What’s Scoliosis of the Spine or Curvature of the Spine?

This medical condition can simply be described as the abnormal sideways bending of the spine. Cases are usually mild, moderate, or severe.

Even though anyone can develop spinal curvature, the condition is mostly found in young children. Additionally, girls are more affected by this medical abnormality than boys. However, mild cases found in young children can be bettered with age.

Know Your Symptoms

Scoliosis signs and symptoms are inclusive of:
• Obvious spine curvature that’s even more pronounced when you bend forward.
• One shoulder obviously higher than the other.
• Waist is tilted to one side.
• Uneven spaces between the abdominal region and arms.
• Prominent ribs and shoulder blade.

Exercises to Correct Scoliosis of the Spine

Causes of Scoliosis?

Unfortunately, the cause of a majority of spinal curvature cases is unknown. In fact, according to an article published on the Better Health Channel official website, “about two cases of scoliosis in every 10 have a known cause…” Of these cases, the cause can be:
• Diseases like osteoarthritis
• Neuromuscular diseases like cerebral palsy
• Unevenness in the length of legs
• Spinal malformation during the first three to six weeks in the womb

What Type of Scoliosis Do You Have?

It’s imperative that you ensure that your doctor discusses and pinpoints the particular type of spinal curvature that’s affecting you. The different types of this medical condition are:
• Idiopathic – In basic terms, this means that the cause is unknown. There are three primary types of idiopathic spinal curvature, which are: infantile, juvenile, and adolescent.
• Congenital – This type is related to congenital vertebrae abnormalities.
• Neuromuscular – Spinal curvature can be caused by various disorders and diseases of the muscles, nerves, and brain.
• Paralytic – This type develops after a loss of spinal cord functionality.

Doctors Diagnose a Curved Spine by…

Physical examinations and x-rays are used to carefully diagnose spinal curvature. The following factors are taken into consideration during the examination:
• What angle is the curve?
• Does the curve lean towards the right or left?
• Is the curve located in the lower or upper back?
• Is the curve shaped like a ‘C’ or an ‘S’?

Spinal Surgery or?

Spinal curvature can be treated using:
• Orthopedic brace – This brace is usually worn by young children, and isn’t a guaranteed cure. An orthopedic brace can postpone the need to undergo surgery, or prevent further curving of the spine.
• Surgery – This treatment option is reserved solely for severe cases. Variations of spinal curvature surgery exist, but the most common is the posterior spinal fusion and instrumentation.

You’ve Been Diagnosed, What Now?

A spinal curvature diagnosis isn’t a death sentence. Instead of worrying, learn the facts about this condition. You don’t have to live in pain. Be proactive, and get your scoliosis of the spine treated today.

Intercostal muscles occupy the spaces between the ribs know as intercostal spaces.

Every intercostal space is made up of three types of respiratory muscles which are;

• external intercostal muscles,
• internal intercostal muscles
• and the innermost intercostal muscle.

On the inside of each intercostal space is parietal pleura which lines the endothoracic fascia . The external side of the space is covered by facial and skin. Intercostal blood vessels and nerves are located between the innermost layer and the middle layer i.e. between internal intercostal muscles and the innermost intercostal muscles.

The 3 Types of Intercostal Muscles are;

External intercostal muscles- These muscles are responsible for quiet and forced inhalation. Its fibers are positioned downwards and forward. When they are in use, the ribs are raised which consequently expands the chest cavity. They are found originating from rib 1 all the way to rib 11 and their insertions running from rib 2 to 12.

Internal intercostal muscles- these muscles are used during forced expiration. Their fibers are positioned downwards and backwards. They will be found originating from the ribs 2-12 and their insertions will be found on ribs 1-11. When the muscles are being used, they result in the lowering of ribs which reduces the space in the thoracic cavity.

Innermost intercostal muscles- they form the innermost part in intercostal space. On the outer surface of these muscles are intercostal nerves as well as blood vessels and on the inside we shall find parietal pleural and endothoracic fascia. Innermost intercostal muscles are divided into 3 parts which are;Subcostalis- found on the posterior end,Intercostalis intimus- it’s the intermediate part,Sternocostalis- forms the anterior part.

