Curvatures of the spine

Normal and abnormal postures.

The vertebrae of the neck and low back normally curve forward while the thoracic vertebrae curve backward. Spinal curvature of the upper back, in which the outer curve or hump is directed backward, is called Hunchback or kyphosis. When the curvature in the lower back is directed forward, it is swayback or lordosis. Sideways curvature is called scoliosis.
 In kyphosis the person becomes round-shouldered with the chest sunken in. Lordosis in the low back causes the buttocks to protrude backward and the abdomen forward. Increase stress on the muscles result in lower back pain.

Scoliosis and the other abnormal curvatures may first appear in early childhood, but generally become obvious during adolescence. They occur more often in girls. If scoliosis is not corrected, it progressively becomes worse during growth. The rib cage becomes distorted, and the vertebrae tend to rotate, at times causing difficulty in breathing and frequent chest infections.
 The tendency toward scoliosis may be inherited, or it  may be aggravate by weakened muscles, by one leg being shorter than the other, causing a pelvic tilt, or by a habit of standing and sitting poorly.  However, in most cases the cause is not known.

  What you can do. As soon as you observe what appears to be an abnormal curvature, consult with your physician. Postural exercises may improve kyphosis but not scoliosis.

 What your physician can do. He can determine whether you need a brace on how long to wear it. In severe and advanced cases he may advise surgery.