A Detailed Approach on Kyphosis and Its Symptoms

Get informed about the management of kyphosis with insights into its causes, symptoms, and treatment approaches.

What Is Kyphosis?

How frequently have you found that sitting for extended periods of time causes your posture to become more hunched? Do you have shoulder and neck muscular tightness that is momentarily relieved by stretching? Or does poor posture cause you to experience shoulder and back discomfort and tightness? People often struggle with musculoskeletal problems that may impact the neck, shoulders, and back—the three most prevalent body parts. An lengthy time of hunching over may cause kyphosis, a disease of the spine. Kyphosis, which may be brought on by degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs, is an increase in the forward curve of the spine that affects the thoracic location. (Mukhdomi & Lam, 2025) A person with kyphosis will notice that their upper back becomes rounded or they acquire a hunchback, which may have an impact on their posture and general musculoskeletal health. The symptoms of kyphosis may vary from severe stiffness and soreness to breathing problems, depending on how severe it is. At the same time, many people may discover different treatment choices to manage this spinal ailment by knowing the environmental variables that contribute to its development and the symptoms that are linked with it.

Environmental Factors Contributing to Kyphosis

Kyphosis may occur as a result of many environmental factors. This is because a lot of individuals engage in physically demanding activities that put a lot of strain on the spine. On the other hand, kyphosis may occur as a result of the spine’s gradual aging process. Among the environmental elements that cause kyphosis are:

• Bad Posture
• Living a Sedentary Lifestyle
• Overweight Items & Inappropriate Lifting
• Osteoporosis
• Conditions & Injuries of the Spine

Kyphosis Symptoms & Its Effects on the Musculoskeletal System

Because it may impact both the cervical and thoracic regions of the spine, kyphosis can result in a number of musculoskeletal issues.When kyphosis begins to damage the cervical region, it may result in referred neck pain, which puts more pressure on the soft tissues in the back. This forces the head to cope with a mechanical imbalance, which puts strain on the muscles and creates weariness. (Ogura and others, 2021) At the same time, when kyphosis begins to impact the thoracic spine, other risk factors include poor bone density and dysfunction in the lower extremities in older persons, which may restrict movement. (Lorbergs and others, 2017). Other musculoskeletal problems linked to kyphosis include:

• Stiffness & Pain in the Upper Back
• Minimal Flexibility & Mobility
• Referred pain
• Weakness and Muscle Fatigue
• Digestive & Breathing Problems

Understanding Long-Lasting Injuries- Video

Treatment Approaches For Kyphosis

If the spinal curvature has become much worse, many people have chosen to undergo surgery to manage the symptoms of kyphosis. Nonetheless, a lot of individuals have chosen nonsurgical treatments since they are less expensive and noninvasive. In order to improve a person’s posture and lessen the difficulties associated with kyphosis, nonsurgical therapies may take many different forms. (Jenkins et al., 2021) When individuals begin using nonsurgical methods to lessen cervical kyphosis, their mobility and postural control will significantly improve. (Oakley and others, 2024)

Chiropractic Care & More

For those with kyphosis, chiropractic adjustments are a non-invasive treatment option that may help reduce pain and realign the spine. The goal of chiropractic therapy is to stretch and strengthen weak, tense muscles while realigning the spine to its natural position. By increasing the range of motion in the neck, chiropractic therapy may alleviate overlapping risk profiles, such as headaches and kyphotic neck discomfort. (Norton and others, 2022) Additionally, in order to avoid a slouched posture, chiropractors may create a personalized treatment plan for those with kyphosis that offers substantial relief from the neck to the back. (Fortner and others, 2017). For those with kyphosis, chiropractic adjustments may provide the following advantages:

• Adjustments to the spine may help realign the vertebrae, improve posture, and lessen excessive curvature.
• Postural Training: To improve support, chiropractors may provide workouts that build stronger core and back muscles.
• Pain management: Spinal decompression methods and manual treatment may ease tense muscles and lessen transferred pain.
• Increased Flexibility and Mobility: Mobility exercises and stretching help increase range of motion and avoid stiffness.

Additional Treatments For Kyphosis

In addition to chiropractic treatment, alternative kyphosis management techniques may enhance spinal stability and stop the progression of spine curvature. Among these extra treatments are;

• Physical Therapy.
• Supporting Postural Ergonomics

Final Thoughts

Although kyphosis may cause pain and suffering, quality of life can be greatly improved with early diagnosis and appropriate therapy. Proactively treating kyphosis may result in improved posture, less discomfort, and more mobility, whether via physical therapy, chiropractic adjustments, or lifestyle changes.

Injury Medical Chiropractic & Functional Medicine Clinic

We associate with certified medical providers who implement the importance of the causes and symptoms of kyphosis. While asking important questions to our associated medical providers, we advise patients to integrate small changes into their daily routine to reduce the effects of kyphosis from affecting the cervical and thoracic areas. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., envisions this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.

References

Fortner, M. O., Oakley, P. A., & Harrison, D. E. (2017). Treating ‘slouchy’ (hyperkyphosis) posture with chiropractic biophysics((R)): a case report utilizing a multimodal mirror image((R)) rehabilitation program. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 29(8), 1475-1480. doi.org/10.1589/jpts.29.1475

Jenkins, H. J., Downie, A. S., Fernandez, M., & Hancock, M. J. (2021). Decreasing thoracic hyperkyphosis – Which treatments are most effective? A systematic literature review and meta-analysis. Musculoskelet Sci Pract, 56, 102438. doi.org/10.1016/j.msksp.2021.102438

Lam, J. C., & Mukhdomi, T. (2025). Kyphosis. In StatPearls. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32644371

Lorbergs, A. L., Murabito, J. M., Jarraya, M., Guermazi, A., Allaire, B. T., Yang, L., Kiel, D. P., Cupples, L. A., Bouxsein, M. L., Travison, T. G., & Samelson, E. J. (2017). Thoracic Kyphosis and Physical Function: The Framingham Study. J Am Geriatr Soc, 65(10), 2257-2264. doi.org/10.1111/jgs.15038

Norton, T. C., Oakley, P. A., & Harrison, D. E. (2022). Improving the cervical lordosis relieves neck pain and chronic headaches in a pediatric: a Chiropractic Biophysics((R)) (CBP((R))) case report with a 17-month follow-up. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 34(1), 71-75. doi.org/10.1589/jpts.34.71

Oakley, P. A., Gage, W. H., Harrison, D. E., & Mochizuki, G. (2024). Non-surgical reduction in thoracolumbar kyphosis and sagittal vertical axis corresponding with improved sensorimotor control in an older adult with spinal deformity: a Chiropractic Biophysics((R)) case report. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 36(11), 756-764. doi.org/10.1589/jpts.36.756

Ogura, Y., Dimar, J. R., Djurasovic, M., & Carreon, L. Y. (2021). Etiology and treatment of cervical kyphosis: state of the art review-a narrative review. J Spine Surg, 7(3), 422-433. doi.org/10.21037/jss-21-54

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