Unfortunately, even small children are not immune from problems with the spine, poor posture, because modern kids spend more and more time with their parents at home watching TV or with a phone and a tablet in their hands. And such a lifestyle will certainly affect the state of the child's musculoskeletal system. But if it is problematic for adults to correct the curvature of the spine, then in children this is all possible with the help of exercise therapy. This is a physiotherapy exercise that compensates for the lack of physical activity. What features it has in children and what benefits it brings, we will analyze in our article.

What is LFC

This is a set of exercises that is more reminiscent of yoga, because it is performed smoothly, slowly. At the core physiotherapy exercises lies the use of the main function of our body - this is movement. The whole complex is a selected exercise combined with proper breathing.

As a separate section of medicine, exercise therapy was isolated only in the 20th century, but even Plato noted that movement is the same healing power as drugs. Therapeutic physical education is not only exercises, but also water procedures, normal walking, outdoor games.

The positive aspects of exercise therapy

In order for the body to develop normally, it is important not only proper nutrition but also regular physical activity. Often adults forget about this when they start scolding their kids for being too active. Exercise therapy for children is not just physical therapy, it also plays an educational role:

• The child receives some hygiene knowledge.
• Get to know the world around you better.
• Learn to relate to the world around you.

What does physical therapy give a child? Parents often ask this question, believing that only serious sports can bring benefits. But this is far from true. Exercise therapy exercises:

• contribute to the harmonious development of the musculoskeletal system;
• correct posture;
• back muscles are strengthened;
• in the presence of asymmetry of posture, a correction occurs.

Exercise therapy is a complex that can prevent postural disorders. Therapeutic physical education develops endurance, strength, improves coordination of movements.

Also thanks to exercise therapy:

• immunity is strengthened;
• the body becomes less susceptible to various pathogens;
• the child adapts better to school;
• the work of the whole organism is normalized;
• sleep and appetite improves.

Children especially need exercise therapy for diseases of the musculoskeletal system. But a preliminary consultation of a specialist is necessary in order to choose an effective complex.

Varieties of exercises

Some believe that physiotherapy exercises are an ordinary gymnastics complex, but experts say that any exercise can be attributed to exercise therapy. leisure. Often classes with children are held in game form to keep the kids interested.

All exercises that are included in the complex can be divided into:

1. General. They are used to strengthen the entire body.
2. Special exercises are aimed at a specific system, for example, exercise therapy for fractures will contribute to the speedy healing and restoration of mobility of the injured limb. If there is scoliosis or flat feet, then the exercises are selected to correct these pathologies.

All exercises can also be divided into groups:

• active movements.
• Static to hold postures.
• Passive. These exercises are usually included in the complex for babies, because the baby is not yet able to do them on his own.

The nature of the exercises also differs, they are:

• Respiratory.
• Relaxing.
• Stretching.
• Corrective.
• Coordination.

Taking into account what deviations in the musculoskeletal system the child has, the specialist selects a set of exercises.

Contraindications for exercise therapy

Despite the great benefits therapeutic gymnastics, it is not shown to all children, contraindications include:

• The presence of any pathologies in an acute form.
• Malignant tumors.
• Frequent bleeding.
• Heart disease.
• Violation of the rhythm of the heart.
• Poor health of the child.
• Heat.

Even in the absence of contraindications, if the child is ill with a common cold, then it is worth interrupting for a few days exercise therapy classes, after recovery, resume again.

Features of children's exercise therapy

Since classes are held with children, the instructor must thoroughly prepare. It is important to choose as much as possible more exercise in a playful way. But the following points must also be taken into account:

• The age of the kids.
• Level physical development.
• The state of the psyche.
• The development of fine motor skills.

Therapeutic gymnastics contributes not only to the correct formation of posture in a child, strengthening the body, but also to the normalization of the cardiovascular system.

Some rules for exercise therapy

This is a complex that must be performed in compliance with some rules that can make classes more effective:

• Before the first lesson, it is necessary to visit a doctor, because in the presence of serious pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, medical assistance may also be required.
• Classes should be conducted by specialists who can adequately assess the condition of the child.
• It is necessary to load the baby gradually.
• Exercise therapy exercises should not cause pain to the child when performed.
• To make it more interesting for kids, it is necessary to select a variety of exercises, include game moments.
• It is not worth starting the complex immediately after eating, at least 45 minutes should pass.

• You need to work in a room that is well ventilated.
• If the complex is done with a baby, then it should begin and end with a pleasant stroke, but for older children, at the beginning of the complex and at the end, relaxing and breathing exercises.
• Some people think that exercise therapy complex does not require a warm-up, but it is not. It is also divided into an introductory, main and final part.
• The course of exercise therapy is usually prescribed by a doctor, it can be repeated several times during the year.

Features of exercise therapy for scoliosis in a child

Considering that our children now spend much more time at computer monitors than in active movement, it is not surprising that many are already in primary school have the wrong posture. If everything is still not so neglected, then there is every chance to return the straight back to the child.

