Thoracic or lumbar kyphosis is a condition occurs when the spine becomes deformed due to abnormal development of various vertebrae. In most cases, the abnormal development occurs in one or two vertebrae. As a result, there is a lack of stability in the spinal column.
The abnormal development in these two vertebrae affects the joint between the ribs (transverse abdominis) and the pelvic region (pelvis pubis). In turn, this results in a bulging of the rib cage and a protruding rib cage.
Kyphosis and Lordosis
In lumbar kyphosis (commonly referred to as “Lordosis”) the upper curve in the thoracic curve of the thoracic spine is usually more pronounced than in thoracic kyphotic conditions. There are also some underlying reasons why this could occur, such as: over-straining of the joints, improper lifting, improper posture (lordotic kyphotic), poor posture (parallel-sided kyphotic), and weak abdominal muscles (gastric kyphotic).
Most people with this condition report having pain in their lower back, hip, groin, buttocks, and shoulders. Pain can also be felt in other areas such as the abdomen and chest. Because it is often difficult to diagnose, it can be difficult to determine the right treatment for this condition.
Kyphosis Treatment Options
Most treatment options include pain management and exercise. However, exercise alone is not enough to address the main cause of the problem, and often a combination of therapy will be necessary to effectively treat the underlying cause.
Degenerative Disc Disease
When suffering from degenerative disease, it is common to experience pain that comes along with aging and/or as we get older. Pain management should focus on relieving the symptoms of pain. This means that you must treat the cause of the problem.
In order to effectively treat the degenerative process of the thoracic and lumbar regions of the spine, you must treat the muscles and tissues that have developed the kyphotic problem in these areas. Exercises such as deep breathing exercises, yoga poses, Pilates, and chiropractic manipulation can all help reduce pain and inflammation of the discs. A good stretching program can also provide a significant reduction in pain.
Kyphosis Back Pain
Pain in your back is very common, but the pain itself is often overlooked and rarely treated. If pain is present, take action as soon as possible to prevent further complications.
In most cases of kyphosis, the problem can be easily identified because the pain associated with the pain in your back or spine originates in the spinal disc (the nucleus pulposus). Unfortunately, many times the pain that originates in the nucleus pulposus is very subtle. In fact, many people who have had this condition for years may not know that they have it. Because the pain itself is so faint, many patients assume that it is nothing to worry about and do nothing to correct the situation.
As degenerative disease progresses, however, the pain can become progressively worse. It can be excruciating, or it can be intermittent. The only way to recognize this is to have an x-ray performed to see if the degenerative process has progressed to the stage where symptoms are present.
Pain in your back is a sign of the problem and you must seek out a pain management plan that will help you alleviate the pain. Exercises and stretching are the best approaches to this, but proper pain management can also address the underlying causes of the pain and improve your posture.
While there are no guarantees that you will be able to avoid the onset of back pain, the sooner it is diagnosed the better you can treat your back and prevent the possibility of a recurrence of the condition. Kyphosis is the leading cause of back pain and is common in people in their late twenties and early thirties. Because of this fact, most people suffering from kyphosis are at risk for other problems as they age, such as osteoporosis, back injuries, herniated discs, or other spinal problems.
So take action now to stop the pain, avoid complications, and to start living a healthier, happier life! The earlier you treat the problem, the sooner you can enjoy long life and greater mobility and a better quality of life.
Talk to a specialized minimally invasive neurosurgeon at MINT today to know more about how you can treat kyphosis with the help of advanced medical technologies!
