What Is Kyphosis?
Kyphosis is an excessive outward curve of the upper spine that rounds the back. A mild curve in the thoracic spine is normal, but increased curvature can affect posture, spinal alignment, and movement. Kyphosis may develop from posture habits, spinal changes, or conditions that alter the shape of vertebrae.
Quick Facts About Kyphosis
Category
Spinal alignment condition
Used for
Describing excessive upper-back curvature
Common confusion
Kyphosis differs from side-to-side spinal curvature
Also called
Rounded upper back, Round back
Often discussed with
Posture Correction, Therapeutic Exercise
Key Takeaways About Kyphosis
- The curve affects the upper spine and creates a rounded-back appearance.
- Posture habits can contribute to flexible forms of kyphosis.
- Kyphosis is not the same as scoliosis, which involves side-to-side curvature.
How Kyphosis Works
Kyphosis changes how the upper spine holds the head, shoulders, and rib cage. The thoracic spine normally curves outward, but an increased curve can shift the upper body forward. Stiff joints, shortened muscles, or repeated slouching may limit the ability to return to a more upright position.
Related glossary terms: Thoracic Spine, Forward Head Posture, Cervical Lordosis.
Clinicians examine posture, spinal movement, muscle balance, and the flexibility of the curve. A flexible curve may change as you adjust your position, while a structural curve remains more consistent. Posture correction may address movement habits and related alignment patterns, such as forward head posture, without assuming that every rounded back has the same cause.
From the Arrowhead Clinic Chiropractor Savannah team
When we assess kyphosis during Posture Correction, we observe the upper-back curve while you stand and move. We also check shoulder position, spinal mobility, and related muscle tension. Our team uses those findings to distinguish a flexible posture pattern from a more fixed structural change.
Kyphosis in Practice: A Real-World Example
A person who spends long hours at a desk may develop a rounded upper back and forward-positioned shoulders. During Posture Correction, the assessment focuses on whether the curve changes with position and how the surrounding muscles support upright movement.
Related Services
Related Terms
Thoracic Spine
Thoracic Spine is the middle section of the spinal column, extending from the base of the…
Forward Head Posture
Forward Head Posture is a postural pattern in which the head rests ahead of the shoulders…
Cervical Lordosis
Cervical Lordosis is the natural inward curve of the neck portion of the spine. This curve…
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Have Questions About Kyphosis?
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