For this, it is important to choose correct exercises, and only an orthopedist who needs to be visited can do it competently. In serious cases, not only gymnastics may be required, but also the use of a special corset.

Depending on the type of curvature of the spine, exercises are selected:

1. If thoracic kyphosis is diagnosed, then exercise therapy for children must necessarily include exercises to strengthen the muscles of the shoulder girdle, as well as to stretch the muscles of the chest.
2. In the presence of a flat back, it is necessary to choose exercises in such a way that the muscles of the back, legs, shoulder girdle.
3. Scoliosis requires exercises to increase the mobility of the spine, improve coordination of movements, and stretch the spinal column.

Exercise therapy for the shoulder, lumbar - it does not matter, it requires that the exercises be performed regularly. If you practice only a couple of times a week, then there will be no effect.

Approximate complex for preschoolers

It has already been noted that for kids it is necessary to include many game moments in the complex, but the main exercises can be distinguished:

1. It is necessary to start the complex with a warm-up. You can start by walking with high knees for a few seconds, on toes, heels.
2. While waving your arms to the sides, at the same time rise on your toes.
3. Exercise with a gymnastic stick. Pick it up from the floor, lift it up on outstretched arms and put it on the floor again.
4. Swing your legs from a prone position, while the pelvis should not come off the floor.
5. Exercise "swallow".
6. Half-squat, bending your knees, and take your hands back, return to starting position. The back during the exercise should be straight.
7. Coordination exercise: take turns standing on one leg with arms outstretched to the side.

Exercises can be done using various gymnastic equipment, for example, jump ropes, balls, hoops.

Approximate complex for schoolchildren

After warming up, you can begin to perform the following exercises:

1. Lower and raise your arms with the ball, while the elbows should be apart.
2. Keeping your back straight, you need to lower and raise the ball behind your head.
3. Put one hand behind the back from above, and the other from below and try to fasten them into the lock.
4. Tilts to the side with arms outstretched to the side.
5. Take a position lying on the floor, and bend your back without lifting your pelvis.
6. From a kneeling position with an emphasis on the hands, bend and round the back.
7. Lie on your stomach and at the same time raise your legs and shoulders, lingering for a few seconds.
8. Bicycle exercise.

After the end of the complex, you must definitely walk around, perform breathing exercises. During classes, the coach must necessarily monitor the correctness of the exercises, breathing and the position of the child's back.

Violation of posture is not yet a sentence. If parents pay attention to this in a timely manner, then a special complex will not only quickly return the child to an even back, but also strengthen the entire body.

It is from the time of the school bench that most children have signs of scoliosis of the initial stage, which at best remains unchanged throughout life, at worst it progresses to more severe forms (3 and 4). Treating scoliosis often means forcing the spine to align in a way such as stretching or wearing a brace. But what many patients don't know is that there is a third option: improving the connection between the brain and muscles through physical rehabilitation (therapy) of scoliosis.

What is exercise therapy against scoliosis in children

Many types of scoliosis in children aged 10–15 years are idiopathic in origin, which means that doctors do not know the specific cause of the onset and development of the pathology. The curvature found in a child under 10 years old refers to early scoliosis.

According to Cobb, 4 degrees of scoliosis are distinguished, based on the angle of curvature of the spine - up to 10, 11–25, 26–50, more than 50 degrees

Why and when deformation occurs

Scoliosis, or lateral curvature of the spine, is a fairly common problem that occurs in school-age children. Visually, it looks like a skew in the line of the shoulders, shoulder blades or hips - one side is higher than the other. The disease is often caused by a rapid skeletal growth spurt at the age of 10-15 years, while the muscular corset of the spine - its support - does not keep pace with bone development. All troubles are exacerbated by the need for schoolchildren to carry heavy briefcases, spend quite a long time in a motionless position at a desk in the classroom, sometimes the child experiences excessive or unbearable stress on the spine during active games or professional sports.

According to general statistics, today scoliosis is widespread throughout the world. Approximately 3 million new cases are diagnosed in the United States each year, with most of them being juvenile idiopathic scoliosis. Approximately 29,000 scoliosis surgeries are performed in the United States each year.

When doctors treat a twisted spine with bracing, traction, or surgery, they are not actually addressing the source of the problem. While the underlying cause of idiopathic scoliosis is unknown, progression of the disease occurs because the brain does not respond properly to gravity, causing the spine to become misaligned. In a non-scoliotic body, the brain responds to gravity by signaling the spine to straighten. In a person with a spinal deformity, the brain does not perceive gravity correctly and cannot send a message. When the back muscles are unable to maintain correct posture, the spine is formed abnormally - a curvature develops.

Proper scoliosis correction exercises can treat the underlying problem by retraining the brain to correct body position, and helping to return the spine back to its physiological and anatomical shape.

A lower incidence of scoliosis is typical today only for residents of third world countries on the continents of Africa or Asia. This is explained by the undeveloped education system, when the education of the general population does not exceed a few classes or is absent altogether.

