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Meaning
Kyphosis is the medical term for the spine’s severe rearward concavity. The chest is flattened, the back is rounded, and the head is carried forward. This may cause a discernible hump-like curvature and a slouched forward posture. While some spine curvature is common, excessive kyphosis can lead to discomfort, decreased movement, and, in extreme cases, breathing problems.
Other classification
Postural: the most common type
This is more prevalent in girls than in boys, and it is usually noticed for the first time during adolescence. back muscles and ligaments that are weak and in poor condition. In postural kyphosis, the vertebrae are often formed normally. It frequently takes time to develop, and it typically does not get worse over time. Pain and weariness in the muscles are possible symptoms in these patients. This kind of kyphosis does not result in a severe curvature that increases the risk of cardiac, pulmonary, or neurological issues.
Scheurmann’s kyphosis: was also first noticed during adolescence.
It arises from a structural flaw in the vertebra. An X-ray wedge of the vertebral body that is at least 5 degrees wide and narrower in front is required for the diagnosis.
Congenital: least common
The vertebrae developed abnormally during the period of development leading up to birth, which is the reason for this. This may cause kyphosis, which is the growth of many vertebrae together.
Types of kyphosis
1. Round kyphosis
There is a gentle, round curvature of the spinal column.
2. Angular kyphosis
There is a sharp backward prominence of the spinal column.
Causes of kyphosis
- Poor postural habits, wrong methods of sitting, walking, standing, and working.
- Weakness and paralysis of muscles.
- Mental or physical fatigue or tiredness attitude.
- Improper furniture.
- Diseases of the spine or organic disorders (TB of the spine).
- Injury of the spine in the thoracic region, ligaments, bones, muscles, anterior compression fracture.
- Nerve injury.
- Rickets.
- Heavy school bags.
- Congenital
- Long term disease
- Occupational
Treatment of kyphosis
The basic principles of treatment are:
- Relaxation of the body, especially the upper back
- Repeated stretching sessions of the shortened anterior structures by bracing the shoulders and maintaining the position.
- Posture of the head, neck, and shoulder during activity or rest in optimal position should be trained and checked.
- Mobilization of the whole spine, particularly the neck, scapula, and shoulders.
- Diaphragmatic and coastal breathing with emphasis on inspiration.
- Resisted exercises can be added to the longitudinal and transverse back muscles. These will be helpful in the natural maintenance of the correct posture.
- Efficiency of home management programs is vital for good results.
Exercises for kyphosis
1. Prone back extension
It helps strengthen the spinal muscles that enable you to pull back your shoulders and straighten your spine.
- Lie in a prone position on the floor. Bring arms to the side with palms turned up.
- Squeeze buttocks muscles and raise the torso a few inches off the floor while pulling shoulder blades together, then slowly lower back to the floor.
2. Shoulder blade squeeze
Sit on a stool and tuck your chin to your chest. While keeping your chest high, pull your shoulder blades together and hold them for 5 seconds before resting them. Repeat.
3. Dumbbell exercise
- Keep your back straight and your abdominals tight through this exercise.
- Sit on a stool; grip the dumbbell of lightweight.
- Raise the arms out to the sides up to shoulder level, squeezing the shoulder blades together.
- Do not lift your arms any higher than shoulder level. Lower and repeat.
4. Dumbbell shrug
- Stand shoulder width apart and hold the dumbbell in your arms.
- Lift the shoulders as high as possible, do not roll them but lift them straight up. Lower them and repeat the motion.
5. Back extension exercises
- Supine lying with elbow bent, forearm completely touching the floor.
- Lift the chest from the floor slowly, clearing the chest as much as possible.
- For progression, from elbow support the patient can come to hand support while trying to clear the chest from the floor.
- Rise slowly, lower, and repeat.
6. Corner stretching
- Stand with the arms at shoulder level and the elbow at 90 degrees, facing the corner, with hands touching the walls.
- Lean into the corner and come back.
- Try to let the shoulder rise, keeping the upper trapezium muscles inactive. Hold the position for about 10 seconds.