Lordosis

Typical forms of the spine

The spine has two twists away from one and two towards one (when the viewer looks at the back of another). Seen from the side, this corresponds approximately to the shape of a 2nd spinal column. The spinal column sections moving away from the observer are called lordosis, the sections turning towards him are called kyphosis.

The overall shape of the spinal column corresponds to a lordosis in the cervical region (cervical lordosis), a kyphosis in the thoracic region (thoracic kyphosis) and again a lordosis in the life vertebrae (lumbar lordosis). In the end, another small kyphosis, the so-called sacral kyphosis, follows. The kyphosis corresponds to a concave rotation, while the lordosis can also be described as a convex rotation.

Lordosis

The second most common malposition is excessive lordosis in the lumbar region. It is also colloquially known as hollow back.

Causes

Frequently seated persons and persons with a strained straight posture (as is the case with dancers or riders, for example) suffer from pronounced lordosis. In almost all cases, lordosis is located in the life spine. Here, too, deterioration occurs relatively quickly. As a rule, lordoses are not operated on as frequently as kyphoses. Due to the deep seat of the lordosis, neurological symptoms usually occur only in exceptional cases.

Therapy

There are many different ways of correcting an increased lordosis, such as special training, posture or back training, working with physiotherapists or fitness studios. The main problem leading to a hollow back is in most cases a strong tension of the hip flexor muscles (see: iliopsoas) and the back extensor with simultaneous weakness of the abdominal and gluteal muscles. Most hollow backs result from this disproportion.

To rebalance this imbalance is a lengthy process, which is often counteracted by a bad posture that has been trained for years and feels “normal”. After every external posture correction, there is an impulse to return to the old, accustomed posture. Especially in the beginning, the posture of the back must be controlled again and again so that there is a realistic chance of correcting the hollow back.