Lumbar lordosis – causes, symptoms and treatment

Proven content

Lumbar lordosis is one of the most common posture defects. It causes disturbance of body posture, back pain and other ailments of the skeletal system. The spine at the lordosis is unnaturally bent forward, which radically changes the appearance of our figure. What is lumbar lordosis, what are its causes, symptoms and treatments?

Lumbar lordosis – characteristics

Lumbar lordosis is an excessive forward bending of the spine in the sagittal plane. A properly shaped human spine forms 3 curves: cervical lordosis, thoracic kyphosis, and lumbar lordosis. The curves arose with the evolution of the human posture from a horizontal position to a vertical position. Curves are the body’s response to the forces of gravity. They are the support of our body because they allow us to maintain an upright posture.

The structures of the spine are formed in stages from birth. First, there is cervical lordosis, around 9-12 months of age, lumbar lordosis. A one-year-old child has a spine with a clearly marked S line. In children up to 7 years of age, we can see deepened lumbar lordosis with a characteristic protruding belly. The human attitude is shaped up to the age of 18.

Lumbar lordosis – causes

There are many causes of lumbar lordosis:

1. impaired muscle function – poor strength and tension of the muscles responsible for maintaining the correct body posture,
2. inelastic, even stiff tissue of the body fascia,
3. maintaining an incorrect posture,
4. obesity,
5. lack of physical activity,
6. congenital defects of posture,
7. injuries,
8. diseases – osteoporosis, muscle atrophy, inflammation of the intervertebral discs, sciatica,
9. permanent pelvic misalignment, e.g. permanent hip dislocation.

Lumbar lordosis – symptoms

Lumbar lordosis – characteristic body posture:

1. concave back,
2. pushed forward,
3. protruding buttocks,
4. the letter C forms between the buttocks and the middle of the back.

Lumbar lordosis systemic symptoms:

1. pain in the lower spine, as a result of a high load on the lower spine,
2. pain when sitting or walking for a long time,
3. walking problems
4. pain when lifting and lifting,
5. pain when lying down,
6. discomfort while resting in the supine position,
7. difficulties in finding a comfortable position for sleep and rest,
8. severe pain caused by pressure on the nerves or spinal cord,
9. pressure on internal organs,
10. disorders in passing stool and urine,
11. abdominal pain and a feeling of fullness in your stomach area (caused by your belly sticking out forwards).

Lumbar lordosis – types

There are two types of lordosis: hypolordosis and hyperlordosis.

Hypolordosis is the reduction of the lordosis angle below 20 °. The most common is the abolition of lordosis, both in the cervical and lumbar spine. Hypolordosis is associated with the response of the paraspinal muscles to injuries and diseases of the spine. As a result of pain of various origins, these muscles contract, intensifying the pain.

Hyperlordosis is an increase in the angle of lordosis above 50 °. Excessive lordosis affects the lumbar spine. It can be congenital and acquired.

Lumbar lordosis – treatment

Early diagnosis of lumbar lordosis and treatment is very important. The procedure depends on the type of lordosis and the severity of the curvature.

In the early stages, exercise, rehabilitation, and physical therapy are usually sufficient. The patient should strengthen the muscles of the spine. Muscle strengthening exercises such as swimming pool, pilates, yoga, vole walking and others are recommended. You can use the Dynapad sensorimotor pillow, the use of which strengthens the muscles of the spine. It is also important to maintain the physiological posture of the spine during sleep and rest. For example, the Vitolog posture corrector will help. Pain is relieved with painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. It can also be soothed by using Visiomed KINECARE VM-GB7 Lumbar Compress. On the other hand, during longer sitting work, the Exclusive Support lumbar orthopedic pillow can be used.

Some patients are advised to shape their body posture by walking in an orthopedic collar or corset. It happens that the advanced stage of lumbar lordosis, impeding normal functioning, is treated with surgery.