A hunchback posture is a condition in which a person seems to have an abnormal or unnatural curvature of the spine. When one bends over like this, it causes their back to curve forward, causing them to have an abnormal spinal curvature.
Hunchback is also known as Kyphosis. However, Kyphosis is the exact medical term used for a hunchback posture. In addition to this, Kyphosis is also known as Dowager’s Hump.
To find out more about hunchback posture, hunchback symptoms, and its treatment, then read out this article.
What is a hunchback or Kyphosis?
Kyphosis is a medical term that refers to the excessive curvature of the thoracic or mid-back region of your spine. More specifically, it means an increased arching of the upper back, where the bones are so severely misaligned that they touch one another. This condition generally occurs in individuals whose bones have become abnormally shaped, either due to a defect, sedentary lifestyle, or some other medical condition.
What does Kyphosis look like
Kyphosis is a condition of the spine. More precisely, it is an excessive curvature of the upper back.
When there is a kyphotic curve in the thoracic spine, people have hunched shoulders and rounded upper back with a curve when viewed from the side.
It is more common for adults to suffer from kyphosis with aging because of osteoporosis.
Types of Kyphosis
The Kyphosis is of mainly three types:-
- Congenital kyphosis
- Postural kyphosis
- Scheuermann’s kyphosis
Let’s understand all types of kyphosis one by one.
1. Congenital Kyphosis
Congenital kyphosis is a rare birth defect characterized by a curvature of the spine that causes a person to have a hunched posture. It can be caused by gene mutations that control bone growth, or it may occur randomly during development.
2. Postural kyphosis
Postural kyphosis is when the person’s spine curves forward, causing the chin to touch or nearly touch the chest. This can cause pain and fatigue in the back. It happens due to bad and improper posture.
3. Scheuermann’s kyphosis
It is a medical condition in which the vertebrae are wedge-shaped. People with this kind of kyphosis cannot straighten their backs by standing up tall.
What causes Hunchback or Hunched Posture?
Hunchback is a condition that causes an abnormal curvature of the upper spine to form, often occurring in people who have poor bone structure or posture.
There are several different causes for hunchback, and a few of them are:-
- Postural issues due to a sedentary lifestyle.
- scoliosis
- Spinal injury
- osteoporosis
- Loss of bone strength
- Weak muscles in the upper back region
Hunchback Symptoms
A doctor can detect Hunchback through a physical examination of the patient to determine if there are any other possible causes for the condition. If discovered early enough, hunchback can be corrected using medical devices or surgery that help restore spinal curvature to normal levels again.
Symptoms of hunched back include:
- Forward head posture
- Excessive rounding of shoulders
- Sunken chest appearance
- Abnormally curved spine
- Scoliosis (a side-to-side curve in the spine)
Although symptoms will differ based on age and the amount of curvature present, people who have an excessive curve may find it painful.
Can a Hunchback be fixed?
A hunchback is an abnormal, forward, rounded curvature of the upper back. A severe hunched back results in a condition known as kyphosis.
The process of correcting a hunchback is extremely difficult and should only be attempted by those who have certain medical conditions that require surgery to resolve. As it is extremely difficult for a hunchback to be corrected, one should focus on maintaining an upright posture by practicing good posture habits to avoid the formation of a hunchback or hunched posture.
To fix hunched back:-
- Surgery by an experienced surgeon.
- Practicing a good posture.
- Avoid sitting on the desks for a long duration.
- Stretching exercises for the back are done in the morning and evening.
Do I have a hunchback?
Hunchback is a common deformity in the spine, especially when it comes to scoliosis. A person with this condition will have their shoulders and backs hunched over.
To identify that you have a hunched back, first look at the posture of your back. If your upper back is hunched too much and is in pain, there is a chance of a hunched back.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Ans. Although it is not easy, you can correct your hunchback through exercise and good posture. However, in severe conditions, you must undergo surgical treatment to fix the hunched back.
Ans. To get rid of a hunched-back, follow the major points given below.
1. Sit in a good posture by keeping your back straight.
2. If you have to sit for long hours, then take a break after every 15 or 30 minutes.
3. Perform back stretches in the morning and evening for 15 minutes.
4. Do core exercises, too, as they engage your back and will help you straighten it.
Ans. There is no clear-cut answer to how long it will take to fix a hunched back. It depends upon the patient’s medical history, duration of the hunched back, and more.
Ans. Hunchback can be used to describe someone with an abnormally rounded upper back. This condition may also be called kyphosis or hyperkyphosis, which are medical terms that describe the same issue.
The degree of the hunch varies from person to person and depends on whether actual pain is associated with the curvature of the spine.
The curvature in these cases usually starts when a patient reaches their teenage years and continues until they reach middle age.