How do Intercostal Muscles work?

Intercostal muscles are usually attached on the rib bones. When these muscles contract, the ribs are pulled towards each other. This means that if rib no.1 is fixed, when the muscles contract, it will result in the upwards pulling of the rib cage. In the same note, if rib no.12 is fixed, it will mean that any contraction in intercostal muscles will force the rib cage downwards. During inhalation, rib no. 1 is fixed due to the action of root neck muscles (scalene muscles) and therefore the rib cage will be raised.

This results in the increase in space of the thoracic cavity.

During exhalation, the last rib i.e. rib no.12 is held in position by obliques muscles and quadratus lumborum (which are all located on the abdominal region). The fixing of the last rib ensures that the rib cage is lowered thus resulting in the decrease in volume of the thoracic cavity.

Nerve and Blood Supply to the Intercostal Muscles.
Intercostal muscles are well supplied with blood vessels and nerves. Intercostal nerves form the anterior part of thoracic spinal nerves running from T1 to T11. These nerves are distributed to the abdominal peritoneum and thoracic pleural. In the intercostal space, these muscles are found in the neurovascular bundles

These muscles are nourished by blood coming through intercostal arteries. Blood usually leave these muscles via intercostal veins. The arrangement of these arteries, veins and nerves from the outermost of intercostal space to the innermost is; intercostal veins followed by intercostal arteries and finally intercostal nerves. Thus, that is how intercostal muscles are fed.

These provide mobility for the wide range of actions of the hands and arms making it a highly mobile joint in the body.

The shoulder has the ability to

• adduct,
• abduct,
• be raised in front and behind the torso,
• rotate
• as well as move a full 360 degrees in the saggital area.

These muscles must be stable enough to enable actions such as pulling, lifting and pushing. The compromise between stability and mobility is usually what causes shoulder problems unlike those encountered by other joint such as the hip.


Shoulder Muscles

• The serratus anterior arise from the surface of the eight ribs and inserts along the border of the medial. This muscle fixes the scapula into thoracic wall and helps in rotating and abducting of the shoulders.
• The subclavius originates from the 1st rib and inserts on the subclavian opening of the clavicle. It stabilizes the clavicle and depresses the lateral clavicle.
• The pectoralis minor arises from the 3rd, 4th and 5th ribs and inserts into the medial border close to the scapula surface on the upper side. It assists in respiration and rotating the scapula medially. This muscle also helps in protracting the scapula as well as drawing the scapula inferiorly.
• The traezius originates from the ligamentum nuchae and occipital bone as well as from the corresponding portion of supraspinal ligaments. The muscle inserts on the lateral clavicle and the acromion process. It performs different actions on the scapula ( shoulder blade) such as upward rotation, depression, adductions and elevation.

Shoulder Bones

The clavicle or collarbone is the only bony part that attaches between the trunk and upper limb. It forms the front part of the shoulder girdle and runs along the entire length where it is palpable with a gentle S-shape. It articulates at one end with the sternum and acromion of the scapula (shoulder Blade) at the other end. The articulation between the acromial of the clavicle and acromion of the scapula forms the shoulder roof. Other bones that form the shoulder include the scapula which is a triangular bone forming the shoulder girdle and while the humerus forms the upper arm.

Blood Supply

The axillary artery is usually the main blood vessel that supplies oxygenated blood to the armpit. It also supplies the upper limb and thorax and originates from the lateral margins of the 1st rib. The axillary vein runs parallel to the artery transporting deoxygenated blood back to the heart.

Nerve Supply

There are several nerves that travel down the arm passing through the axilla under the shoulder joint. The 3 main nerves arise from the shoulder; they include the radial, ulnar and median nerves. These nerves carry signals to and from the brain about sensations such as pain, temperature and touch.

Muscle Knots in the Shoulder

These cause pain, essentially they are sections within muscles that have constricted, this is called myofascial trigger points. It is quite common. It is caused by something that has triggered a reaction resulting in the muscle not relaxing. Every action we do with muscles results in the muscle turning itself on and off, in this case the muscle stays switched on.

