What Is Spinal Lordosis?
A healthy human spine naturally has curves:
These are known as physiological (normal) spinal curves and begin to form during the first year of life.
Pathological lordosis occurs when the natural curve becomes excessively pronounced (hyperlordosis) or abnormally flattened (hypolordosis). It may be congenital or acquired and can eventually lead to pain, posture problems, and dysfunction of internal organs.
Causes of Lordosis
Primary Lordosis
Primary pathological lordosis develops due to disorders affecting the spine itself, including:
Secondary Lordosis
Secondary lordosis develops as a compensatory mechanism caused by:
During pregnancy, increased lumbar lordosis is usually temporary and resolves after childbirth as the body's center of gravity returns to normal.
Risk Factors
The following factors increase the likelihood of developing lordosis:
In children, compensatory hyperlordosis is often reversible once the underlying cause is corrected. In adults, fixed spinal deformities are generally permanent, although correction may still be possible when muscle weakness is the primary cause.
Symptoms of Lordosis
Common symptoms include:
Severe pathological lordosis may affect:
This occurs because spasms of the deep spinal and pelvic muscles can impair circulation and organ function.
Postural Variations Associated with Lordosis
Round-Concave Back (Kypholordotic Posture)
Characteristics:
Round Back (Kyphotic Posture)
Characteristics:
Flat-Concave Back
Characteristics:
Flat Back
Characteristics:
Types of Lordosis
By Location
By Cause
By Shape
By Mobility
Lordosis in Children
Common causes include:
Typical signs:
If left untreated, childhood lordosis may contribute to:
Lordosis in Adults
Common contributing factors include:
People who spend long hours sitting are particularly at risk.
Possible Complications
Without treatment, lordosis may lead to:
Patients may also experience chronic fatigue, persistent pain, and sleep disturbances.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis typically involves:
X-rays are usually taken in multiple positions to assess the degree of curvature and structural changes in the spine.
Treatment of Lordosis
Treatment should be comprehensive and focus primarily on correcting muscular imbalances and weakness.
Common treatment methods include:
The success of treatment largely depends on consistency and adherence to medical recommendations.
Bubnovsky Method Exercises
The Bubnovsky method is based on:
Programs are individually designed following a detailed assessment. Swimming and massage are often recommended as complementary therapies.
Straightened (Flattened) Lordosis
Hypolordosis is a condition in which the natural spinal curve becomes reduced or completely absent.
Common symptoms include:
A flattened lordotic curve increases stress on the vertebrae and intervertebral discs and may contribute to the early development of disc herniations.
Prevention
To maintain a healthy spine, specialists recommend:
A healthy human spine naturally has curves:
- Forward curves in the cervical (neck) and lumbar (lower back) regions - called lordosis.
- Backward curves in the thoracic (upper back) and sacral regions - called kyphosis.
These are known as physiological (normal) spinal curves and begin to form during the first year of life.
Pathological lordosis occurs when the natural curve becomes excessively pronounced (hyperlordosis) or abnormally flattened (hypolordosis). It may be congenital or acquired and can eventually lead to pain, posture problems, and dysfunction of internal organs.
Causes of Lordosis
Primary Lordosis
Primary pathological lordosis develops due to disorders affecting the spine itself, including:
- Congenital spinal abnormalities
- Inflammatory diseases of the vertebrae
- Tumors
- Muscular torsion spasms
- Spondylolisthesis
- Spinal injuries
Secondary Lordosis
Secondary lordosis develops as a compensatory mechanism caused by:
- Limited mobility of the hip joint
- Congenital or pathological hip dislocation
- Systemic musculoskeletal disorders
- Poliomyelitis affecting the pelvic and lower-limb muscles
- Pregnancy
- Cerebral spastic paresis of the lower extremities
During pregnancy, increased lumbar lordosis is usually temporary and resolves after childbirth as the body's center of gravity returns to normal.
Risk Factors
The following factors increase the likelihood of developing lordosis:
- Poor posture
- Excess body weight
- Rapid growth during adolescence
In children, compensatory hyperlordosis is often reversible once the underlying cause is corrected. In adults, fixed spinal deformities are generally permanent, although correction may still be possible when muscle weakness is the primary cause.
