Definition hollow cross
A hollow back is a malposition of the lumbar spine. The spinal column naturally runs in four curvatures. It is stabilized primarily by the back and abdominal muscles, and in the lower spine by the gluteal muscles.
A hollow back is caused by a muscular imbalance of these different muscle groups. This causes the lumbar spine to bulge excessively towards the abdomen and the pelvis to tilt forward. This can lead to back pain in the lower back and cause serious secondary diseases, such as a herniated disc in the lumbar spine.
With sufficient exercise, a healthy posture and the strengthening of special muscle groups, a hollow back can be prevented and, if a hollow back has already developed, can be treated well. A hollow back can be congenital or, more frequently, acquired. Most cases are caused by muscular imbalance.
The spinal column is not, as the name suggests, a straight column, but runs naturally in four curvatures. It is stabilized by the back and abdominal muscles. In the area of the lower back, the gluteal muscles are also involved in stabilizing the spine.
In general, the execution of movements always requires the cooperation of oppositely working muscles or muscle groups. It is therefore important that these muscles or muscle groups should always be similarly well trained, as otherwise an imbalance can develop. For example, a hip flexor that is too pronounced while the hip extensor muscles are not well trained can lead to a permanently stronger bulging of the lower spine.
This can result in a shortening of ligaments and tendons, which is accompanied by increasing immobility of the lower back and can eventually lead to the development of a hollow back. An overall weakly developed back, abdominal and gluteal muscles also have a negative influence on the development of a hollow back. These muscular changes are mainly caused by a lack of movement, mainly due to long and/or unergonomic sitting, as well as incorrect posture.
Heavy physical work or carrying heavy loads, overweight and incorrect muscle training can also contribute to the development of a hollow back. Stress also seems to have an influence on posture and thus to favour the development of hollow back promoting muscular changes. Being overweight, especially in the abdominal area, also has a strengthening effect, as the abdomen pulls the pelvis even further forward.
Other rare causes of a hollow back can be a malposition of the uppermost vertebral body (atlas) or Pomarino’s disease, a gait disorder in which the affected person only appears on the tips of the toes or balls of the feet. Slipped vertebrae (spondylolisthesis) can also be conspicuous via a hollow back. It is important to recognize whether one of these rarer hollow back causes is present, since only then can the cause be treated accordingly.