The essence of exercise therapy exercises for children's scoliosis

The severity and cause of scoliosis are important factors that help determine the treatment plan. There are three main ways to approach the treatment of children with scoliosis:

• observation and physical rehabilitation;
• fixation (with the help of a corset, bandage);
• spine surgery.

Physical rehabilitation for scoliosis patients takes many forms, with different approaches to treating the disorder. These may include exercises:

• on breathing technique;
• to strengthen simultaneously all the muscles of the back and trunk (symmetrical),
• for balance training and balancing curves (asymmetric),
• to develop posture (with a small load on the head) and retrain the brain and muscles.

Although they all have different purposes, most of these types of scoliosis exercises are voluntary, which means they are performed intentionally. On the other hand, involuntary movements occur when the body automatically moves in response to a specific stimulus. For example, movements such as carrying a wallet or wearing glasses become familiar to the brain.

Exercises for posture with a book on the head - effective in the initial stages of scoliosis

Because posture control is an involuntary habit, the only scoliosis exercises that can effectively halt progress include involuntary exercises to help the little patient form new postural habits.

Postural exercises - alignment of muscle imbalance by giving the body certain corrective postures and positions. These exercises play a preparatory role. They largely ensure the effectiveness of the main exercise.

Involuntary exercises involve placing a small amount of weight on the head, trunk, or pelvis. Then the patient makes certain movements that help the brain to perceive a different center of balance within the body, which causes it to rebalance the position and realign the spine. This workout aims to:

• stopping or slowing down progress;
• reduction and stabilization of the existing degree of curvature;
• improving functionality and cosmetic appearance;
• eliminating the need for invasive fixation or surgery.

Posture training exercises work for all cases of scoliosis in patients, regardless of their age or curvature angle. At the same time, the best results can be achieved in children with a scoliosis angle below 30 degrees. With an early start of classes with the inclusion of involuntary exercises and the presence of a still “soft” scoliotic curve (less than 20 degrees Cobb), the scoliotic angle can decrease to less than 10 degrees. And more severe cases will most likely never progress to 30 degrees.

Video: moving with a book on your head (posture exercises)

Contraindicated activities

Each case of curvature of the spine consists of a set of incorrect positions, forming as a whole one wrong line. Scoliosis rarely occurs on its own, as a rule, it is accompanied by kyphosis or lordosis. If we focus on correcting one arc, then overall result will be unsatisfactory, because the remaining curvature will spoil the effect.

There are elements of exercise that are contraindicated for patients. You need to know about them. Contraindicated:

• inflections chest in different directions - to the sides, forward, backward;
• bending, turning the body (body);
• long stay in any fixed position;
• lifting weights with one hand;
• performing exercises with a load on one leg (squats, lunges, etc.);
• acrobatic elements (somersaults, bridge, birch, headstand and handstand, etc.);
• making sudden movements, jerks;
• activities with elements of running, jumping.

Children and adolescents with any degree of scoliosis are contraindicated gymnastics and dancing, during these sports, the spine is subjected to a high uneven load. Running with moderate curvature of the spine (1, 2 degrees) is allowed within reasonable limits. It is absolutely contraindicated only in case of rapid progression of the disease, and also if the disease has reached stage 3-4.

Indications and contraindications for exercise therapy

Effective exercises against scoliosis of the 1st and 2nd degree in children allow the spine to return to a healthy anatomical shape after 6 months. If the treatment of the pathology has not begun in a timely manner, then within a few years the angle of curvature may increase to 26 degrees or more, and the effectiveness of physical therapy will sharply decrease. In the presence of anatomical defects of the vertebrae, surgical treatment will be prescribed. However, modern medicine has the potential for early diagnosis of curvature of the spine in children.

If you start doing exercise therapy at the first stage of the disease, then after six months you can completely get rid of the deformation.

Like any therapy, the complex of therapeutic exercises recommended for scoliosis has its own indications and contraindications. Physical therapy (exercise therapy) will usually be shown to children in the following cases:

• at the initial stages of curvature of the spine (including and when visually a non-professional does not determine any changes);
• with ligamentous-muscular imbalance and violation of posture;
• in cases of a tendency to develop curvature due to weakness of the spinal muscles.

The exercise therapy method is effective only in cases of functional changes in the spine. In the presence of deformation of the bone or cartilaginous tissues of the spinal column, therapeutic exercises will not be effective.

Gymnastics, no doubt, in many cases helps to significantly improve the condition of the children's spine, however, it is not shown to everyone and not always. For some comorbid conditions or illnesses, exercise can bring more benefits. potential harm than benefit. Exercise therapy is contraindicated in such cases:

• with rapid progression of the disease;
• in the presence of pain in the back;
• during exacerbations of any chronic diseases (respiratory, supporting and other systems);
• during the course of any acute infections in the body.

