Osteopathy sessions for hypokyphosis are more common in women than men and its main cause is from vertebral fracture.
What is hypokyphosis?
Hypokyphosis is the excessive curving of the thoracic spine which gives the sufferer a hunch back. In children hypokyphosis is defined when the spines curve is accentuated greater than 50% and in adults more than 60%.
The main causes for hypokyphosis are hyper-lordosis, hereditary, poor posture, emotional, over developed dorsal ancho muscles, short chest and abdominal muscles, bad head position, vertebral fracture and misaligned neck vertebras.
Hypokyphosis is not only a problem in itself but also causes many secondary problems such as:
- Hyper lordosis in the neck
- Lack of movement in the middle back
- Overworked shoulder tendons and muscles caused by shoulder repositioning.
- Acute back pain located between the shoulder blades.
Symptoms for hypokyphosis
The patient will often complain of back pain, lack of mobility and a sensation of being “stiff”. Neck pain and lower back pain are often symptoms of hypokyphosis as well a poor posture. Hypokyphosis is normally visible to the eye.
Osteopathy tests for hypokyphosis
An osteopath will usually measure the degree of kyphosis on an x ray where possible, however, in cases where the patient doesn’t have an x ray we ask the patient to stand with his or her back against the wall. A patient with hypokyphosis will have problems touching the wall with his or her head without tilting the chin up. The lower back will also have an excessive gap from the lumber region to the wall. Someone suffering from hypokyphosis will normally have “rounded shoulders” As a result the patient will normally have problems to touch the wall with the back of his or her shoulders.
Osteopathy sessions for hypokyphosis
Treatment starts with the patient lying face down and a cushion placed under the abdominal or an osteopath support in category 3. Other osteopath supports are placed under each shoulder.
A quiro massage is applied to the back and front including: the neck, shoulders, abdominal, chest and upper arms. Once the muscles are warm pressure is applied to the thoracic spine observing any limitation of movement or pain experienced.
- Manipulate under the shoulder blade and stretch the rhomboids
- Unblock the thoracic spine in extension
- Unblock lower back, thoracic spine and neck in rotation
- Unblock the lower back in flexion
Stretching program
- Pectorals (arms above head and arms straight)
- Abdominals (arms above head and pelvis / legs on the bed)
- Gluteos, quadriceps and hamstrings
- Psoas and diaphragm
Recommendations to the patient is that he or she lays on their side or back to sleep. Pilates to strengthen gluteos and abdominal muscles and swimming back stroke.
For more information regarding our massage or osteopathy sessions for hypokyphosis click here. At simplybe we also offer rehabilitation Pilates classes to correct spinal misalignment, Pilates, encouraging a healthy, pain free spine.