Shoulder muscles enable you to perform highly complex tasks since they are designed for maximum mobility and a wide range of motions. Apart from pulling, lifting and pushing the muscles are also responsible for holding the hand in appropriate position for other functions. When you realize all the complex tasks that are accomplished by the shoulder joint then it is easy to understand how hard life can be if the shoulder is not functioning well because of the shoulder muscles.

Bursae are basically sacs filled with lubricating fluids;

• they are located between body tissues including bones, muscles, tendons, and skin.

A bursa should decrease friction between the tissues to minimize irritation and other injury risks.

In total, a human body has 160 bursae; elbow, shoulder, hip, knee, ankle, thigh, and buttocks are the only bursae with risks of inflammation or infection.

Bursitis

Any disorder or abnormal placement of bones or joints is often the results of bursitis (inflammation of the bursa).

Bursitis is most frequently caused by repetitive minor impacts or a sudden major injury on the area.

Nonetheless, bursitis is also a common condition as the result of aging. An aged person usually has less effective bursa; therefore, the tendons become less elastic and the bones are prone to friction.

• Bursitis Knee

The most frequently encountered bursa disorder is knee bursitis. The knee has three major bursae. Knee bursitis is caused by an inflammation of prepatellar bursa located at the tip of the knee. Some of the most common causes are prolonged kneeling position and overused bursa such as in athlete competition. Knee bursitis is commonly treated by ice compress and anti-inflammatory medications. As  bursitis can involves infections, antibiotic therapy and surgery may be necessary.

• Shoulder Bursitis

An inflammation of the bursa may also occur in the shoulder. The most common symptoms are swelling, tenderness, and localized pain of the tissues in the affected area. Shoulder bursitis rarely triggers any form of infection. It can be thoroughly diagnosed through X-Ray or MRI scanning.

• Trochanteric Bursitis

Trochanteric bursitis is also called hip bursitis. It is mainly triggered by the inflammation of the bursa located on the side of the hip. It is usually a non-infectious condition caused by strain injury. The treatment is basically similar to that of bursitis shoulder.
 

Natural Remedies
There are also other possible treatments for bursitis. If you only would like to use naturally produced remedies, orange juice, fish oil, pineapple, etc. Omega 3 fatty acid, vitamin C, and vitamin E are excellent bursitis healers.

Once again, bursitis is actually a common condition as a part of aging process. However, there are various medications and natural remedies available to treat the condition. Consult doctors for further information on bursae.

Without the muscular system, human beings would not be able to perform, function, and move around in their day-to-day lives.

Comprised of nearly 640 different muscles, this system is an essential component of our anatomy.

Unfortunately, the muscular system does not always function optimally, which often results in an array of disorders and diseases that inhibit its performance.  The top five of those muscular disorders and diseases are described in detail below.


Cerebral Palsy: Cerebral palsy is a movement disorder that most often arises during foetal development.  This disorder results when the brain does not develop properly as a consequence of genetic defects, maternal infections, inadequate blood flow to the brain, infant infections, or severe trauma to the brain.  Symptoms of cerebral palsy include: stiff or floppy muscles, poor muscle coordination, tremors, delayed motor skills, difficulty walking, and poor speech development.

Lou Gehrig’s Disease: Also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Lou Gehrig’s disease occurs in approximately 1 to 3 per 100,000 people around the World.  In most cases of this disease, the cause is unknown.  Lou Gehrig’s disease is a progressive disease that worsens with time, and its symptoms include: leg, foot, and ankle weakness; clumsiness; slurred speech; muscle cramps; and tongue twitching.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS): Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an irreversible, progressive disease that causes many individuals to lose the ability to walk and/or talk at some point in time.  While the cause of this disease is unknown, it is suspected to be influenced by both genetic factors and childhood infections.  Symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) include: numbness and weakness in the arms and the legs, blurred vision, tingling body parts, fatigue, dizziness, and blindness in one or both of the eyes.
 

Muscular Dystrophy (MD): Muscular dystrophy (MD) is a progressive, genetic disease in which the body’s muscle fibres become easily damaged.  There are several different types of this disease, and the most common of those types occur in male children.  Eventually, many individuals who develop muscular dystrophy (MD) lose the ability to walk at some point in their lives.
 