If the child has an acute infection or symptoms have become more active chronic disease any organ or system, exercise therapy for such children is temporarily contraindicated. But it can be started after recovery. As a rule, within 1-2 weeks after the illness, the main indicators of a healthy body return to normal and you can begin therapy with physical exercises.

There are no absolute contraindications to the correct therapeutic loads for practically healthy children. But any load should be controlled as much as possible and agreed with the pediatrician, surgeon, and other pediatric health professionals, if necessary.

Training

Some preparatory measures must be taken into account and observed before the start of the therapeutic and gymnastic complex. Because the proper preparation is already a significant part of the success and positive developments in the health of the child.

1. Preparation of the premises - the hall or office of exercise therapy, in which therapeutic training takes place, must be ventilated and well ventilated. The air temperature is comfortable, not too high, within 17–20 °C for rooms where children are engaged, depending also on the climatic conditions outside the window.
2. Availability of the necessary equipment - you need to prepare in advance for the child a sports uniform made of natural or special modern "breathable" fabrics, as well as comfortable sports shoes. In no case should clothes hinder movement, squeeze any places on the body. You also need to stock up on gymnastic equipment: a rug, a fitball, a gymnastic stick, etc. Sports equipment is provided in many rooms or halls for exercise therapy - it is better to check this information with your rehabilitation doctor.
3. Compliance with the diet and drinking - about 1.5–2 hours before class, the child should eat nutritiously and fairly densely. Children must have a bottle of drinking clean water with them to quench their thirst during and after the completion of a set of exercises.
4. Removing attention to personal hygiene - before starting exercise, it is recommended to take a warm shower. During physical activity, the pores of the skin of the body and face open under the influence of increased heat stress. And the skin can intensively absorb toxins and impurities present on the body.

The study area should be spacious and well ventilated.

Method of execution and stages of exercises

Begin classes with a light load, gradually making it heavier at each subsequent lesson, if there is no negative impact.

Main complex exercise therapy exercises always based on three components:

1. Warm-up - during its implementation, it is necessary to pay attention to posture, for example, coming close to the wall, remember the position of the body (back) and head, take a few steps back and forth without changing posture. During the warm-up, you can smoothly rotate your shoulders, alternately pull up to the front of the body, legs bent at the knee joints. It is necessary to adjust your breathing by raising your arms and head up to the ceiling and taking a deep breath, then lowering them, making a smooth exhalation. It’s good to unload the spine at first, walking on all fours. In this position, the vertebrae experience a minimum load.
2. Basic exercises - are symmetrical, when both halves of the body are simultaneously involved, and asymmetric - one-sided. With the latter, you need to be extremely careful, they are performed exclusively under coaching control. In general, the elements of the exercises are performed in such positions so as not to overload the spinal column. In this sense, it is ideal to exercise lying down, as well as in the knee pose and its variations.
3. The final part is a gradual decrease in load, light muscle stretching exercises.

Gymnastics for the treatment of scoliosis at home - different complexes

At home, only simple exercises with minimal risk of injury

Each complex is developed taking into account the characteristics of the deformed spine of a particular child. They take into account the age category, the course of the disease, the stage, and find out if there are any associated health problems. Physical education for children is simple, the movements should be accessible for children of different ages to perform.

With 1 degree of scoliosis, a basic gymnastic complex is shown, which is easy and safe to use at home. Its main part is symmetrical exercises, thanks to which dorsal muscles acquire strength and tone.

Moving in a circle in a room, you need to do the following movements:

1. Raising and lowering your arms at the same time, breathe deeply and evenly (10 times).
2. Make smooth vertical and horizontal swings, alternating hands (15-20 times).
3. Rotate your shoulders forward and backward (10 times).
4. Shake your arms a little, relaxing them (10 times).
5. Bend your arms at the elbows, placing them in front of the chest, swing in a horizontal plane (20 times).
6. Keeping your hands on your belt, pointing your elbows back, you need to bring your shoulder blades together and raise your chin. Do this on your toes for 30 seconds.
7. Having fastened your hands with a “lock”, raise them above your head. Elbows - "look" to the sides, the neck with the back must be strained as much as possible so that the muscles are felt. In this position, walk on your heels in a circle.
8. Raise your arms and chin while taking a deep breath. Lowering your arms and head down, exhale completely.

Special children's therapeutic exercises at the first stage are designed to restore muscle elasticity. To do this, it is useful to perform the following exercises (repeat each exercise 10-15 times):

Gymnastics on the back (perform all movements in 5-10 sets of 10-15 seconds):

1. Lying horizontally on your back, clasp your hands above your head. Stretch the upper limbs in the direction from the head up, and the lower limbs in the opposite direction. Thus, you can feel how the spinal column is stretched.
2. In the supine position on the back, hands are freely placed parallel to the body. Raise both legs at an angle of 45 degrees above the floor, imitating movements similar to cycling.
3. The same initial pose as in exercise No. 2. Do cross swings with your legs without touching the floor surface.
4. Bending your knees, pull them as close to your forehead as possible. Try to keep your knees and forehead touching. The head does not move.

