Explore the kyphosis causes, symptoms, and treatment approaches to improve your spinal health and posture.

What Is Kyphosis?

How frequently have you seen that after spending too much time sitting down, your posture has become more hunched? Do you have neck and shoulder strains that are momentarily relieved by stretching? Or do you experience shoulder and back discomfort and tension as a result of bad posture? Frequently, people have experienced musculoskeletal problems that may impact the neck, shoulders, and back—the three most frequent parts of the body. A spinal disorder called kyphosis may result from prolonged hunching. An increase in the forward curve of the spine that affects the thoracic location is known as kyphosis, and it may be brought on by degenerative alterations in the intervertebral discs. (Lam & Mukhdomi, 2025) The development of a hunchback or rounded upper back is a symptom of kyphosis that may impact posture and general musculoskeletal health. Depending on how severe the kyphosis is, the symptoms might vary from severe stiffness and pain to trouble breathing. Finding different treatment choices for this spinal ailment may also be made easier for many people by having a better grasp of the environmental variables that contribute to its development and the symptoms that are connected with it.

 

Environmental Factors Contributing to Kyphosis

There are a number of environmental factors that might cause kyphosis. This is because a lot of individuals engage in activity that puts a lot of strain on the spine. Kyphosis, on the other hand, may occur as a result of the spine’s gradual aging process. The following are some examples of environmental causes that cause kyphosis:

• Inadequate Posture
• Lifestyle of Sedentary Behavior
• Osteoporosis from Heavy Items and Improper Lifting
• Spinal Disorders & Injuries

 

Kyphosis Symptoms & Its Effects on the Musculoskeletal System

The cervical and thoracic regions of the spine may be affected by kyphosis, which may result in a number of musculoskeletal issues.The onset of cervical kyphosis may result in referred neck discomfort, which puts more pressure on the posterior soft tissues and forces the head to cope with mechanical imbalance, which leads to exhaustion and strained muscles. (Ogura et al., 2021) Certain risk factors, such as poor bone density and lower extremity dysfunction in older persons, might impede mobility when kyphosis begins to damage the thoracic spine. (Lorbergs et al., 2017) The following are some other musculoskeletal problems linked to kyphosis:

• Pain and stiffness in the upper back
• Limited Flexibility & Mobility
• Pain Referred to Muscle Weakness & Fatigue
• Issues with Breathing and Digestion

 

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Understanding Long-Lasting Injuries- Video

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Treatment Approaches For Kyphosis

If the curvature of the spine has become so bad, many people have chosen to undergo surgery to manage the symptoms of kyphosis. But since they are less expensive and non-invasive, a lot of individuals have chosen nonsurgical treatments. The goal of nonsurgical therapies for kyphosis is to enhance a person’s posture and lessen its problems. Jenkins and associates, 2021 Their mobility and postural control will significantly improve if they begin using nonsurgical therapies to lessen cervical kyphosis. (Oakley & colleagues, 2024)

 

Chiropractic Care & More

One non-invasive treatment option for kyphosis sufferers is chiropractic adjustments, which may help reduce pain and realign the spine. In order to stretch and strengthen tense, weak muscles and restore the spine to its natural position, chiropractic therapy involves spinal manipulation. Because chiropractic adjustments increase the range of motion in the neck, they may alleviate overlapping risk profiles, such as headaches and kyphotic neck discomfort. In 2022, Norton et al. Furthermore, chiropractors may create a personalized treatment plan for those with kyphosis while offering substantial back and neck relief to avoid a slouched posture. (Fortner and others, 2017) People with kyphosis may benefit from chiropractic therapy in a number of ways.

• Spinal adjustments may help straighten the vertebrae, improve posture, and lessen excessive curvature.
• Chiropractors may provide postural training, which involves strengthening the back and core muscles to improve support.
• Pain management: Physical therapy and spinal decompression methods help ease tense muscles and lessen pain that has been referred.
• Enhanced Flexibility & Mobility: Mobility exercises and stretching help avoid stiffness and increase range of motion.

 

Additional Treatments For Kyphosis

Other kyphosis management techniques than chiropractic adjustments may assist to increase spinal stability and stop the deterioration of spinal curvature. Among these extra treatments are:

• Physical Counseling
• Using Postural Ergonomics Brace

 

Final Thoughts

The quality of life may be greatly enhanced by early diagnosis and appropriate care, even if kyphosis can cause pain and suffering. By aggressively treating kyphosis, whether via physical therapy, chiropractic adjustments, or lifestyle changes, improved posture, less discomfort, and more mobility may result.

 

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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.

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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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