Myasthenia Gravis:Myasthenia gravis results when the communication between nerves and muscles is disrupted.  It is most common in women who are younger than 40 and men who are older than 60.  Common symptoms include: eyelid drooping, double vision, chewing and swallowing difficulties, and overall weakness.

From cerebral palsy to multiple sclerosis (MS), there is no doubt that muscular diseases and disorders incur devastating effects on individuals’ abilities to maintain good qualities of life.

Fortunately, the current availability of advanced technologies, pharmaceuticals, and knowledgeable specialists is advantageous for people who suffer from those ailments.

Ultimately, it is through both those medical advancements and a thorough awareness of muscular diseases and disorders that all individuals are best equipped to prevent, fight, and treat them successfully.

Ligaments of the body is made up of a skeletal framework that protects internal organs, provides structure and stability, and allows movement. Without it, your body would collapse into a shapeless form. This structure is interconnected by an intricate network consisting of bones, tendons and ligaments, on which muscles are attached.

Structure and Function of Ligaments
Made of strong collagen tissue, ligaments are flexible bands of connective tissue that attach bones to each other to form joints. They provide stability to the joints while allowing a range of movement. They also act as shock absorbers to prevent injury to the body organs. Some ligaments are designed to limit or prevent some movements such as excessive flexion.
The human body has 900 ligaments. Of these, 600 are located in the extremities. From the neck upwards, there are 70 ligaments and 230 are in the trunk, 40 in the abdomen and 10 in the pelvic area. Hands and legs have 600 ligaments, with six in each toe and 30 in the soles, 30 in the leg and 10 in the knee joint.
Types of Ligaments
There are three types of ligaments, namely :

• capsular ligaments, which protect and strengthen the synovial joints,
• extra capsular joints, which provide stability to joints, and
• and the more flexible intra-capsular ligaments which allow a wider range of movement.

Head and Neck Ligaments

Some of the ligaments found on the head and the neck area are:

• cricothyroid ligaments, connects the teeth to the alveolar bone and provides strength to the teeth to withstand the stress of chewing and other movements
• periodontal ligaments, connects the teeth to the alveolar bone and provides strength to the teeth to withstand the stress of chewing and other movements
• and suspensory ligaments, supports the eye lens in place

Thorax Ligaments
The thorax contains sets of ligaments on which the chest and abdominal muscles are attached, and hold the spinal cord together. Ligaments in the spine consist of the:

• ligamentum flavum, which covers the layer that protects the spinal cord’s dura mater,
• anterior longitudinal ligament that attaches the vertebrae to the front and the
• posterior vertical ligament, located along the entire length of the spine at the posterior, which also connects the vertebrae.

Pelvic Ligaments

Ligaments located in the pelvic area include:

• the anterior and posterior sacroiliac ligaments,
• sacrotuberous,
• sacrospinous,
• inferior and superior pubic ligaments and the
• suspensory ligament of the penis.

These articulate the bones in the pelvis and prevent dislocation of joints.
Ligaments in the Legs

In the legs, most of the ligaments are located in the knees and ankle joints.

In the ankles:

• the deltoid ligament provides support to medial side and connects the tibia to the talus and calcaneus bones.
• Talofibular ligaments support the lateral side and also connect the talus to the fibula.
• Calcaneofibular ligament connects the fibula to the calcaneus bones.

In the knee joints, the ligaments are:

• medical collateral,
• anterior and posterior cruciate and the
• lateral collateral ligaments.

These control movement of the joint and connect the bones in legs.

Because of their flexibility, ligaments can stretch when under tension and revert to shape during rest. However, overstretching can cause the ligaments to weaken or tear, which can raise the risk of frequent joint dislocations. This is why it is important to do regular stretching exercises to make the ligaments more supple and allow a wider range of movement during physical activities that put a lot of tension on the ligaments, such as exercise.

• maintain proper posture,
• help people move
• and provide strength.

Let's take a tour of the major muscle groups contained in the abdominal area, the arms, the legs and the rear end.

The Abdominal and Chest Area – contains three major muscle groups.

The abdominal area includes both abs and obliques.