Gymnastics on the stomach (perform 5-10 sets of 10-15 seconds):

While doing home complex from scoliosis, attention should be paid to the fact that care must be taken not to damage the muscles and ligaments. Any additional activities directed against scoliosis in children, in addition to base complex, should be coordinated with a competent physician to exclude serious complications. it the only way ensure effective treatment illness.

Possible consequences and complications of gymnastics

If parents miss the time of the initial stage of scoliosis in a child, after a few years from stage 1-2, the deformation can reach 3-4

To be sure of the maximum safety for the health of the child in exercise therapy classes, parents must first visit an orthopedist with the child. The doctor will conduct the necessary consultations. Self-compilation of the load program is excluded.

It is important to understand that children under 14 are shown loads designed specifically for children, taking into account the strength and endurance of this category of children.

If the child is too lazy to complete classes at home in full, then it is advisable for parents to take care of signing up for group or individual sessions in specialized groups at children's polyclinics. In such institutions, the orthopedic trainer knows how to interest and motivate the child. A doctor with medical education will check correct technique performance, which will improve the future result and, at the same time, eliminate the possibility of injury.

The constancy and regularity of visiting such classes are especially relevant in the initial stages of the disease and for the purpose of prevention. It is in this case that complete healing and a return to a healthy anatomical shape of the spine is possible. It is very important not to waste time. The indifferent attitude of parents to this problem in their child may result in an intensive progression of the deformity, which will eventually affect health. internal organs in the adult life of their children.

Violation of the technique of performing elements, prohibited exercises are fraught with an increase in the curvature of the back. The vertebral ligaments are designed in such a way as to bend and unbend the spine, while twisting or deflecting in different directions provokes subluxations of the vertebrae, imbalance, and is also dangerous for the occurrence of protrusions and hernias.

It would seem, how are squats related to the spine? It turns out that there is a connection: technically incorrectly squatting, overloading lower part trunk, the child is in danger of compression of the spine due to reflex compression of the spinal muscles.

Yoga

Yoga is based on exercises for stretching the spine, increasing the intervertebral distance and interdiscal space. Any yogic exercises should be carried out after the approval of your intentions by a competent medical practitioner - a specialist in pediatric orthopedics.

Children's yoga should be used primarily as a preventive measure.

It is useful to know that all sets of yoga exercises are designed primarily for healthy people. different ages. That is, it makes sense to perform them for children only as a preventive measure. Here are some examples of exercises:

• Boat. You need to sit down, bending your legs at the knee joints. Lean back, straighten your legs, raise at an angle of 45 degrees to the floor. Hands stretch forward, parallel to the floor, palms "look" down. The back and neck should merge into one line. Freeze in this position for 5-10 seconds. Repeat 4-5 times.

  Exercise "boat" with a fitball - helps to maintain balance longer

• Child. You need to kneel, buttocks touch the heels. Stretch your arms to the ceiling, and touch your knees with your chest, reach the floor with your forehead. Hold on in this position until you feel obvious discomfort. Do this 4-5 times.
• Giant. Standing straight, legs apart at shoulder level, arms fastened together raise above your head, stretch towards the ceiling. Then gently bend to the sides, fixing the head and body on the same line. Do 7-10 times on each side.

  Exercise "giant" is performed smoothly, without sharp jerks

• Wood. Lying face down, simultaneously tear off the upper and lower limbs and stretch towards the ceiling.
• Snake. Lying on your stomach, place your palms at shoulder level on the floor. Elbows almost touch the sides of the body. Slowly raise your shoulders and torso off the floor, working your back muscles. Bend as much as possible in the lower back and freeze like this for a few seconds. Slowly return to the starting position.

  Exercise "snake" or "cobra" - for physically fit guys

When performing these exercises, you need to pay special attention to the correct breathing technique, which is put by a qualified instructor in children's yoga.

Video: exercises for children with scoliosis (expert opinion)

To date, physical therapy in childhood is a great variety of games and activities that allow you to restore and improve the functioning of organs and other body systems without interfering with child development.

The Benefits of Exercise

Movement is the basis for the development of the body, especially in childhood, a person cannot live a day without movement. Separate types exercises can affect possible disturbances in the functions of the body, which is very important when taking into account diseases in individual organs and systems. for children is based on the positive effect of exercise on nervous system child, strengthening immunity and correcting existing pathologies ().

very important role in the treatment physical culture conducted with children of preschool and primary school age, have special outdoor games that not only have a therapeutic effect, but also stimulate positive emotions. Exercises are able to regulate the various functions of all systems and organs of the child's body without exception. During exercise therapy exercises for children, a great variety of methods and practices are used, or rather:

• exercises that include gymnastic elements;
• simple active games;
• hardening;
• massages for healing and treatment;
• auxiliary mechanical devices (mechanotherapy);
• gymnastics in the pool.

