Frequency distribution
Due to the influencing factors, more and more people are affected by a hollow back. Lack of exercise and poor posture, especially sedentary activities, as well as stress lead to postural deformities in 60% of school beginners. In addition to the hollow back, this also includes the hunchback (hyperkyphosis), flat back and hollow back, which can also be caused by unnatural strain on the back muscles and spine.
Symptoms of the hollow back
In the beginning, a hollow back usually causes no complaints apart from tension. Over time, the weakened back and abdominal muscles increasingly manifest themselves as back pain. The shortened ligaments and tendons also lead to increasing immobility.
In general, the fewer movements that are “cushioned” by the back muscles, the greater the load on other surrounding structures. With the hollow back, the load is unevenly distributed over the vertebrae, which can lead to increased wear and tear, especially of the intervertebral discs of the lumbar spine. Therefore, people with a hollow back have an increased risk of further spinal diseases such as vertebral damage and herniated discs in the lumbar spine.
This risk depends on the extent and duration of the hollow back. A hollow back can also lead to a narrowing of the spinal canal. This canal contains important nerve tracts and is surrounded by bones and ligaments of the spine for protection. If a hollow back causes the narrowing of this canal, the affected person suffers pain, which usually radiates from the lower back into the legs.
Prophylaxis
The prevention of a hollow back is relatively easy and is based on two large columns. On the one hand, sufficient exercise is of utmost importance: everyday movements such as riding a bicycle instead of a car and climbing stairs instead of using an elevator are already helpful. In addition, regular sports activities such as swimming, walking or fitness training should be carried out.
In order to prevent as much as possible, importance should be attached to this already in childhood and adolescence. The second major pillar in the prevention of a hollow back is a healthy posture, which is also promoted by sufficient exercise. It is important to always pay attention to one’s own body position and to correct incorrect postures.
This can be strenuous at the beginning, but you will usually get used to it quickly. Particularly when sitting, care should be taken to sit “dynamically”, i.e. not to remain in a sitting position for too long and to interrupt sitting by walking and standing regularly. This can be supported by ergonomic seating furniture, since you often do not notice yourself that you are adopting an increasingly poor posture.
In addition, the optimal posture can be promoted by special training. This training corresponds to what is also recommended for therapy with hollow back, so that here too, professional instruction is required. The special exercises for the back, abdominal and gluteal muscles should be performed regularly in order to strengthen the muscles permanently. If a hollow back is suspected, an orthopedic surgeon should be consulted as soon as possible to determine the exact cause of the hollow back. In addition, therapeutic measures should be initiated as soon as possible to avoid a worsening of the symptoms and the occurrence of secondary diseases.