• The abs in the front protects several major organs including the stomach, kidneys and intestines. These muscles tense when a person laughs or coughs.
• The obliques at the sides of the body help with twisting motions.
• The chest contains pectoralis muscles, often called pecs. They help the body do push-ups and protect the heart and lungs.

Now that we've toured the mid-section, let's take a look at the arms.

The Arms – contain three major muscle groups that help us lift heavy objects or carry things.

• The deltoids in the body's shoulders are most noticeable when you lift an object over your head or hold your arms out at your sides.
• Biceps are the front arm muscles that people like to show off when asked how strong they are.
• Triceps are the major muscles in the back of the arm. Now that we've learned the major muscles in the arms, let's look at the legs.
   

The Legs – work hard to help us run, walk and lift.

• The hamstrings at the back of the legs help us bend. They are stretched when we touch our toes or walk backwards.
• The quads are in the front of the upper leg. They help us stand from a sitting position.
• The gastrocnemius, better known as the calf muscles, is in the lower leg.  

That completes the tour of the leg's major muscles, now let us learn move up to the rear end.

The Buttock – muscles are much more important than people realize. This major muscle group is called the gluteus maximus. We sit on these muscles every day. They also help us climb stairs and ride bikes.

This completes the tour of the body's major muscle groups. Just remember abs, obliques, pecs, deltoids, biceps, triceps, hamstrings, quads, gastrocnemius and gluteus maximus. This saying may help you remember: "An Old Pig Doesn't Bite Though He Quickly Gobbles Grapes."

Over 600 muscles enable individuals to breathe, eat, digest food, and maintain acts of daily living. Muscles are living, metabolically-active tissues, and without them, individuals would not be able to survive and thrive as human beings. Provided below is a detailed overview of muscles, what they are, what they do, and how they keep individuals "moving and grooving" each and every day.

Muscle Definition
Muscles provide the human body with the ability to move through voluntary and involuntary actions. Most of the body's muscles are voluntary, which means that they move by commands sent from the brain via the nervous system. The rest of the body's muscles are involuntary, which means that they move by unconscious control. Collectively, each of the body's muscles comprises what is known as the Muscular System.

Major Muscle Groups – Each muscle in the human body belongs to one of three groups. These groups are:

• the cardiac muscles, the cardiac muscles only consist of heart muscles, they are involuntary, and they are responsible for the electrical conductions that keep the heart beating and pumping every day.
• the smooth muscles, the smooth muscles surround the body's internal organs, they are involuntary, and they are responsible for functions such as food digestion.
• and the skeletal muscles, the skeletal muscles surround the body's bones, are voluntary, and account for between 23% and 40% of an individual's body weight.

How Muscles Work

Without muscles, it would be nearly impossible for an individual to do anything. Even thinking processes require some type of muscular interaction. Predominantly, it is through both contractions and brain impulses via the nervous system that muscles function. Overall, the main sources of fuel for proper muscle function are carbohydrates and proteins. It is through these nutrients that muscles are able to work, repair, and build optimally.

Common Muscle Disorders

Compartment Syndrome: Compartment syndrome occurs when excessive pressure builds within the muscles. The result is muscle pain from reduced blood flow to the area. This disorder is very common in athletic individuals.
Muscular Dystrophy: Muscular dystrophy is an inherited condition in which an individual's muscle fibers become damaged and weakened over time. This disorder often causes an individual to lose his/her ability to walk.
Muscle Sprain: A muscle sprain occurs when an individual's muscle becomes stretched or torn. This disorder is very common in active individuals and it is relatively easy to treat.
Myositis: Mysositis entails the inflammation of an individual's voluntary muscles. This disorder often occurs as a result of injury, infection, or an autoimmune disease.

Muscular System Facts

• The smallest muscle in the body is the stapedius, which is located in the middle ear. This skeletal muscle is only 1.27 millimeters long and it assists in sound vibration conduction.
• The largest muscle in the human body is the gluteus maximus, which is also known as the buttocks muscle.
• The strongest muscle in the human body is the masseter, which controls jaw movement. It possesses the ability to create a force of up to 200 pounds or more on the molar teeth when an individual chews.
• The heart is the human body's hardest-working muscle. It is a cardiac muscle that pumps a minimum of 2,500 gallons of blood throughout the body per day.
• The most active muscles in the human body are the eye muscles, which never stop moving. If an individual reads for an hour, his/her eye muscles will move at least 10,000 times during that period of time.

