Did you know that your spine isn’t completely straight

And that it slightly curves forward as it runs along your back? This is completely normal as your spine is what helps support your head and upper body. However, for someone who has kyphosis (round back or hunchback), the spine curves too much and can cause discomfort or difficulty breathing.

Learn if you have Kyphosis of the spine by having your doctor examine your vertebrae for excessive forward curves.

Usually, kyphosis does not bring about complications but sometimes, it can be serious enough to warrant a back brace or an operation. So what is Kyphosis?

Kyphosis is a condition where the spine curves forward too much and is fairly common for kids and adults. The spine is made up of many little bones called vertebrae which are stacked up and held together by ligaments. The vertebrae in the middle and upper part of your back are attached to your ribs. These are the vertebrae that are curved forward too much when someone has kyphosis.

What causes kyphosis and are there certain types of kyphosis?

Postural kyphosis is the most common type of kyphosis, but it’s rarely a problem. It affects girls more than boys and is caused when bones and muscles develop in an abnormal way, possibly due to slouching or poor posture.

Scheuermann’s kyphosis (named from a Danish doctor) becomes more apparent in the teen years when vertebrae begin to look like wedges instead of rectangles when viewed from the side on X-rays. Scheuermann’s kyphosis is slightly more common among boys than girls and can run in families.

Congenital kyphosis happens when the spine develops abnormally while a baby is still in its mother’s womb. Several vertebrae can be fused together, or the bones can form improperly.

A doctor will examine your spine for kyphosis. This entails an easy, pain-free test called the forward-bending test. The doctor will ask a patient to bend forward at the waist since kyphosis is easier to see when the back is bent this way. If the diagnosis is kyphosis, a set of spinal X-rays will be ordered to determine which type of kyphosis is present. Also, an orthopedist (back specialist) may be needed to determine the extent of kyphosis present, the cause, and the treatment such as a firmer bed or lessons in good posture.