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.
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Table of Contents
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 ageing because of osteoporosis.
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Types of Kyphosis
The Kyphosis are 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 mutations in genes that control bone growth, or it may occur randomly during development.
2. Postural kyphosis
Postural kyphosis is a condition in which 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 back 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
Hunch back can be detected by a doctor through a physical examination of the patient to determine if there are any other possible causes for the condition. If discovered early enough, hunch back can be corrected using medical devices or surgery that help restore spinal curvature to normal levels again.
Symptoms for 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 amount of curvature present. People who have an excessive curve may find it painful.
Can a Hunchback be fixed?
A hunch back is defined as 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 practising good posture habits to avoid the formation of a hunch back or hunched posture.
To fix hunched back:-
- Surgery by an experienced surgeon.
- Practising a good posture.
- Avoid sitting on the desks for a long duration.
- Do stretching exercises for the back in the morning and evening time.
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 end up having their shoulders and back hunched over.
To identify that you got a hunched back first look at the posture of your back. If your upper back is hunched too much with pain then there are chances 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 have to undergo surgical treatment to fix the hunched back.
Ans. To get rid of a hunched back follow the major points given below.
1. Try to 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 it engages your back and will help you to straighten your back.
Ans. There is no clear cut answer that 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 referred to as kyphosis or hyperkyphosis which are medical terms for describing the same issue.
The degree of the hunch varies from person to person and depends on whether there is actual pain 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.
