What Is Kyphosis And How Can It Be Corrected?

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Kyphosis is the medical term that is used to describe hunchback posture. Essentially, this postural imbalance occurs because of an exaggerated thoracic curve.

What Causes Kyphosis?

There are two types of kyphosis that occur because of very different problems. The most common type is known as 'postural' kyphosis, and occurs when people maintain poor posture for a prolonged period of time. This type of kyphosis is generally caused from working at a computer for a long period of time without adopting correct alignment whilst seated.

The second type of kyphosis is known 'Scheuermann's kyphosis' and is a structural problem rather than a postural one. With Scheuermann's kyphosis, the spine does not properly develop due to anterior wedging that occurs in the spinal vertebrae. Although Scheuermann's kyphosis may show similar symptoms to postural kyphosis – such as the aesthetic changes and a tightness in the chest – it is a much more difficult problem to manage and correct.

What Can be Done to Fix the Problem?

Postural kyphosis is a minor condition that is fairly straightforward to correct. If you have this condition, you need to look at your postural muscles and how they are acting to pull your spine into an irregular shape. In most cases, the chest muscles are too tight and the back muscles are too loose. This imbalance causes the chest to contract, which forces the shoulders to become rounded and widens the muscles in the upper back. As such, you need to stretch daily to loosen up your chest muscles and carry out strengthening exercises for your upper and lower back.

Scheuermann's kyphosis, on the other hand, is difficult to correct without surgery. The reason for this is that the problem is caused by an irregular growth of the vertebrae during adolescence. Because this problem is due to the structure of the spine, only minimal benefit can be gained from stretching. However, if you are still in your early teenage years, doctors can issue a stabilization brace that you wear every day and which helps to promote healthy development of your spine.

If you have passed your growth spurts, doctors can approach the problem in one of two ways. If you have a slightly curvature that does not impact on your breathing or cause you significant pain, doctors will likely just monitor your condition to make sure it doesn't worsen with time. If you suffer from excessive curvature that affects your day-to-day life, your doctor may refer you to an orthopedic surgeon for corrective surgery. In these cases, the spinal curvature is straightened and held in place using rods and hooks. The vertebrae are then fused together and held in place in order to strengthen this area.

In the vast majority of cases, surgery is not required and the condition can be managed by watching your posture and strengthening your postural muscles. However, if you are concerned about your posture, it is best to speak to your doctor as they will be able to carry out a full examination and ensure you are given the best treatment going forward. Visit http://www.jpspottdo.com for more information. 

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18 May 2017

stretches and exercises for after hip surgery

As we age, our bones become more brittle and susceptible to breaking. Even the slightest fall can cause a hip to break and leave us paralyzed with pain. After a hip replacement, there are exercises that you should do. If you have recently had a hip replaced or know someone who has, this blog will help you find exercises and stretches that will help the hip to heal properly and quicker than it would if you did nothing more than the minimum. Hopefully, what I have learned will help you heal quickly and begin living your life as you did prior to the surgery.