Scoliosis most often affects the thoracic spine and children, although it is found in adults too. Scoliosis is the abnormal curving of the spine to the left or right side (Figure 2). There are two types of abnormal kyphosis that caused by poor posture and structural kyphosis. Patients with excessive kyphosis may appear with a pitched-forward appearance. Abnormal kyphosis is more commonly found in the thoracic or thoracolumbar (chest area/low back), but can affect the neck too. Kyphosis is defined by an excessive outward curve of the spine and may cause a deformity such as a humpback or hunchback. Spondylolisthesis, osteoporosis, and even obesity may lead to abnormal lordosis. Lordosis affects people of all ages and when it affects the low back, it can cause back pain making movement difficult and painful. Patients with excessive lumbar lordosis may appear swayback, the buttocks more prominent, and in general their posture appears exaggerated. Although it primary affects the lumbar spine, it does occur in the neck too. Lordosis is defined by an excessive inward curve of the spine. Each of these disorders is defined below. Scoliosis is another type of disorder identified by abnormal curvature of the spine. If you have a spine curvature disorder the normal curves of the spine are much greater than they are supposed to be. Viewed from behind, the spine should look like it runs straight down the middle of your back. A normal spine has a slight and gentle curve to it. Each of the naturally occurring and normal soft curves serves to distribute mechanical stress incurred as the body is at rest and during movement.Īs mentioned earlier, Lordosis and Kyphosis are terms that are used to refer to specific spinal disorders. The spine, or backbone, is made up of stacked vertebrae and discs. Normal kyphosis is the two backward curves seen in the chest (thoracic spine) and hip areas (sacral spine). Normal lordosis is the two forward curves seen in the neck (cervical spine) and low back (lumbar spine). We will talk about abnormal curves later in this article. However, the natural curves should not be mistaken for spinal disorders also called Lordosis and Kyphosis. The normal curves are termed lordosis and kyphosis. When viewing the spinal column from the rear (posterior), the spine appears vertically straight - from the neck to the tailbone (Figure 1-B). When an abnormal curvature of the spine develops, there is a loss of the spines normal curvatures, which can disrupt the spines overall health and. From this angle, the spine almost resembles a soft 'S' shape. Looking at the spine from the side (lateral), several curves can be seen (Figure 1-A). Curves are a normal part of the spine's structure.