How to Prevent and Treat Kyphosis

Kyphosis occurs when the upper back becomes excessively rounded. It can occur at any age but is more common in older adults. However, kyphosis can affect children, teens, and young adults, possibly due to increasingly sedentary lifestyles and long hours hunched over screens.

Coastal Spine, with six locations in New Jersey, offers advanced, personalized diagnosis and treatment of spinal conditions that can affect your overall health and mobility. Our multispecialty team also focuses on preventing these painful issues whenever possible.

There are steps you can take to help prevent kyphosis. If you’re already experiencing the condition, we offer treatments that help stabilize your spine and restore mobility.

Learn more from our team about preventing kyphosis and the treatments that can help.

Understanding kyphosis

The spine contains three segments of vertically stacked bones (vertebrae): the cervical spine (neck), thoracic spine (mid to upper back), and lumbar spine (lower back). Each segment gently curves to aid in stability and balance, allowing you to stand upright.

Kyphosis is characterized by an exaggerated forward rounding of the thoracic spine, leading to a hunched or stooped posture. Kyphosis ranges from mild to severe and may be asymptomatic initially. 

However, if the condition progresses to severe, it can interfere with mobility and cause varying degrees of discomfort.

Causes of kyphosis

Kyphosis can result from various factors, including:

Poor posture

Prolonged periods of slouching or sitting with rounded shoulders can weaken the muscles supporting the spine, contributing to kyphosis. Poor posture often begins in childhood and continues in adolescence and adulthood if not corrected.

These days, poor posture is often exacerbated by the increasing use of phones, laptops, and other electronics for hours daily.

Degenerative changes

As we age, intervertebral discs, joints, and bones in the spine can weaken and deteriorate, leading to an increased curvature of the upper back.

Osteoporosis

This condition causes the bones to become weak and brittle, making them more susceptible to vertebral compression fractures and contributing to kyphosis.

Other factors that play a role in kyphosis include congenital conditions and spinal injuries suffered during falls, car accidents, or other trauma.

Preventing kyphosis

Proactive steps you can take to reduce your risk and promote spinal health include:

Correcting posture

Appropriate posture involves keeping your shoulders back, chest lifted, chin level, and spine aligned in a neutral position when walking, sitting, or standing.

Appropriate posture can feel strange initially, especially if you habitually slouch. You may benefit from professional coaching by a physical therapist to get used to the sensation. Our providers at Coastal Spine can help with that.

Staying active

Regular exercise that strengthens the muscles supporting your spine, including your back, core, and shoulders, helps prevent kyphosis. Activities like yoga and Pilates are also beneficial since the movements focus on strength and flexibility and strictly adhere to spinal alignment.

Practicing good ergonomics

Whether working from home or in a traditional office, ensure your workspace supports good posture. Use an adjustable chair with proper lumbar support, position your computer monitor at eye level, and take frequent breaks to stretch and move.

Following a balanced diet

We recommend a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D to support bone health and reduce the risk of osteoporosis-related fractures. Add dairy products, leafy greens, nuts, and fortified foods into your diet, ideally starting in childhood. However, it’s never too late to nourish your bones.

Treating kyphosis

If you're already experiencing kyphosis, based on evaluation results, your Coastal Spine specialist may recommend:

• Formal physical therapy to strengthen muscles, increase flexibility, and correct posture
• Bracing to support the spine
• Pain management with over-the-counter or prescription meds
• Medication to decrease bone loss related to osteoporosis

Surgical intervention may be an option in severe cases or when conservative treatments are ineffective.

Schedule your evaluation today by calling the Coastal Spine location nearest you or requesting an appointment online.