How Physical Therapy Can Help Manage Kyphosis: Techniques and Benefits
Our team can help improve your balance, posture, and mobility
If someone asked you to stand up straight, would you find that difficult? Do you find you get fatigued quickly? These are both early symptoms of kyphosis, a condition that causes an abnormal curve in your upper back. Fortunately, Graham Therapy and Fitness offers physical therapy for kyphosis to help you manage the condition.
You’re probably familiar with kyphosis under another name: hunchback. While the early stages of kyphosis may not be visually noticeable at first, if left untreated, it can develop into an exaggerated forward posture–a hunchback.
Kyphosis has several potential causes. Certain types of kyphosis will develop in childhood or adolescence, other times, it is related to years of poor postural habits like working on a computer, and it can also result from age-related conditions, such as osteoporosis. In fact, between 20% and 40% of adults 60 years or older have some degree of kyphosis.
Kyphosis isn’t simply a cosmetic matter. Hyperkyphosis (in which the curve is extremely pronounced) can affect your balance, mobility–even your breathing. If you begin to notice signs of kyphosis, it’s important to seek treatment.
Schedule an appointment at our clinic to learn more about physical therapy for kyphosis!
Understanding Kyphosis: A Quick Overview
There are three main types of kyphosis:
- Scheuermann disease (juvenile kyphosis) results from a structural abnormality in the spine that manifests before puberty.
- Congenital kyphosis results from an issue at birth and is usually related to other neurological conditions. It’s quite rare and will be diagnosed before the child starts walking.
- Postural kyphosis is the most common type and results from a persistent slouching posture, which weakens the back muscles. For older adults, postural kyphosis often stems from other conditions, such as degenerative disc disease, arthritis, or osteoporosis.
Postural kyphosis is usually benign in and of itself but can cause issues if left untreated, particularly with regard to balance. It can change your center of gravity, putting you at a higher risk of falls. You may also struggle to perform everyday tasks due to both decreased flexibility and the fact that simple movements now require more energy.
If your kyphosis is still in the early stages, you likely won’t be able to see the curve yourself (although friends and family might notice it). But if you struggle to stand up straight, find yourself getting more easily fatigued, or feel like your clothes fit strangely, contact Graham Therapy and Fitness. We’ll inspect your spine and let you know for sure.
Understanding Physical Therapy for Kyphosis
Physical therapy plays a crucial role in managing kyphosis! We’re experts in both movement and the body’s musculoskeletal system, so we can help you improve your posture while also addressing your balance and mobility limitations.
We customize our treatment plans based on your needs, goals, and symptoms. For older adults with kyphosis, we tend to focus on fall prevention, while for younger patients, we may focus on posture corrections and strengthening the back. Our experts will work closely with you to determine your exact needs.
Here are just a few of the ways physical therapy can help manage kyphosis:
- Postural Training: Through postural correction and stretching and strengthening exercises, we’ll help reduce your spine’s curvature while preventing your condition from worsening. Following your postural training program is key to managing kyphosis.
- Balance and Gait Training: We’ll provide you with specialized exercises designed to help you stay on your feet, reducing your risk of falling.
- Education and Movement Modification: We’ll help you find new ways of performing everyday activities, such as safely getting in and out of bed. With a few simple tips, you can retain your independence as you work on reducing your spine’s curve.
- Pain management: Hyperkyphosis can sometimes cause pain. Our therapists will use a variety of modalities (like hot/cold therapy or electrical stimulation) to find a noninvasive pain management program that works for you.
- Manual therapy: Gentle soft tissue manipulation can help decrease stiffness and pain, and gentle spinal mobilizations can help improve spinal flexibility. With pain management and manual therapy, we’ll help prepare your body for more intense exercises.
What To Expect During Your Appointments
During your initial appointment, our therapists will thoroughly evaluate your spine. We’ll measure the curve and take a complete health history to learn more about any conditions that may be contributing to your kyphosis.
We’ll also conduct several movement tests to help us know which treatment methods will be best for you. A few of the areas you can expect us to test include:
- Postural alignment
- Balance
- Range of motion
- Strength
- Walking and mobility
Once we fully understand your condition, we’ll develop your customized treatment plan.
We tailor your sessions to your needs. Some patients may require pain management and/or manual therapy first, while others may be able to dive right into their exercises. We’ll start slowly and gradually increase intensity as your tolerance improves.
We’ll walk you through each exercise and ensure you perform it correctly. We’ll also track your progress, including any changes to your spine’s curve, and provide you with at-home exercises.
Get Started with Physical Therapy for Kyphosis Today!
At Graham Therapy and Fitness, we want to help you live a rich, healthy life. You can slow or even reverse its progression by addressing kyphosis early on. Our therapists are happy to assess your spine and let you know the best course of action.
Request an appointment at our physical therapy clinic today!