Kyphosis

Kyphosis is a forward rounding of your upper back. Kyphosis comes from the Greek root work kyphos, meaning hump, which explains its common moniker as “hunchback”. Some rounding is normal, but the term "kyphosis" usually refers to an exaggerated rounding, more than 40 to 45 degrees. This deformity is also called round back or hunchback.

With kyphosis, your spine may look normal or you may develop a hump. Kyphosis can occur as a result of developmental problems; degenerative diseases, such as arthritis of the spine; osteoporosis with compression fractures of the vertebrae; or trauma to the spine. It can affect children, adolescents and adults.

There are three main types of Kyphosis. Postural Kyphosis is the most common type of kyphosis. It is often attributed to slouching. It represents an exaggerated, but flexible, increase of the natural curve of the spine. It usually occurs during adolescence and is more common among girls than boys. It rarely causes pain

The Rolf Understanding of Kyphosis

Kyphosis or hunchback is a clinical term that identifies spinal exaggerations. In using the terms, we fall into the trap of understanding the imbalance as solely or mostly confined to the spine. But Rolfing views kyphosis or hunchback as a structural imbalance of the body as a whole.

Rolfing is a systematic programme of postural repatterning that seeks to bring your body back into alignment. Thus Rolfing continuously seeks out a dynamic, creative balance in your body that is quite different from holding it in one rigid postural position.

Treatments Available for Kyphosis

There are two treatments commonly available for kyphosis. The first is surgery and the second a programme of anti-inflammatories and painkillers. The latter does not treat the underlying cause of the pain, discomfort and visual hump, and treats only the symptoms. It is unlikely to provide a significant level of relief.

Surgery is at the other extreme. As with any significant surgery, especially back surgery, there are significant risks, high costs and a long downtime.

The Rolf Approach To Kyphosis

As the kyphosis patient walks into the Rolfing Clinic, the Rolfer assesses the person’s posture and structural balance to ascertain the extent of the imbalance in the feet, knees or pelvic area as well as gauging any other outward indicators of lordosis symptoms..

Both gross and subtle changes in motion of the body are determined by visual inspection - both obvious movement of the skeleton and more subtle motion evidenced through slight muscle contraction visible through slight motion in the overlying skin. This allows identification of areas of restriction and formulation of a treatment plan to address these areas.

A highly systematic approach to the whole body takes 10 to 12 one hour sessions. The goal is to improve breathing pattern, to lift front thorax, reduce kyphosis, and free legs by creating more length in the front of the body to free the pelvis from above and below. This is achieved by activation and inhibition of muscles using exercises for the patient as well as direct pressure on muscle, golgi tendon organs, and fascia.

Fundamentally, Rolfing treats kyphosis or hunchback by stretching the tight muscles and strengthening the weak ones through myofascial release. Myofascial release is a form of soft tissue therapy in Rolfing that works on the tissue located between the skin and the underling structure of muscle and bone to provide pain relief, increase your range of motion and balance your body for optimum posture.

The Rolfing takes the whole being into consideration when exploring how to work with each individual, seeing them for more than just the product of their environmental conditioning. Certified Rolfing has the capacity to release, realign, and balance the whole body of a Lordosis patient.

Why Rolfing?

Rolfing is a therapy that allows you to directly address the causes of kyphosis without surgical intervention. It does not interrupt your daily routine, and provides pain relief.

Furthermore, recent research conducted at the University of Maryland demonstrated that Rolfing significantly reduces chronic stress and changes body structure. In this study, Rolfing was shown to have significantly reduced the spinal curvature of subjects with lordosis (sway back).

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