Symptoms of Lordosis
Common symptoms include:
- Poor posture
- Fatigue
- Back pain after physical activity
- Pain when maintaining certain positions
- Limited mobility
- Excessive forward head posture
- Protruding abdomen
Severe pathological lordosis may affect:
- The heart
- The lungs
- The kidneys
- The gastrointestinal tract
This occurs because spasms of the deep spinal and pelvic muscles can impair circulation and organ function.
Postural Variations Associated with Lordosis
Round-Concave Back (Kypholordotic Posture)
Characteristics:
- Increased thoracic kyphosis
- Increased lumbar lordosis
- Protruding shoulder blades
- Rounded shoulders
- Protruding abdomen
- Forward head posture
Round Back (Kyphotic Posture)
Characteristics:
- Markedly increased thoracic kyphosis
- Reduced lumbar lordosis
- Forward head position
- Protruding abdomen
- Sunken chest
Flat-Concave Back
Characteristics:
- Flattened cervical lordosis
- Reduced thoracic kyphosis
- Normal or slightly increased lumbar lordosis
Flat Back
Characteristics:
- Reduced physiological spinal curves
- Flattened lumbar region
- Protruding shoulder blades
- Forward-displaced chest
- Protruding abdomen
Types of Lordosis
By Location
- Cervical lordosis
- Lumbar lordosis
By Cause
- Primary lordosis
- Secondary lordosis
By Shape
- Physiological (normal) lordosis
- Hyperlordosis (excessive curvature)
- Hypolordosis (flattened curvature)
By Mobility
- Non-fixed (correctable)
- Partially fixed
- Fixed
Lordosis in Children
Common causes include:
- Injuries
- Hereditary spinal disorders
- Prolonged static postures
- Low physical activity
- Weak musculature
Typical signs:
- Excessive arching of the back
- Sunken chest
- Prominent shoulder blades
- Protruding abdomen
- Abnormal gait
If left untreated, childhood lordosis may contribute to:
- Disc protrusions
- Herniated discs
- Chronic back pain later in life
Lordosis in Adults
Common contributing factors include:
- Back and hip injuries
- Bone diseases
- Muscle weakness
- Obesity
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Sedentary lifestyle
People who spend long hours sitting are particularly at risk.
Possible Complications
Without treatment, lordosis may lead to:
- Herniated intervertebral discs
- Vertebral displacement
- Excessive vertebral mobility
- Degenerative changes in spinal joints
- Inflammation of the iliopsoas muscle
Patients may also experience chronic fatigue, persistent pain, and sleep disturbances.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis typically involves:
- Physical examination and medical history
- Myofascial assessment
- Functional muscle testing
- X-rays
- MRI or CT scans
X-rays are usually taken in multiple positions to assess the degree of curvature and structural changes in the spine.
Treatment of Lordosis
Treatment should be comprehensive and focus primarily on correcting muscular imbalances and weakness.
Common treatment methods include:
- Therapeutic exercise
- Kinesitherapy
- Physiotherapy
- Therapeutic massage
- Swimming and aquatic exercise
The success of treatment largely depends on consistency and adherence to medical recommendations.
Bubnovsky Method Exercises
The Bubnovsky method is based on:
- Decompression exercises
- Strength training without axial spinal loading
- Stretching exercises
- Flexibility development
- Strengthening of the muscular support system
Programs are individually designed following a detailed assessment. Swimming and massage are often recommended as complementary therapies.
Straightened (Flattened) Lordosis
Hypolordosis is a condition in which the natural spinal curve becomes reduced or completely absent.
Common symptoms include:
- Flat lower back
- Shortened stride
- Altered gait
- Lower back pain
- Difficulty bending forward or backward
- Digestive disturbances caused by changes in abdominal organ positioning
A flattened lordotic curve increases stress on the vertebrae and intervertebral discs and may contribute to the early development of disc herniations.
Prevention
To maintain a healthy spine, specialists recommend:
- Maintaining a healthy body weight
- Following a balanced work-rest schedule
- Exercising regularly
- Avoiding harmful habits
- Using an orthopedic mattress and pillow
- Monitoring posture during work and walking
