The Signs and Symptoms of Lordosis and How to Treat It

Lordosis, or swayback, is an exaggerated inward curve of the lower back that’s most common in people with small waists and large hips. This condition can cause back pain and can affect how you walk and sit—and it’s a common occurrence in pregnant women. The good news is that it’s easy to treat if you catch it early enough, as well as prevent it from happening in the first place. Let’s take a look at the signs and symptoms of lordosis and how to treat this common posture problem.

What is lordosis?

Lordosis is a condition recognized by  an excessive inward curvature of the spine. The normal spine has a slight inward curve at the neck and lower back. When these curves become too pronounced, it’s called lordosis. Lordosis can occur in the cervical (neck) spine or lumbar (lower back) region, or in both areas. Lordosis is  most common in the lumbar spine.

Symptoms

Lordosis is a condition that can cause pain in the lower back and difficulty moving. The spine may become curved or even humped. In some cases, the shoulders may round forward. Other symptoms of lordosis include: muscle spasms, numbness, weakness, fatigue, and problems urinating.

Prevention

One of the best ways to prevent lordosis is to maintain a healthy weight. Excess weight can put extra strain on your spine, which can lead to lordosis. Regular exercise is also important for maintaining a healthy spine. Try to do exercises that strengthen your back and abdominal muscles, such as yoga, Pilates, or swimming.

Treatment

Lordosis is a medical condition that affects the spine. The spine has a natural curve, and lordosis is an excessive curve. This can cause severe ache  in the lower back and legs. It can also make it difficult to stand up straight. 

There are several treatments for lordosis, including physical therapy, chiropractic care, and exercises. 

Physical therapy includes heat, ice, massage, ultrasound, and other techniques to ease muscle tension. It may also include exercise or strengthening your core muscles.

 Chiropractic care includes spinal adjustments using hands or instrumentation. In both cases, regular visits may be necessary to see improvements in your symptoms. 

A common exercise for lordosis is called the pelvic tilt. To do this stretch: lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor; tighten your abdominal muscles; tilt pelvis backward (toward ceiling); then release the contraction so you're tilting forward again. Repeat 8-10 times each day

Dietary changes

If you have lordosis, there are a few dietary changes you can make to help ease your symptoms. First, try to eat more anti-inflammatory foods like fruits and vegetables. Additionally, increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids by eating more fish or taking a supplement. 

Manual therapy/Physical therapy

Lordosis is an abnormal curve in the spine that can cause pain and other problems. The condition is caused by a number of factors, including weak abdominal muscles, tight hamstrings, and poor posture. 

Manual therapy and physical therapy are two effective treatments for lordosis. Manual therapy involves manipulating the spine to correct the curve. 

Physical therapy aids  to strengthen the muscles of your back that support the spine. Good posture also plays a role in treating lordosis. Patients should also avoid activities such as sitting at a desk or playing video games that put pressure on the lower back. In extreme cases, surgery may be required to fix some spinal curvatures.

Surgery

If your lordosis is severe, you may need surgery. The type of surgery you have will depend on the cause of your lordosis. For example, if you have a herniated disc, you may need a disc replacement. If you have spinal stenosis, you may need a laminectomy. You may also be offered surgery if your lordosis has caused pressure on the nerves in your spine or muscles in your lower back that are so tense they cannot relax. Surgery can relieve these symptoms and reduce pain. 

If your problem is not serious enough for surgery, there are some other treatments that can help: 

-Flexible hip splints 

-Exercises to strengthen abdominal muscles 

-Nerve block injections