Features of exercise therapy in infants

The key to the successful implementation of the prescribed exercise therapy exercises for children is the compliance of the means and methods of conducting classes with the age characteristics of the child. It is important to remember that exercise therapy for children of early infancy should be carried out by a certified specialist, especially in the first months of life. Be sure to follow the methods of dispersed loading. The time allotted for exercise therapy should not initially exceed 7-15 minutes.

The first years of a child's life are characterized by very high rates of development and growth of the organism as a whole. All possible indicators are intensively increasing: height, weight, chest volume, foot sizes. As the child's body grows up and develops, the movements become more meaningful, acquire the physical completeness of actions, a certain expediency. But in the child's consciousness, the processes of serenity still prevail over the processes of concentration. According to the results of social surveys, two-year-old children are physically active 60% of the time, except for sleep time, and by the third year, activity reaches 70% of the time awake.

Given the characteristics of children in this age group, exercises should be selected simple, which do not require a high concentration of attention and intense physical activity.

Exercises in the pool and passive gymnastics, massage are very good. As you develop and grow up, you can connect active games with elements of therapeutic exercises for correct posture.

Features of exercise therapy in preschoolers

During the period preschool age(from 3 to 7 years) in children there is an intensive growth of the limbs. Fundamental changes and transformations in the development of speech abilities are taking place. The kid masters the initial skills of interactions with the outside world.

Improved further development the main types of movements, the aiming of throwing and throwing various objects, running skills arise, new elements in building a jump and landing.

Given the rapid fatigue of the muscles and the relative weakness of the bones of the skeleton, children of primary preschool age are still incapable of prolonged physical activity. It is desirable to diversify the exercises during classes as much as possible and conduct them in a playful way. Time payload may be slightly increased and should not exceed 15–20 minutes.

Suitable for this age group:

• active games with elements of exercise therapy in the fresh air;
• gymnastic exercises with the use of a ball, fitball;
• classes in the pool;
• therapeutic and wellness massages.

Features of physical therapy classes for schoolchildren

Already at school age, the volume of exercise therapy is used in full force. Classes last at least 30-45 minutes and lead to, which is very important at this age, since the asymmetric development of the muscles of the body leads to a violation of posture and the occurrence of curvature of the spine, which in the future is fraught with pathology of internal organs. Therefore, the methodology for conducting classes is developed taking into account the age of children, their physical capabilities and level of activity. To do this, you need to be equipped with all the necessary simulators and equipment. gym. Only a specialist should conduct exercise therapy classes and select exercises for children.

Properly prepared and worked out by a specialist to the smallest detail, the exercise technique will really help improve the health of the guys.

It is important to know that in the therapeutic physical culture conducted with school-age children, a special place is occupied by games of a mobile nature, which include therapeutic elements. During the game, use all parts of the body in running, walking, squatting, jumping, throwing, and the child himself will perform all the exercises, as he is passionate about the game process.

For kids over 7 years old game lessons varied and include many elements and techniques. At this age, you can read books about physical education. For younger students, it is best to use story games, that is, calling children cartoon characters and offering to perform imitative actions of their favorite characters (Tom and Jerry, Mousetrap). Be sure to perform game elements with the ball. Older children are happy to participate in relay games with the implementation of sports elements, the use of gymnastic equipment.

Purpose of exercise therapy

In order to select a game that contains therapeutic elements, the instructor or doctor will first get acquainted with the child's diagnosis. After that, taking into account the age load and the degree of adaptation of the child to it, he will select a group appropriate for development. The saturation of the game is based on a combination of all factors therapeutic exercises and corrective motor elements (running, jumping, walking, projectile throwing).

It is very important to take into account the level of complexity of the perception of the rules of the game and the balance of emotional and physical stress when performing roles. Also, the instructor should keep in mind that the game he offers should be of interest and cause a desire to continue, repeat it.

Outdoor activities

Physical therapy classes in open areas are very useful, where, in addition to the therapeutic effect of exercises, hardening of the child's body is achieved. This is especially true for educational sanatoriums, where children are academic year. In such institutions, physical therapy classes are held very often in the fresh air for almost the entire academic year.

Most often, the sanatorium has a wide range of playgrounds for a variety of sports games, for example, a field for mini-volleyball. This game is effective tool all-round physical development of the child, it contributes to the harmonious growth of the muscles of the body, the formation muscle corset. A variety of movements with the use of game situations on the court helps to eliminate the danger of overwork, prevent the development of muscle imbalance.

With an experienced instructor and appropriate equipment, active games will not only bring pleasure to the children, but also have the proper healing effect.

Children who need walks and fresh air are advised to go on hikes of a certain duration, cycling in specially designated areas.

It is believed that swimming is the most difficult type of sports-applied exercises, but if you carefully prepare, choose the right set of exercises, you can get a lot of good impressions and a positive therapeutic effect.

At the age of 7, the child begins to attend school, spends a long time at the desk. The load on the nervous system, spine and joints increases. Nothing affects the health of the baby so badly as hypodynamia.

