Lordosis describes the natural inward curve of the human spine, particularly noticeable in the lower back and neck regions. While some degree of this curvature is a normal part of spinal anatomy, helping to absorb shock and maintain balance, it can sometimes become exaggerated. When this curve becomes overly pronounced, it is referred to as hyperlordosis.
Understanding Lordosis
Lordosis occurs in two main spinal areas: the cervical (neck) and lumbar (lower back) regions. In a healthy spine, the cervical curve ranges from 30 to 40 degrees, and the lumbar curve is between 40 to 60 degrees. Hyperlordosis is often characterized by a noticeable forward tilt of the hips and pelvis, causing the abdomen to protrude and the buttocks to appear more prominent. This exaggerated inward curve in the lower back is commonly known as “swayback.”
How Lordosis Affects Stature
While lordosis itself does not reduce bone length, hyperlordosis can decrease measurable vertical height. This reduction in height is primarily due to changes in posture and spinal alignment rather than a shortening of the vertebral column. The inward curvature effectively “folds” the spine, pulling the torso or head out of a straight vertical line. For instance, lumbar hyperlordosis can cause a height loss ranging from 0.5 to 2.5 inches (1.27–6.35 centimeters).
The misalignment impacts the body’s vertical axis, making a person appear shorter than their true potential height. When the lower back arches excessively, it pushes the hips forward and the upper body backward, disrupting the natural straight line of standing posture. Similarly, an exaggerated cervical curve can push the head and neck forward, further contributing to a perceived or measured height reduction.
Managing Lordosis
Managing lordosis often involves non-invasive approaches aimed at improving posture and strengthening supporting muscles. Physical therapy plays a significant role, with therapists designing exercise programs to strengthen core muscles, including abdominal and back muscles, which are crucial for proper spinal alignment. These exercises also focus on stretching tight muscles, such as hip flexors, that can contribute to the exaggerated curve.
Common exercises include pelvic tilts, which help relax lower back muscles, and movements like planks and dead bugs that strengthen the entire torso. Regular stretching of hamstrings and improving overall spinal mobility can also aid in restoring better posture. By addressing muscle imbalances and improving core strength, individuals can often reduce the severity of the curve, which may lead to an improvement in perceived and measurable height by allowing the spine to align more vertically.