From the powerful masseter to the tiny stapedius, each muscle plays a significant role in an individual's day-to-day functioning. Ultimately, it is through the vast expanse of this system of muscles that individuals are able to maintain active, healthy, and fullfilled lifestyles as "moving and grooving" human beings.

Have you ever wondered how many joints you have in your body? Or maybe you have always wondered how they work to facilitate movement. Did you know your body has a total of 360 joints. You body has 206 bones. At every point where these bones intersect there is a joint.

What is a Joint

A joint is defined as the point of contact between two or more bones. This  point of contact provide mechanical support for the human body. All joints in your body are classified in four categories. This classification can be based on two factors;

Function: This is the role played by a joint in terms of possible movement.
Structure: This refers to how bones are attached to each.

The major joints categories in the body are pivot joints, hinge joints, saddle joints, and ball and socket joints. All of them facilitate free movement without bones knocking each other.

Joints Categories

The major joints categories in the body are:

• pivot joints,
• hinge joints,
• saddle joints,
• and ball and socket joints.

They facilitate free movement without bones knocking each other.

Ball and Socket
This joint is formed in places where one bone has a ball-shaped or a rounded surface that fits into a cup-shaped or concave depression found on the other bone. This contact between bones with such structures forms a synovial joint. It can allow a movement of 360 degrees. Joints on the hip region are examples of a ball and socket joint where the femur bone fits into the pelvis cavity.

Hinge
Hinge joints operate the way a door does. It allows a single plane movement just like closing and opening a door. Strong ligaments connect the bones and aid in movement. Examples of hinge joints are the knee, between fingers, and the elbow.

Pivot
This joint is formed when one two bones meet with one having a bony cylinder and the other having a ring-like structure. Movement of this joint is usually a half circle and it occurs when one bone rotates around another. One example of this type of joint is where the first spine vertebra joins the skull to the second spine vertebra. This joint facilitates rotation of the head.

Gliding Joint
This joint is formed when bony surfaces holding a synovial joint are slightly rounded or flat. This joint facilitates a wide array of movement between bones as one bone slides past the other allowing free movement. Examples of sliding joints are the points of intersection between the small eight bones of the wrist and of the spine vertebrae.

Just like other parts of the body, joints have disorders as well. Joints can sustain injuries through activities, accidents and diseases. Some joint disorders can be severe and may deeply impair your movements.

The most common degenerative joint diseases in the human body are:

• arthritis,
• osteonecrosis
• and osteoporosis.

It is important that you seek medical attention whenever you experience joint pain or suffer injuries that cause pain in any of your joints.

For more information and Ful Diagrams on joints please check this out.

Giant-cell Tumor is a rare condition whose symptoms include the presence of unusually large benign cancer cells with multiple nuclei in the affected bones. The disease is more common in Asia and particularly in China where it accounts for a much higher percentage of bone diseases than in the US and Europe. Giant-cell tumor of the bone is also more likely to affect people approaching middle age and is somewhat more common in women.

Symptoms of giant-cell tumor of the bone

• include pain in the affected area
• restricted ability to move the bone due to the closeness of the tumor to the joint
• external bumps may be seen if the disease has progressed for a while – in certain cases giant-cell tumor of the bone remains undetected until the patient experiences a fracture at the affected site. In this case the disease will become apparent due to the fact that normal healing does not occur, as the tumors prevent recovery.

Detection

Giant-cell tumor of the bone may be viewed with x-ray imaging, radiology, MRI and CT scans.

However, precise diagnosis is usually only achieved via biopsy, in which case the physician will be searching for the signature multiple nuclei of the tumor.

Management

In rare cases, giant-cell tumor of the bone may become malignant, in which case they tend to result in lung cancer.

There have not been many modern options developed in the treatment of giant-cell tumor of the bone, and doctors continue to favor surgery as the foremost option. In some cases patients may be deemed unacceptable candidates for surgery, such as those that have experienced complicated fractures. Giant-cell tumors are often treated, in this case, by radiation.