Exercise therapy helps to increase immunity, strengthen posture, improve blood circulation and activate mental activity.

Exercise therapy not only allows you to treat the existing pathology, but also performs a preventive function. Thanks to regular classes positive changes are taking place.

• increases the body's resistance to viruses and bacteria;
• the body acquires resistance to hypothermia, overheating, jumps in atmospheric pressure;
• the work of the brain is activated;
• hyperactivity decreases, the child becomes more attentive and focused;
• the work of endocrine organs is normalized;
• the emotional background improves;
• aerobic exercise develops the respiratory and cardiac systems, helps reduce sensitivity to allergens;
• the body quickly adapts to school loads.

Important! Exercise therapy for children 7 years old helps to form the correct posture, increases the endurance of the body, improves coordination of movements.

Types of exercises

Exercises for children can be divided into 2 types: general strengthening and corrective. The latter are used to treat scoliosis, flat feet and other pathologies. Exist static exercises, during which a certain position is maintained, and dynamic - movements of the limbs and torso.

At the age of 7, a child is not able to perform monotonous physical exercises for a long time - he wants something new, interesting, complex.

Therefore, it is important to avoid monotony: alternate types of movements, change gymnastic apparatus, starting positions. Complexes are used with a stick, a ball, near the gymnastic wall.

Exercises are performed standing, sitting on the floor and a chair, lying on a bench and a rug. During the lesson, game and competitive elements should be used - “who will get the highest apple?”, “Who will keep the ball on his head longer?”

Class rules

If the child has a violation of posture, you should visit an orthopedist, take an x-ray of the spine and get the advice of a doctor. You should also assess the capabilities of the body, find out the absence of pathologies - diseases of the heart, joints, tuberculosis.

Important! Any set of exercises should include a warm-up, the main and the final part. The duration of the lesson with children of the 7th year of life is 20-30 minutes.

The training rules are as follows:

• gradually increase the duration of the lesson and intensity;
• movements should not cause discomfort and pain;
• classes are held before meals or an hour after it;
• after class, the child should feel good, be active;
• the optimum air temperature in the room is 22 degrees and below;
• during the classes, breathing, relaxing, stretching and coordination exercises are used.

Exercise therapy is contraindicated in:

• fever, acute inflammation;
• myopathy;
• arrhythmias;
• bone dysplasia, osteoporosis;
• infectious diseases.

General strengthening exercises

Below is exemplary complex exercises for children 7 years.

1. Walking in place with knees raised - 30 seconds. Then the movements become more difficult: right hand touch the left raised knee and vice versa.
2. Standing near the wall, the feet are located 15-20 cm further from the wall. Lean your hands against the wall and stretch upwards, slightly bending in the thoracic region (inhale). The back is not in contact with the wall. Lower your arms, press your back against the wall, tilt your head forward and down (exhale). The exercise can be made more difficult by performing it on toes.
3. Standing, arms apart, legs shoulder-width apart. Squatting, lean to the side and touch your foot with your hand - exhale. Inhale to return to vertical position. Run right and left 6-8 times. To complicate: connect the feet together.
4. Standing near the wall at a distance of one and a half steps. Bend over to the waist, touching the wall with the fingers of the outstretched arms - exhale. While inhaling, straighten up, take your hands back. 6-8 repetitions.
5. Stand up straight, put your legs together. Bend your leg at the knee, clap your hands under it. Repeat for each leg 12 times. To complicate the exercise: raise the leg straightened at the knee forward.
6. Place stools on the sides of the child. Leaning to the side, clap your hand on the seat, straighten up, clap your hands over your head. Run 10 times left and right. To complicate: tilts to the side, without bending the legs at the knees.
7. Jumping in place, hands on the belt - 40 seconds. To complicate: jump, turning the body 90 degrees to the side.

Scoliosis Exercises

Therapeutic physical education in scoliosis plays a leading role. A set of exercises for scoliosis of the 1st degree includes the following parts:

• warm-up;
• lying on your back;
• lying on the stomach;
• standing.

At the beginning of the lesson, the instructor suggests going up to the wall and checking your posture. It should be repeated with children how to stand correctly: head, shoulder blades, buttocks, calf muscles and heels should be in line. Then the children are invited to walk on all fours for 2-3 minutes.

Lying on your stomach

The training is aimed at strengthening the abdominal muscles.

1. Stretching of the spine. Lying down, stretch your arms and legs as far as possible from the body - 15 seconds. Repeat 4 times.
2. Bike. Simulate leg movements, as when riding a bicycle. Keep your feet at a distance of 20 cm from the floor. Do 3 sets of 30 seconds.
3. Swing your legs in the vertical and horizontal direction. 3 sets of 30 sec. When performing swings in a horizontal direction, keep your feet as close to the floor as possible.

Lying on your stomach

Exercises are designed to strengthen the muscles of the back and straighten the spine.

