损害。因此，有史以来首次有了切实可行的机会来研究运动在脊柱侧弯治疗中的作用。越来越多来自独立来源的证据与以下假设一致，即基于运动的方法可有效用于逆转脊柱畸形的体征和症状，并防止儿童和成人的病情进展。
