Posture, man....POSTURE. (One of my pet peeves)
A pet peeve of mine is people who judge others from a lack of knowledge and assume a physical or mental condition is a persons choice. The are 15 causes of Kyphosis listed below. Only one is bad posture. This can also be characterized as a which came first - the chicken or the egg problem.
Kyphosis, also known as a round back or hunchback, is a condition in which the spine in the upper back has an excessive curvature. The upper back, or thoracic region of the spine, is supposed to have a slight natural curve. The spine naturally curves in the neck, upper back, and lower back to help absorb shock and support the weight of the head. Kyphosis occurs when this natural arch is larger than normal.
If you have kyphosis, you may have a visible hump on your upper back. From the side, your upper back may be noticeably rounded or protruding. In addition, people with hunchback appear to be slouching and have noticeable rounding of the shoulders. Kyphosis can lead to excess pressure on the spine, causing pain. It may also cause breathing difficulties due to pressure put on the lungs.
Kyphosis in elderly women is known as dowager’s hump.
Common Causes of Kyphosis
Kyphosis can affect people of any age. However, it rarely occurs in newborns because it is usually caused by poor posture. Kyphosis caused by poor posture is called postural kyphosis.
Other potential causes of kyphosis include:
aging (especially if you have poor posture)
muscle weakness in the upper back
Scheuermann’s disease (occurs in children and has no known cause)
arthritis or other bone degeneration diseases
osteoporosis (loss of bone strength due to age)
injury to the spine
slipped discs
scoliosis (spinal curvature)
Less commonly, the following may also lead to kyphosis:
infection in the spine
birth defects, such as spina bifida
tumors
diseases of the endocrine system
diseases of the connective tissues
polio
Paget’s disease
muscular dystrophy
When to Seek Treatment for Kyphosis
You should seek treatment if your kyphosis is accompanied by:
pain
breathing difficulties
fatigue
Much of our flexibility, mobility, and activity depend on the health of the spine. Getting treatment to help correct the curvature may help you reduce the risk of complications later in life, such as arthritis and back pain.