1. Lying on your stomach, stretch your arms and legs as far away from the body as possible. 4 repetitions for 15 seconds.
2. "Swimming". Lying on the stomach, the forehead is pressed against the back of the palms. At the same time, raise your head, shoulders, arms and legs, perform hand movements that imitate breaststroke swimming.
3. Lying down, head pressed to the hands. Raise the right leg and swing it to the side, repeat for the left leg.
4. I.P. - too. Swing your leg up, lifting your thigh off the floor.
5. I.P. - too. raise upper part torso, spread your arms to the sides, turn your palms to the ceiling. Hold the position for 15 seconds. Repeat 4 times.

standing exercises

1. Circles with hands. Lean your hands against your shoulders, rotate your arms back, the amplitude should not be too large.
2. Standing, arms out to the sides, palms facing up. Rise on your toes and sit down, straighten up. Repeat 10 times.

Important! A set of exercises for scoliosis of 2-4 degrees is selected individually.

Stretching exercises for scoliosis are best performed on a fitball, and not on the crossbar. All movements are performed at a moderate pace, combined with muscle tension.

Exercises for flat feet

The cause of flat feet is weakness of the muscles and ligaments of the ankle and foot. With flat feet, there is an uneven distribution of the load on the spine and joints, which further threatens with a violation of posture. The sooner therapeutic exercises are started, the faster the foot will acquire the correct position.

1. Walking on toes and heels.
2. Walking on the outside and inside Feet.
3. Grabbing a stick with your toes.
4. Walking with bent toes.
5. Rolling a stick or ball with the foot.
6. Log walking.

In the warm season, it will be useful for kids to walk barefoot on grass or sand. The event improves immunity, strengthens the muscles of the legs, hardens the body.

Conclusion

Exercise therapy for children is not only complexes gymnastic exercises. It is useful to practice in the pool, run, ski. If you are working with a child at home, use the simplest exercises, but do them regularly.

Is your child constantly sick or has birth defects? We advise you to try therapeutic exercises, which are quite successfully used by pediatricians from all over the world. It will be a great addition to the main methods of treatment and will help your baby quickly return to a normal rhythm of life. But first things first!

Therapeutic gymnastics called a whole system of special physical exercises that help relieve pain and get rid of a number of serious diseases. Such gymnastics is based on active movements that the child performs independently. In those cases when he is unable to move any part of the body, the help of a specialist is used. It is he who sets in motion individual muscle groups or joints.

The main goal of therapeutic exercises for children is to restore and strengthen the psychological and physical health. This system of exercises is also used in cases where there is an irreversible defect (transverse paralysis or amputated limb). With its help, the patient learns to perform movements that will replace the functions of the amputated body parts.

Who appoints

The system of exercises is prescribed by the attending physician, and they are carried out by a specialist, trained in a specialized school (kinesitherapist).

Efficiency

Therapeutic gymnastics for children is not in vain so popular. Its benefits can hardly be overestimated:

• - It helps to strengthen and stretch the human body;
• - Helps in as soon as possible get rid of damage to tendons, muscles, nerves and joints;
• – Improves the physical condition of the patient;
• - Replaces the lost functions of the body with new ones;
• - Teaches coordination of movements;
• - Prevents the appearance of thrombosis, bedsores, pneumonia (read);
• - Helps the patient to manage without the help of other people in everyday life.

All these properties are successfully used in many areas of medicine: orthopedics, traumatology, neurology, geriatrics, sports medicine, surgery, gynecology and many others.

Exercises of therapeutic gymnastics for children

The exercises below are the best, curvature of the legs, scoliosis, bronchitis, flat feet, malnutrition, gastrointestinal disorders and other diseases. This system, which is mainly aimed at correcting posture, can be used for children from three to six years old (middle preschool age).

"Toss"

Ask the child to lie on his back, stretch his arms at chest level and take them gymnastic stick. The child needs to raise both legs, throw them over this stick and in the same way take the starting position. Repeat at least 13-15 times.

"Air Letter"

Lay the child on his back, legs need to be closed and lifted up. Ask him to draw in the air with his feet the objects that the ant carries on its back. Let the baby also indicate the direction and speed of movement, draw even the smallest details. This exercise is enough to perform 1 time.

"Swimmer"

Starting position - lying on your stomach. The child must make movements that imitate swimming, while his hands cannot touch the floor. A specialist or one of the parents can offer several situations that the baby should portray. For example: “The dog went to visit his friend, but a river stood in her way. The dog needs to swim across the river, and then get home from the opposite bank.

Do the exercise until the baby is tired enough.

"Walking"

Starting position - standing, hands on the belt. Ask the child to walk one circle around the room on his heels (“The Bunny crosses the puddle”), on the toes (“The Bunny quietly sneaks past the sleeping Fox”), on the outside and on the inside of the foot (“The Bear is walking through the forest”).

Exercises of therapeutic gymnastics should not cause negative emotions in children. To obtain good result do classes as often as possible - daily or every other day. Physical exercise increase gradually so that the child can adapt.

Video of therapeutic exercises and physical education for delays from 2 to 7 years: